LOGAN: Alliance of Shadows, Book 2

Admissions

After everything that had happened, I thought for sure she would run back to her Skulk and never return. Yet here she was—still here. Damn it.

I trotted through the forest at a light run with Lorne on my back, his fingers gripping my fur tightly. Each stride was careful, deliberate—I avoided major jumps, keeping my movements smooth unless his hands dug deeper into my coat, signaling he was prepared for a leap. That way, there was less chance of him slipping off and getting hurt.

Selene kept pace in her fox form, weaving through the trees as we moved. I hoped my speed wasn’t too much for her, but I knew better than to underestimate her agility. Her father had been adamant that I take care of his only daughter, and Mom had nearly ripped me apart for trying to get out of the task.

Dad and Neil? They thought the whole situation was hilarious, of course.

My muscles ached from training with Jasper earlier, but I forced myself to keep going. Pain was a sign my body had endured enough punishment for the day. Still, the thought of shifting back into human form soon and finally giving myself some rest was a relief.

Lorne’s fingers slid deeper into the fur at my neck as I slowed to a stop in front of Dragon Mouth Cave. He perked up instantly, his excitement obvious as he spotted Paul and the others gathered near the entrance.

Once again, my best friend was dripping wet in his wolf form, and his youngest sister was pestering him to shift back. The frustrated glint in his eyes told me the trio had gotten to him—again.

“Logan, that was so much fun!” Lorne squealed as Maria plucked him off my back. She handed me a pair of shorts without missing a beat. Ever the mother hen of our little pack, she kept my brother occupied while I shifted back into my human form and got dressed.

Heaven glanced up from where she was sitting, her expression expectant. “Logan, are we going in this time, or are you going to tell us to hang back again?”

I let out a short laugh, running a hand through my hair.

Turning my gaze to Selene, I noticed her stiff posture. Oddly enough, she was trying not to look uncomfortable about her nakedness.

“Are you alright?” I asked, my voice even.

If I claimed she didn’t affect me, I’d be lying. She was, without a doubt, more attractive than any girl I’d ever met.

She shook her head, her eyes flicking away. “I’m not used to this kind of public display. My species is a little more private than yours.”

“Hey, it’s cool,” Jake said, shrugging off his shirt and handing it to her.

Selene murmured a quick thanks before slipping it on. She was so petite that the oversized fabric swallowed her frame, fitting more like a dress than a shirt.

“You should have seen Paul when he first shifted,” Jake said, smirking. “He was completely naked in front of the whole Shadow Storm pack when he changed back because he couldn't get his focus right.”

“Jacob, don’t agitate your brother. You know how temperamental he is,” Maria warned, her tone firm but familiar.

Jake laughed. “He’s more mental than temper.”

Wynter sprang onto Jake’s back, giggling. “Jake’s only going to find a way to tick him off later.”

Lorne snickered, turning to the girl beside me with wide, admiring eyes. “Selene, you have a pretty body.”

Her hair had nothing on the blush that overtook her face, burning bright across her cheeks.

“Um, I don’t think your Alpha would appreciate that,” Selene said, shifting the focus off herself with practiced ease.

We watched as the twins bickered over their last pack of candy, their voices rising in frustration. Letting out a sharp whistle that had them both covering their ears, I grabbed the packet of Sour Patch Kids and divided it evenly between Devon and Samuel. I ignored their glares as I handed them back their share, then popped the remaining piece into my little brother’s mouth.

“Get along or go home,” I warned.

Lorne giggled, chewing happily. “Logan is their Alpha, Selene, but he’s not mine. I don’t think Daddy would mind, though. I’m too young to have a girlfriend.”

Way to rat me out there, little brother, I thought darkly.

Selene turned her startled gaze toward me. I pulled a pair of shorts from the girls’ stash and handed them to her. “Come with me for a minute. I want to explain something to you.”

She nodded and followed me into one of the caves. I watched as she struggled to process everything, her expression tense. The uneven ground made her footing unstable, and she slipped on some algae-covered rocks. Instinctively, my hands shot out, gripping her waist firmly.

“I won’t let you fall,” I whispered. “Just put the shorts on while I hold you up.”

Her pulse hammered in her chest, the frantic rhythm distracting me more than I cared to admit.

“Yeah, but I—”

“Trust me, Selene. If you truly believe I am your Mate, then you need to trust me,” I urged, keeping my tone gentle.

After a moment’s hesitation, she bent over to slip on the shorts. I bit down hard on my lip, stifling a groan when her backside brushed against my groin. The contact was unintentional, but it still sparked a fire inside me—one I’d have to deal with later.

Straightening, she turned in my grasp to face me. “Thank you.”

I kept my hands on her waist, my grip steady but firm, and stared at her. My heart kicked up its pace when our eyes locked.

“Look, Logan, I know that you don’t want a Mate, and I’m the last person you’d ever expect to be bonded to, but no more secrets, okay?” she said softly.

I swallowed against the knot tightening in my throat. “Um, yeah, sure. No more secrets. That, uh… that sounds good to me.”

Taking a deep breath was a mistake. Her scent flooded my senses, pulling me under in a way that made control feel like a distant thought. My restraint wavered as I lowered my head to her neck, each slow breath a battle between fear and desire.

I was becoming attached to her—more than I should be, more than I wanted to be. But I wasn’t fighting it anymore.

“Logan?” The uncertainty in her voice struck something deep inside me.

“Give me a minute. Please,” I whispered, struggling to rein in the impulses clawing their way forward. She remained tense, her unease lingering, so I lifted my head to meet her gaze. “Are you afraid of me?”

She nodded.

One of my hands slid from her waist, threading gently into her long red locks as I cradled her neck. Holding her gaze, I murmured, “Selene, I’m in control. I promise.”

“Can I see your fangs?” Selene asked, her voice lined with nervous curiosity.

“Are you sure?” I studied her face as she swallowed hard before nodding. Slowly, I opened my mouth and curled my upper lip, revealing my permanently elongated canines. She gasped, instinctively shivering against my touch as I reached for her.

That indecisive look returned to her eyes. “Are… I mean, do you… do you drink blood?”

She immediately looked like she regretted asking, as if she thought the question might anger me. I bit my lower lip lightly, thinking of the best way to ease her nerves.

Slapping was obviously a no-go—I was not that type of guy.

Nibbling my lip, I ran through my options, weighing my choices carefully before settling on the one I least wanted to do. But it was the only option that wouldn’t leave me with aching ears or a bruised hide.

The second my lips met hers, my mind blanked. Rational thought dissolved, replaced by nothing but the heat between us.

For that one moment, the world ceased to exist.

She let out a soft moan as I took a tentative step closer, my hand cupping her neck in gentle reassurance. Without thinking, I deepened the kiss. The second I pulled away, my gaze locked onto her face—flushed, breathing ragged.

She watched me in silence, waiting. I knew she was still expecting an answer to her question.

“Yeah, I do drink blood, but only animal blood—only when the thirst gets too strong to ignore.”

Her green gaze locked onto my blue-grey eyes, and she let out a soft sob.

Oh crap. What did I do now? Was it the fangs or the impromptu kiss? Damn it! What the hell was wrong with me?

This was why I avoided emotional stuff. Though I was smart, relationships and feelings had never been my strong suit.

She sniffled, wiping her eyes. “That was my first kiss.”

I let out a breathless laugh, relief settling in my chest. “Is that all? That’s what you’re upset over? God, I thought I hurt you or something.”

Her arms crossed, frustration flashing in her expression. “You’ve probably kissed a dozen girls, judging by the way you kissed me.”

“I’ve never been with a girl in my life,” I replied, hooking my forefinger under her chin, gently tilting her face toward mine. I could still taste the lingering sweetness of her peaches-and-cream gloss when I licked my lips. I smirked. “My schooling is important to my adoptive parents. They want me to succeed in life, and I get that. Dating was never something I seriously considered.”

Selene’s cheeks flushed a deep red.

“Having a Mate scares me,” I admitted, my voice quieter this time. “So be patient with me.”