The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 18

MADDOX

“f*****g s**t,” I groan, digging my fingernails into pale hips. Inaya moans above me as she bounces in my lap. She places her hands in my chest, giving herself more leverage to quicken her pace.

“You like that, Alpha?” She goads, pulling a growl out me. I snap my hips up to meet her hips half way, quickly finding a rhythm. Reaching a hand to her neck, I pull her down closer to me and immediately suck a n****e into my mouth. Inaya moans louder as I tease the hardened bud.

“I’m close,” she says breathlessly. I smile around the n****e between my lips.

“Come for me,” I growl, placing fingers on her clit and rub in gentle circles, pushing her closer to the edge. Her insides clench around me as she throws her head back in a silent scream. My climax follows shortly after, nails leaving half moon indents in her soft flesh. Inaya flops onto the bed next to me, breathing heavily. I remove the spent condom, tying it off before tossing it into the trash bin.

“Thanks,” she says with a heavy sigh.

“I think I should be thanking you,” I chuckle.

“We both needed it,” she smiles and giggles.

“After the f*****g week I had? Yeah, definitely,” I agree.

“How’s Wilder doing?” Inaya turns to lie on her side, facing me.

"Still unconscious," the memory of Wilder laying there, blood gushing from his neck, still haunts me.

"Damn. I'm glad he's okay," a hand gets placed on my shoulder and squeezes gently.

"Thanks," I offer a small smile, "How are you doing?"

"Well," she takes a deep breath, "as good as I can be. My father is already talking about a mating ceremony and a wedding, as if my mate didn't just pass away six months ago." I snake my hands around her and pull her into a hug. The poor thing is still grieving and her father is forcing her into dating so soon after her mate's passing. We were able to bond over the insensitivity of our fathers, and came to a mutual agreement to 'see each other' to appease them. Though neither of us are ready for anything serious.

"Thanks," she whispers softly, "I should get going though." A quick glance at my discarded phone shows it's eight in the evening.

"s**t, I have to get ready," I groan, feeling comfortable and despising the idea of getting up.

"Any fun plans?" Inaya asks while redressing herself.

"Going to a club with Asher. Relax a little and go over whats happened," I finally sit up and start gathering up my clothes.

"Oh, that new place in the city? Midnight Foxxx I think?" she asks excitedly, "I've heard it's amazing. Been meaning to go to one of their ladies' nights."

"Yeah, that's the one," I smile, "I'll take you sometime."

I walk her to her car and tell her goodbye. When I turn around to head back inside, Asher is standing on the porch with a s**t eating grin.

"What?" his smile only grows bigger.

"Sounded like you two had some fun," the blonde teases.

"What of it?" I roll my eyes, "You ready to go? I just need to shower real quick, and then we can head out."

It's the weekend and the club is packed. The massive bouncer is in his usual spot at the door, looking less than pleased to see us.

"Wilder isn't with us," I assure him, and his shoulders visibly relax, "What'd he do to get on your bad side anyway?" The vampire's jaw ticks.

"If he didn't tell you, it isn't my business to share," he says cryptically.

"Vixen working tonight?" He only nods a response, "Could we talk to her? I want to apologize for my Gamma's behavior." The bouncer eyes me, looking for any signs of deceit.

"Not up to me," is all he says, and waves us inside.

"He's charming," Asher says jokingly behind me, and I snort a laugh.

"Go ahead and rent us a VIP booth. I'll meet up with you when I'm done," I usher my Beta off.

It takes a few minutes to track down the owner. After asking a couple of servers and a bartender, I'm directed backstage to his office.

"Enter," a deep man's voice calls from the other side of the door after I knock, "Mr. Drake, welcome back, how can I help you today?" Something about his smile is off putting.

"I was hoping to see Vixen. One of my pack mates was disrespectful the last time we were here, and I wanted to apologize," I explain. An emotion flickers across his face, but it's gone before I can decipher what it was.

"Of course! She's off tonight, but she would love to see you!" He quickly stands from his desk.

"Oh, if it's her day off it can wait," the other man is already walking past me, heading out the door.

"Nonsense. I'll be right back with her." I hear his footsteps fade up a flight of stairs. They stop directly above the office. Faint voices tickle my ear, but I can't quite make out what they are saying. The feminine voice raises in volume. The male voice grows deeper and more commanding. I hear what sounds like a slap before everything goes quiet. A resounding thump startles me and then a single set of footsteps starts retreating back down the stairs.

"Go ahead and get comfortable at one of the VIP booths, she'll join you in a few minutes," the strange man says as he reenters the room.

"Um... yeah. Sure. Is everything okay? I thought I heard a loud noise up there," his eye twitches but he keeps a smile on his face.

"Everything is fine," he assures. Though my gut tells me something is off, I head back out to the main area to find Asher.

The beta is settled in a booth in the far corner of the club. The lighting is dim, and it's much quieter over here. A drink is already waiting for me on the table.

"Any luck?" he asks.

"Yeah, she should be joining us in a couple of minutes," Asher nods and continues to sip on his drink. Barely five minutes go by before I feel a light tap on my shoulder.

"You asked for me?" Vixen asks, her voice sounding small. When I turn to look at her, I'm shocked. She looks completely disheveled. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun. She's wearing a raggedy old t-shirt and leggings. Yellowed bruises litter her tan skin and one of her arms is wrapped up in old bloody bandages. A fresh bruise looks to be forming on her cheek and the sound of the slap I heard earlier echoes in my mind. Her eyes appear distant and dull, as if she's looking right through me.

"Yeah, I did," I say slowly, "Are you okay? You don't look like you're doing too well."

"Yes, I am fine," her response is robotic.

"Did you want to sit?" Asher asks. She doesn't answer verbally, just slowly and clumsily walks to the couch, sitting in the space between us.

"I just wanted to apologize... about before. I'm not sure what had gotten into Wilder, but how he treated you was inappropriate," her gaze remains straight ahead, staring at nothing. I give her a moment to reply but one never comes.

"Seriously, are you alright?" I ask again, getting increasingly worried from her lack of response.

"Mmh fine," she slurs. I take her chin into my hand gently and turn her head to look at me. I feel my mouth go dry when I'm suddenly staring into red. Images of carmine orbs glowing in the darkness flash like a lightning strike in my mind.

"Holy s**t," I breathe. There’s no way. There is absolutely no f*****g way. A growl escapes my throat.

"Asher," I jerk her head in his direction so he can see her face. I watch him look at her eyes, then down to the wounded arm, and back to her eyes again.

"You don’t seriously think?" he asks incredulously.

“I’d recognize these eyes anywhere,” there’s no doubt in my mind. Vixen is the one who has been after Wilder.

“What’s wrong with her?” The Beta leans in closer to inspect the unusually submissive woman.

"I overheard her arguing with her boss. I think he forced her to come meet with us, but I'm not sure why she's so... docile.” Vixen is completely out of it. “We’re taking her with us.”

“What? We can’t just abduct her,” Asher protests, but I’m already grabbing the back of her neck and forcing her to her feet.

“Please,” she whimpers, “don’t hurt me.” A pang of sympathy pierces my heart, but an image of Wilder beaten and bloodied quickly replaces it with anger. I tighten my grip.

“Come on,” I say simply, throwing my jacket over her head, effectively hiding her face.