Page 77 of Midnight Hunt
“Reid,” I said by way of greeting, trying hard not to growl the word.
I was glad he’d ended their relationship, but he’d still hurt her. My protective instincts were demanding I seek retribution, and Whiskey settled back down, assured that I had this under control.
“Griff,” the quarterback greeted back, studying me and Vi a moment before adding, “Looks like you got what you wanted.”
“Looks like I did,” I replied, splaying my hand on Vi’s stomach.
At the possessive move, he shook his head with a small laugh. “Don’t worry, man. She’s all yours. She was only ever yours to begin with.”
Vi’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t comment.
The need to stake my claim started to fade, but I kept my hand right where it was all the same, feeling less on edge the longer she was pressed against me.
With an almost wistful smile, Reid stared at us for another beat, then said, “I should go. My uncle wanted to introduce me to some more alphas. He’ll be stepping down and initiating me into Lunar Falls Pack as the new alpha once this football season ends, so I have a lot to learn in a short period of time.”
“Oh, wow, Reid. I’m so happy for you,” Vi exclaimed, and I could tell she truly meant it.
“Thanks,” he replied, giving her one of his signature smiles.
As he turned to go, Vi suddenly pulled away from me. “Reid, wait.”
My instincts flared up again, and Whiskey sat up in a panic, but I forced myself not to react as she rushed forward to grab Reid’s hand.
“I-I really am sorry about what happened,” she said as he turned back to her. “I was hoping that maybe . . . that maybe we could still be friends?”
Now that’s our smart wee lass, Whiskey purred in contentment, settling back down again.
Reid stared at her, then smiled again and replied, “I would like that.”
With a relieved sigh, she hugged him. He hugged her back, and the urge to tackle him to the ground reared up. But the hug was over a second later, and with a little wave, Vi turned from Reid and came back to me.
Me.
I felt a sudden need to kiss her in front of everyone, to let every single male here know that Vi belonged tome.
Surprised by the possessive thought, especially when it wasn’t entirely true, I didn’t see the male with wavy dark blond hair approaching Vi until it was too late.
“Little Violet!” he sang, scooping her up to twirl her around.
Instead of trying to break free, Vi broke into a grin. “Mace! Fashionably late, as always.”
“You know it!” he said with a laugh, then stopped twirling to nuzzle her neck and groan, “God, have you always smelled this good? I should have eaten before coming here because I’m suddenlystarving.”
At that, my vision turned red. It was like a switch in my brain flipped, flooding my entire being with rage.
Bellowing a roar, I pulled Vi from my brother’s arms and shoved him.Hard. Hard enough to send him crashing to the ground and rolling across the lawn.
“Griff!” Vi cried, but I could barely hear her over the pounding in my ears. I lunged for him again, only for a powerful pair of arms to hold me back.
“Stand down,” a familiar voice barked, but I continued to lunge for Mason, out of my mind with fury.
“He touched her!” I thundered, yanking my arms free of Kolton’s hold, only for another pair of arms to join in. Even though I knew I couldn’t overpower Kolton and Jagger combined, I still fought, my control in shambles at my feet. “Vi is mine. MINE.”
“GRIFFIN!” a female voice shouted, with such desperation that I paused. “Griff,please. Please don’t do this!”
When her words ended in a sob, the red haze disappeared. I blinked to find Vi standing before me, her face streaked with mascara.
Just like that, all of my anger left me.
