Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I followed Griffin into our bedroom while the other two stayed with Rosemary as she ate her dinner. Luckily, we’d eaten our food prior to Rosemary getting here.
Well, correction… Killian and I ate while Griffin glared at him. I could feel how much this all bothered him, but there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. When I looked at it from every angle, this strategy was what I kept coming back to.
When I entered the room, Griffin shut the door behind me a little too hard. The doorframe shuddered at the force.
I’d been expecting his outburst, having felt it brewing inside him ever since Carter made the call informing us that the enemy had contacted him. For a second, I’d falsely hoped that we wouldn’t argue. Hell, we hadn’t officially had our first fight.
I guessed that changed now.
I want you to call this off. Griffin jumped right to the point. This is a bad decision. You being captured isn ’ t the right answer. His hazel eyes darkened to all brown, as if the warm green flecks had simply disappeared.
I kept a clear head and didn’t react as I wanted to because I had to put myself in his shoes. If he’d suggested using himself as bait, I wouldn’t be thrilled, either. In fact, I would be doing everything possible to find a different course of action. But, unlike him, I would see the plan for what it was—our best chance.
This, again, went back to him not having the same battle strategy training I’d had my entire life. Without that training on his side, I would have to help him see things in a different light. Okay, then what do you suggest?
His head tipped backward as the tension around his eyes slackened. He nibbled on his bottom lip as his brows furrowed in confusion.
He hadn’t expected me to respond like that. He’d been prepared to argue.
Uh... Well, I can get Dick involved and see if he can help us find the culprit. Griffin nodded like he was convincing himself that what he said was the best course of action.
Dammit, I understood his gut reaction, but I needed to figure out a way to help him decide that it wasn’t a good idea to include that bastard. So, you want to put the person who is currently running Shadow City at risk and potentially lose not one council member, but two? The words tasted sour in my mind, but talking down to him wouldn’t work. Dad had used this strategy with me while I was growing up, and I believed it had helped me learn to think things through more objectively. I’m not sure he has our best interests at heart. I have a feeling about him.
Fine. Okay. I trust you. He blew out a breath as he ran his fingers into his now disheveled honey-brown hair. Then we wait until they contact Carter again when he doesn’t deliver you. Maybe you can say that was an odd morning request and you have other things to do.
They won’t give Carter a second chance, and he would be more likely to inform them that we knew the plans and that he was compromised in order to save his brother. Not to mention his brother probably will lose a hand or worse. I sat on the bed and placed my hands in my lap, staring straight ahead. Then they could attack us again, knowing that we lost our temporary advantage over them.
Then we fight. Griffin nodded as he sat next to me. And you can stay somewhere safe like Shadow City in the meantime.
And leave others here to fight when these people are coming for me? That was the one option that I would never accept, even if Griffin tried to demand it. What kind of leader would that make me? If we want to lead Shadow City, side by side, that strategy is the worst option. No one would respect me or be able to view me as their alpha or, hell, even the alpha’s mate.
His hands clutched mine to the point of near pain. He practically yelled through our bond, Who fucking cares? At least you ’ d be alive and safe!
My wolf growled, infuriated that he’d spoken to us that way. We weren’t his pack member, but his equal. If I wanted to, I could force him to submit to me. But the silver wolves weren’t meant to lead regular wolves. They were meant to lead the other protectors and make the calls that were the most difficult to make.
War strategies.
Like these. But I would never talk down to him and insult him that way. Even if he had just done that to me. His reaction stemmed from emotions and caring; a good place, even if it was uncalled for.
Look. I tried to stay level-headed, but my irritation bled through. I can only imagine what you ’re feeling. I turned my body and fully faced him, cupping his cheek with one hand. Our eyes caught and held. But your people not respecting me isn ’ t an option. My dad raised me to be the kind of warrior that people would respect, and what you ’ re asking me to do is something that would make him turn over in his grave. If he had one. That was yet another thing I had to figure out—what those assholes had done to my pack’s bodies. If I could find them, I wanted to give each and every one of them a proper burial, as any shifter and fighter deserved.
The anger faded from his eyes, and his whole body sagged in defeat. I ’ m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that, but the thought of you walking into something and getting hurt when I could’ve done something to prevent it...it almost paralyzes me.
His honesty was what I needed to get to the root of the problem. But you have to know this is the strategy that makes the most sense—and asking me not to do it isn ’ t right. I get that we ’ re mates, but I ’ m still an individual who believes this is the best decision. I ’ m not trying to be a martyr. I don ’ t have a death wish. In fact, because of you, I’m determined to make it out of this alive. But I need you to trust me and my instincts.
You weren’t supposed to argue with me. He leaned his forehead against mine and continued, Or use logic.
I’ll always listen to your concerns. He was my mate, and even if I didn’t agree with him, he deserved the respect of being heard. I love you.
He ran his fingers through my hair and kissed me. The feelings of love between the two of us intermingled as we opened to each other to show how much we cared.
You are something I never prepared for. He pulled back, locking on to my gaze. Had I known what was tugging at me that morning in the coffee shop, I would’ve tried not to be such an ass to you. You didn’t deserve to be talked to that way.
I smiled, remembering his cringe-worthy pickup lines. Our first conversation was not a good way to introduce yourself, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, I got to tell you right away that I wouldn’t take that shit from you.
He chuckled. I didn’t know how to react. I never had a girl shoot me down like that before, and then Killian walked in, marking his territory. He shuddered. I almost tore him a new asshole right then and there.
At least, you didn’t pee on me, I teased. To think about how our relationship had changed since then was crazy. He was now my other half in all of the ways that mattered. The thought of being without him terrified me.
He kissed me again. Oh, believe me, I thought about it. In fact... He grabbed my waist and hoisted me onto my back on the bed before crawling on top of me. He took both of my wrists, and placed them beside my head, holding me in place. Maybe I should do it now.
No, he wouldn’t. You’ve bitten me. I think we’re good.
Better safe than sorry, he said as he raked his teeth against my neck.
My body heated between being restrained and the slight pain. I’m okay with how you’re making sure.
This time we get to go slow. He sucked hard, making his intentions of leaving a hickey obvious.
For some reason, the fact that he wanted to mark me thrilled me. The bruise would be gone by morning, but the effort he put forth for even a temporary branding excited me in ways I’d never imagined.
His hand slipped under my shirt, then my bra, and pinched my nipple. I inhaled sharply as the two sensations overwhelmed my senses.
Is this okay? he asked, caressing my breast more firmly.
I nodded, not able to speak even in my mind.
He kissed his way down my neck slowly and lifted my shirt. His mouth replaced his fingers as his teeth scraped against me.
A low moan escaped, but I wasn’t embarrassed. I tried pushing against him, but his hand kept me secured in place.
Instead of loosening his grip, he bit down, which had me bucking beneath him.
Take me, I growled, primed and ready for him.
No, he said sternly. Not yet. I ’ ll be in agony tomorrow, so it’s your turn tonight.
What the hell? I couldn’t believe that he’d say something like that—but then his tongue began to work, making my mind foggy. Need flowed through me, short-circuiting my brain.
He released the hold on one of my wrists and rolled to the side as his hand slid down to my jeans and unbuttoned them. Within seconds, his fingers were between my legs, rubbing and setting my body on fire.
The glorious torture of his mouth and hand was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. My body quivered with powerful desire. Griffin, I whispered, not above begging. Please.
He removed his hand and stood, dragging my pants and panties away from my body as he moved. After they lay crumpled on the floor, he discarded his own.
He pulled his shirt from his body, and I enjoyed watching his six-pack contract. My mate was the sexiest man I’d ever seen, and the fact that he was all mine added to the lust coursing through me.
I lifted high enough so I could yank my shirt off. I wanted to feel his skin on mine; it was the best sensation in the world. He snaked a hand around me, unfastening my bra and tossing it aside.
Ready for him, I moved to spin around, but he caught my waist, holding me in place.
I get to be in control this time. He slid between my legs and thrust deep inside me.
Throwing my head back, I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he moved in and out slowly—over and over again. He captured my breast in his mouth as he continued in a slow but strong pace, making tension build steadily inside me. I’d thought the emotions coming fast and furious couldn’t be matched, but this was intense in a different kind of way. No matter how I tried to quicken the pace, he held firm.
The sensation strengthened inside me, overwhelming me. The intensity of the friction both hurt and felt amazing. I dug my fingers into his back, and a sharp metallic smell hit me as warm drops of blood puddled under my nails.
"Oh, God," I groaned, as he finally began to increase the rhythm. His body shook as an orgasm rocked through both of us. His thrusting became quicker, pounding even deeper inside me. My body contracted as the strongest release shook me. My head went light, and my vision blurred.
He slowed as we both came down from our shared high. His lips devoured me as he chuckled in my mind, I told you you ’ d call me that.
It took a second for his meaning to sink in. That first time he saw me, he’d told me I’d be calling him God later that night. I giggled and smacked his arm, rolling him off me. I arched an eyebrow as I growled, "You better be glad I love you."
"Oh, I am," he said seriously, as he pulled me into his arms. "I’m happier about that than you’ll ever know."
The next morning, Griffin walked me into the coffee shop. His grip on my hand was extra tight, mirroring the fear and anxiety that riddled him.
We’d enjoyed our night together, but his chaotic emotions had woken me up this morning. If I were a betting person, I’d put money on him not having slept at all.
Hey, Rosemary called and told us she doesn’t see or sense anything out of the ordinary, and she’s in the tree. I tried reassuring him because I hated that my decision was causing him to feel this way. Killian and Sierra are in the rental car, and you’ll be with them soon.
Just promise me that if anything we haven’t prepared for happens, you ’ ll let me know. He rolled his shoulders, at least trying to act normal. And that you’ll be okay with me stepping in if there’s any indication that we won’t be able to follow you, or if the danger escalates.
As long as you make sure it’s not you being overly paranoid . If he could promise me that, I’d be okay.
Some of the tension did leave his body, and he faced me. Really?
I trust you. I kissed him and forced myself to walk behind the counter and put on an apron. So, if you truly believe something isn ’ t going as expected, then do what you feel like you need to.
"Oh, look." Carter’s voice cracked, and there was sweat on his upper lip. "Your boyfriend is here...again."
His attempt to sound normal was coming across more as scared. Someone was probably watching us, given the kidnapping was supposed to take place in the next little bit. I hoped they’d expected Carter to be nervous.
"Mate." Griffin tried to sound annoyed, but his delivery fell a little flatter than normal.
Hopefully, if anyone was close enough to hear, they wouldn’t notice.
"You two be nice." I tied the apron and shook my head, trying to act better than them. "One day, you’re going to wind up friends."
"Fat chance." Griffin wrinkled his nose and scowled at Carter.
You need to leave. For the plan to work, he had to go get breakfast like he normally did. I know it ’s hard, but after today, this should all be over. At least, that was the goal.
I love you. He kissed me again, lingering a few seconds too long. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my entire life, and it proves I ’ m willing to do anything for you.
Brushing my fingertips across his cheek, I smiled. You proved it the time you jumped in front of that gun to protect me. I was talking about the ambush we’d survived together in the woods outside his and Killian’s houses just one day before I was abducted.
And that wasn ’ t a hard decision at all. He kissed my fingertips and looked at me a second longer. You better come home to me. He pivoted and walked out the door.
I’d prepared to get hurt and be put in threatening situations, but I hadn’t been prepared for how damn hard it would be to watch Griffin walk away. Even though I knew this was the best strategy, there was a chance that I might not see him again.
"Hey, Dove." Carter cleared his throat. "I forgot to take out one of the trash bags yesterday afternoon. Would you run it out back before the others get here? I’d hate for them to think it’s okay to slack off."
My heart sank. His request had come sooner than we’d planned. I’m heading out to the dumpster now.
What? Griffin sounded tense. I ’ m not in the car yet. Take as long as you can so I can get there. I need five minutes.
Carter mouthed ‘I’m sorry. They texted me a few minutes ago.’
Dammit. He was being an idiot. They changed the time on him.
We need to abort. Griffin sounded tense. They could be suspicious.
No, they’re just being careful. It was something I would do if I were them. It ’ s smart. I took the bag from Carter. "Okay, but I won’t cover for your ass again."
I walked through the kitchen, taking my time. Are you there yet?
Yes, I just got into the car. I wasn ’ t followed—I went out a side door I never use, he rasped. Killian started the car. We ’ re ready.
All right. It was time.
I pushed open the back door and stepped out…and someone grabbed me from behind, spinning me in the direction of the garbage can so I couldn’t see them. Before I could even scream, a cloth bag went over my head, obstructing my vision.
There was no going back now.