LOGAN: Alliance of Shadows, Book 2

Chaos and Camaraderie

With Austin gone for much of our stay within the Shadow Storm pack’s borders, I finally felt safe enough to leave Madre on her own and spend time with the kids who had quickly become a second family to me. None of them judged me for being different, and their acceptance felt like a warm reprieve from the cold skepticism I was so used to.

The twins, Devon and Sam—Beta Colton’s boys—were always by my side. Unlike the other children who seemed intent on currying favor with the powerhouses leading the much larger, much stronger pack, the twins preferred to be stuck to me like glue. I wasn’t sure why until the man pointed out that I treated my friends equally and without prejudice. That was when I shocked him yet again. He’d asked why I didn’t look down on them, and I asked “Why should I? They’re my friends.”

“Yes, but there are some who don’t think like you?” He countered softly.

“I can’t control how people think, but I can control how I react,” I told him, keeping the defiance out of my voice as much as possible.

He smiled, “I thought as much. You and Neil have the same mindset, Logan. Wanna know a secret? I was an Omega before he granted me the title of Beta, just because I was a friend who didn’t try to kiss his ass like everyone else did. I wasn’t scared to step up when I have to, and seeing how my boys are with you, I’m grateful they have such a friend.”

Every morning followed the same routine: we’d gather in the central clearing near our houses, laughing and exchanging jokes as we prepared for the day. From there, we’d head off together to pick up Ember from the packhouse. It was on one such morning that Paul, with his usual mischievous grin, began taunting me with another one of his dares.

He always found it amusing how resilient I was—how I could hold my own like an adult while still keeping my composure in the stickiest situations. Today was no different.

“Nope, not happening," I said firmly as we walked toward the packhouse. "I’m not doing it.”

Paul groaned dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. “I swear it’s not going to be like the last time!”

I didn’t waver. “I’m not taking that dare, Paul.”

“Come on, just this once,” he pleaded, dragging out the words like they might tip the scales.

I sighed internally as I considered the exchange. I was quickly learning that being the Alpha of our group didn’t just mean leading; it also meant enduring my friends’ endless antics. Not that they were irritating—not truly. It wasn’t them. It was just their behavior sometimes.

I clenched my jaw to keep from snapping at my best friend and forced a wicked grin in his direction. “If you keep pushing me, I’m going to tell Aunt Liz that you were the one who broke the vase in the living room.”

That shut him up instantly. All my friends knew I didn’t make idle threats. I made promises—and I always kept them.

Paul groaned, shifting Heaven’s weight on his back as she giggled, her hands clasped tightly around his neck. Wyn perched on mine, giggling along in solidarity. “Heaven, you’re getting a little too big for this, baby sis,” Paul muttered, rolling his shoulders under her slight frame.

“No, she’s not! She’s still little!” Devon cried out indignantly from a few feet away, his voice high with protest.

A week after we formed and named our little group, Beta Colton told Grand Alpha Henry about us. My stomach twisted as I braced for punishment, certain we’d all get into loads of trouble. But to my surprise, the Grand Alpha merely laughed and made us swear loyalty to Shadow Storm.

It felt official after that. Even though we were just eight members strong—excluding myself—it was more than enough. To celebrate, Madre baked us her signature sweet cakes, the conchas we all loved, and we had a cozy little party at my place. The name Beta Colton had given us stuck, and from that day forward, we proudly called ourselves the Howlers.

As we walked together one afternoon, I glanced over at Paul, who trudged along with a dramatic scowl on his face. Heaven was perched high on his back, giggling like it was the best game in the world, completely unfazed by Paul’s exaggerated look of suffering, as though he’d been sentenced to carry her forever.

Out of nowhere, an idea struck me, and I came to a sudden halt. “Paul, we don’t have an Omega.”

Paul stopped in his tracks, blinking as if the thought had just hit him too. “Dude, you’re so right!” he said, his eyes lighting up with realization.

“Can I be the Omega, Lo-Lo?” Wyn chimed in enthusiastically, practically bouncing in place on my back. Her arms gripped tightly around me, and her voice brimmed with excitement. “Kaden is an Omega, and he’s not weak!”

I paused to consider it for a moment, glancing back at her small but determined face. Wyn’s eyes sparkled with such fierce determination that I couldn’t help but grin. “I don’t see why not, Wyn. You could be our little secret weapon for anyone dumb enough to mess with us.”

She might have only recently turned four years old, and she was small for her age, but her punches didn’t tickle—especially when Sam tried stealing food off her plate.

I winced at the memory of her giving Sam a matching pair of black eyes. Poor Sam had run crying to Beta Colton, but instead of scolding her, Beta Colton had laughed so hard tears streamed down his face.

Paul smirked at me, tilting his head as though giving the idea his approval. “Well, I guess that solves our Omega problem, Alpha Logan.”

The March thaw had melted much of the snow, but enough remained to turn the clearing into a perfect playground. I watched as Jake crouched down and scooped up a handful, shaping it quickly into a ball. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he spun and hurled it at his older brother.

“Hey! That’s not nice, you little brat!” Paul yelled as the snowball smacked into his shoulder. His voice rose in mock indignation as he added, “You almost hit Heaven!”

Jake’s face froze, his expression morphing into pure terror. “Sorry, Heaven!” he blurted out, his voice filled with remorse.

Giggling softly, Heaven peeked out from behind Paul’s shoulder and reassured him, “It’s okay. I not hurt.” Her tiny voice carried an innocence that made the entire moment feel even sweeter.

Since they started spending time with me, all the toddlers had begun speaking more clearly, something their parents noticed and appreciated. I felt a small swell of pride whenever I thought about how much they’d grown.

Still laughing, Jake dashed off to catch up with Maria and the twins, his earlier panic melting away in the fun of the moment. Watching the siblings interact was endlessly entertaining. Their bickering and playful chaos filled every day with energy. Paul, of course, always pretended to be exasperated with them, but anyone who spent enough time with us knew the truth – he would do anything to protect them.

Maria shot us a sharp glare, her expression enough to make us instinctively quicken our pace.

“Is it just me, or is she a little fussier lately?” Paul muttered under his breath, leaning closer as though Maria might hear him from the distance ahead.

I shook my head without hesitation. “It’s not you, Paul.”

He let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, it’s scary.”

It struck me, not for the first time, how odd it was that I wasn’t the oldest in the group, yet they’d made me their Alpha anyway. Somehow, it just felt natural for all of us, though I still wondered why sometimes.

“Hey, I was thinking about something,” I said, breaking the silence.

Paul raised a brow, curious. “What do you want to know?”

There was no easy way to phrase it, so I decided to just come out with it. “Why did you make me the Alpha if you’re the oldest in our pack?”

Paul smirked, the corner of his mouth quirking up like he’d been waiting for the question. “You make a better leader than me. Besides, it doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s all about how you lead. Well, that’s what my dad always says.”

I studied his face for any trace of dishonesty, but I didn’t need to. Paul could never lie without giving himself away, and this time, his easy confidence told me he meant every word.

When we arrived at the packhouse, Aunt Laura greeted us with a warm smile, handing out our treats before directing us to the dining hall. The scent of freshly baked goods clung to the air, making the moment feel cozy despite the lively chaos awaiting us inside.

Ember was already there, perched protectively at the table and glaring at anyone daring enough to approach the seats around her. Her growls echoed through the hall, her small frame radiating an almost comical ferocity. I fought to keep a straight face, but Paul and Jacob weren’t nearly as disciplined. Their laughter rang out instantly, loud and unrestrained. Nothing—not even Maria’s sharp eyes—could make them stop chuckling at Ember’s dramatic display.

“Hi, Lo-Lo!” Ember squealed as soon as we were close enough. She bounced excitedly in her seat before leaping out of it and running straight to me. I grinned as she threw her tiny arms around my neck, holding on tightly. It was impossible not to smile back—she was always so thrilled to see us, no matter the day.

“Salut, Em,” I replied warmly. “Did you save these seats for us?”

She let out another chuckle, her eyes sparkling as she nodded eagerly.

“Silly, Ember,” Heaven giggled, her soft laugh matching the playfulness of the moment.