Chapter 30

It had been about a week since Logan told me about his mother and he now acted like a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders; our relationship better than it had ever been. We were currently curled up on the couch; watching an episode of Pretty Little Liars. The sky outside was a dark blanket decorated with bursts of glowing stars; the moon partly hidden behind grey clouds.

***

We'd spent most of the day at the training grounds, my wolf more than happy to make an appearance as we sparred in our wolf forms. As usual, I trained with Camille, who I was gradually getting closer to. I was thankful that of the two of Logan's ex lady friends I'd met, there was at least one that was decent; Kat still hating my guts.

I wasn't sure if it was because she still wanted Logan or because I'd beaten her to a pulp the first time we'd met. Either way, she and I weren't exactly on talking terms.

I'd also had a few other training partners but Camille was my most frequent one; which was fine by me. I hadn't run into any of Logan's many other ex's after Camille, or if I did they had managed to keep it from me, much to me and my wolf's relief; both of us not very keen on the idea.

My bond to the pack was slowly strengthening; both literally and figuratively. Every day, I would meet more and more of the pack members; each of them treating me with nothing but kind acceptance. Our mental bond slowly developed as well, my ability to hear them in my mind increasing as the days went by.

The only downside was that I could sense the mental bond between me and the Delaney Pack slowly weakening, except for the one between me and my brother. I couldn't even speak to Dylan through the bond anymore; which Logan had responded to with nothing less than an ecstatic response, earning a playful slap on his arm from me.

***

My mate pulled me closer to him and I sighed contentedly. "Aria is so pretty." I grumbled quietly.

"She's alright. Nowhere near as pretty as my girlfriend, though." He replied; smirking down at me. I smiled in return; the blood rushing to my cheeks.

"I'll never get used to that." I mumbled.

"Get used to what?"

I ducked my head under his chin, embarrassed by how stupid what I was about to say, was. "Being complimented." I whispered.

He chuckled at my words. "I thought girls like compliments." He said after his laughter died down.

"I like it; I'm just not used to it." I muttered; looking up to meet his eyes.

He gave me an incredulous look. "I'm sure you've heard it from other guys before."

"Besides that nerdy creep at the mall and my brother, no." I replied.

"Your other boyfriends, never called you beautiful? Did you used to date blind men?" He asked; a crooked grin on his lips as he raised a brow.

I pulled at a few strands of my hair timidly. "I've never really dated anyone, Logan, besides you." My mate's smile fell as the words registered to him. "My parents never really let me and after they passed, my mind was never on the matter. I didn't even have my first kiss before you." I admitted; my eyes falling to my lap. He grabbed my chin as he pulled my head up. "I know, it's kind of embarrassing, but-" the words caught in my throat as he shook his head.

"It's not embarrassing, Chelsea. You have no idea how great I feel right now, just because you told me that I'm the first man that's ever gotten your affection." He pulled me closer to him as he cupped the side of my face. "The only thing that's embarrassing right now is how much I don't deserve you."

I laid my hand over his. "That's not true." I replied; leaning forward to peck his lips.

"Maybe to you." He mumbled; his eyes returning to the television screen.

I decided to change the subject; the uneasiness he felt still apparent as his mind lingered on what he'd just said. I climbed onto his lap before I straddled his hips. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he raised a brow at me."So, what are you planning for your birthday this weekend, Alpha?" I asked; a grin on my lips.

His eyebrows pulled together with confusion. "How'd you-"

I snorted; in a rather unfeminine way, might I add as I used a finger to rub at the crease between his eyebrows. "Logan, I think I'm capable of finding out when my own mate's birthday is." He stopped frowning. "And I might've asked Ethan." I mumbled; smiling at him sheepishly. A look of horror flashed across his face; my wolf alert the moment it did. I grabbed at his arm as my eyes widened.

"D-did he t-tell you," he started; his voice quivering with fear as his wide eyes met mine. A million possibilities ran through my head as I waited for my mate to continue with what it was that he had to say. My heart began to beat erratically in my chest; panic surging through my veins.

"What? What's the matter?!" I demanded; shaking him slightly.

"My age?" He finished. The shock was clear on my face as my mouth fell open; not at all expecting him to have said that. What the hell was that supposed to mean?! I mumbled to myself. When a wide smile appeared on his face at my expression, I realised what he'd just done.

I grabbed a nearby cushion and smacked him in the face. "Logan, you ass! I can't believe you just did that to me!" I snapped; continuously attacking him with my soft, fluffy weapon. "My heart almost imploded!"

He just laughed as he held an arm up to deflect my attacks. "Believe it babe." He choked out from beneath my weapon. "Your face was priceless." I stopped hitting him and tossed the cushion aside. I crossed my arms as I feigned anger; never really being able to feel the actual emotion towards him since we began to get along.

His laughter came to an end as he noticed the glare I was sending his way; a smirk still lingering on his lips. "I know you're faking it Chels. And you're wolf didn't even need to tell me this time." He muttered; pulling me closer.

He parted his lips slightly as they pressed to his mark on my neck. He bit my skin softly before his tongue ran over it, definitely leaving a red mark over the existing one. I gasped as the shock I always felt when he touched me, ran through my body; accompanied by an extreme jolt of pleasure.

My head fell back a little as he blew softly on my now heated skin; my body more than willing to give him better access. I pulled him closer as he began to nibble, lick and blow his way up my throat; sending a jolt through me with every inch his lips travelled.

When his lips finally touched mine, I couldn't help but push myself even closer; needing the contact. I parted my lips as my hands clung to the back of his neck; holding him to me. "Damn it." I mumbled when we finally broke apart. "Why do I always let you get away with it, you meanie?" I grumbled jokingly; slightly bothered he had such an effect on me.

"’Cause I'm really good at convincing you." He replied; grinning at me with my favourite crooked smile.

I tapped my index finger on my chin as I pretended to think that over. "Most people use their words." I teased.

"I can assure you that the tongue can be equally as persuasive, my dear Luna." He said; throwing a flirtatious wink at me. "Do you need another demonstration?" He asked suggestively; beginning to lean in again.

I held him at an arms' length away; almost losing my balance on his lap in the process. "Ah, ah, ah!" I said, wagging a finger. "You have to answer my questions first."

He shook his head; pulling me closer despite my efforts to stay away. "Baby, come here. Please?" He pleaded.

I flashed him a sweet smile as I pressed my hands up to his chest; effectively putting an end to his tugging. He sighed; his head dropping a little. Logan looked up at me from underneath his lashes. "You're not gonna drop it 'till I answer, are you?" He grumbled.

My smile widened as I saw him begin to give in to me. "Nope." I said in a taunting tone; popping the 'p'.

"Just for the record, I'm doing this for myself."

I cocked a brow. "How does answering me, benefit you?"

"Once this is over with, we can get back to business." He said; wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at me as his hands tightened on my waist.

I swatted at his chest playfully. "Fine. First question," I mumbled; holding up a finger. "What are you planning to do for your birthday?"

He shrugged. "Get some pack business done." He muttered dismissively.

I sighed. “Okay then... Second question; how old are you?” I asked; a smile appearing on my face as my mate’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open in a mock-incredulous expression.

He couldn’t keep it up for long before it melted away in a short chuckle. “I’m going to be twenty. Anymore questions?” He replied; a smirk forming on his lips when I shook my head. “Good.” He mumbled. Before I could even open my mouth, he grabbed me by the waist and pushed me against the corner where the two parts of the L-shaped couch, connected.

“I have to stop getting myself into these kinds of situations.” I whispered as Logan’s head lowered to mine.

His smirk turned into that crooked smile of his that I adored. “Not when I’m around.” He said simply, before his lips crushed mine.

***

Logan’s arms tightened around my waist; pulling me closer to him as I tried to get out of his grip. “Don’t go.” He grumbled; turning me around so I would face his pleading eyes.

“Logan, I thought we’d already discussed this.” I huffed; my mind wandering back to this morning.

***

We’d been having breakfast when I’d told him that I’d planned to spend the day in the Delaney Pack territory with my brother. He’d looked up at me with a dead pan expression; his spoon full of cereal poised in front of his lips. “No, you’re not.” He’d said; his tone indicating that he’d seen my words as more of a question than a statement.

I’d put my own spoon down and grabbed his hand; pulling his attention away from the papers he’d clutched in his other hand. “I wasn’t asking for permission, Logan.” I stated in a clipped tone.

“There’s no way I’m going to let you go.” He grumbled; giving me a dark look as if warning me not to argue.

“My brother is going to be there, it’s not like I’m going to be in any danger.” I scoffed.

“It’s not your brother I’m worried about, Chelsea.”

My eyebrows had pulled together. “Then w-” My confusion was short-lived as I’d felt the possessiveness oozing out of my mate’s body; the pieces of the puzzle clicking together to reveal his reason. My eyes had widened as the corners of my mouth pulled up with amusement. “Please tell me this isn’t because of Dylan.”

He gave me a look that was all the answer I needed. “I don’t like him being around you. He likes you way too much.”

“Logan, he doesn’t like me that way.” I argued; stressing on the word ‘that’.

My mate had just chuckled humourlessly at my words as he shook his head. “You really have no idea, do you?” He asked bitterly.

I frowned again. “About what?”

“He wants you, Chelsea. The lust he felt when you were close was practically pouring out of him the last time he was here. He wants you so bad it’s amazing that after all the time you’ve spent together, you still haven’t been able to tell.” He’d spat; as if the words were so vile he couldn’t wait for them to leave his lips. At first I’d thought he was joking but one look at his face was enough to blow that idea out of the water.

“I still don’t get the issue.” I muttered; meeting my mate’s grey eyes.

He seemed even more enraged by that. “Are you kidding me?!” He yelled; getting up. “I just told you that another male wants you and you’re saying that you can’t see the fucking issue?! Can’t you see it from my perspective, Chelsea?! I’ve drawn parallels between the two of us and it’s no competition that he’s better for you than I am!

He could make you so much happier than I ever could, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” His words ended in a whisper; his tone filled with despair. His eyes met mine; completely blank of emotion as if he was preparing himself for the moment when I would admit that everything he’d said was the truth. “Because I can’t change what’s true.”

From the way he’d behaved at that moment, I could finally see the true depth of how vulnerable he was underneath that tough exterior he’d always put up for others to see. I shook my head as I walked over to him; wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling his head down the moment I was close enough. “Logan, do you have any idea how crazy that sounds?” I said calmly.

 I shook him lightly as if trying to shake the sense into him. “I will never want anyone other than you, you have to understand that, Logan. I don’t know how many more times I have to repeat that to you but I’ll do it forever if that’s what it’ll take to make you believe me.” I confessed earnestly. “You may think that you’re not good enough for me, but the thought has never once occurred to me.” I finished; leaning up to peck him on the lips.

I’d intended for the kiss to be brief but my mate had different ideas as he pulled me closer. After that, we hadn’t done much talking until I had to shower and get ready to leave.

***

We were now standing toes to toe in the living room. My mate growled; the alluring sound making it harder for me to harden my resolve as my mind lingered on our late morning activity. “I could always force you to stay here.” He mumbled huskily; leaning closer to press his lips to my neck. I couldn't help the soft moan that escaped my lips as he carried on with his achingly desirable torture.

Before he could fully ‘convince’ me, I managed to push him away. “Logan, please don’t do that.” I begged; taking a small step back to give me a little more distance from my mate; my wolf now more than happy with the idea of staying, thanks to him.

He grabbed my hand. “Didn’t you like it?” He asked innocently.

“Of course I did, but-” My words failed me as he tugged me forwards again.

“Then why stop?” He cut in.

“Cause I need to go.” I replied; giving him a warning look as he tried to lean in again. I pressed my palm to his chest; realising it was a bad idea the moment I felt his toned muscles move beneath my fingers in a way I found strangely enticing. “Do you want to drop me off?” I asked; trying to change the subject as my mind began to travel to the forbidden plane which held all thoughts of mating.

He didn’t even hesitate before he nodded; realising that I wasn’t going to budge on the matter any time soon. “Fine.” He grumbled; getting all of his things before we got into his black sports car.

***

It didn’t take long for us to cross the border into my old pack’s territory; a couple of wolves coming up to the car with defensive stances the moment we entered.  When they noticed my presence, they instantly relaxed; continuing on with their patrol duties. With my directions, my mate drove me straight to the Alpha House; stopping right at the front door.

“Call me the moment you want to come home, okay?” He demanded; making it sound more like an order than a question. I couldn't help but notice how accurate his words had been; the Blood Moon territory really was gradually becoming my home.

I nodded; leaning forwards to kiss him once, before I got out. He took the chance to hold me to him for longer than I’d originally intended; the slow, tender movements of his lips against mine making it so hard for me to pull away afterwards. “I promise.” I muttered, before stepping out.

He gave me one last lingering look before he sped off; leaving me waving at him on the porch steps. As the car disappeared from view, I immediately began to miss him. I forced the emptiness I felt without his presence down as I turned and walked up the steps towards my old front door.

I knocked lightly; knowing that it wouldn’t take much to let my brother know that I was here. The door pulled away to reveal him with a huge smile on his face. “Chelsea! You didn’t tell me you were visiting!” He exclaimed in a happy tone.

“Yeah, I hope that’s okay.” I teased.

“Are you joking? It’s great!” He replied excitedly; picking me up and spinning me around as he held me in a vice-like hug. I could only giggle at his actions; the laughs coming to an end when my eyes landed on Dylan reclined and relaxed on the couch in the living room. Logan’s words from before came back to haunt me as he looked up to see what the commotion was.

He stood up and came over as Jake ushered me in. “Chelsea, you’re back!” He said; coming closer to hug me. I pushed Logan’s assumptions from earlier out of my head as I hugged him back.

I just couldn’t believe that the guy who I’d known my whole life could have feelings like that towards me without me knowing. There was just no way. I know him. Logan was just being paranoid. I mumbled reassuringly to myself; finding it hard to fully convince myself.

Hey everyone! Hope you liked the chapter! Thanks so much for reading and all your support, I love y'all, my lovelies! BTW, thanks so much to @BloodyChaos for the cover! You're amazing ^^ -Roxy <3