Nadia

Afternoon sun makes the water ripples sparkle, giving the river a diamond look. The granite cliff face behind the falls combined with thick forests has always made this feel like my sanctuary.

I've lost count of how many hours I've spent here, swimming and relaxing under the stars. My nostalgia draws me into the cool, fresh water, but I know a secret.

I swim out towards the waterfall and move towards the granite side with a large crack along it. Gradually, the water warms as the hot spring water mixes with the icy river.

No longer needing my fur, I shift and find the perfect temperature. As the warm water cascades over my wary muscles, I work to wash the grime from the hunt off.

A silly smile slips on my lips, replaying how flawless our hunt went. Logan didn't try to shield me or do it alone. We worked together like a well-oiled team... like equals.

I stand up with my back to shore and rinse my hair under the falls, keeping my waist underwater. A splash in the distance behind me reminds me I am not alone and sends me into deeper water.

Logan wades into the river, barely waist-high, giving me a tantalizing view. His build may be slightly smaller than his brothers, but there's no doubt about his strength. Well-defined muscles ripple with every step, almost hypnotically.

I can't stop myself from shamelessly checking him out, from his broad shoulders over his chiselled chest with a little dark chest hair that draws my attention down to his abs and lower.

As my gaze hits the water, I force myself to look up, instantly regretting it. Logan's gaze is fixed on mine, studying me as I study him. His eyes are a darker shade of green, though they sparkle with amusement.

I turn back to the falls to hide my blush, feeling my pulse throb.

He's just a man... I've seen men before!

"I've never met a female who likes cold water," he muses. A shiver runs up my spine at his husky tone.

"And you still haven't. There's a hot spring that mixes here. The water doesn't freeze even in the coldest winters." I barely recognize my breathy voice, silently cursing myself for being flustered.

"So it does." I spin around in surprise, hearing him so close behind me.

I stay frozen in place, eyes locked on his as I struggle to think of something to say. All I can focus on is his scent and proximity, unsure if he's too close or not close enough.

As if sensing my turmoil, he shifts gears and takes the lead. "You were incredible out there, you know?"

"Oh," I murmur, feeling my cheeks heat once more. "You were hard to keep up with yourself."

His gaze intensifies as he furrows his brows like he's trying to solve some great mystery. "I've never met anyone like you."

My body heats, but my mind starts to race. Neither agrees with each other. "Listen, Logan-"

He moves with such speed I don't have time to react, cupping the back of my neck with his hand before brushing his lips gently against mine.

The kiss is so soft and chaste that I'm still processing what happened long after it's over. My body pulses under his touch, waking up a desire I didn't know existed.

Logan watches me, frozen in place with sadness in his eyes.

"I-I... why?" I stammer at a total loss.

He flashes me a bashful smile and shrugs. "I had to try... I didn't want to look back at this moment and kick myself for missing out on a chance to kiss you."

My jaw drops, stunned by his honesty. With more boldness than I thought I possessed, I close the gap between us, eyes locked on his as I lay a hand on his chest.

Logan swallows hard as he watches me, his expression unreadable as he stays frozen in place. I slide my hand up his chest to grip his shoulder as I bring my lips back to his.

That's all the encouragement he needs. His lips capture mine, more confidently and demanding. My heart hammers in my chest as I lean in, hanging onto those broad shoulders for dear life.

I gasp as his rough hands grip my hips, and he takes full advantage, deepening our kiss. My head spins as a lusty fog settles over me. I wrap my arms around his neck, moaning as my sensitive breasts rub against the coarse hair on his chest.

Every nerve in my body lights up under his attention. What started out so soft and tender, heats up, full of need. Logan slides his hands from my hips to my back, holding me tightly as his lips worship mine.

As suddenly as it started, he pulls back, resting his forehead on mine. I'm breathless and dazed, my body humming with new life.

I push lightly on his chest and he reluctantly lets me go, giving me much-needed space. His lips are swollen and he can't hold back his grin as he watches me.

A nervous laugh slips past my lips, but he just grins more. As if knowing his limits or maybe not trusting his resolve, he steps back further.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Don't," he cuts in, pinning me in place with his steely gaze. "Never apologize for that."

He backs away, his grin never faltering as he makes his way back to shore. Just as the waterline hits his waist, I force myself to look away.

"I'll see you around wildling." My heart does somersaults in my throat at his promise.

"I don't think that's a good idea..." I caution. As much as I enjoyed today, and maybe lost my senses, I don't want to give him the wrong impression.

"Maybe. But neither was taking on a talix like you did and look how well that worked out." He chuckles and I hear him shuffling around onshore, making it very difficult to not look.

"Logan-"

"Don't forget your share..."

"Logan!" My resolve crumbles, and I turn to glare at him, but all I see is his charcoal tail disappearing into the underbrush. "Ugh!"

I sink back into the water, trying to cool my burning skin. My lips still tingle from our passionate encounter.

"What am I going to do?" I whisper to myself.

Noticing the sun is setting, I drag myself out of the water and shift back into my silver-grey fur. I immediately smell the bundle Logan left for me. I grunt under the weight of it and set off for home.

The sky shines golden as I reach the cottage under the setting rays. I spot Loch sitting on the back porch waiting for me. He's relaxed, casually sipping a beer as he watches the grill warm up.

"I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten about us?" he teases.

'Paw all better?' I set the bundle on the porch and slip off to the side where I see he left one of my sundresses and shift. Loch ignores my dig and instead focuses on opening the bundle and sorting through the meat.

"Remarkably yes, god bless my genes," he cheerily replies. "Bush stag hmm?" The keen hunter misses nothing and is quick to change the topic.

"Yup, a good one, too." I grin, proud of how we did.

"You must have made quite the impression on your friend." He takes a drink of his beer, grabs a knife, and starts trimming.

"Speaking of that, why'd you bail on me like that?" I struggle to suppress the bitter tone in my voice, drawing his attention and arched brow.

"From where I stand, it looks like you've had a good day?"

I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms. "That's not the point. You left me with some strange male... are you trying to get rid of me?"

"You know that's not the case," he growls. "Do you honestly think I would leave you in harm's way? Nadia, I have given you the tools to take care of yourself, and I know you would have linked if you needed me."

Defeated, I take a seat while he gets back to work. Sam walks out the back door, setting a fresh beer out for Loch and passes me a hard cherry lemonade. He whistles as he checks over my haul.

"Right?" Loch flashes him a knowing look and my cheeks heat.

"All the best cuts... he's pulling out all the stops kiddo, watch out." Sam chuckles and I just roll my eyes.

"Can we just drop it?" I sigh.

Loch finishes trimming up his choice while Sam brings the rest inside. I groan, seeing the determined looks on their faces as they take a seat.

"What's bothering you?" Sam asks.

"At this moment, you." My pointed look does nothing to faze them.

"What's really bothering you," Loch presses. Like always, he knows me too well and isn't going to let me off that easily.

I fidget with the bottle in my hands, trying to pinpoint the issues. "I don't want mates," I whisper.

Loch leans in, cranes his neck and shakes his head. "I don't see a mark. Do you see a mark?"

Sam does the same, dramatically looking me over and shaking his head. "Nope, me either."

"Dads," I groan, palming my forehead. Both just laugh, making me wish the ground would swallow me whole.

"Sweetheart, just because you spend time with someone doesn't mean you're going to mate them. Your mother wasn't the first woman we courted." Sam's honesty catches me off guard. He's still smitten to the point that he makes it sound like life started when he met mom.

"Isn't it wrong to lead someone on, though? Cause Logan certainly--"

I slap my hands over my mouth, but the damage is done. I'd been so careful not to mention any names, now I'll never hear the end of it.

Sam just grins. "Logan's a big boy, sweetheart. Doesn't he have the right to spend his time the way he likes? There are worse ways to spend a beautiful day than running through the woods with a pretty girl."

I sigh and slump in my seat. Maybe they're right? More so, what if I'm wrong?

"I'm gonna go clean up for dinner," I grumble. Not wanting to hear more dad wisdom, I head inside, but I can't help how my mind races. I can still feel the way his lips felt on mine. What's more is a growing part of me wants more.