Accidental Mates

7

Logan

He had never felt rage like that before, even when he watched his parents’ murder. But seeing Phillip trying to force himself on Cassie made something inside Logan snap. Brad’s poor attempt at getting in his way did nothing to help the situation. Thankfully, Mark was quick to jump in and take care of Brad so Logan could handle Phillip. When his lion took control, Logan was more than happy to give in to his darker side. Both he and his lion were reveling in the blood they were beating from Phillip’s face, until Cassie had touched his arm.

With just a simple touch, she had quieted the beast within him and brought him back to his senses. As the mate bond started to take hold of him and tie his soul to hers, Logan looked into the blue eyes of his mate and let himself see what he should have seen before that moment. She had always been his, but now the whole pride would know it. As the bond fell into place, a protectiveness like he had never known washed over Logan. He watched as Cassie’s eyes started to close, and as her body started to fall to the floor, he caught her easily in his arms.

“I’ve got you, and I’ll never let you go. You’re safe now.” He promised her as he tucked her against his chest.

As Logan looked around, he saw Mark dragging Brad from the room. He growled at Brad as they passed, making sure he knew exactly how Logan felt about his interference.

Movement on the ground caught his attention as Phillip tried to get to his feet. As Logan fought his lion for control, he tried to remind himself that Phillip was no longer a threat to Cassie. But his lion wasn’t listening, Phillip had tried to steal his mate and he wasn’t done dealing out what he saw as Phillip’s just punishment.

Laura put her hand on his shoulder, drawing his attention away from the b****y male on the floor.

“I always thought you were perfect for her, I guess I was right.” She smiled at Cassie, still cradled against Logan’s chest.

“ She will wake up soon. Why don’t you let her father and I clean up here while you care for your mate? She needs you more now than ever.” Logan just nodded as Laura gestured to Cassie’s empty chair.

“I’ll help you get her home as soon as we get these two taken care of.” She added.

Logan turned and carried Cassie past a shocked, but excited Liz.

“I can’t believe it!” She squealed,

“ All the time spent organizing the trials, and all the anxiety she had going into this and it’s been you all along!” Liz shook her head as Logan settled into Cassie’s empty chair.

“Unbelievable.” Liz said as she watched Logan rearranging Cassie more comfortably on his lap and brushing the hair from her face.

“She told me all she wanted from a mate was someone who would care for her, and be good for the pride. I can honestly say I think she got her wish. Now, hopefully I’ll be as lucky.”

“No worries there Sis,” Mark said draping his arm over Liz’s chair.

“Calvin had the trash taken out and as soon as Laura gets done explaining the situation to the other males, everything will be back on track to getting you mated.” Mark reached out to slap Logan on the shoulder.

“After all that talk about never looking for a mate, I never thought I’d see the day you had a little woman to care for! Congratulations man, I’m happy for you.”

Logan looked away from Cassie’s face and toward Mark,

“Thanks. I appreciate it, but can you back up some? I’m having a hard time convincing my lion you aren’t a threat. His protective instinct is on overdrive right now and he doesn’t want anyone too close to her. I’d really hate to hurt you after you helped me out earlier.”

Mark held up his hands and slowly made his way to the opposite side of Liz’s chair.

“Say no more. I definitely don’t want any of what you were dishing out a few minutes ago. Is this better?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Right then, Laura returned, “Logan, if you want, we can take Cassie back to your house now. Judging from the distance between you and Mark, I’m assuming your lion has gone into protection mode?” At Logan’s nod she smiled and continued

“Well since that’s the case, he’s not going to let her out of your sight for a few days, so it’s definitely better for both of you if she just stays with you. Come on, I’ll help you get her home.”

As Logan followed Laura from the conference center, he noticed she kept looking at him.

“Go ahead and say whatever it is you want to say. I know you weren’t looking to have me mate her, considering my past.”

“On the contrary,” Laura answered, surprising him

“ Calvin and I are overjoyed that she mated you. We think you are exactly who she needs by her side to run the pride in the future. And she is exactly who you need to help you come to terms with your past. Speaking of, I know you probably haven’t thought much on it yet, but what are your plans on returning to your pride and reclaiming it from you uncle, now that you have a mate to think about?”

“You’re right.” Logan sighed,

“ I haven’t thought about it. I think it’s something I need to talk to Cassie about before making a decision. But I can promise you, she is my top priority now. Making sure she is safe and happy is more important to me than anything, and if she asked me to, I’d give up my pride and stay here with her.”

Shocked, Laura stopped walking and turned to look at her daughter’s new mate.

“You would really do that for her? I thought you had always planned to return and challenge Michael.”

“Plans change.” Came his quiet reply as he began walking again.

Shaking her head in astonishment, Laura turned and followed Logan down the path to his home.

As they approached the house, Laura ran a critical eye over the structure. From the outside, it looked pretty much the same as it had six years ago when she and Calvin had given it to Logan. Although with a recent coat of paint, and a fairly new roof, it was obvious he had been diligent with the upkeep. Knowing Logan as she did, Laura hadn’t expected anything less.

As they stepped inside, Logan looked over his shoulder at Laura.

“Come on in, I’m just going to put her in my room, it’s got the only bed in the house. I’ll be right back.”

Laura smiled as she watched Logan ascend the stairs, all the while holding Cassie as if she were made of glass and would break at the slightest bump. When he reached the landing and automatically ducked to avoid hitting his head, Laura had to stifle her laughter. If she had known that Logan had outgrown his home, she would have had it remodeled for him. Making a mental note to speak to Calvin about it, Laura made her way to the kitchen to get herself a drink.

Moments later, Logan found her on her knees on the counter, trying to reach the cabinet where he stored his drinking glasses. Chuckling, he reached around her and pulled two off the shelf.

“Looks like I’m gonna have some rearranging to do, I don’t want Cassie falling off the counter every time she wants a drink.” He teased, holding out a hand to help Laura down.

“Not everyone is a giant. Are you sure you’re not a moose shifter instead of lion? You’re sure big enough!” Laura teased back, taking his hand and jumping lightly to the floor.

“Cassie all settled?” She asked while taking the glasses from Logan and placing them down where she had just been on the counter.

Logan nodded as he pulled some lemonade from the refrigerator. “Yeah. I hope she wakes up soon. I know we have a lot to talk about.”

Laura took a long sip from her glass, “I’m sure you two will work it out.” She said, patting his arm.

Logan gave her a rueful smile. “You’re right,” he said sarcastically “what girl would give up the chance to be mated to someone like me? I know my past screwed me up. I’ve tried to overcome it, but I also know I’m not there yet. She’s gonna have to have a lot of patience to deal with me.”

Laura looked at him sadly. “The fact that you see how your past affected you, shows that any young woman would be lucky to have you. You said she will need patience, but that comes with any relationship. Don’t forget, she doesn’t need you to be the perfect mate, she just needs you to be willing to try. You will have issues that will need to be worked out, but as long as you both are willing to work, you will be able to get through anything.”

“I should really get back now, I still have one more girl who needs a mate and you and Cassie need some privacy. You know where we are if you need us.”

And with that, Laura turned, set her empty glass in the sink, and left Logan standing in the middle of his kitchen, speechless.

As the door closed behind her, Logan heard the sounds of Cassie waking up. Deciding it would be best to let her come to terms with their bond on her own, Logan took his lemonade into the den to sit and wait for his new mate to venture downstairs.

Logan wasn’t as young as most of the males that participated in the trials. He wasn’t as naive either. He was well aware of the commitment he’d just made. Most of the males waited until the joining to fully commit to their mates, they used the month between the trial and the joining to do anything they had wanted to do as unmated males. Logan wasn’t that type of male. He was older, more mature, and he took his responsibilities seriously. Now that they were mated, Cassie was now his responsibility. Until he took his last breath, he would take care of her every need.

Thinking of his young mate put a smile on his face. He knew they had some challenges to face; including getting her through her first shift. Usually a female’s mother helps her daughter through her first shift, considering most females are still unmated during that time. But because they were mated, Logan knew it would be up to him to get her through it.

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, he looked up and what he saw took his breath away.