18. Griffin

EIGHTEEN

Alump formed in Griffin's throat as he watched Adeline scurry off toward her room. She closed the door partially behind her, and through the gap, he saw her throw her bag onto the bed.

As he dressed in fresh clothes, he thought of protecting her, Deanne, and Jodi. Things were steadily growing more unpredictable as the days passed, and it seemed his worst fears were coming to fruition.

But I'm not giving up, he thought. Not when they need me more than ever.

He broke off toward his office, throwing some belongings into a bag while impatiently ringing Carl. As the dial tone droned on and on, he attempted to wrap his head around the attack from Bruce and Abe.

Did Carl really put them up to this?he wondered.

Griffin hated the bastard more than anything, but he didn't want to believe that his own alpha would commission something so atrocious. There had to be some misunderstanding somewhere along the way, or so he kept telling himself.

"Griffin," chimed Carl through the receiver. The mere sound of his voice ignited a headache within the bodyguard's head as he rubbed his temples in agony.

"Carl," he groaned. "We need to talk."

"Aren't you going to ask how my vacation was? How rude." The alpha chuckled.

The would-be alpha was in no mood for jokes, choosing to get straight to the point.

"Abe and Bruce," he grumbled. "Explain."

"Ah, the boys. They're good chaps, always doing what they're told. You met them, then?"

"Why were they here, Carl?" asked Griffin.

"I sent them to your place to do you a favor. Why do you sound worked up? Was there a problem of some sort?"

Is he being serious? His headache was slowly but surely growing into a full-blown migraine. It felt as though the side of his head was about to burst.

"Carl, you may be an alpha, but that doesn't give you the right to disrespect me."

"What?"

"Don't forget that if not for me, you wouldn't have that position," growled the bodyguard.

"I think you and I are having two completely different conversations here, pal," said the alpha in a neutral tone. "Like I said, I sent the boys over to lend you a hand and save you a trip. I got your message and figured you needed some rest after watching over Adeline for a few days. That's all there is to it."

Griffin ran a hand over his hair. It was damp from sweat. He exhaled a long sigh of frustration and fatigue, his next words coming out calmer than expected.

"Then explain to me why they said they had your full approval to take her by force."

"By force?" repeated Carl.

"Hey, look. I'm exhausted, so I don't have time to hear your act of playing the fool. Be straight and honest with me, Carl."

"I know nothing of that. I swear on my mother's life."

Griffin hated how sincere the pack leader sounded. He was believable enough for the bodyguard to consider his claims.

"I cannot believe what I'm hearing, but I know it to be the truth if it's coming from your mouth," said Carl. "Everyone, myself included, knows you're a senior and well-tenured member of the pack. They should have shown you respect."

Griffin scoffed at Carl's response.

"I will ensure Abe and Bruce are reprimanded accordingly for stepping out of line. You have my word on that. Please give Adeline my deepest apologies."

"I don't think there'll be a need for punishment," said Griffin. "I dished out some hard lessons to them already. Have a healer ready for when they arrive. They'll need one."

"Ah, of course, you took care of business. I wouldn"t expect anything less from our greatest fighter. So, is everything okay between us?"

The bodyguard disregarded Carl, his next words coming out as a warning.

"I suggest you prepare yourself too. We'll be seeing you very soon."

Right before he hung up, Griffin swore he heard a gulp coming from the phone. He clenched his fist in annoyance, not knowing what to think anymore.

What if he's telling the truth? Either way, he must be confronted. This can't go on any longer than it already has.

Griffin threw the rest of his belongings into his bag and slung it over his shoulder.

A few minutes later, he stowed his things into the back of his truck alongside Adeline's, and together, the two climbed into the vehicle.

The auto started with a roar. He slammed the gear selector into drive, but before he pulled away, he looked over his shoulder at the old pack house once more.

He thought of his father and grandfather, wondering what they would do in this situation. Unfortunately for him, neither of them were here to lend a hand. This would have to be solved on his own accord.

He glanced at Adeline on his right, unsure of what he was getting them both into. Gently, he pressed his foot against the pedal, and the truck inched away from his place.

The next few minutes were spent filling in Adeline on the details of the phone call with Carl. She hung on his every word. Griffin knew the safety of the girls rested at the forefront of her mind.

"This is all a mess," she groaned, leaning her head against the window. Outside, the trees sped by, a blurring motion of constant green. His wolf growled to see his mate so dismayed.

"I promise you the kids will be safe, no matter what," said Griffin. It was the only thing he was sure of. "But we'll have to sweet talk Carl."

"What do you mean sweet talk?" Adeline retorted. "He sends goons after us, and now we're supposed to kiss his ass?"

"Again, he said he didn't know anything about using force. Either way, he's still the alpha whether we like it or not."

Adeline sank into her seat as Griffin took a turn for Champlain Lakes Island, home to Carl's new pack quarters.

"Mari has the kids under watchful eyes, and I've texted some trusted friends to help her out. Right now, getting the protection of the whole pack should be our main priority."

"But I have you," Adeline said in protest.

"Yes, and you always will, but I'm still only one man. The more numbers we can get, the better."

From the moment they pulled away, Griffin couldn't keep his mind focused on driving. He mumbled to himself as he thought out loud, something that didn't go unnoticed by Adeline. He glanced sidelong at her to spot a confused look written over her face.

"What?" he asked, though he knew she saw right through him.

"You keep talking to yourself. Is there something you're not telling me?"

I can't conceal the truth from her any longer.

Sighing, he pulled off the road and onto the dirt, turning off the truck. The hum of the engine came to an end. The only sounds were a faint wind outside and the occasional passing of a car.

"It's possible that Carl might deny you protection from the pack," he said.

"Why?" Adeline asked, her brows crossing in worry. "There's no good reason for that."

"I hate to say it, but he has a reasonable excuse. You see, he could argue that we're inviting danger into the pack by bringing you and the girls in."

"Danger?" she spat. "From two children and a human?"

"I know it's upsetting, but I'm not saying it'll happen. I'll do everything to convince him otherwise."

"Griffin," Adeline whispered. She reached out and rested her hand on the bodyguard's cheek, turning it to face her. She stared deep into his eyes, their pupils dilating at the sight of one another. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Despite the willingness to let her in on his fears, he still hesitated. He swallowed hard and took her hand, rubbing it in small circles.

"Yeah," he said, his voice breaking. He cleared his throat before continuing. "You know something, Adeline? You're the most special person I've ever met."

"Griffin," she chuckled. "I appreciate the flattery, but now's not the time for it."

"I'm not just saying that. You see … you're my fated mate."

"Fated mate?"

"Yes, I know that sounds weird, so let me explain." He paused for a moment to think his words over. All the while, Adeline sat patiently, her head tilted in wonder at what he just said.

"Shifters are born with the ability to detect a unique mating bond. It extends to one person and one person only. The partner who is most suitable for us, so it can't be just anyone."

"Like destiny?"

"Almost. You see, just because one has a fated mate, it's not a guarantee that they'll wind up together. If they don't, however, then they'll never love again. Things are never the same for shifters after they meet their fated mate."

"And you have no control in the matter?"

"No, it's completely out of our hands," Griffin said. "There's nothing we can say or do to change who our fated mate is. It's merely information to do with as we please, but it's information that changes the trajectory of our lives."

He reached over, brushing Adeline's hair behind her ears.

"For me, that person is you, Adeline. I know that for a fact. My wolf told me the moment I first laid eyes on your beautiful face."

Adeline bit her lower lip, her cheeks quickly blushing red.

"But wait, I'm not a shifter, so how could I be your fated mate?"

"You don't have to be a shifter," said Griffin. He stroked her face and smiled for the first time that day since they woke up in each other's arms. "Not happy about it?"

"I'm delighted," she admitted. "But you seemed anxious just a moment ago. Is it because of me?"

Griffin retracted his hand. His gaze remained on his fated mate. Only his expression changed to one of concern. His eyes widened at the thought of Carl.

It's always got to be Carl getting in the way of things, even my fated mate.

"Griffin, are you okay?" asked Adeline, her voice trembling.

Griffin realized he'd been growling and baring his teeth.

"Sorry," he muttered. "It's Carl."

"What about him?"

"He's always been jealous of me and the respect I hold within the pack. He's a small man with nothing but the title of alpha to his name. To him, I'm the biggest threat. Not only do I have more members of the pack loyal to me, but he knows I'm more powerful than he'll ever be and that if I challenge him to be alpha, I'd win."

"So why don't you?"

"It's not in my interest," said Griffin. "You are. Because of me, though, he might not give us what we're looking for."

"He'll tell us to leave because he's threatened by you?."

"No," interjected the bodyguard. "The worst-case scenario is that he'll grant you pack protection … but only if you agree to take his hand in marriage."

"What?" she cried, shooting up in her seat.

"Think about it. He'll want to hurt me in any way he can. The best way is if he takes you from me, and it'll be his right to do so as alpha. Even fated mates don't get an exception to that rule."

Deep in his heart, he knew it could happen. The worst part was that he still didn't know how he'd respond should it come to that.

Adeline had truly grown on him, not just as his fated mate but as the wonderful person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Even without the strings of destiny pushing them together, she was the person he would have wanted his mate to be.

At the same time, if he had to give her up to keep her safe, maybe that was simply what needed to happen. He would do anything for her own good … even walk away from the one thing he wanted more than anything. And he wasn't sure Carl wouldn't ask him to do just that, even if it was just to be petty.

"I don't know what to say," Adeline said remorsefully. Such simple words, but they echoed his own thoughts.

"I know," he replied. "You don't have to say anything right now. Who knows what'll even go down once we reach the pack? We'll just have to wait and see."

They took each other's hands.

"Are you ready?" asked Griffin.

"Yeah," she said. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"No matter what, I'll be right there with you. Let's do this."

Griffin meant what he said, but there was no indication of what their true fate would be. Whether or not they'd be together remained unclear. He pulled back onto the road, driving further into uncertainty.