The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 27

MADDOX

“I need to talk to you,” Asher gives me a quizzical look, but follows me. We walk in silence as we move through the house. Ever since that vampire rampaged through here, the entire pack has been on edge and morale is low. Asher closes the office door behind us. I sit on the edge of the desk and lean back, arms crossed over my chest.

“What did you need to talk about?” Asher finally breaks the silence.

“Wilder,” I answer simply.

“Alright. What’d he do this time?” the blonde asks as he mimics me, leaning back against the door and crossing his arms. I look at him with solemn eyes. My expression must give away that this is serious, his muscles tense and his lips press into a hard line.

“He… f**k. I don’t even know how to say this,” I rub my face until colors are swirling behind my eyelids.

“That bad?” the Beta quirks a brow.

"Worse," a sigh leaves my lips.

"I think he... I think he sexually assaulted someone," I watch as Asher eyes go wide and his face pales.

"You're... You're serious?" he asks dumbfounded.

"Why the hell would I lie about this?" I stand from the desk and start pacing.

“And you’re sure?” Asher questions, disbelief in his voice.

“Pretty sure. The way he treated Vixen at the club? I walked in on him in the middle of… f**k! He had her pinned down and was ripping her close off while she screamed at him to stop,” I’m yelling now, pacing like a caged tiger. My Beta is speechless as he processes what I just told him.

“No… No way. He can be an ass, but he wouldn’t do that,” he finally says.

“You saying I’m a liar?” I fix him with a glare.

“f**k. No. I just… It’s hard to believe, you know?” He runs fingers through his blonde curls.

“And that vampire asshole even said he… raped Vixen,” my voice trails off at the end, just barely above a whisper.

“And you believe him?” He quirks a brow at me.

“I don’t want to, but it would explain a lot. How he acted inappropriately with Vixen at the club, why she’s terrified of him, and what I walked in on him doing to her,” the look of terror on her face still haunts me. Asher remains quiet for a long time.

"Fuck... the look on her face when Wilder touched her in the VIP room...," the Beta grimaces, "I knew something wasn't right."

"I know. I had the same gut feeling that night. Everything is completely f****d right now," I sigh.

"So, how are we going to handle this?" his blue eyes meet mine.

"It can't and won't be tolerated, that's for damn sure," Asher nods in agreement.

“Have you talked to him about it?” he asks.

“I tried. Denies it up and down. He’s a s**t liar,” I growl.

“Figures. So, what do you want to do about it?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m gunna have to banish him,” an uncomfortable silence stretches out between us. The air in the room becomes heavy.

“We’ve known him since we were kids,” Asher whispers, sadness in his voice.

“I know, but what the f**k else can I do? I can’t just let it slide. He lied right to my face, and this isn’t his first f**k up,” My heart feels heavy. Two decades of friendship. He’s like a bother to me.

“When are you going to do it?” Asher’s voice stays neutral, but there’s a sadness in his eyes.

“I’ll let him heal up first. So maybe in a week or so?” The blonde nods in agreement.

“Alright. I’m gunna go. I need some time to process all of this. Just let me know if you need me,” I wave him off as he steps out of the office, closing the door behind him. The room feels cold as ghosts of the past haunt me. I sit down in my chair, coming face to face with a picture of the three of us that sits on my desk. The photo is of us when we were teenagers. Smiling. Happy.

Wilder standing at the top of the stairs, a manic smile on his face flashes in my mind. I scowl and flip the picture down so I no longer have to look at it.

“Fuckin’ damnit,” I curse to myself. With a growl, I stand from the chair, bumping into the desk and knocking over the sparse items that decorate it. The house is quiet as I march down the hall, stomp down the stairs and throw open the french doors in the sunroom. They collide against the walls with a loud thud, vibrating the entire space. The sun is slowly descending out of the sky as night approaches. The air is still warm but a cool breeze billows in the trees, making the leaves and grass dance.

Clothes are swiftly stripped off and thrown to the side before shifting for the first time in too damn long. It feels freeing to finally let go. I belt out a howl and then take off into a sprint. The cool air ruffles my fur as soft moist earth sinks under my pads and squishes between my toes. Trees fly past in a blur, pushing myself harder, faster. I'm running with no real direction in mind other than to just GO. A herd of deer becomes startled at my sudden appearance and take off through the woods. I let out a howl and start to chase them, letting deep-seated primal urges take over.

I'm not sure how long I ran for, but when I finally get back home it's dark. The moon hangs high in the night sky, shining with an unusual brightness. It lights up the garden with a soft glow. Fireflies sparkle across the large yawn like a small galaxy. Frogs chirp in the distance, singing their soothing nightly lullaby.

The french doors are still wide open, and my discarded clothes lay in a pile on the ground where I left them. I shift back and gather up my things, slipping on my sweatpants before entering the house. Asher is in the sunroom reading, a table lamp softly illuminating the book in his hands. He looks up at me when I close the doors.

"Have a good run?" he marks his page with a bookmark and sets the book down.

"Yeah. Helped clear my head," I roll my sore shoulders, "What about you? How are you holdin' up?"

"As good as I can be I suppose," the Beta shrugs noncommittally.

"I'm gunna go shower and go to bed," I start for the stairs.

"Goodnight."

Hot water runs down my body, soothing aching muscles. I stand under the water for a long time, letting it wash away the sweat, dirt, and grime. I allow my mind to wander, and it conjures images of Vixen, her buxom figure dancing up on stage with clothing that leaves little to the imagination. Breasts bouncing with every movement and wide hips swaying seductively. Blood starts rushing south, my member quickly filling out. I desperately want to touch myself, but it feels wrong.

"f**k," I curse and turn the water to cold, instantly flagging my erection, much to my wolf's dismay.

'Inappropriate,' I chastise him, and he grumbles his annoyance.

'Want.' I roll my eyes and decide to cut my shower short. The mirror is fogged over when I step out, obscuring my reflection. A towel is quickly rubbed over my body, not really paying attention to whether I properly dry myself. I throw on some boxers and flop into my cold and empty bed.

'Need mate,' my wolf states.

'I know. We'll find one.'

'No. Already found mate. Need her,' he insists.

'I don't think Inaya is ready to talk about being mates,' I can sense my wolf's frustration.

'No. Not her.'

'Then who?' I ask, confused. He doesn't respond. 'Hello? You can't just decide on a mate and not discuss it with me,' he remains silent, and I just sigh. My eyes feel heavy and I let them fall closed. Sleep comes quickly, but I'm plagued with unpleasant dreams.