23. Griffin

TWENTY-THREE

Carl's lip shook as he tripped over himself. He fell and landed hard on his back, barking orders to seize Griffin.

"Do it, or I'll kill you!"

A henchman dared to approach Griffin and paid for it. One punch sent him flying against the wall. Griffin fell onto all fours, shifting into his wolf form.

The wolf was hungry with a taste for violence, keen on making Carl and Tobias pay for what they'd done. Anyone who got in its way would regret it, a realization that came to the servants as some turned and ran.

Others shifted and prepared to attack. Griffin dodged, lunged, and leapt for the nearest adversary, ripping his throat out.

Two landed on his back. He swung his head and bit down on one's head, its body ceasing all movement inside Griffin's jaws. The other sank its teeth into Griffin's ankle, causing the bodyguard to howl in pain.

All of a sudden, a wolf tackled his assailant, ripping the wolf off Griffin. Griffin bounced back on all fours as his savior took his place beside him, staring down at the enemy shifters.

Another wolf joined Griffin, and together, the three pounced against the enemies. Tables were flipped, and chairs were thrown, and soon, the dining hall was sieged with violence.

Griffin killed any who dared to oppose him. He took the life of another henchman before Adeline cried out. He glanced at the back of the hall, seeing her face for one mere second before Tobias shoved her away.

"Get her to the helicopter!" he barked before disappearing with Adeline.

Griffin unleashed a mighty howl, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

I have to stop Tobias and get to that helicopter! Or I'll never see Adeline again!

He darted his gaze to Carl, who watched the chaos. Carl grabbed the hair on his head in clumps, wearing the look of a royal figure whose kingdom was slipping away with every passing second.

"Traitors! You shall die with him if you dare resist my orders!"

Carl looked toward Griffin, the two rivals locking eye contact. Carl growled and retreated, dipping out of the hall.

Meanwhile, Griffin's allies joined him as a fresh wave of shifters entered the room. They transformed, each one falling into formation as they surrounded Griffin on all sides.

Griffin didn't know how, but he swore he'd get himself out of this. In the distance, he heard Adeline's muffled voice screaming his name.

More servants burst in on one side, their wild gazes darting between Griffin's small group and the assailants. The one in front turned around to his coworkers.

"Go tell the others we are rising against Carl."

Strength and reassurance overwhelmed Griffin when they joined his side, all of them shifting. More enemies were arriving, and for a moment, no one dared to make a move.

Griffin looked at his group, all of whom he recognized as those who served his father before him.

On the opposite side were those loyal to Carl, but their numbers were quickly being overtaken. More ran at the sight of the rebel force, and in seconds, two armies of wolves faced one another.

Griffin pounced first, eager to fight his way out and get to Tobias before it was too late. To fail now wouldn't be a simple mistake to learn from. It spelled the end of his life as he knew it, and goodbye to a future with his mate.

But I won't fail, not now.

Teeth penetrated fur and flesh, scratches penetrated, and bodies were thrown. The air filled with clumps of skin, fur, blood, and the cries and pleas of those who were surrendering or dying.

Griffin had the neck of an enemy in his mouth, and with one twist, it was broken. He looked behind him at the door where Tobias took Adeline, then at the violence around him.

A wolf came to his side and exchanged a reassuring look, a look that said to go find the girl. Griffin turned, confident that his army would win the fight against Carl's goons.

Carl still lurked around here somewhere; Griffin could tell by the heavy stench that lingered in the air. The alpha would have to wait, though. Nothing was more important than saving Adeline.

Griffin ran past the entrance to the garage, spotting a glimpse of the sports cars in his peripheral vision. He couldn't believe that he didn't think of Tobias being an ally to Carl, but how could he?

The chances of his nemesis working with Adeline's target was a one-in-a-million shot, and unfortunately for Griffin, that shot was a bull's-eye.

Following the scent trail wasn't hard. Adeline's sweet aroma was overpowered by Tobias's odor. The taste of it burned Griffin's nostrils. He came to a stairwell and ran up.

He only hoped he wasn't too slow in getting out of the mayhem. He didn't care anymore if Carl got away. All he wanted was his girl back.

Griffin burst out of the door at the topmost step, finding himself on the roof of the hideout. It was a long way down to the ground. Looking ahead, he spotted a helicopter, its rotor already moving.

Tobias and Adeline stood near with a set of servants. They shouted and pointed in Griffin's direction, shifting in the blink of an eye.

Griffin stepped forward, narrowly dodging an attack. He spun around and attacked with his claws, slicing open the belly of his assailant.

With another swipe of his claws, the other servant went down. Adeline called out, and he looked over to see her reaching out from the helicopter. Tobias tried to shove her in. He already had one leg inside the vehicle.

"Get off me!" Adeline yelled, slapping Tobias.

Griffin darted up behind Tobias as the billionaire stumbled backward. The bodyguard wrapped his jaw around the villain's ankle and bit down hard.

Tobias screamed and kicked him off, but as Griffin recovered, Adeline jumped onto Tobias's back. He flung her onto the ground right before Griffin swiped at him.

The billionaire stumbled away and fell as Griffin turned his attention to the pilot. The pilot quickly ascended and flew away.

"No!" screamed Tobias. He snapped at the bodyguard, his face red with fury.

"Griffin!" said Adeline.

Griffin motioned for her to take cover. She obeyed hesitantly.

"Do you think I got to where I am by surrendering?" yelled Tobias. "I did it by taking matters into my own hands."

He shifted into his wolf form, a magnificent coat of black with blood-red eyes. From the look of them, Griffin knew there'd be no talking him down. One of them was going to die.

"Get him, Griffin!" yelled Adeline. "Make him pay."

Oh, I plan to.

The two leapt, colliding midair. Both had their teeth sunk into each other's shoulders, but neither refused to relent. Tobias let go and howled before unleashing a vicious scratch that caught the bodyguard in the eye.

They separated as Griffin stumbled back, blood dripping from his face. His eye felt like it was about to fall out, but he swallowed the pain. Adeline whimpered, the sound of which fueled Griffin to ensure a victory.

The thought of someone hurting his fated mate drove him forward with sheer rage, granting him strength he had never known. He pushed Tobias to the ground and bit at his throat, splashing blood all around him.

The villain kicked him off and tried to recoil but slipped on his own blood. He stood, but his legs trembled. Griffin advanced on him. He had no intentions of showing him mercy.

Tobias fell with no strength left to defend himself as Griffin pinned him down. Adeline yelped and turned her head away as her bodyguard finished Tobias Bower off, once and for all.

In his mouth, Griffin felt the villain's life force slip away as the body became weaker and weaker. He let him fall from his jaws, but at that moment, his own legs quivered, sending him to the ground.

"Griffin!" yelled Adeline as she rushed over.

She stroked Griffin's head as the bodyguard fought to recuperate. Lacerations and claw marks wreathed his body. He looked up at her with gentle eyes in an attempt to reassure her.

"You'll be okay, right?" she asked.

Griffin whined and let his eyes close to rest. The sound of the roof hatch opening brought an end to his efforts. He achingly rose to see Carl gaping at Tobias's corpse.

"How dare you?" screamed the alpha. "This wasn't how things were supposed to go. You're not making it off this roof alive."

Griffin snarled as Adeline stood by his side.

"And you!" yelled Carl. "After I'm through with your boyfriend, I'm going to take you for myself."

"Over my dead body," she retorted.

"Be careful what you wish for."

Griffin sprang forward. His body ached, but he ignored the searing sensations of agony.

Carl shifted into his wolf form and wheeled around, unleashing a strong kick to repel Griffin's attempted lunge attack.

The hard impact knocked the air from his lungs. Carl pounced for him, his teeth inches from the bodyguard's neck as he repeatedly tried to bite him.

Griffin knew he could take down the alpha if he was fit, but with an injury-laden body,

he suddenly had doubts.

"Griffin!"

The voice of the love of Griffin's life rang out, causing Carl to stop. He peered up at her and licked his lips. Griffin's head roared with pain as he watched Carl disappear as a blur in his vision.

"Stay away!" Adeline shouted.

Resolute, Griffin stumbled to get up. He raised his head, seeing Carl inches away from

Adeline. Her horrified face propelled him forward with one final push.

He clawed at the alpha's face, who retreated with a painful howl. Rolling across the ground was his eye. Carl's wolf glared at Griffin, its bare eyehole streaming blood down its face.

The bodyguard had no strength left for fighting as he backed up, his rear paw hitting the edge of the rooftop.

What the hell do I do?

Carl leapt for him. Griffin thought only of one defense, hoping his alpha would fall for it. As the pack leader soared through the air, Griffin leapt out of the way.

He turned just in time to hear Carl squeal when he went over the edge of the roof. Adeline ran and joined Griffin as they peered over the side.

Carl lay on the ground, a pool of blood steadily pouring out of his corpse. Griffin retreated, falling against a vent as he shifted back into human form.

"Oh, Griffin," Adeline gasped as she stopped by his side. "I was so afraid that …"

"That I'd die? And miss out on a life with you? No thanks."

Griffin's laugh was interrupted by a coughing fit.

"I'm all right," he breathed out. "Still in one piece."

"Come on, let's get you back on your feet."

Adeline pulled him into a loving embrace. The two kissed like never before. A tear came to Griffin's eyes.

The two retreated inside. Griffin walked with an arm around his mate's shoulder. Returning to the dining hall, they were welcomed with a hero's greeting and a robe one of the servants had gathered for Griffin to put on.

The rebels stood tall over Carl's loyal servants, most of whom were dead. Others remained on their knees, calling out pleas for mercy and swearing allegiance to Griffin.

"Well, it looks like you're the new alpha," Adeline commented.

"Yeah," chuckled Griffin. "I guess there's no running from it anymore, but that still pales in comparison to what it is I truly want to do."

"Still not happy after winning?"

"Only one thing could make me happier," Griffin said.

Everyone went silent as he took Adeline's hands in his.

"Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Adeline grabbed his face, tears pouring as she nodded, struggling to get words out.

"I suppose that means yes." Griffin laughed.

"Of course it does," whispered Adeline in his ear. "Now, kiss me," she said, this time with a tone desperate and hungry.

They locked lips to thunderous applause.