The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 33

MADDOX

“Well, she just about sprinted out of here.”

“Yeah, I saw,” I sigh and rub my temples.

“I think she’s just overwhelmed,” Asher says reassuringly.

“I know, I just… the more I learn about her the more it pisses me off. Protein bars and protein shakes? Are you f*****g kidding me?”

“Yeah, that was… that’s pretty bad,” the Beta agrees sheepishly.

“And the way she scarfed her food down, like it was the last time she’d ever eat?” my heart aches for her.

“You should of seen the look on her face when I gave her those clothes. You’d think I just handed her a million dollars.”

“I want to protect her. I NEED to,” my wolf avidly agrees with me.

“And we will,” Asher affirms and smirks at me.

“What’s that look for?”

“You like her,” he says matter-of-factly, and I narrow my eyes at him.

“I barely know her.”

“Mhm, and yet you put her in the Luna suite?” he raises an eyebrow at me.

“Yeah? So?” I bristle defensively, crossing my arms.

“Imogen begged for that room, and you were with her for five years,” Asher points out, and I grumble my annoyance.

“I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible.”

“We have a guest room,” the blonde points out.

“It just felt right to put her there, okay?” the pestering finally getting me to cave.

“Because you like her,” he states again.

“I… I don’t know. My wolf certainly does.”

"I've known you long enough to know when you like someone. You're definitely into her," Asher leans back in his chair and crosses his arms triumphantly.

"Whatever," I scoff and look down at the hand she had touched earlier. Hers looked so small compared to mine, though everything about her is small compared to me. I'm six-foot-six, three hundred pounds of muscle, and she doesn’t even reach my shoulders.

“Well, if the blush she’s constantly sporting around you is anything to go by, I think she likes you too.”

“Shut the f**k up,” my irritation flares.

“I’m being serious,” Asher insists, “she’s defensive and prickly like a porcupine, but around you, she seems… softer.” My wolf preens at his observation.

“You’re so full of s**t,” I roll my eyes.

“Whatever you say, Boss,” Asher pats my shoulder as he stands up, “I have another patrol shift, I’ll see you later.” The tall blonde exits the room, leaving me alone. The house is quiet, everyone having gone home or out on patrol. The solitude allows my mind to wander and it finds its way to long raven hair and carmine eyes. Vixen haunts my thoughts, no matter how hard I try, she won’t get out of my head. I stand from my chair and begin to walk the halls. The house feels empty, like Wilder took its soul with him when he left. The loud red head gave so much life to this place, his once joyful laugh still echos through the walls. Only now it’s tainted by a cruel cackle and predatory grin.

I find my way into the infirmity that is empty of injured patients for the first time in weeks. Natalie sits at her desk, hair held back in a high ponytail. She’s typing away on her computer, too focused on her work to notice me entering the building.

“Hey Nat,” I greet her, and her shoulders slump.

“Please tell me you nor anyone else is injured again.”

“No, no one is hurt,” I chuckle, “but I do need your help with something, or with a someone really.” She looks me over apprehensively.

“Who is it? What do they need?”

“Vixen, the coyote women you stitched up last week? She’ll be staying here for an indefinite amount of time.”

“Are you out of your damn mind? Do you not remember what happened last time?” the doctor practically yells, standing from her chair.

“It’s different this time. She came to me asking for help,” I explain but she still doesn’t look convinced. “She desperately needs help. She’s in a bad situation.”

“Why is it any of our business?” She crosses her arms.

“I helped you and your mother. When we found you both, it wasn’t any of my business then either,” I counter. She looks away briefly, cursing under her breath.

“Fine, but I still think this is a bad idea,” she takes a deep breath, “How can I help?”

“I want you to give her a full physical. Check anything and everything and provide whatever treatment she may need.”

“Okay, no problem,” Natalie scribbles something down on a notepad.

“And… I need you to help me figure out how to get that collar off her,” she raises a quizzical brow at me. "It’s charmed and can’t be removed. It suppresses her primal side and prevents her from shifting.”

“That sounds like some strong magic,” she says with uncertainty.

“I know. I know it’s a big ask, but you’re the only witch I know and trust.” It’s silent as she thinks it over. She worries her bottom lip and her leg starts bouncing anxiously.

“Alright. I can’t promise anything but I’ll see what I can do.” I exhale a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Nat.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she swats me away playfully when I try to pull her into a hug. “Can you give me any more information on her?”

“Not much. She didn’t give a lot of details. A warlock stole her soul and is the one who put the collar on.” Notes are scribbled onto the pad of paper.

"What was the deal they made in exchange for her soul?"

"She doesn't remember," confusion scrunches the doctor's brows.

“How long has he had her under his thumb?”

“Ten years,” the doctor hums thoughtfully as she continues to write.

"Okay, I'll see what I can come up with," she sets her pen down, "Tell her to stop by tomorrow and I'll look her over."

"Thank you," I smile.

I decide to give Vixen some time and space before going to talk to her, using the rare moment of free time to do some work on my car. Time slips away from me and before I know it several hours have passed. After a thorough scrubbing of my arms, I deem myself clean enough and head upstairs. There’s light peeking out from under her door. Assuming she must still be awake, I knock but it’s silent on the side. I try knocking again, this time a little louder. There's still no answer, so I try the door and find it’s unlocked.

“Vixen?” I call, only opening the door a crack. The door slowly inches open, the coyote not immediately visible. A lamp standing by the loveseat emits a soft glow to the sitting area. Several books have been pulled from the shelf and left abandoned on the coffee table. I venture further into the room only to stop in my tracks when I see the bed.

The mattress is gone.

“Vixen?” I call out, worry beginning to creep in when there’s still no reply. The bathroom door is open with no one inside, and the window is locked tight. Before panic has time to set in, I notice the light in the closet is on. The soft illumination is barely visible through the slats of the door. I open it slowly and feel my heart clench.

Vixen is sleeping curled up in a nest of blankets and pillows, a book sitting open next to her. Her face looks peaceful as her chest rises and falls slowly with every breath. Affection blooms in my chest looking at the adorable woman and I have to fight the urge to crawl in next to her. Reluctantly, I turn off the light and go to close the door to let her sleep, but stop when I hear her make a noise. The once peaceful face is now grimacing as she tosses and turns. I watch for a moment as she continues to shift around restlessly, distressed sounds leave her lips. The poor thing must be having a bad dream. I'm struck by the urge to climb into her little nest and comfort her, though this is definitely an invasion of privacy. I should leave it alone, but I can't pull myself away.

"NO!" she suddenly screeches, curling in on herself and clutching at her chest. I'm at her side in an instant, scooping up the small female.

"Shhhh, it's okay. You're okay," I coo into her ear while petting her hair soothingly. Vixen continues to kick and squirm in my arms but I hold her tight.

"PLEASE! STOP! I'M SORRY! I'M SO SORRY," tears are running down her cheeks, the desperation in her voice breaks my heart.

"Vixen. Wake up, it's just a nightmare," I cup her cheek and continue to whisper in her ear. Her flailing eventually stops, but the sobs continue to wrack her body. "You're safe. I promise."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she mumbles into my neck, her tears dampening my shirt.

"Shh, it's alright Baby," the pet name slips out, but I don't correct myself. A small hand grips my shirt and pulls weakly like she's trying to get closer. "Are you with me?" I feel a small nod tickle my chest.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she shakes her head. "Do you want me to stay or go?" There's a long pause. The sobbing slowly fades to the occasional sniffle. I start to wonder if she has fallen back asleep when she finally answers.

"Please stay."