But now that I was looking into Griffin’s eyes, I knew there was no escape. Nowhere for me to run or hide. He’d caught me.
“Griffin,” I breathed his name out. As scared as I was, I couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous he was. The streetlights of
Yorba Linda illuminated his bronze skin and highlighted his dark hair. His jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, it made him look like some kind of beautiful sculpture crafted by an artist, not a real person.
He was also dressed just as casually as the first time I’d met him ~ a hoodie, light jacket, jeans, and boots.
I didn’t miss the way his eyes lit up when he heard me say his name. “Little fox,” he said, and I’d forgotten how husky his voice was.
He looked like he was about to say something else, but just as he opened his mouth, a laughing couple walked by us.
There was one of the outdoor benches just feet away and they looked like they were making a pitstop there.
Adrenaline was pumping through my veins. Fight or flight, Clark?
I barely had time to think, but just as Griffin’s eyes flickered to the strangers walking by, I stepped back.
Flight it is. I pivoted on my heel, getting ready to run. But I never got the chance.
Just as I tensed my b*dy to run, Griffin’s hands ensnared me like a cage. He pulled me back toward his chest, and I felt him push his nose into my hair, breathing in my scent.
My heart continued to pound like a drum, and I wondered if he could hear it. Probably ~ werewolves did have heightened senses.
“I wouldn’t do that if 1 were you,” Griffin whispered in my ear. I held back a shiver but it wasn’t one of fear. It was something else his voice was doing to me. “You can’t see them, but I have my guards surrounding us. You won’t get away from me, not again.”
I practically deflated in his arms. I had known it was fruitless even to try, but part of me had been hopeful after seeing the strangers walk by.
But I also should’ve known he wouldn’t come alone. Of course, he’d bring guards with him.
Griffin’s grip on me was gentle but firm. His hands were running up and down my arms and I tried to pretend I didn’t feel the sparks.
“Don’t you think it’s time to go home now, little fox?” He whispered and I could feel his breath on my ear.
I couldn’t judge if he was angry by his voice ~ his tone was even and calm. But I couldn’t imagine that he was happy after chasing me across the country.
The time was fighting was over. He had me now. So, I just nodded.
I couldn’t see his face, but I could practically feel his smug smile. Just as I knew I’d been beaten, he knew he’d won.
“Good,” he said, and then he turned me around to face him. I had to crane my n*eck upwards to make eye contact, but just as I’d suspected, he was wearing a victorious smile. “Let’s go.”
He removed his arms from me, and instead, grabbed my hand in his. I hated to admit it, but his large hand felt soft and warm and utterly perfect in mine.
“How are we getting back?” I finally asked him. I couldn’t bring myself to call the castle “home,” but I assumed that’s where he was planning to take me.
Griffin’s eyes flickered to the main road and I watched as a sleek black SUV pulled up to the sidewalk. It wasn’t unlike the ones I’d ridden up and from the castle in.
Of course he has a car waiting.
As he tugged me towards the car, I took one last glance back at my shattered phone sitting on the sidewalk. I’d never gotten to send that message to my mother, and now, I was going to just disappear into thin air. How was I supposed to contact her and let her know I was okay?
I didn’t fight or protest when Griffin placed his hands on my hips and helped me into the SUV (even though I totally did not need it).
I slid back into the leather seat closest to the far window and watched Griffin climb in after me. Even in a spacious SUV, his broad form and height were more than noticeable.
“Welcome back, my queen,” the driver suddenly spoke and I felt my face go red with embarrassment when I saw who it was ~ the same driver who had driven Alessia and me away from the castle.
Had he known who I was the entire time?
Griffin closed the car door behind him and it felt like he was sealing my fate. I’d never get away again, I could feel it. If he was willing to chase me to another country, he wouldn’t let me go.
I should’ve just listened to him the first time when he told me that he’d never let anything get between us. Clearly, he hadn’t been lying. (! Part of me felt like I should’ve stopped the entire escape plan when Alessi escort recognized us. It would’ve saved me plenty of time.
But then you would never have gotten to spend time with your mother.
That was something I’d never regret. No matter how short our time together had been, I would always be glad that I got to see her again – and to know the truth.
Thinking about my mother only made me think about how worried she’d be when I never came home from the movie.
Maybe she’d connect the dots about my disappearance, but maybe not.
My phone is dead, but maybe there’s still a way for me to contact her.
“Griffin,” I said, and he immediately turned to me. “I know you must be angry at me right now, and I don’t blame you…but I was hoping I could ask for a favor.”
Griffin raised an eyebrow and his eyes lit up with amusement. “Oh, I’m not angry with you, little fox.”
That surprised me. The guy had just spent the past couple of weeks tracking me down and he wasn’t angry? I found that incredibly hard to believe.
“You’re not?” I asked him with furrowed eyebrows.
“No,” Griffin said, and then he smiled at me. It wasn’t a happy smile. It was the smile of a predator who’s finally ensnared his prey. His ‘no’ did nothing to ease my mind. It felt like he was trying to lure me into some false sense of security so he could pounce on me later.
“You’re sure you’re not mad?” J asked again.
Griffin brought his hand up to caress my face. His fingertips left tingles everywhere they touched. “No, little fox,” he repeated, “But I am disappointed in you.”
My stomach dropped.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply