As his heart rate slowed, Cole sensed a calmness in himself that hadn’t been there before. He and his wolf in tune. He hadn’t realised how much he’d needed that—not just the release of tension, but the closeness. Being able to hold Logan in his arms, to kiss him, had soothed him in a way he couldn’t find the words to explain. Logan seemed to know anyway without him having to try.
Maybe it was the same for him.
“We need to shower thoroughly.” Logan kissed him again, soft, unhurried, and Cole wanted to stay in this moment forever. But reality would come crashing down soon enough when the rest of Paul’s team came to get changed. “There can’t be any trace of what we’ve just done.”
Aaron walked over, seemingly unconcerned by their nakedness, as was Logan. That was something Cole was still getting used to. The utter lack of modesty amongst shifters. “They’re wrapping up their training. I reckon you have about ten to fifteen minutes.”
Logan nodded. “Thanks.” He faced Cole and pointed to the dispensers on the wall. “Shower gel.”
Before Cole could reach for any, Logan pulled him close again. “I wish we had more time.”
“Me too.” Cole caught the regret and guilt in Logan’s eyes.
I helped put that there.
“It’s enough,” he whispered, twining their fingers together and kissing him quickly. It had to be. “Don’t worry about me.”
Logan laughed. “Can’t help it.” He stepped back, put some distance between them, but Cole caught his hand.
“When we train tomorrow...”I don’t want to hurt you again.
Logan gave him a wry smile. “You’ll do exactly what you did today. No holding back.”
There was nothing Cole could say, so he just nodded and let go of Logan’s hand.
Washing Logan’s scent off him felt wrong, but Cole scrubbed at his skin until the scent of citrus shower gel overpowered everything.
By the time the rest of Paul’s team entered the changing room, Cole and Logan were dressed in spare T-shirts and joggers that Logan had fetched from the store cupboard. Cole’s were a little on the big side, but it was either that or go naked.
Smith came over to them, thankfully Rich was nowhere to be seen. He nodded to Logan. “How’s the jaw?”
Logan touched it with careful fingers. “Sore.”
Smith laughed, but Cole didn’t sense any malice in it. “Yeah, I’ve been there. It’s not fun.”
Cole pushed down the guilt threatening to make a reappearance as Smith turned his attention on him. “You’re fast,” he said, giving Cole an appreciative look. “What did you study as a human?”
“Taekwondo and Karate.”
“Ahh. Makes sense then.” He smiled, and Cole wondered what the hell was happening. He hadn’t had a repeat of the beating the first day, but his team hadn’t exactly been warm towards him. “Now Paul’s got you joining in, maybe we’ll get to face each other.” He left with another smile before Cole was forced to come up with an answer.
“Come on,” Aaron said, nudging his shoulder. “Let’s go get some food.”
* * *
A coupleof days after coming to the training centre, they’d started getting lunch at the pack cafeteria. It made a change from eating in his flat, and Logan suggested it would be a way to let his team and the rest of the pack get used to his presence. It was mostly Paul’s team since they trained here.
Up until now they’d been left to eat alone, which suited Cole just fine.
Today, however, it seemed something had changed.
Well, a lot had fucking changed.
He’d got his pack tattoo.
Michael had fucking bitten him.
He’d fought for the first time.
