Logan (Chosen Champions #1) - Macy Blake Page 0,81
doubts about his abilities didn’t seem as catastrophic. The feeling was uncomfortable, but it wasn’t horrible. “Processing.”
Bailey grinned and tucked his face into Logan’s neck.
For years, Logan had focused on the pain of rejection. On failure. He’d been lost, confused, and alone. Not good for a young alpha wolf. His time in the military had given him solid ground to rest on. He had rules, he followed them, and then he progressed. He learned new skills, put them to the test.
But it became too much for his wolf. He needed space to run, to howl, to be free. He needed a pack. Even after getting out of the military, he’d not been settled, though. Not until that first call from the oracle. The challenge of the hunt had calmed him, given him purpose.
Then the oracle had told him he was sending him backup. It had arrived in the form of Gideon and Aleron, at the back of a bar, neither one having combat training. Both were fierce, and Gideon’s martial arts and weapons training had been a blessing to the team for sure.
After that, Coal and Dasan had arrived at the exact moment they needed them. And then Scout, who wasn’t even part of Logan’s pack. He couldn’t be. He had his own. But Logan’s wolf didn’t seem to care about that. It called dibs on Scout, much like it had on Bailey.
Logan sucked in a breath and let it out. “You didn’t even blink,” Logan said. “I killed my alpha, and you don’t—”
“What?” Bailey said. “Hate you? Think you’re evil? Come on, Logan. Think it through. Eighteen-year-old you is remembering this thing. Imagine if Scout came to you and told you this story. Would you hate him? Think he was evil? Or maybe you’d think he was misguided. That he’d made a big mistake because he was pushed into it by someone who was supposed to be the leader of his family.”
Logan rolled to his side, moving them around so he and Bailey shared the pillow. “I want a pack,” Logan confessed. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“So how do you get one? Do you ask? Do you, um, have to bite me or something? Turn me into a wolf too? I’m not saying no, but I’m not super sure—”
“That’s not a thing,” Logan said. “I can’t turn you into a wolf. I will bite you, but that’s making you my mate.”
“But I won’t turn into a wolf?”
“No,” Logan said as he ran his hand down Bailey’s back. “Mates are forever, though. Well, for me anyway. You’ll be it for me. You already are.”
Bailey frowned. “How do you know that?”
Logan grinned. “I just do. My wolf knows and I know. I’d say it’s magical or something, but it’s not really that. It’s more a love-at-first-sight kind of thing. Or maybe love at first taste. I mean, I’ve had your soup. How could I not want to be with you forever?”
With a laugh, Bailey scooted closer. “So you want me for my soup. Got it.”
Logan nipped at his lips and smiled. “And your strength. And your courage. And your smiles. And the way you poke me and make me think. And, not gonna lie, your body is made for me. And did I mention your soup? Because I feel like that deserves a special category of its own. I didn’t know I had a soup kink until I met you.”
“You ate soup all the time before you met me.”
“But it wasn’t your soup. Your soup tastes better.”
“Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“Am I?” Logan brushed their noses together. “Are you sure? I mean, it managed to capture an alpha wolf, so…”
Bailey laughed and poked him in the chest. “How come you can look like this and make me laugh too? Seems like overkill. Too much of a good thing.”
“And I love your soup.”
“Enough with the soup,” Bailey said. “You’re making me hungry. Back to how we make a pack. Don’t think you can distract me with all these declarations. I mean, you can, clearly. But I want to be pack. I want to be yours, Logan. I may not get the wolf and his mate thing, but you’re right. Something changed when I met you. I knew you were meant to be mine. I feel right when I’m with you. I’m a better me.”
Logan’s wolf surged forward, and Bailey gasped.
“Those eyes of yours. They tell me so much. And right now, they’re telling me you’re very happy.”