Chapter 28

"Please!" She begged.

His jaw clenched. He could remember at some point in the past a simple plea from any female; she-wolf or human, couldn't bend him to their will. But, as of late all she had to do was look up at him and she made him weak.

"Come on Madi don't be such a hard ass," Nikki whined as she stood at Hannahs side with the same pleading gaze.

"Yes, male don't be such a hard...ass," Hannah repeated before blinking innocently up at him.

Brody snickered beside him.

His gaze shot immediately to Nikki.

~Don't encourage her!~

With a deep breath, he turned his attention to Hannah; trying to figure out the best way to tell her no without getting her upset.

It's been a week since the rogues were imprisoned in his cell. Gradually as the days passed, the torturing increased and more information was given.

She was wanted by a very powerful vampire.

The news shook him, soul-deep that he increased security all around. He even went as far as seeking the help of some witches from a nearby Coven to put up safeguards. Which was an anomaly since they did not mix with them.

Keeping her safe at all costs meant not scaring or telling her what he knew the rogues came for. Keeping her safe meant literally keeping her indoors and it was driving her up the wall. It was driving him insane even more because being in a confined space with her although he loved it, and the idea of having her in his bed all day seemed like heaven....it wasn't a good plan.

Eventually, like a pipe under pressure, it will bust and so will she. Keeping her indoors wasn't going to solve anything.

So, leave it to Nikki to mention going to the club. That alone piqued Hannah's interest. He stood by helpless to the way his mates eyes lit up in fascination as Nikki went into full detail of what is a club.

He extended his hand and caressed her cheek. He wrapped his finger gently around her nape and pulled her close. His eyes focused on hers.

Lord only knows I would rather have you for myself.

He mind-linked. Her eyes rounded with awe. The whisper-light touch of his words brushed her mind. He had her full attention.

He was conflicted with the decision of keeping her home or just taking her to the club which she was anxious about going. He could feel it.

"Okay..." He breathed.

Nikki squealed in excitement as she reached for Hannah.

"But..." He added.

She stopped before pulling Hannah along. They both turned to face him.

"I'm going with you," he said.

"You are?" Nikki and Brody said in unison. Their eyes wide with shock held his nonchalant stance.

"Bro, are you sure? I mean that's great but..." Brody looked at him.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides...the girls need to have some fun," he shrugged.

Before he could finish speaking, Nikki jumped up and down excitedly before pulling Maddox into a suffocating hug.

She pulled away and stood beside Hannah. But before she followed Nikki, she stepped closer to him and on tippy toes, she reached up and kissed him on the lips. He fought the urge to pull her close because that would evidently change his mind of letting her out of the house. Much less his bed.

The rumbling growl that escaped was indication enough and she shyly pulled away.

He stood there for a while and watched her disappear with Nikki up the steps until they were out of his sight.

"What are you thinking?" Brody stepped closer to his side.

Maddox turned to face him.

"That's just it," he murmured, "I'm not," he shrugged.

Brody's brow lifted in amusement.

"When it comes to her I can't think straight. The hard exterior I have been carrying around for so long has suddenly turned to pudding when it comes to my mate," he grumbled.

Brody's lips curled into a smirk.

"You're in love...its to be expected." Brody shrugged with understanding.

Love? His heart ricochets in his chest with the thought. Was that it? He frowned with the realization of all the mixed feelings he has been having. He knew without a doubt that she drove him wild with need and desire. He couldn't last a day without seeing her, embracing her...kissing her. And...he would go insane if anything happened to her.

But, she was an Angel. A celestial being that knew nothing of those feelings. Although he'd hate to admit it and get his hopes up, affection is definitely there when she looks at him. Or was it?

He exhaled, deeply troubled by the crazy thoughts Brody just placed on his mind. Love!

Mentally he shook it off because it was an emotion he never felt. What they have is just a bond manipulated by the Moon Goddess and the fates.

For what reason? He did not know.

Regardless of it all, Love was a luxury he could not dwell on. Not now.

"Bro? It's okay if you don't see it or you refuse to accept it. But it's there." Brody smiled.

Maddox fixed him with a serious glare. "Now is not the time to be thinking of that, Brody," he shook his head.

"Yeah? Well,  when is it time, Mad? When time has passed and it's too late to admit it?" Brody shook his head.

"I would give anything to be in your shoes right now but unfortunately-," he lowered his gaze sadly.

"Don't bro...it's okay... I get it," Maddox slowly raised his hand and placed it gently on Brody's shoulder.

"I have to. It helps to talk about it. It...still hurts," his voice cracked under the weight of his emotions...of the memories.

Maddox sadly watched him dash away a tear.

A wolf will always mourn for his mate. His father had told him on that sad day when Brody's mate, Erica, passed away in childbirth.

That horrible day will be a day engraved in their hearts forever.

Regardless of how Brody joked around, taunted and teased him or just plainly got under his skin, he knew that deep down he grieved for her. It's only been 3yrs. Since that tragic day, he barely spoke of it until now. He wanted him to understand that something like this needed to be taken seriously.

"I miss her so much," his voice trembled.

Maddox just swallowed at the lump in his throat as he pulled Brody into a bear hug.

"We all miss her," Maddox pulled away to look at him.

A silence fell over them briefly before Brody dried away the tears and a beaming playful smile formed on his face.

"Quit before we end up sharing a tub of ice cream like a couple of sissy's," he jabbed Maddox in the stomach with a chuckle.

"You were a sissy since we were kids," Maddox punched him back.

Their playful banter began and soon turned into laughter and roughhousing. Finally, he subdued Brody in a headlock.

"Tap out," he laughed as Brody struggled.

"Guys?" Nikki called out to them.

Still grappled together as he held Brody in the headlock he looked up then froze. Slowly he stood and let Brody go.

She stepped aside and walked the last of the steps and joined her brother as he too stood mesmerized just like Maddox.

Koda let out a low rumbled growl of appreciation as he paced and preened with excitement.

Maddox stepped closer and met her at the steps.

His eyes traveled slowly the length of her from the red sparkly heels, her sexy legs, the beautiful red dress that hugged her curves all the way up to her breathtaking eyes. Then her...hair.

He drew in a deep breath.

"I straightened it," Nikki said softly from behind him.

His fingers trembled as they reached up and glided down the long tendril at her shoulder just inches shy of her elbow.

She looked magnificent.

"Do you like it?" Hannah asked.

He tore his gaze away slowly from her plump shiny lips to look at her.

What wasn't there to like?

His silent response made her nervous, he noticed as she folded her teeth between her lip.

"I love it," he swallowed reaching up to pull her close for a kiss.

As if they were the only ones there, the kiss was passionate, uncontrolled and hot.

Suddenly Brody and Nikki cleared their throats with low happy snickers. Maddox with great effort breaks off the kiss.

"I think we should get going or we'll get there late," Nikki says breaking the trance between them.

He bites back a groan. It takes all his willpower to step away from those berry lips, plump from their kiss. He reaches for her hand and helps her down the last steps then they follow Brody and Nikki out the door.

***

They made it to Horizons.

A clandestine club only for their kind.

The meeting ground for just about every supernatural being around. Both evil and good alike. He thought he had seen it all growing up. Fae's, Witches, Vampires, Shifters. All except for ...celestial beings.

Would they be aware of her presence? Would they know if she was different? What she is?

He didn't when he first saw her.

That calmed him abit as he stepped out of the truck and helped her out.

She looked too enticing to ignore and no doubt every male species in this place will be after her.

Koda growled.

Mine...

Maddox don't start. Don't...ruin this!

Nikki mind linked in irritation.

His jaw clenched as he was now second-guessing his decision.

Bro..we'll be fine. She is in good hands.

Brody stepped closer to him.

She's your Luna. No one will dear harm her. Not here.

He added.

Not entirely convinced, Maddox brushed off the unease either way.

They were right. She was his Luna.

She...deserved the best. She needed to enjoy herself.

He looked down at her and caressed her cheek.

"Ready to go in?" He asked.

She smiled shyly with a nod.

He followed Nikki and Brody in towards the bouncers. Brawny bear shifters in suits. He was acknowledged immediately with stern nods filled with respect.

Once inside, they were greeted with blinding colorful strobe lights and deafening music that rumbled through their bodies and a thick crowd of people laughing and dancing.

Nikki stepped ahead the moment a she-wolf came close and smiled at them both before pulling Brody playfully along to dance.

He exchanged a glance with Hannah just as her eyes followed Brody. Her gaze landed everywhere. Suddenly Nikki returned with two large drinks.

He shot Nikki a glare.

Relax...unwind! Cousin!!!

She glared back at him.

He remained quiet.  A bit on edge and watched Hannah curiously take a sip of the lagoon blue drink with an umbrella.  Witches brew as some call it. A concoction of just about every root and twig known to man. No one really knew.

Although it was a mystery to some supernaturals because it had the ability to numb the senses, it was the equivalent to 9 straight Tequila shots for humans.

He smiled a little as he watched her eyes give off a mellow glow and she took another sip. His nostrils flared with the euphoric scent of her skin. Before he could recover, Nikki pulled her along to the middle of the dance floor.

His heart raced as he watched her dance, her long hair swinging as she moved following Nikki's moves until she relaxed and finally got the way of it.

His eyes flashed with pleasure and possession as he watched her dance. It wasn't long before the hypnotic sway of her hips had him walking towards her, he pulled her close and sensually they both fell into rhythm.

They were in perfect harmony with one another as they danced and he loosened up a bit, enjoyed her closeness and accepted the drinks that followed. He has never felt this relaxed, so at ease. It felt so right. All of it.

Then the upbeat tempo of the music slowed down and he pulled her closer. Nothing mattered at that moment but her as he closed his eyes and held her tight. He tuned out the sound of the music and just listened to her heart beating to a tune of its own.

She pressed into him and everything around them was forgotten. He pressed his lips to her hair; just content with the moment until the song ended and reluctantly he pulled away from her.

With the throng of dancers moving around and crowding the dance floor, he pulled her along towards the bar where he met up with Nikki and Brody.

They fell into light chatter and talked while they watched everyone around.

He leaned in and whispered in her ear and excused himself as he headed to the men's bathroom with Brody.

Keep an eye on her, I'll be right back.

He mind linked with Nikki just before placing a kiss on Hannah's lips.

Her smile warmed him up.  He fought the urge to leave her side but mother nature called.

He turned away and left the girls there and went towards the back of the club with Brody behind him.

A slew of witty banter was exchanged between the two as they entered and used the restrooms.

"If that's not love, then I don't know what it is man," Brody teased.

Maddox chuckled and flicked water at him as he washed his hands.

"I saw the cute she-wolf has you in her clutches. Anything there?"

"Don't change the subject," Brody flicked water back at him.

They continued the small talk exiting the bathroom and heading back to where he left Hannah and Nikki.

The hair on his neck immediately prickled as he saw the two empty bar stools where he left them.

"They must be on the dance floor," Brody shouted over the music.

Maddox's piercing gaze combed over the crowd. Her distinguishable scent was faint.

Alarmingly faint.

A low growl escaped him as he stomped off on to the dance floor in search of her. He looked everywhere.

There was no sign of her.

He was growing anxious. Nervous.

His heart slammed in his chest as Nikki parted through the crowd with a dance partner and it wasn't Hannah.

She paused. Her eyes widened.

Where is she?

Confused, Nikki looked through the crowd and stalked over to the bar stools where ...she left her.

She swallowed nervously.

"She was right here," Nikki turned to face him.

In a panic, Maddox plowed through the crowd calling her name in every corner. Every inch of the dark vicinity was searched.

Where the hell could she be?

Rage coiled through his veins as he called her name trailing after what little scent of her he could find towards the back of the club.

They made their way through an emergency exit into a dark alley where he roared her name.

But nothing...

She was gone.....

*******

Here we go my peeps...

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