Page 21 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

Braxton blocks Corey’s wild punch and hits him hard with a right hook to the face. Corey stumbles back as blood spews from his mouth. Braxton doesn’t give him time to recover. He’s on Corey so fast, the next thing you hear is Corey yelling out in pain. Braxton has him on the ground raining down blows to Corey’s body. Horace makes a move to intervene, but the warning growl Bryant gives him makes him stop in his tracks. James joined in with his eyes shifting to an eerie purple.

“Enough,” daddy roars, emitting his Alpha dominance.

“Get off of him, Braxton,” Bryant booms using his dominance as well.

With his fist ready to connect with Corey again, Braxton growls, getting off of Corey. His crazy wolf eyes glare at Corey as he stands over his bloody body.

“Come to me, Braxton,” I try to coax. He looks like he’s ready to shift and finish Corey off. “Braxton,” I call. He finally starts to walk backwards to me.

My father faces Horace, and says, “Take Corey home.”

“But Alpha,” Horace tried to argue but daddy cut him off.

“Now,” he yells. “We will resolve this at a later time.”

The authority in daddy’s voice has Horace grabbing Corey’s arm and helping him off the ground, then dragging him away from the house.

Rushing to daddy’s side, I implore, “I never thought things would escalate like this. I’m sorry daddy.”

Daddy doesn’t even look at me. “Nyah, tell your company good night.”

“But, daddy,” I implore but he walks towards the back of the house.

“Now, Nyah,” he shouts before turning the corner.

Looking at Braxton, I hold in my tears. “I’m so sorry.”

He reaches out, taking hold of my arm before drawing me to him. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. What just happened is not because of you or me but that asshole.”

Bryant tapped my shoulder, adding, “My son is right. That young man is unhinged because you accepted my son as your mate. At this point, he will do anything to stop the bonding of you two.”

Braxton firmly hugs me, saying, “Father is right. The only thing that is stopping me from disemboweling him is your father.” He looks to the skies then says, “But that excuse will only last for so long. By Pack right, I should have ended him today.” Braxton holds up his middle finger. “You see this finger, there are so many ways that it can be interpreted, but I’m old school and to me, it means Corey has no more lives and is fucked. Father and Levi let’s return to the hotel.”

Bryant and Levi could go, but I didn’t want Braxton to leave, especially after the exhilarating afternoon we just had. I suggest, “Why don’t we go back to the cabin.”

Braxton raises my hand, then kisses the back of it. “While I would love nothing more, I don’t want to piss your father off anymore. I think Corey has done enough, but don’t look saddened,” he said, pinching my chin. “Everything will work out in our favor.”

“I hope so,” I return. “I don’t like the way my daddy looked.”

“Trust me, your daddy will be alright,” Bryant exchanges. “He’s just really coming to terms that his youngest daughter will soon be mated.” He leans over and kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the hotel.”

Bryant, James, and Levi leave us, going to the car.

“Despite what just happened, I enjoyed spending time with you today. I can’t wait for us to do it again, but the next time it will be in my suite so there won’t be any voyeurs around.”

“That sounds good to me,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Bryant smirks. “As a matter of fact, since tomorrow is Friday, why don’t you pack a bag for the weekend and stay with me.”

“Let me smooth things over with daddy tonight and I’ll let you know in the morning,” I tell him.

Braxton pecks my lips, then says, “Fine, but I’m calling to check on you later.”

“You better,” I let out a fake giggle, knowing I needed to be honest with Braxton about what happened at the cabin. I look off to the side, then tell him, “I knew it was Corey in the woods.”

Braxton seems like he wants to explode, but holds it in. “So, why didn’t you tell me?”

Letting my arms fall to my sides, I reply, “Because I knew how you would react, and we just had an extraordinary experience together. I didn’t want his cowardness to spoil it.”

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