Page 7 of Midnight Hunt

Griff looked ready to argue, but it was Kolton who shocked me by replying, “Fine, but you’re not going alone.”

“I’ll go with her,” Griff immediately offered.

“Done,” Kolton said before I could protest. “Once Vi is packed, we’ll make sure you two get to the Jeep safely before meeting up with Alpha DeRosa.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Griff replied with a nod.

When they all looked at me again, this time expectantly, I rolled my eyes and moved to collect my things. I was used to being bossed around by dominant males, but I didn’t expect to be bossed aroundhere. Although Reid was also a dominant male and would become alpha of his hometown pack soon, he was pretty chill.

He and Griff were alike in that way—except that Reid didn’t go ballistic when another male messed with me. Griff, on the other hand, revealed just how dangerous he could be the moment a male even looked at me wrong.

He’d never made a jab at Reid before, though. Until now. It worried me more than I wanted to admit. Griff tended to chase off my suitors when he didn’t approve of them.

Because none of them were right for you, including Reid, Sable butted into my thoughts.

Hush, I replied, entering the guest bedroom where I slept while I was here—since Sable wouldn’t let me sleep with Reid.You’ve never likedanyof the males I’ve been with.

Not true.

I snorted.Fine. Name one.

She didn’t respond.

See? You’re too picky.

Am not. You’re just blind.

Okay, stop, I groaned, grabbing my suitcase to plonk it onto the bed.Reid is amazing, and I have every intention of rescheduling our sexy evening. Once my attackers have been dealt with, I’m coming right back here to spend a hot night with my boyfriend. It’s been way too long since I’ve gotten any.

Yuck, she said with a disdainful sniff.

Get over it. You owe me. We’re leaving for home even earlier than planned.

I felt her perk up at that.

Truth be told, I was excited too. This was the longest I’d been away from my niece and nephew, and I couldn’t wait to breathe in their intoxicating baby smells again. Despite my reasons for leaving early, I was more than ready to be reunited with the rest of my family.

Five minutes later, I was packed and wearing a fresh plum-colored top with a deep V-neck. The scratches I’d received in the attack were scrubbed clean, and not a single mark marred my deep olive skin. Thanks to my supernatural healing, there wasn’t even a bruise on my cheek from the brutal punch. I’d taken a few seconds to sweep my hair up into a high ponytail and rearrange my bangs so they fell perfectly straight once more.

Looking in the mirror, it was like the near-abduction had never happened.

Except that everything had changed in the blink of an eye. Reid and I were no longer going to take the next step in our relationship tonight, and I was running home with my tail between my legs.

Angry that the two male bastards had ruined my romantic evening, I swept from the room with my luggage and beelined toward my boyfriend. He was deep in conversation with Kolton when I interrupted by pulling his head down for a kiss. As our lips fused together, I felt him stiffen in surprise. Not caring that we had an audience, I stood on tiptoe and deepened the kiss. A moment later, he eagerly responded, raising his arms to pull me close.

True to her word, Sable didn’t try to break us apart. Taking full advantage, I allowed the kiss to last for several long moments.

A throat suddenly cleared, and I broke the kiss to whisper against Reid’s lips, “Sorry I’m leaving this way. I’ll make it up to you.”

He pulled back to meet my eyes. At the promise he saw in them, a slow smile stretched his mouth. “Looking forward to it.”

Returning his smile, I pecked him on the cheek and stepped back. The second I did, a huge hand engulfed mine.

“Okay, we’re out of here,” Griff said, practically dragging me toward the door. When I stumbled a bit, he reached back and plucked the suitcase from my hand.

“Griff,” I protested, trying to wiggle my hand free. His grip only tightened, so I gave up with a sigh.

Arguing with a male werewolf in overprotective mode was pointless. I usually did it anyway but didn’t feel like putting up a fight at the moment. The attack must have taken more out of me than I cared to admit.

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