“What? Just say it already,” she ordered, like the alpha female which she was becoming.
“Why’d you go with him?”
“I told you already, he’s like family. And just because I’m Logan’s mate, he’s still my friend. I haven’t seen him in months. Why do you care anyway? It’s not like I’m your mate,” she snapped.
“Because darlin’, when my Alpha’s unhappy, and he’s very unhappy at the minute, we all feel it. I know Jax is your family, but you’ve gotta see what this does to Logan,” he pleaded.
“I’m sorry, Dimitri. I am. I didn’t mean to upset Logan, and I certainly had no idea you’d be affected. You have to remember that I’m new to this,” she said softly. Wynter placed a caring hand on Dimitri’s shoulder. “And to be fair, Logan has his own explaining to do. This is not all my fault.”
“Yeah, sorry about that mating business.”
“Sure you are. You looked real broken up about it earlier. That smile of yours…geez. It really wasn’t funny.” She gave him a small grin.
He smiled in return, recalling the conversation and laughed out loud.
“I love Logan but man, watching him fall for his mate is kind of funny…very funny actually. You have to give him credit, though. He’d rather risk you being mad at him by telling everyone you were his mate than let another wolf take you away. And he’s a new Alpha…going up against Jax like that. Logan is one tough motherfu….well you get the idea.”
“I’m glad you were entertained. Because me…I was pretty surprised that he kind of just blurted that out. I mean, it’s not like I don’t really like Logan. He’s incredible. Loving and sexy and…” she said, dreamily, until Dimitri cut her off.
“But the commitment, Wyn. With wolves, it’s more, so much more.”
“You’ve marked someone? Mated?”
“Hold on there, cher. No way. Let’s just say that like Logan, I’ve been ’round a long time. Watched my fellow wolves fall deep into their mated bond. Sometimes it goes smoothly. And sometimes,” Dimitri paused, concentrating on his driving as it had begun to rain, “well, not so much. But I’ll tell ya, it always goes. Because Mother Nature, she gets her way. No use fightin’”
“How mad is he?”
“Logan? Scale of one to ten?” He contemplated. “Ten when you left. Maybe a seven or eight now. And here we are…home.”
Wynter cringed. Would he forgive her? Would he punish her? Like vampires, wolves had their own interpretation of life’s rules. As the gate slid open and they drove into the carport, her stomach flip-flopped. Was he waiting for her? What should she say to him? The car stopped, jolting her back to the present. Dimitri opened the door for her and they both ran into the house, in an effort to escape the downpour. The sliding glass door opened. She hoped Logan would be expecting her, yet she was greeted with silence.
“Upstairs,” Dimitri told her, his hand still on the door. He wasn’t planning on staying for whatever was about to go down between Logan and Wynter. Even though he loved Logan like a brother, there were things he had to do on his own, and this truly fell in that category.
“Thanks,” Wynter whispered. Brushing a kiss to Dimitri’s cheek, she fled to her Alpha, disappearing around the corner and up the staircase.
Chapter Twenty
Logan felt her the second they drove onto the property. Silently he breathed a sigh of relief she’d returned, but struggled to understand how she could have left him in the first place. While he fully comprehended her familial relationship with Jax, he’d claimed her. Any true she-wolf would have never gone off with an unmated male wolf under similar circumstances. But Wynter wasn’t really a wolf yet. Even if she was about to transform, she hadn’t been raised wolf, wasn’t even a hybrid. She couldn’t possibly appreciate the ramifications of her actions. Logan wanted to forget, forgive, but he simply didn’t have that luxury.
Already, he’d spent too much time with Wynter. After nearly killing himself to secure his position as Alpha, he should be leading his pack, not worrying about a human. If she were only a human, it’d be an easy decision. But no, she was his mate. A mate who knew essentially nothing about wolves. What kind of sick joke was the Goddess playing? Logan wondered what would happen if he rejected fate. Maybe he was wrong about her being his? He wished. Whenever she was within five feet of him, his wolf clawed to mate her. There would be no denying him once Wynter shifted.
In the meantime, he resolved to focus on the pack. Convulsing in rage over Wynter’s departure had hurt them. Every wolf would have felt his anger, wondering what had caused his virulent excitation. They’d stress, which was the very last thing the pack needed. After the long months of mourning Marcel and enduring the uncertainty of who’d lead them, he’d finally established peace. Today, though, his temper threatened the sanctity he’d worked so hard to create.
The hot spray of the shower had allowed him time to meditate, bringing a sense of balance and stoicism to his thoughts. The solace of his newfound impassivity clarified his strategy. He and Wynter simply could not continue down a path of misunderstandings. There was no other choice. When they got to the bayou, Wynter would learn to submit, learn the way of the wolves. He’d teach her lessons, not just in acquiescence but the importance of her role within the pack. Whether she liked it or not, he fully anticipated her wolf would emerge at the full moon. He’d prepare her for their new life together. As the Alpha’s mate, the pack would look to her for guidance, direction. But in order for her to fulfill her role, she must accept him as Alpha and her own transformation.
Her footsteps at the door excited his wolf, but he refused him access. Now was not the time. Dana’s funeral started within the hour, and his calming presence was required. Logan planned to do nothing less for his pack, even if that meant isolating Wynter. The rumination over the quandary would wait. For at least a few hours, he planned to ignore her, focus all of his attention on Fiona and the pack. It was the least he could do.
Wynter’s heart caught in her throat, seeing her magnificent Alpha at the mirror. Incredibly handsome didn’t begin to describe how she saw him. Black pinstripes ran the length of his long legs. His trousers hung easily on his tapered waist, hugging over his bottom, a crisp white dress shirt tucked into them. She watched as he knotted his tie, never losing focus from his task.
“Logan,” Wynter called tenderly.
“The funeral’s at six. Dimitri and Jake will take you. Once you get there, stay with Jake,” he explained coldly. He turned, took his suit jacket off a hanger and dressed.
“We need to talk,” she pleaded, walking toward him. The need to touch him overwhelmed her.
Logan adjusted his collar, giving himself one last look in the mirror, never seeking eye contact. He ignored her request and sought to leave the room.
“You’ll need to pack your things. You can use the bag I left you in the closet. We’re leaving immediately after the burial.”
As Logan passed by, Wynter grabbed onto his sleeve, pressing her forehead into his chest. God, he smelled so good. She wanted to apologize, ask for forgiveness, but also talk to him about being his mate. There were too many questions. She needed him to quell her fears, confirm he still cared.
“Please, Logan. Don’t do this,” she whispered.
Logan tugged his arm from her grasp, calmly backing away. Indifference washed over his face. No longer was the lover present, but the leader; the Alpha commanded the room.