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ChapterTen
Cindy
Time had stopped. Whether Logan was my mate or not, I’d never felt like this with Pedro. I thought Logan was sexy when I watched him on TV, but seeing him play with my kids—and them, totally calm, concentrating, and actually working together on something—was nothing short of a miracle.
Carter tugged on Logan’s arm, and he tore his gaze away from mine first.
“I think we have a good system here,” he said to the boys. “Do you guys want to finish this so we can show your mom what we came up with?”
They agreed, and he rose to his feet. It was a smooth motion that reminded me there was an animal inside him, and my own she-wolf rumbled in approval.
“Who are those little angels, and what did you do with my kids?” I licked my lips. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted him to take my face in my hands and make me forget everyone else in this room existed. What did he taste like? Pine and earth, or something spicy and sweet?
“They just needed a little direction. I happen to know a thing or two about spaceships.” He moved closer, and I thought he’d satisfy my craving for his lips on mine.
But he didn’t. Not yet, anyway.
“What do you know about spaceships?” I challenged.
“They take you someplace you’ve never been before.”
The muscles deep in my belly clenched. They were getting quite the workout today, and he hadn’t even touched me yet. This man knew exactly what he was doing. As I’d tossed and turned and tried to think happy thoughts in the small hours of the night, I’d worried that he’d act his way through the episode. That he’d give me what I wanted, but he wouldn’t be what I needed.
I didn’t need anything fancy. But someone who could walk in my house and become a part of my family’s crazy little world just like that... If I couldn’t sleep tonight, I’d be spending the time very differently.
“Logan wants to choose what we do on today’s date, but the next one will either be your choice, or up to our viewers,” Bibi said.
“And where will you be taking us today?” I asked.
“That park looks like it’s pretty fun.”
Oh. The park was brand new, part of our alpha’s initiative to make Green Mountain Village a destination for the area packs. They’d opened a skating rink this winter, which the boys loved. And the playground equipment had just gone in.
Caleb’s eyes got huge. “We’re going to the park?”
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.” My heart was pounding.
“Why not? Everyone gets to run around, and then maybe they’ll even take a nap later,” Wendy said.
“Yuck, Auntie. No naps,” Carter said.
“It sounds lovely,” Bibi added. “It would give Logan a chance to see the village, up close and personal.”
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” I wedged past the crowd in the doorway, coming dangerously close to brushing against Logan. My wolf might have burst out of me if I’d actually touched him, and I was reluctantly glad that I didn’t get that kiss I’d so craved just minutes before. But if I didn’t move, the animal inside me would take control of this situation, no matter what. “Pedro’s got allies in this pack. And after last night, they might be feeling pretty bold.”
“You think they’ll challenge Logan in broad daylight?” Bibi asked.
“I don’t know what they’ll do.” I wrapped my arms across my chest. “A lot of things are changing around here, and not everyone’s happy about it. Why? I don’t know. This place has gotten pretty miserable in the last few years. We finally have a spark of hope. Pedro fought our alpha every step of the way. Encouraged him to make some really bad decisions that almost destroyed the pack. I wouldn’t put anything past him. So what happens if they want to fight?”
I couldn’t stop thinking about that article Wendy showed me. What had happened to Logan that he’d stopped filming his movie before it was finished and turned to reality TV? And if Pedro and his buddies knew the answers, how would they use that to their advantage?
Or was it all some made up bullshit to kneecap Logan?
Don’t question it, my wolf said. It brought him to you.
She should know by now that wasn’t how I rolled. At least not anymore. Not questioning things got me into this mess in the first place.
“We have Hugo and his wolves guarding the perimeter of the village, and Bjorn and I are ready to fight if we need to,” Bibi said.
“Oh, screw Pedro and all of his little friends,” Wendy said. “Seriously. They’ve been holding this pack hostage for too long. It’s time someone stands up to them.”
“Wendy has a point.” Logan grinned when she did a celebration dance from her seat in Pedro’s worn recliner. “If you live your life looking over your shoulder, they’ve won. If you want a fresh start, it doesn’t begin or end with the show. It starts right here.”
So the wolf was brave, even if he had no idea what he was dealing with.
“Okay. Let’s head to the park. I should take advantage of the fact I have enough adults to wrangle these kids into coats and shoes in a somewhat timely manner.”
“Auntie Wendy promised us candy,” Carter said.
“I didn’t say you’d get it today.”
“I have a better idea.” Logan grinned. “Is there an ice cream shop around here?”
The kids bounced in approval.
“Oh, you mentioned their favorite thing. There isn’t, but maybe, if everyone continues to be good, we can go see Miss Jenny at the mercantile on Colorado Ranch for pie and ice cream.”
“We’ll be good,” Caleb promised.
“Let’s head to the park.” I was still nervous. The kids were still in such an influential stage that if someone had a problem with me and my high-profile new friends, it could change their opinion of Logan. And he’d been so sweet with them.
But on the other hand, Logan and Wendy were right. It was long past time for me to fight back. Up until now, I’d been too exhausted to do anything but dream of a different status quo.
The boys wanted to walk with Logan—which was a good sign. Charlotte was in love with Marissa. She was tiny compared to the rest of the entourage, and she had a way of soothing the kids. I wished I could always keep this crew with me even after the show ended. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged somewhere.
Our pack’s new park always did brisk business on sunny days like today. The usual suspects were on the swings, running, and climbing the pirate ship in the middle of the park while their parents watched from the benches, at the slide, and playing frisbee in the grass. As a pack, we’d gone way too long without anything fun for the kids, and we deserved this.
The park had become a meeting place, and I was regretting my reluctance to bring Logan here. If he stayed—if we stayed—in Green Mountain Village, this park would be a huge part of our lives.
I waved at a couple of the she-wolves on the benches. Now I was excited for the chance to introduce Logan to them. Not because I was showing off—well, maybe I was. I felt so happy.
No wave in return. Just blank stares.
Two of them got up, not taking their glares off our group as they collected their kids and left.
Seriously? I’d known those she-wolves their entire lives, and they were turning their backs on me?
“What do they think they’re doing?” Bibi said under her breath. She steeled herself, staring them down.
The boys had already taken off to the pirate ship, and we’d have to drag them off it, kicking and screaming, with lots of bribes.
I scooped up Charlotte, ready to do what I always did, make the best of things. “This one loves the swings.”
