Chapter 231
Chapter 23
Eden
Logan’s white fur is soft when I place my frozen hands on his back. I didn’t expect that. I thought his hair would be coarse. But it’s not, and that’s actu a good thing. A killer’s für would be so soft and teddy bear–like, right?
“Okay, I’m uh…going to climb up on your back now,” I announce, though I’m not sure why.
I heave myself up on the broadest werewolf back I’ve ever seen, eyes widening when the large beast moves. His muscles ripple under my thighs when he rises from the snow, and I clutch fistfuls of his mane to keep myself from sliding off. The world tilts dizzyingly when he starts moving, every ande powerful enough to jostle my teeth if I weren’t gripping him like my life depends on it.
Which it sort of does.
Wind bites my cheeks as we pick up speed, the forest blurring into streaks of green and white around us. My heart hammers against my ribs for entirety new reasons now, like the expanse of Logan’s shoulders shifting, the way his ears flick back periodically as if checking I’m still there. I’ve seen him in wolf form before from a distance, but up close, he’s… overwhelming. To think he is letting me ride him…
I slowly relax my death grip on his fur. It’s kind of nice to be carried like royalty by the guy who used to bully me. My wolf feels strangely at peace. She knows our Alpha will keep us safe. At least for tonight.
We reach a small hill that overlooks Logan’s mansion. It’s the largest building in the area, surrounded by snowy forest on all sides. There are lights in most windows, suggesting there are at least fifty people living there, all high–ranking wolves in the pack. It’s common for them to live together. We’re pack creatures, after all. No one likes being lonely.
Logan lifts his big head to howl, announcing our approach to everyone. Then he lets a few more howls leave his throat when he races down the hill with me clutching his back. The air is cold on my face, but I’m holding onto enough alpha fluff to not care much.
“Whoa…” I whisper under my breath as we get closer.
A million scents hit me: roasted meat and candle wax mixed with expensive cigars and alcohol. There’s perfume too. Nice perfume that most girls would kill to wear at school.
Paris‘ perfume, for sure.
My wolf twists uncomfortably at that revelation. Is she waiting for us?
Logan’s paws hit the gravel driveway with a crunch, and I feel his pace slow to a trot. He is behaving like a horse, even watching me with a side–eye when he lifts his paws with exaggerated elegance.
He is definitely trying to show me that he is a good ride. It’s silly. I’ve never heard of an Alpha behaving like this.
“Show–off,” I mutter, patting his neck.
The front doors of the mansion swing open before we reach them. A woman with silver–streaked black hair steps out, her face stern, I recognize her as Madeleine Valentine, Logan’s grandmother and one of the pack elders.
“Logan,” she says, her voice carrying authority even when addressing the Alpha. “What’s the meaning of this? You’re betrothed to Paris, and you’re
accordingly and not bring home bringing home the omega who is to be sacrificed? Just wait until your father hears about this! An Alpha should b strays like Eden Felicity,” Madeleine speaks like I’m not even there and sitting on Logan’s back. “We’ve got the whole family here for tonight’s festivities! And just look at what she’s covered in. Disgusting!”
I don’t know what’s worse, being called a stray or having a pack elder talk about me like I’m a piece of furniture. My cheeks burn with humiliation.
Logan stops in his tracks and allows me to climb off of him. A maid from the house immediately rushes over to give him a towel while t turn the other way to avoid seeing him naked. My focus is on his grandmother instead.
Is Logan going to defend me? I sort of doubt it, seeing he has his image to think of.
15:31 Tue, 24 Jun
Chapter 23
I’m sadly right.
“Grandmother,” Logan says, his voice suddenly formal, stripped of the warmth it held when we were alone. “You’re right, of course I apologize for bringing her here without proper notification.”
So much for the fun and sweet Logan who carried me on his back like I were his friend…
“We had an incident at the Fagerlöf residence,” he continues, stepping around to stand beside me but keeping a careful distance. “A creature attacked the omegas. The pack elders agreed they should stay here for protection.”
Madeleine’s eyes narrow as she looks me over. “And I suppose there was no time to clean her up first?”
Logan shifts uncomfortably under his grandmother’s scrutiny. “She was attacked, Grandmother. There wasn’t time for–”
“Of course, there wasn’t,” Madeleine cuts him off with a dismissive wave. “Well, we can’t have her tracking filth through the house.” She looks at the maids. “I’m sorry to ask this of you but prepare a bath for the omega in the servant’s quarters. She looks like she’s been swimming in tar.”
I bite my tongue so hard I taste blood. Servant’s quarters? I’m not even worthy of a guest room?!
