Page 53 of Into the Night

KALI

He’s coming for me.

I recognise the cadence of his run and the rhythm his paws make in the dirt as he checks around the cabin for any sign of intruders before climbing the porch stairs. Nails clicking on the wooden deck have my nerves on edge, and my body is already alert and eager to see him.

Stubbornly, I refuse to turn as the door opens wide, and a blast of cold air swirls through the small space. I wait, and yet there’s no noise, no sign of him moving inside. For a moment, I panic, thinking maybe it’s not Griffin… until the breeze carries his scent to me, strong and masculine. It’s enough to have my nipples turning into stiff peaks, and my pussy tingling in anticipation.

“Couldn’t stay away?” I roll to my side and go up on one elbow, well aware that the thin sheet has slipped lower, pooling around my waist and exposing my breasts. I made it as far as the rain shower while he was gone today. It’s amazing what a quick wash and some fresh clothes can do for a lady.

In the darkness, his outline is backlit by only the silvery moon, and Griffin stands in the doorway, still as a statue. His large form casts a shadow across the room, and I frown, confused about what he’s waiting for.

“Are you coming in? You’re letting all the heat out.” I gesture to the small fire I’ve managed to get going in the stove despite still being so weak from the blood loss. As he continues to stand there, just staring, I become self-conscious. And irritable. “If you’re going to growl at me for cleaning myself and trying to keep warm, you can leave again right now.”

Griffin’s eyes flash, and his fists ball at his sides. His chest rises and falls, heaving, as he drags in deep breaths. He’s trying to contain his anger, but he has nothing to be mad about in the first place. I didn’t run. I’m just trying not to die of boredom while I’m stuck here.

Disappointed that he’s angry when I was excited for his return, I curse myself for getting my hopes up.

Maybe he’s too far gone, or too feral for me to do anything to bring him back. Maybe I need to start planning my escape, instead. I was naive to think the bond could fix all the damage that keeping his beast locked up for so long must have done.

With that depressing thought, I snatch the sheet and tug it up to my chin with an exasperated huff. I give him my back and flop back down on the bed, not able to bear looking at his thunderous expression any longer.

“Kali?” His voice is deep and husky, and there’s no denying the pain in it. Maybe he knows, just like I do, that there’s no way of salvaging this.

I don’t answer because I can’t.

Footsteps slowly creep closer, and I curl into myself even tighter, protecting myself from getting hurt anymore.

“You called Henry,” he says simply. Well, duh.

He doesn’t sound angry like I expected and I’m equal parts relieved and terrified. Using the satellite phone stashed here by John was a risky move, but once I figured out it was Griffin who’d taken me, I knew what would happen if Ben or Evan found out.

“If they found out it was you, they’d tear you apart and ask questions later.” The fact that I’m defensive about protecting him shows just what a mess this is.

Griffin’s my mate. I can’t let anyone hurt him.

I thought it would give me a chance to speak to Griffin’s beast, to draw him back from the dark recesses of his mind. The reality isn’t so easy. I never thought about how this would work with his beast in control of his human form.

When Griffin’s hand touches my shoulder, I flinch, unable to bear the physical contact despite the way he sets my body on fire. It’s time to admit this isn’t going to work out.

His hand flies away, but he remains close, and I know he’s watching me. “Kali, look at me. Are you okay?”

Something about his tone catches my attention. Unfurling from my ball, I twist to look up at his face.

His expression is drawn, tormented, as he stares at me before he looks around the tiny, dark cabin. When his gaze locks with mine once more, I gasp. His eyes. They’re not glowing anymore. Instead of glowing amber, I’m staring into the deep brown pools of the man I first met.

It’s my Griffin.

“Griffin?” I ask tentatively, slowly sitting up and reaching for him.

He drops to his knees beside me, drawing in ragged breaths, as he hangs his head, pressing his forehead against my thigh. With his fingers curled into the sheets, he growls, rocking back and forth, battling with himself.

I can feel the anger and sorrow raging inside him.

“What the fuck have I done? I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He looks up briefly but turns away, unable to hold eye contact with me. “Did I do this? Did I trap you here?”

There’s no point in lying.

I nod, but stroke his cheek with my fingers, my heart swelling, just from getting a glimpse of the man I thought was gone.

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