The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 24

VIXEN

A low staccato beeping nudges me into consciousness. Low voices murmur distantly in hushed and urgent tones. They're too far away to make out words. My limbs feel heavy and sluggish, nothing responding to the brain signals telling them to move. I crack open my eyes, confusion setting in when my surroundings are unfamiliar. The steady slow beeping becomes louder, getting more incessant and urgent. The shrill sound induces panic and I try to sit up. Pain lights up my entire body like a lighting strike. A cry of pain forces its way out of my throat.

"Hey, hey, don't move," a large warm hand touches my shoulder and I try to wriggle away from it, pain burning across my body the more I move.

"Don't f*****g touch her," a deep voice growls, “You're making it worse.” The hand is suddenly gone but is quickly replaced by a cool, familiar one caressing my cheek.

"Vix, baby, it's me," I relax into the calming touch and soothing voice. "That's it." My vision starts to clear. Green and amber eyes are looking down at me. I lock onto the green ones, the medical equipment beeping picking up again as my heart rate increases.

"Hey, none of that," Brax turns my face to look at him. "I'm here. You're safe." There's an indignant huff from the large wolf shifter.

"Brax," I pause once the vampire's appearance finally registers in my brain, "Why do you look like that?"

"Hm? Oh, I was just making a point," the large wings fold in on themselves, disappearing behind his back. The pretty glow of his eyes slowly fades as his scleras go back to their usual white. Large cold hands delicately slide under my legs and behind my back. They lift me up effortlessly, the movement igniting pain all throughout my body.

“f**k!” I grit my teeth.

“Sorry, little one,” he whispers into my ear and hugs me closer to his chest protectively.

“You’ll reopen her wound,” Maddox speaks up.

“I can take care of it if that happens,” Brax dismisses.

“Right, because you’re a doctor who can properly administer medical care?” The Alpha snarks.

“I’m several hundred years old, pup. I’ve gone to medical school,” he smirks, “Twice. The second time was because I was bored.” Maddox scowls and a low growl vibrates in his chest. Brax turns to leave, but before he steps out the door, he stops and turns back to the Alpha.

"You cannot let your Gamma anywhere near the club,” he warns.

“I won’t… But will you at least tell me why? Why Wilder?” Brax appraises the shifter for a moment.

“He owed money. Racked up a bill and left without paying,” he sighs.

“Which I paid,” Maddox interjects angrily.

“Correct, and he was forgiven and given a second chance,” Brax continues, “but that same night he ran up another bill.”

“The f**k? How?” The large arms holding me stiffen. I turn my face into Brax’s chest, embarrassed.

“Not important,” the vampire says simply, and exits the building.

“Cryptic asshole,” Maddox mutters under his breath.

"Did you have a nice little getaway?" Silas asks sarcastically,"You f****d the entire plan. How are we supposed to get the Alpha now?"

"Actually, sir," Brax speaks up, "The Alpha still seemed quite enamored with her, despite everything." My shoulders relax slightly from Brax's redirect.

“For both of your sakes, you better f*****g hope so,” Silas seethes.

“He’ll be back,” Brax assures him. I sit quietly in the chair across from Silas with my head down. Everything hurts, and I want nothing more than to lay down and sleep for the next week. My stomach feels like red hot knives are stabbing me over and over again.

“You look like absolute s**t. I’m feeling generous, and I’ll give you tonight to clean up and rest. You're working the stage every night indefinitely starting tomorrow,” Silas waves his hand, dismissing us. Big arms scoop me up again and carry me out of the office. I can feel eyes on me as we move through the back hallway and up the stairs. Hushed, judging whispers whirl around us as we pass. A warning rumble vibrates in my chest and the voices are immediately quiet.

“Don’t worry about them,” Brax hushes me and I huff, annoyed. When we get to my room, he lays me down on the bed like he was setting down a newborn baby. After lifting the bandages, he inspects the wound and stitches.

“It looks to be intact,” he announces and replaces the old blood-soaked gauze.

“You tried to teleport without a clear line of sight,” Brax says suddenly, and I feel my stomach drop, “I’ve warned you about doing that. This is exactly why.”

“I know,” I mumble, avoiding eye contact.

“You’re lucky to be alive, do you understand that? You could of teleported inside a wall. Been crushed, cut in half, lost a limb,” his voice gradually rises in volume.

“I know!” tears start to swell in my eyes. "I was scared. I was still high from f*****g Silas injecting me. Wilder was trying to… he was going to hurt me again.”

“Shh, s**t, baby I’m sorry. I know. I’m not mad,” he apologizes, leaning down to press his forehead to mine, “You scared me is all. Your recklessness is going to kill me one of these days.” A soft smile spreads on my lips and I sniffle quietly.

“Do you need anything? Are you hungry?” I shake my head, “You need to at least drink something.”

“I just want to sleep,” anything other than sleeping sounds too exhausting.

“Drink, then you can sleep,” he bargains.

“Fine,” he leaves briefly and comes back with a glass of water. One sip and I suddenly realize how parched I am.

“Slow down. You’ll make yourself sick,” reluctantly, I listen and take small sips until the cup is empty.

“Alright, do you need anything else?” A yawn forces its way out and Brax smiles as he turns to leave.

“Wait,” the large male stops in his tracks, “please don’t leave. I don’t want to be alone.” Gold gazes into red. Their intensity would make anyone else uncomfortable the way they seem to peer directly into the soul. To me, it’s oddly comforting, like he’s seeing me, the real me, all the dirty horrible things, and yet he's still here. Helping me.

“Okay,” Brax says softly and walks back to the bed. He crawls in next to me, being careful not to jostle me too much as he settles in. The light chill radiating from his body feels nice in the humid and stuffy room. I awkwardly shimmy closer to him while trying not to aggravate anything.

“Sweetheart, stop moving,” he chides.

“Come closer then,” I huff in annoyance. A chuckle tickles the side of my face as he turns on his side, lips right next to my ear. An arm delicately wraps around me, avoiding the tender areas and pulls me in close.

“Better?” The vampire asks. I nod my head and yawn again.

“Much,” my eyes fall closed. Safe and comfortable in my own bed, sleep approaches quickly.

“Good,” cold lips press into my forehead, “now go to sleep little one.”