The Midnight Foxxx

Chapter 9

MADDOX

"I told you I wasn't going to let you set me up with anyone," my father deliberately ignores my glare.

"And I told you that's too damn bad. I am your father, you will listen to me," his tone is clipped and edged with irritation.

"I'm not ready to meet anyone yet," I try to argue, "I'm still hurting from Imogen."

"You'll get over it. I've already made arrangements with my old friend Sawyer Rhodes. He's the Beta of Black Forest pack. His daughter is a couple years younger than you," the older man explains.

"For f***s sake Dad, I said 'NO'," my voice rises in volume and has a slight growl to it.

"Her name is Inaya," My father finally looks at me, a scowl on his face. "You are meeting her tonight at that Italian place in town."

"Goddess, you're impossible," I cross my arms over my chest.

"And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," he flashes a devious smile before leaving the kitchen.

"f*****g great," I groan to myself before taking a sip of coffee. The hot liquid tastes like heaven on my tongue. No longer hungry, I put back the eggs I had planned on making before my father came by. The stubborn bastard, though I can't deny that I'm curious and pull out my phone. It doesn't take long to find Inaya Rhodes on social media. She's beautiful with tons of followers but otherwise, unremarkable. Shoulder-length strawberry blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a slender body. I decide not to read too much into her bios so there's still something to talk about over dinner. The prospect of a date is unpleasant. Getting to know a person all over again, having a relationship. It's overwhelming. Anxiety coils in my muscles, tensing up my shoulders and back uncomfortably. I growl in irritation and make my way towards the pack gym. I need to hit something.

Thankfully, the gym is empty when I arrive. Hand wraps go ignored and immediately start whaling on the punching bag. I want my knuckles to bleed. The metal fittings keeping the training bag suspended groan as it swings violently with every hit. It doesn't take long for my knuckles to start aching, and it only makes me hit harder. Each punch is stronger than the last. Red starts to paint the worn leather, the vibrant color reminding me of a certain pair of eyes that had hypnotized me just the other night. I growl in frustration, punching the boxing bag hard enough to snap the fixture holding it up, causing the heavy object to smack against the wall with a loud thud.

"Dammit," I curse under my breath. The blood tricking down my fingers starts dripping onto the floor, staining the fresh wax. I'll have to apologize to the housekeepers later.

"Need a sturdier punching bag?" Asher asks from behind me.

"You offering?" I ask, turning to face him. He smiles and brings his fists up into a defensive stance. A maniacal grin splits my face and mimic his stance. It's been a long time since we've been able to spar together. Asher waits for me to make the first move, just as he always does. Some things never change. Normally, I would wait. Assess and analyze my opponent, but today is different. Anger sizzles under my skin, about to boil over, and I need to get it all out. I strike first with a right hook and Asher is quick to dodge, always light on his feet. The blonde throws a punch right back that's quickly blocked, the impact causing me to grunt.

"Forgot how hard you can throw a punch," I quip with a grin.

"Forgot what a brick wall you are," he teases back.

It's a back and forth like that for a long time, a close to equal match in our human forms. We only stop once we're both beaten and tired, covered in bruises and chests heaving.

"You gunna tell me what's got you all riled up?" Asher asks after we've both caught our breath. I look at him, hesitating, unsure if I want to talk about it yet.

"Apparently I have a date tonight," I say with a sigh. The Beta's face goes from surprised to confused.

"My old man set me up with one of his friend's daughters," I explain.

"Seems a bit soon," Asher says with furrowed brows.

"That's what I told him," a growl edges into my voice.

"What's the worst that could happen?" The blonde asks. My eyes narrow into a glare.

"I don't want to f*****g date anyone right now."

"Maybe you can at least get laid?" Asher offers.

"Oh my Goddess, seriously?" I scoff.

"You and your grumpy ass need it," he quips.

"f**k you," there's no heat behind my words.

“Just try to have fun? Even if you don’t end up together, a couple dates could be a good time.” Asher always has a logical and level head. It’s why I chose him as my second in command. I sigh and nod in agreement.

“Maybe you’re right.”

The sign in front of the restaurant stares back at me, almost like it’s mocking me. This is the restaurant I had planned to take Imogen to. Dad always had a sick sense of humor. Anger starts to rise up at the memory but quickly stuff it back down, locking it away deep. Tonight is suppose to be fun. Straightening up my shoulders, I head inside. It’s quiet with it being a weeknight, only a few patrons scattered around the dining room. I give the hostess my name, and she informs me Inaya isn’t here yet and shows me to our table. It’s a small bistro-style table covered in an elegant white tablecloth. Water is already waiting and fresh warm rolls are placed as I take my seat.

"Would you like anything to drink while you wait?" The waitress asks as she passes me a drink menu. I smile and decline, deciding to stick with water even though a nice stiff drink sounds perfect right about now.

It's only another five minutes of waiting before Inaya enters the restaurant. I muster the most genuine smile I can and stand to greet her, hand extended. She returns my smile and shakes my hand, her hazel eyes sparkle under the low light.

"You must be Maddox," she greets.

"And you must be Inaya. It's a pleasure," I push in her chair in for her before taking my own.

"So, tell me about yourself. My father didn't tell me much about you," Inaya asks while looking at the menu.

"My father didn't tell me much either," I chuckle. "In my free time I enjoy boxing, not that I ever get much free time anymore. I'm a car enthusiast, particularly muscle cars."

"So that flashy car parked outside is yours?" there's a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Guilty," it's hard not to return the teasing smile. "What about you?" My wolf stirs in the back of my mind, intrigued. It's not every day I come across a shifter who isn't afraid to speak their mind or tease me. It's refreshing.

"I like to paint, actually," she admits.

"What do you like to paint?" Blue eyes glance up at me from scanning the menu.

"I like to use watercolors. I mostly paint landscapes."

"I'd love to see some of them sometime," the smile she gives me could light up a whole room.

Despite my reluctance at first, dinner has been quite nice. Though we don't have much in common, she's pleasant to converse with. Attentive. Intuitive. It's a conversation with meaningful back and forth. With Imogen, it was always one-sided. Inaya is telling me a story about her and her brother when I start to feel the familiar tickle at the back of my mind. Someone's trying to mindlink with me. I ignore it, refocusing on the woman in front of me, but the tickle turns into a more insistent pressure. An annoyed growl is just barely held back, not wanting to interrupt Inaya.

"Dammit," I swear with a sigh when my phone starts to ring. The caller ID shows it's Asher. "I'm sorry, I need to take this. They're being persistent."

"It's fine, I understand," she smiles.

"This better be important," I snap, answering the phone.

"It is. I'm sorry. I wouldn't have bothered you if it wasn't," my beta apologizes. "It's Wilder, he's been attacked." I'm instantly sitting up straighter.

"Where? By who?" my brows furrow in concern.

"He was out on his usual patrol in the northern sector. We don't know who or what did it, but he's in rough shape. Multiple gashes and cuts to the backside of his body. He's also..." The beta trails off, finding it hard to finish what he was going to say.

"He's what?" I demand.

"He's... missing his hand," Asher answers, sounding distant.

"What do you-" I glance up at Inaya, who is scrolling on her phone while taking bites of her food. She's patiently waiting, but I know she can hear what's being said. "What do you mean his hand is missing?" I hiss.

"I mean it's f*****g missing. Gone. Chopped off, and we can't seem to find it." Inaya's eyes meet mine when I look up at her, a frown pulling at her lips with a confused and concerned expression.

"What the fuck."