The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 6

MADDOX

The ticking of the clock feels as though it's prolonging the passage of time. Every second feeling like an eternity. Glancing at my phone again, I’m disappointed to see there are still no notifications for a new message. My leg bounces under the desk like a jack rabbit. Looking up at the clock for the millionth time, it reads 5:45. I had messaged Imogen this afternoon telling her to be ready for me to pick her up tonight by 6:30. She never responded, even ignoring my every attempt to mind link with her.

I made a reservation at her favorite restaurant. Paid to have the entire place to ourselves and requested they make her favorite dessert. I put everything into tonight to apologize and feel ready to fight my wolf to have her as my mate. Her distant and cold demeanor since that morning has not gone unnoticed, and it’s tearing me up inside. I have to make it up to her, which is why her lack of response is killing me.

Deciding I’m done stewing in my anxiety, I make my way to the closet and browse the many clothes that hang neatly organized. Dress shirts in an assortment of different colors stare back at me and I have the sudden realization I have far too many f*****g clothes. Making a mental note to go through my wardrobe later, black slacks and maroon button up dress shirt are pulled from the rack. After a quick shower, I find myself staring in the mirror. The reflection looking back at me feels unfamiliar. Like a piece of me is missing. The pang of hurt that thought brings to my heart has me looking at my phone again. Still no reply from Immy. I sigh and steel my nerves.

Downstairs, a bouquet of her favorite flowers sits on the cabinet by the front door, left by Asher after being asked to go get them this morning. He even managed to get the roses in her favorite color, yellow. I smile before grabbing them and the car keys. The V8 engine of the muscle car roars to life before lulling down to an idling purr. I check my phone one last time, and decide to try calling when there still is no text. It rings and rings and rings, my nerves fraying every second she doesn’t pick up. “Damn it,” I growl into the phone, hanging up when it reaches voicemail. The phone is tossed into the passenger seat and I’m heading down the driveway, gravel flying out from the tires.

Lights bleed into the street from the windows, though there doesn’t seem to be any movement inside. Immy’s little sedan is in the driveway parked in its usual spot, but an SUV I don’t recognize sits next to it. She must have a friend over which might explain her radio silence. I try calling her again, only to get voicemail again. After pocketing the phone and cutting the engine, I enter into the cool night air. Knocking on the front door only gets me silence in return. I knock again, but more forcefully. Irritation starts to build when, once again, there is no answer. Boyfriend, mate, whatever, I am her Alpha first, and I don’t take kindly to being ignored. With a growl the front door is slammed open. Stepping inside Imogen’s scent along with an unfamiliar one greet me, and it’s distinctly masculine. Irritation bubbles over into anger, but I keep it subdued for now. Who says she can’t have male friends? Though my gut tells me something isn’t right.

“Immy?” No one answers me.

In the kitchen, an empty wine bottle and two wine glasses sit on the island. The remnants of what looks to be dinner still clutter the stove and dirty dishes soak in the sink. An uncomfortable feeling begins to settle in my stomach, adding fuel to the building ire. The house is small, and if they aren’t in the kitchen or living room, it leaves only one place for them to be. My heart clenches at the thought. The bedroom door can be seen from the kitchen, and it’s currently closed. As I get closer, muffled voices and sounds start to emanate from the other side. Time feels like it’s slowed to a crawl, my heart beats loudly in my ears. My hand grips the door handle, muffled sounds now distinct and unmistakable. Moans and the sound of slapping skin. I see red.

The door is forced open, ripped completely off its hinges, wood splintering into shrapnel. A snarl so loud it borders on a roar erupts from my throat. Imogen is straddling another man, hickeys dotting her skin. She’s still out of breath from their interrupted activities, but her eyes are wide with shock, speechless. I’m across the room in two strides before I’m looming over her, teeth bared.

“Maddie, please listen to me,” her voice trembles.

“Don’t f*****g call me that,” I snarl. “What the actual f**k Immy?” My hand snaps out and wraps around her neck. She gasps as I lift her up to eye level, legs flailing awkwardly as they try to find footing. Small hands grasp at my wrist like a lifeline, blue eyes tearing up as they look into raging green.

“Why,” I demand. Tears fall down her cheeks, and it only throws gasoline on the fire. My hand tightens around her throat when she doesn’t answer. The man she had been f*****g seems to finally snap out of his shock.

“Hey man, put her down,” he goes to get up, and I growl, snapping my eyes to the offender.

“STAY,” I command and the other male instantly freezes. My feral gaze returns to Imogen, “TELL MY WHY.”

“He’s my fated mate,” it's forced out of her instantly.

“How long,” I seethe.

“About a year,” she whispers. Cracks split open my heart, the pain rippling down every limb.

“Why didn’t you tell me, I would have understood that you found your fated,” The pain softens my voice. Immy once again doesn’t answer. My eyes narrow, “Answer me.”

“I want to be Luna!” The words are ripped out of her throat by the command. The hurt is once again replaced with rage. My wolf roars to life, finally done with his moping. He’s chomping at the bit, demanding control of our shared body. I barely manage to keep him contained.

“Are you f*****g kidding me?” Tears continue to trail down her cheeks. “Five years. We were together five years. I loved and adored you and all you cared about was your status? All this time spent together just so you could become f*****g Luna?”

“Maddie, please—“

“WHAT DID I f*****g SAY,” I interrupt her, voice practically a scream.

“Maddox…" she corrects herself, "Baby… please forgive me, I love you,” A pathetic smile pulls at her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

‘LIAR’ my wolf roars.

“I don’t believe you,” I spit at her. “Selfish b***h. You will never be Luna.” Tears turn to full sobs at the venom in my voice.

“Please forgive me,” she pleads and reaches a hand out to caress my cheek. I recoil and snarl, throwing her back down into the bed, causing her to yelp.

“You’re banished. Both of you,” my arms tremble with pure rage, “I want you both gone and out of pack territory by tomorrow.” I turn to leave, but stop in the ruins of the doorway. “If you so much as set foot in my territory again, it will be your last mistake.”

The car door slams loudly, rocking the vehicle violently. My entire being seethes and arms vibrate with unchecked anger. The woman I gave the last five years to never cared about me, only the status that came with being with me. My heart ached and my wolf mourns the loss of our mate. Fated or not, we loved them just the same. Screeching tires grate my ears as I peel out of the driveway. Knuckles turn white as they grip the steering wheel.

‘Asher,’ the mind link is instantaneous.

‘Madd? Shouldn’t you be with Immy?’ The questions go ignored.

‘I need someone to make sure Imogen has vacated the territory by tomorrow,’ Asher’s confusion and concern is palpable through the link.

‘What happened?’ He finally asks after a beat of silence.

‘I don’t want to talk about it. Not yet,’ and I sever the link.

My world feels like it’s shattered. I loved her. I was going to marry her. Mate her. The last threads holding my heart together finally snap, and I pull the car over. The car door is left open, and I’m stalking towards the woods. Once at the tree line, clothes are stripped and tossed aside without care. I surrender control to my wolf, letting him take the reins, so I can turn my mind off. We shift effortlessly before running off into the woods.