22. Griffin

TWENTY-TWO

Griffin's restful sleep came to a gentle end as he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Adeline's head and hand lying on his chest. It was followed by noting the scent of her hair draped over his face and the taste of her on his lips.

On the floor below were their clothes and bags. For a moment, he forgot where he was and couldn't believe he was sleeping with his fated mate in a high-end room given to them by his rival.

Has Carl finally managed to come around to me? He thought to himself.

It was crazy, but if he really had bad intentions, wouldn't Carl have done something by now? After all, Griffin knew he had them right where he wanted them on his own island, surrounded by his goons.

The evidence was beginning to show that Carl, maybe, really was an ally. Still, it left a bad taste in Griffin's mouth, one that he swallowed down as he shifted his body. The motion woke Adeline, who slowly rose beside him.

The two yawned and bid each other good morning with a kiss. Griffin looked deep into her eyes as he stroked her cheek. He had trouble keeping his mind on Carl as thoughts of a future with Adeline proved to be too much of a distraction.

Luckily, it seemed as though she had the same thing on her mind.

"What do you think comes next? For us, I mean," she said.

Griffin knew the answer but paused for a moment to soak in the pleasure. He thought of Adeline waking up by his side in a warm bed and the serenity that came with being in her presence. He opened his mouth, but the ringing of her phone interjected his words.

There was no contact, not even a number that flashed on her screen, only the word "unknown." Griffin raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Meanwhile, Adeline grabbed the phone excitedly as if knowing who it was.

"Hello?" she said, her voice suddenly full of life. "Yes, go on."

She sat up. Griffin watched the blanket fall from her body, revealing her bare skin for the bodyguard to admire. His gaze wandered over the shapes and curves of her beautiful figure.

Adeline didn't seem to take notice of him, far too engrossed in her conversation. Her mouth parted open as the muffled voice on the other end spoke.

"You did it?" she exclaimed. "Don't mess with me. Did you really decrypt everything? Griffin, turn on the news?"

She glanced at Griffin, who had heard her words and was already on the task. He turned his phone screen to her, the news pages taking up its space. There it was … the headline they'd both been eager to see in all capitals.

"Billionaire Tobias Bower Taken Down Amidst Accusations…"

"I've got to go," said Adeline faintly. "I'll call you back … Well done, and thank you."

She dropped her phone, inching closer to Griffin. Slowly, she focused her attention, her eyes refusing to leave the device. Griffin noticed she was not even blinking, as if the headline would disappear at any moment.

"You did it," said Griffin with a smile.

He watched the phone screen as Adeline scrolled down, seeing the news being shared by major outlets all across the country. At that moment, Griffin was overwhelmed by how proud he was of his fated mate. His wolf preened inside him to watch her.

Adeline's gaping mouth coiled into a smile with each headline she read. Then, she wrinkled her brow in confusion. Griffin shuffled closer to find the cause.

"Look," she said, pointing at the most recent update. "Tobias Bower … missing."

"Hmm," muttered Griffin. "He must be on the run. You did it, Adeline. You can relax now. They'll find him."

"It's really over." She sighed. "It's like I spent so long doing this that I don't know what to do anymore."

"I have ideas." Griffin chuckled. "Everything"s coming together. With Tobias caught and Carl not wanting to take you from me, we'll soon be rid of all this nonsense."

Adeline was still smiling in disbelief. Unable to find words, she opted instead to hug Griffin. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms, but she suddenly pulled away.

"There's still one more thing," she spoke. "The matter of pack protection and Carl."

"Well, I'm certain we'll find out shortly. We won't need it for long, though, in either case."

He put on a smile, hiding a strange feeling of paranoia behind it. At that moment, there came a polite but firm knock on the door. Allen came by to inform them breakfast was served and that Carl was expecting them.

The two dressed and freshened up. Griffin kept a cool appearance, but something twisted in his gut. It was a lot like things were too good to be true. Still, he smiled at Adeline whenever she looked his way, not wanting to spoil her victory.

Soon, they made their way to the dining hall, hand-in-hand, as they walked through the hallways of Carl's fortress. Griffin thought of old stories of knights and dragons as his eyes wandered across the treasures and luxuries of Carl's possessions, thrown about carelessly like toys from a child's collection.

Some inheritance he got for himself.

Allen met them at the bottom of the stairs to take them the rest of the way.

"How was your room? Up to your standard?" he asked.

"It was fine, thank you," Griffin answered.

This is more like a hotel than a pack house. He thought of their room, wondering if all members had that accommodation.

Remembering how Carl treated the servants yesterday, Griffin made no bets on it, instead picturing a caged den.

Allen blabbered on about Carl's achievements while Griffin noticed Adeline scrolling the news websites.

"Are you all right?" he whispered.

"I'm just worried. Tobias is still out there. I can't rest easy until he's caught."

Griffin leaned in to offer words of comfort, but Allen turned to let them know they'd arrived at the dining hall.

The long table was set with a magnificent display of food across it. Sitting at the head of the table was the alpha. His image only reminded Griffin of Carl's fantasy of living like a king.

"Alpha Carl!" chimed Allen proudly. "Your guests are here."

The pack leader stood at the sight of Adeline and Griffin, beckoning them over with a smile and a gesture at the seats. With a kingly wave of his hand, Allen was dismissed.

"How did you sleep?" he asked.

"Well, thank you," said Adeline.

"Please, help yourself. We've got a few things to talk about."

The servants promptly came forward to serve them their breakfast, piling their plates high with potatoes, meat, and eggs. Griffin hesitantly pushed his plate away, as did Adeline.

He was too nervous to eat, and he guessed his fated mate felt the same. He only hoped Carl didn't take offense, but he was too preoccupied with his own meal to notice.

Griffin looked around at the servants on standby, some of whom seemed uneasy. Carl spoke up, interrupting his observations.

"We're both busy men, so I'll get straight to the point. I know you've been eager to win pack protection."

Adeline laid her hand in Griffin's as the alpha spoke. From the contact, Griffin knew she was nervous. Her grip tightened.

"After careful consideration, I decided it best not to allow you or your girls into this pack."

Just like that, the dream turned into a nightmare. Griffin shot up where he stood.

"Carl!" he yelled. "How could you?"

"Allow your alpha to explain," Carl said calmly. "It relates to what else I have to say."

Griffin clenched his fist. He figured if he was going to go, it would be after leaving his alpha with a broken nose. But Carl's words anchored him in place.

"You see, I have brokered a deal with someone very important, someone who I consider to be a close friend. In fact, Adeline," he sneered. "It's someone you're very interested in. You might have heard of him. His first name is Tobias," he said.

Adeline went pale beside him as it all sank in.

How had he let this happen? He knew deep down that this all had to be a trap of some kind. How could he have entrusted Carl to let them be and live in peace? To lend a hand?

"Carl! I knew I couldn't trust you!" Griffin roared.

"So why did you?" The alpha laughed.

"Griffin!" shouted Adeline. "What are we going to do?"

"Oh, you don't have to worry, darling," Carl said. "My good friend is on his way right now to tell you what he thinks of all this. He'll take great care of you."

Adeline jumped behind Griffin. The bodyguard bared his teeth at the servants, some of whom hesitated to come closer.

"Carl, you're going to pay."

"I've finally got you, Griffin. Oh, you don't know how long I've been waiting for an opportunity like this. Thanks for making it so easy, but I'm not going to reward you with a swift death. I'm going to make you suffer."

Just then, the door behind Carl opened. In came the most wanted man in the world, taking his place by the alpha. Tobias glared down at Adeline.

"Good job, Carl," he sneered. "I'll be sure you're paid handsomely for this."

Griffin's body convulsed with rage as he saw the two villains embrace like they were brothers. It all made sense now.

The hideout, the island, the endless luxuries … All of it had come from Carl's "good friend," Tobias Bower.

Just when a peaceful life was on the horizon, things had flipped upside down. Griffin cursed himself, but in his frustration, he missed Adeline being snatched from behind him.

"Griffin!" she screamed as she was dragged away.

"You bastards, I'll kill each and every one of you!" Griffin hollered.

"You couldn't handle being alpha. So it's no surprise you can't even protect one girl. Tobias, I think you'll make a more splendid caretaker for Adeline," Carl remarked.

"I certainly will," said Tobias. "I'll come for her girls next."

"No!" cried Adeline.

"Oh, you," Carl sighed as the servants dragged her to him, "we could have made a great couple. It's a shame you have poor taste in men, though."

He leaned into Adeline. Her face contorted in disgust as the alpha kissed her on the cheek.

"Adeline!" Griffin cried.

The servants were drawing in on him. He desperately looked at Adeline. A pair of men had her now, hauling her over to the open arms of Tobias.

Is this it? He thought to himself. Is this how it all ends? To come so far and then die without fighting?

Carl slowly walked toward him. The servants stood with their hands raised, ready to pounce at their master's bidding, with Allen taking charge.

"Did you think this was going to be easy?"

Time slowed down for Griffin as he took it all in. Adeline screamed his name as she fought desperately to escape Tobias's clutches. Carl stood a few feet away with an evil smile.

Griffin reared his head, throwing it back in laughter. Everyone exchanged a nervous glance, not sure what to make of this.

"You made one vital mistake, Alpha," he said.

"Get him!" spat Carl, backing up. No one moved a muscle.

"You underestimated me."