Page 60 of Into the Night

“And I’m not going to stand for it.”

34

KALI

Stunned, I step back and stare at the rough-hewn wooden door that’s the only thing standing between me and the men looking to take everything I’ve ever wanted away.

This prophecy is absolute garbage that’s followed me around my entire life, casting a shadow over every interaction, every single day. And now it’s causing problems for Griffin, too.

That may be underplaying it a bit. It could cost him his life.

I feel, rather than hear, someone else moving about in the woods behind the cabin. They’re not close, but if they’re part of Jed’s posse, here to make sure we don’t run.

Out front, Jed’s display of force is meant to intimidate Griffin into backing down. Any rational man would, except they’re not dealing with a rational man. They’re dealing with a beast who’s on the verge of turning feral after being caged up his entire life, but has found his mate, and is quite frankly, spoiling for a fight.

“You’re talking about me and my mate. It doesn’t get more personal than that,” Griffin says, his deep voice, cold and emotionless. “And I’m not going to stand for it.”

Signalling his intention to stand his ground, I can feel the confusion radiating from the men out front. They don’t understand why he’s not the least bit concerned about being outnumbered and surrounded.

My beast whimpers, wanting to go outside and stand by Griffin’s side, but he’s right. I’m still feeling the effects of Serena’s attack. Deep down, as hard as it is to admit, I know we’d be a liability in a fight. Slow, and still hurting, they could easily capture me, so the best thing I can do right now is follow my mate’s orders and wait for the chance to help, if it comes.

There’s still another beast out there, and I have a feeling they’re focus is making sure I don’t sneak away. The men outside might be keen to get Griffin out of the picture—killing an unknown beast with no family nearby to avenge him is a more palatable option than me—but if they really intend to make sure I never have children, the simplest way is to just get rid of me.

Scanning the tiny cabin, I search through the supplies and utensils, looking for something I could use as a weapon, if I need it. I hurry to throw on some clothes more appropriate for a mad dash through the forest, and then stash a small knife in my hoodie. After sliding to my knees, I drag a heavy metal box out from underneath the bed, eyes darting to the door, and all my senses trained on the heated words still being exchanged outside. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to be alone since Griffin brought me here. I considered using it, but it felt like a betrayal.

The first snarls from outside and the unmistakable cracks of bone tell me the men have shifted to their beastly forms.

Frantic, my fingers work the clasps of the box, which are stiff from not being used. As I lift the heavy lid, I pray the contents are still here, and that I can remember how it works. A flare. The red tube sits there, just like the day John made me stow it here for emergencies. And if this isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.

There’s a chance nobody will even see it. We’re a long way from Sutton, and only someone out on the mountain will be close enough, especially in daylight. And I hope and pray they’re not human, or I’ll be walking innocent people into a mess they’ll never forget.

Lifting it carefully, I kick the box back under the bed and race to the small front window. Now in beast form, Griffin’s magnificent animal stands on two feet with his back to the cabin and lets out a furious bellow. Jet black in colour with a thick coat, he’s much bigger than the others now standing in a semi-circle in front of him. Broad shoulders, rippling with muscles, rise and fall as he growls, low and threatening, at the men in front of him.

To his credit, he’s holding back, even though I can feel the rage rolling off him in waves. He’s giving them one last chance to flee before things turn ugly. For a beast who’s only just gotten his freedom, his restraint is impressive. I didn’t think he’d have this level of self-control. When Jed said it would be better if I hadn’t survived the attack, I thought for sure Griffin would snap.

But it won’t last. Not now that he’s in his animal form.

Griffin turns his head to the side, aware of me looking through the window, so I retreat away from the glass. I can understand the looks of apprehension on the men in front of him. He may not have attacked yet, but the crazed glint in his glowing eyes hints at his feral nature. Once he lets go, there will be no stopping him.

Jed steps forward, and Griffin’s broad snout pulls back in a terrifying snarl. When he bares his teeth, his deadly canines appear snow white against his dark skin.

Jed’s beast snaps his jaws in response, and that’s all it takes to end the standoff.

With startling speed and agility, Griffin vaults over the porch railing and lands on all four paws, racing toward Jed and reaching him before the others have even blinked. He barrels Jed over, the two gigantic animals tumbling across the dirt and leaves, legs flailing and teeth flying. The fighting is vicious as they tear and slash at each other, holding nothing back.

My heart leaps into my mouth when Red’s russet coloured beast piles in, jumping on Griffin’s back and digging his long, black claws into Griffin’s flesh.

My mate is badly outnumbered. He might be bigger than them individually, but he can’t hold them all off on his own.

As Eddie piles in, trying to pin Griffin to the floor with his weight, I watch in disgust, as Jed scrambles out from underneath the pile of limbs and moves to the side, letting his cronies wear Griffin down and sap his energy.

With a roar, Griffin pushes the two others off and then clambers back to his feet, tossing Red across the mud before charging at Eddie, head down and shoulders low. He lifts him off his feet and slams him into a tree nearby with a sickening thud. Chest heaving, Griffin spins, spotting where Jed is lurking, but Red is back to his feet before he gets the chance to go after him.

He’s going to get tired. And Jed’s going to wait until then to make his move.

While they’re all distracted, I slip out the front door, leaving it ajar to make as little noise as possible. I creep around the side of the cabin, keeping as low as I can, and then stop with my back pressed to the wall. The other beast is still out here watching, hanging back from the action, and waiting. But from what I can tell, he’s on higher ground, on the opposite side of the cabin. I don’t think he’ll have seen me. At least, I hope not.

Swallowing back my nerves, I look down at the flare in my hands, indecision still gripping me.

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