Page 76 of Griffin

He grabbed Michael, yanking him close, and pressed one of his talons against Michael’s throat.

“Michael!” I barked, my heart pounding like a drum.

Todd’s grip was iron, his face a mask of deranged fury.

“Stay back!” he shouted. “I won’t let you have him! He’s mine. Always been mine.”

Michael’s chest heaved, his eyes locked on mine, wide with panic.

“Todd…” Michael whispered, his voice trembling. “Don’t do this.”

For a moment, I saw the realization dawn in Michael’s eyes.

Maybe he hadn’t wanted to admit it before, but now it was undeniable. Todd wasn’t just some jealous friend. He was his stalker.

Todd’s gaze flickered to Michael, a twisted sort of affection crossing his face.

“Don’t worry, Michael. I’ll follow after you. If we can’t be together on this earth, then we’ll be together in heaven,” Todd said.

Panic surged through me. My wolf clawed at me, begging to be set free, to rip Todd apart, but I forced myself to stay still.

I couldn’t risk making the wrong move. Michael’s eyes darted to mine again, pleading. Then he looked back at Todd, his voice soft.

“Todd,” he said, his tone shifting. “What… what if I came with you instead?”

My stomach sank.

Todd narrowed his eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not,” Michael said quickly, his voice steady despite the fear I could see in his trembling hands. “You’re right. You’ve been there for me all this time, and I’ve been ungrateful.”

Todd’s grip loosened slightly, his fevered gaze locking onto Michael.

“I’m your number one fan, always loyal. That’s why my username is MichaelForever. I’m forever yours,” Todd said.

Michael nodded slowly, his voice almost a whisper. “I know. Maybe you’re the one for me after all.”

Todd’s grip slackened, the talons pulling away from Michael’s throat. His crazed expression softened into something almost tender.

My wolf tensed, every instinct screaming at me to move, but I waited. Michael had a plan. I had to trust him.

“See?” Michael whispered, inching closer. “You were right all along, Todd.”

For a second, Todd looked almost at peace. Then Michael drove his elbow sharply into his ribs. Todd let out a choked cry, doubling over in pain.

Michael tore away from him, running toward me. But Todd wasn’t done.

He lunged after Michael, snarling like a feral animal. I didn’t think. I moved. With a roar, I pounced, my claws sinking into Todd’s back as I dragged him to the ground.

He thrashed beneath me, his talons swiping at anything they could reach, but I pinned him down. Todd was too dangerous to let go.

He didn’t hesitate to threaten Michael, so I did the only thing I could to ensure he would never hurt Michael again. I closed my fangs around his neck and tore out his throat.

I waited a beat longer before shoving his corpse away, my wolf still bristling with fury. I shifted back, my breath heaving as I turned to Michael.

I was a little worried he’d change his opinion of me after seeing what I’d done. What I was capable of.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

---