LOGAN: Alliance of Shadows, Book 2

A Discovery of Secrets

Their first mistake? Thinking we’d break just because we were kids.

Sure, some of us had a few weak spots. Take Sam, for example. It didn’t take much—just a casual mention of food—for him to perk up and almost spill everything. That’s when we figured out something important: Sam, Heaven, and Ember were the real Omegas of our little group. They weren’t the strongest or the loudest, but they had this quiet strength, keeping us grounded when the pressure got tough.

Their second mistake? Separating us, thinking my friends would turn on me. Ha, yeah right. They’d have better luck trying to split the moon in half. We’d been through too much together, learned too many lessons, to even consider turning on each other. The bond we had wasn’t just strong—it was unshakable.

Their third mistake? Oh, that was the big one. Not checking for weapons. Paul always carried that pocket utility tool with him wherever he went. It was second nature to him by now. And paired with Jacob’s knack for solving puzzles and unlocking doors, keeping us restrained was a losing battle before it even started.

I couldn’t help but catch the looks on their faces as the realization sank in. The disbelief etched across the adults’ expressions slowly morphed into something else. Was it pride? Respect? Maybe both. Jasper rubbed his temples like he was trying to figure out how on earth this had happened, while Neil stood silently, his sharp gaze flicking between us like he was trying to solve a puzzle of his own.

We stood together, defiant and victorious, a tight-knit pack of kids who refused to bow to expectations.

“We’ve been hoodwinked by a group of freaking kids, Neil,” Colton said, throwing his hands in the air. “And two of them are mine!”

“Leash your kids, Colt,” Jasper muttered, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned toward me. “Seriously, Logan, where did you guys learn all this stuff?”

I shrugged, trying to keep a straight face. “Books and videos on the internet,” I replied.

Behind me, Maria’s soft giggle broke through the air. “I practice dancing,” she said, her voice light and cheerful. “So I gave them a few lessons to help them be flexible.”

“It was the twins’ idea to build the course you guys found out by the lake,” Paul added with a grin, his casual tone betraying a hint of pride.

“My kids thought of that?” Colton’s voice climbed an octave, his incredulity plain on his face.

“Yep,” I said with a laugh. “Ember and Devon are the fastest, but Sam is great with strategy. Wynn? He’s a master at making people mad really fast. Maria keeps everyone flexible with her dance lessons. Heaven and Ember like playing doctor, and Jake’s all about tracking things down.”

Paul, who had been quiet until now, shouldered me with a mock scowl. I rolled my eyes at him and sighed, my grin unfaltering. “Paul handles the schedules for training, and I focus on the research,” I added. “We’ve got a mission, too.”

That seemed to catch Jasper’s attention. He straightened a little, his eyes sharpening with interest. “Is that right?” he asked. “And what would that be?”

Ember grabbed my hand and stuck out her tongue at him, defiance written all over her face. Being their Alpha meant that I carried the weight of whatever they did on my shoulders. If my pack caused trouble, it wouldn’t just fall on them—it’d fall on me, too. Dad would definitely have words for me if things ever got out of hand.

Neil watched me carefully, his calm gaze following as I corrected the younger kids’ behavior. He didn’t say a word at first, but when Ember lowered her head and mumbled an apology to Jasper, I caught the flicker of approval in his eyes. He nodded slightly, his expression softening with a hint of pride.

“Nicely done, Logan,” Neil said, breaking the silence.

I shrugged, cautious not to let the praise go to my head. “It was nothing special.”

Neil snorted, his laugh short but genuine. “Respect is earned, not given. Once it’s lost, it takes a ton of work to fix it.”

“We know, Neil,” I replied, my tone firm but respectful. “We’re careful, and we make sure to watch out for the younger kids all the time now.”

“Well, little brother,” he said, “I guess that means you get to keep your pack for now. You know the rules, and you enforce them the right way. When your friends step out of line, you make smart, age-appropriate decisions. There’s not much I can do to stop you at the moment.” His hand lingered for a second before he added, “But remember, you answer to me until you’re of age, and we both answer to Dad, clear?”

He wasn’t talking to me as a brother, and I knew it. No, Neil was addressing me as a superior. A seasoned leader speaking to someone still finding their footing. He was older, more experienced, and I felt the weight of his words settle heavily on my shoulders. Even so, there was no disapproval in his tone. He was okay with what my friends and I were doing, as long as we followed the rules.

“I understand, Sir,” I said, keeping my tone respectful but steady. “We’ll stay out of trouble. If we find something before you and your pack do, we’ll let you know.”

Neil’s smirk softened into something more serious. He extended his hand, and I took it. The handshake felt like a silent agreement, an acknowledgment of the balance we’d found.

Once they let us go, my pack and I filed out of the building, blinking as we stepped into the blinding sunshine. The crisp air hit my face, and I squinted against the light. My attention was drawn to the figure striding purposefully toward us—Dad. His long strides and the look on his face told me he wasn’t just out for a casual stroll.

“What happened?”

“We got into trouble with Neil, but I handled it, Dad,” I said calmly.

“Handled it how?” Dad replied, narrowing his eyes as he looked between us. His posture was tense, his tone sharp with expectation.

I felt Neil’s hands settle on my shoulders, a gesture that sent me back to a time when it was less of a reassurance and more of a warning. My body stiffened instinctively at the contact.

“It’s fine, Dad,” Neil said smoothly. His tone carried an edge of careful authority as he tried to diffuse the tension. “Logan and I just had a chat, that’s all. No harm, no foul, right, little brother?”

Maria grabbed my hand, her scowl sharp and deliberate—a silent signal for me to breathe. She always had my back in moments like this, grounding me when my emotions threatened to spiral.

Suddenly, Ember burst into tears. Her sobbing was loud, raw, and heartbreaking. “Don’t!” she wailed, her voice trembling.

Neil crouched down, lowering himself to her eye level with a calm expression, but she bolted toward me instead. Her small arms wrapped around me, her tiny frame shielding mine as though I needed her protection. I winced at the pressure, but I didn’t try to pull away.

Her words broke the air like a hammer: “The bad man did that to him to say: ‘be quiet,’” she sobbed, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.

Neil paled instantly, his face shifting from calm to horrified in the span of a heartbeat. “Logan, is that true?”

“Yes,” I replied quietly, the word heavy as it left my mouth.

Neil’s expression crumbled. He suddenly looked sick—worse than sick, really—and his voice faltered when he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Forcing a small, strained smile, I replied, “I know you didn’t mean anything by it, Neil. I’m okay. I just gotta remind myself that I’m safe from him now.”

Dad’s fist collided with the side of the building, the impact echoing like thunder. His jaw was clenched tight, and his voice was low and seething as he growled, “Neil, it’s between Logan and Kaden. Whoever gets to that bastard first gets the kill.”

Neil’s expression turned serious, his features hardening as he nodded. “I agree. Knowing Kaden, though, he’d probably give Logan the kill anyway,” he said gravely, his tone laced with both practicality and an undercurrent of respect.

Later, I decided to go for a walk alone, letting the cool air clear my mind as I reflected on the lessons I’d learned that day. My feet carried me along the familiar pathways, the rustling trees providing a comforting soundtrack as I wandered. Before I realized it, I found myself standing in front of the Dragon Mouth cave. Its jagged maw loomed before me, both inviting and foreboding.

As I studied the rocky entrance more carefully, something caught my eye wedged between two stalagmites just a meter or so inside. Curiosity prickled at me, and I carefully climbed through the sharp points until I could reach the object. My fingers closed around the cool amber surface of an amulet. I held it up, turning it in the dim light, and chewed my lower lip as I racked my brain. Where had I seen something like this before?

Two small teardrop shapes had been intricately carved into the surface, framing the head of a red wolf etched in vivid detail. I held it up, turning it in the dim light, and chewed my lower lip as I racked my brain. Where had I seen something like this before?

Realization hit me like a thunderbolt. The reason we’d been hitting so many dead ends in our search to understand my abilities had been right in front of me all along - my own family.

“Madre’s pack,” I whispered, knowing I would have to find them in order to get the answers I desperately desired. Yet, another question lingered in my head. What was the connection between the Red River pack and the Vampires?