LOGAN: Alliance of Shadows, Book 2

Instinct

The sudden urge to go to my new Luna surged the moment I was left alone with my thoughts. My eyes darted across the crowd, picking apart every movement and sound for anything that felt wrong—an odd shift in posture, a voice that was too loud, a presence that seemed out of place.

I scowled, determination settling in my chest like a stone, and slipped toward the porch with as much stealth as I could muster. My gaze landed on Kaden, who was deep in conversation with another guy, his back to me. A grin tugged at the corner of my lips.

Good. He was busy.

Smirking to myself, I wormed my way between the Alpha and the Luna, forcing my small frame into their space. My gaze locked onto Alpha Neil, and I let a low growl rumble from my throat as I glared up at him.

His warm brown eyes settled on me, and for a moment I was sure I’d pushed too far. But instead of anger, I caught the glint of amusement in his gaze. It was strange—he should have been mad. Males usually were when someone challenged them. My dad always was.

For a moment, I faltered, the realization turning over in my mind. Alpha Neil wasn’t my dad. He didn’t react the way I expected, and that left me uncertain, a little off balance. But I refused to back down.

Uh-oh, I’m in for it, I thought as Madre’s sharp eyes locked on me. Her voice broke through the noise as she apologized repeatedly, attempting to coax me away from the Luna. After a quick exchange, and reassurance that it was fine, Madre sighed and returned to her previous task, shaking her head as she walked off.

Still cradling me, the Luna held me close, her warmth steady and calming. She carried me across the lawn, stopping beside two figures—a tall, imposing man that looked like the Alpha and a woman with sharp green eyes that gleamed with amusement. Leaning in, the Luna whispered softly to the woman.

“Aunt Clara,” she began with a mischievous smile. “Aren’t you and Grand Alpha Henry forgetting something?”

The woman’s lips curved in a sly smile, and without missing a beat, she turned to the man and gave his arm a light smack. Similarly, the man, Grand Alpha Henry, pouted in a way that made me laugh.

“You’re absolutely right, Izzy. Henry,” the one called ‘Aunt Clara’ chided playfully. “Be a dear and let the people know about their Luna Princess. For heaven’s sake, you’d lose your head if it wasn’t attached!”

Grand Alpha Henry announced her, his voice echoing through the field. I stayed focused on the lady holding me, curiosity bubbling up.

“May I have your name?” I asked, tilting my head up at her. Madre’s lessons on manners pushing themselves to the front of my mind.

She smiled down at me, her eyes warm. “Since you asked so nicely, my name is Izaria. You can call me Izzy.”

Her voice was soft, but it carried a strength that reminded me of Madre. I liked her instantly, enjoying the feeling of safety while I was in her arms. Before I could say anything else, a group of kids suddenly gathered around us, their chatter loud and lively. One of the older boys stepped closer, his hand reaching out toward me.

I growled, a warning rumble rising in my throat.

Luna Izzy crouched slightly, her steady gaze meeting mine. “No, we must be kind to others,” she said gently but firmly. Her voice made my growl fade, and I felt a little embarrassed. She put me down carefully, her hands steady as she made sure I was balanced. Her calmness made the noisy crowd around us feel less overwhelming.

I felt a knot of worry in my chest when I didn’t see Maria with the group. I scanned the area, my mind racing, when a small hand grabbed mine and tugged. Startled, I looked only to see Jake standing there with a tiny girl clinging to him, her thumb firmly in her mouth.

“Hi, Red,” Jake mumbled, trying to pry her hand off his arm. “Heaven, let me go!”

The little girl shook her head, giving him a toothy grin. “No! I stay, Jakey.”

Jake groaned, his eyes pleading as he looked at me for help. But I didn’t have any siblings, so I had no idea what to do with a clingy little kid. Laughter rang out, drawing my attention. I turned to see Paul walking over with two older kids in tow. One of them—a tall boy—had a small girl balanced in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder.

Jake pointed at me. “Quartz, that’s Red.”

The girl—Quartz, I guessed—let her gaze wander over me, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “So,” she said, her voice light and teasing, “this is Jacob’s newest obsession.”

"Logan, these are my brothers and sisters," Paul said, pointing to each of them in turn. "Jackson’s the oldest, then Quartz, Gavin, me, Jacob, Wynter, and Heaven."

Jackson groaned dramatically, his shoulders slumping. “Hey, Logan, if you want to borrow one of my siblings, you’re welcome to them.”

Heaven glared up at him, her tiny frame vibrating with defiance. Without warning, she kicked him square in the stomach.

“Ugh, seriously, Heaven?!” Jackson gasped, clutching his middle, while she stuck her tongue out at him, triumphant.

Paul somehow managed to corral his siblings, convincing even the older ones to play a game with us. Jackson suggested Hide and Seek, explaining the rules with an air of authority. “Alright, everyone, go hide. I’ll count to ten.”

The others scattered immediately, their small figures vanishing into the shadows and corners. Unsure of where to hide, I clung to Paul, my heart pounding like a drum inside my chest. His steady presence felt like an anchor, keeping the unease in me from spiraling out of control—though only just.

The game carried on, but my focus wavered as Alpha Neil’s commanding voice cut through the air. His words rolled out across the space, clear and steady, announcing that all the parents were welcome to use the nursery inside the packhouse. The sound of his voice reminded me of the strength and order that held the pack together.

But it couldn’t drown out the nagging feeling growing sharper inside me.

It clawed at the edges of my thoughts now, harder and harder, like a warning I didn’t know how to understand.

Maria. I hadn’t seen her in what felt like ages. She hadn’t come to play with us, and her absence dug into me like nothing before, making my chest tighten. I didn’t realize how easily friends could become as important as family in that moment, but there it was. The emptiness left behind where she should have been felt strange—it felt wrong. Deep down, I knew something was about to go horribly wrong.

I barely noticed when Madre approached. The moment I sensed her nearby, instinct took over. I bolted for the backyard, the pull so strong I didn’t stop to think.

I could hear Mami calling my name, her voice sharp with worry. It wrapped around me, tugging at the edges of my thoughts like a lifeline, but I couldn’t stop. Something deeper, stronger, pushed me forward—a pull I couldn’t ignore, no matter how much I tried.

Maria. Where was she?

The front yard stretched out before me, empty and eerily quiet. The laughter and chatter from earlier had faded, replaced by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the packhouse. Shadows stretched longer now, creeping across the ground like fingers, and every corner I checked only tightened the knot twisting in my chest.

Why hadn’t she come to play? Why wasn’t she with us?

The questions swirled in my mind, louder and heavier with each step I took. She wasn’t just my friend—Maria was family in a way I couldn’t explain, a bond that went beyond words. The thought of her being alone, somewhere out of reach, sent a chill racing down my spine.

I had to find her. My legs moved faster, almost on their own, as the pull in my chest grew stronger, more insistent. Even as Mami’s voice faded behind me, her words swallowed by the growing distance, my focus sharpened. Nothing else mattered.

I didn’t know where I was going, but my instincts were leading me, and I trusted them. I had to.

My foot caught on a root, and I stumbled, my knees crashing against the earth. Pain flared briefly, but it was nothing compared to the tremors that overtook my body. My limbs shook uncontrollably, and a wave of dizziness swallowed me whole. I tried to push forward, to take another step, but the world spun too fast. My legs buckled, refusing to carry me any further.

My heart pounded harder, like a drum being struck from the inside, each beat louder and more erratic. Every breath came in shallow, strained gasps, as though the air itself had been stolen from me. Panic clawed its way up my throat, a suffocating force I couldn’t escape.

The edges of my vision darkened, the world slipping away, when suddenly strong arms lifted me from the ground. The warmth of the hold anchored me, even as my mind drifted in and out of focus.

“Brat! Don’t run off like that again,” Kaden’s voice broke through the haze, sharp and familiar. His words were scolding, but steady, carrying the weight of both frustration and concern. “Now, let’s get you home.”