Logan (Chosen Champions #1) - Macy Blake Page 0,40

with doubts either. He pushed Logan to trust his instincts as an alpha, even when Logan would prefer otherwise. “It doesn’t mean it was the incubus.”

“Agreed. It could have been a neighbor walking by and Bailey just caught a glimpse of movement.”

Either way, it meant Bailey needed to feel safe. Logan never wanted to scent fear on him like that again. “Who do we know who can put in a security system at his place?”

The oracle took a moment to respond. “Your wolf is leading you in this, Alpha. You’re aware of what you’re implying by taking these actions?”

Logan growled. “I’m aware. Bailey is not, however, so I won’t be claiming him. I’m sure this is—”

He couldn’t complete the thought. Nothing about this felt like a passing phase. Nothing about his connection to Bailey felt like anything he’d experienced before. The closest was the one thing he’d sworn he would never have again.

“Tread carefully, Logan. Our mission is greater than hunting down this single creature.”

The reminder bristled his already growing annoyance. “I’m well aware of our mission.”

“Good. I’ll have someone out today to get security measures in place. You’d better get to the break room. Bailey’s soup is going fast.”

As usual, the oracle managed to leave him annoyed but not so angry he couldn’t take time to process their conversation. Not that Logan had a chance to truly speak his thoughts, but they’d somehow managed to get to the crux of the matter anyway. Logan’s connection to Bailey changed things for him, but Logan had to decide just how far he was willing to take it.

The idea of opening himself up to something more had him itching to shift and let his wolf roam. The animal side of him had such pure instincts, and even though Logan still had his human side in his beast form, he seemed unable to have so many complex thoughts.

And the doubts weren’t there either. The wolf in him already knew he was an alpha in need of a pack. It was the human side of him who was unwilling to take the plunge again.

Logan kept the earbud in his ear and left his apartment. When he reached the break room, he found Bailey standing guard in front of the stove, where a giant bowl of soup and a large chunk of bread waited. The scents in the room soothed his bristling nerves. Chicken noodle soup had a way of doing that, and it didn’t hurt that Bailey’s scent had become more relaxed and at ease as well.

“You saved me some?” Logan asked with a grin.

“Yes. At extreme danger to my life and limb, I might add. These vultures tried to trick me into giving it to them, but I stayed strong.”

“We know your weaknesses, Bails,” Joey said. “And we’re not afraid to use them to get more soup out of you. It’s your own fault, really, for being so good at making food. We’re starving college students, don’t you know.”

“Starving, my ass,” Bailey said. “You eat more in a day than the rest of us combined.”

“It takes a lot of calories to maintain the glory that is my physique.”

Bailey laughed and turned to Logan, his eyes still sparkling. “Ignore him. I kept you some soup and bread. I hope you like it.”

“We should order dessert,” Ashley said. “A cake to celebrate!”

“Celebrate?” Logan asked.

All of his friends looked at Bailey, and his cheeks began to flush again. “I was accepted into the master’s program at school.”

“Oh my God,” Will yelled, obviously surprised by the news. “You’re not abandoning us! I’m finding cake.”

“We don’t need cake,” Bailey said, then ignored all the pouts directed his way.

Logan also pretended his team wasn’t looking at him, begging for cake as well. Since when had he enlisted a team of children? He ignored them and turned his attention to Bailey. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I… I was going to tell you later. If I had a chance. I wasn’t sure. God, I’m so awkward.”

Logan touched the back of Bailey’s neck, and when he finally looked up and met Logan’s gaze, Logan gave a gentle squeeze. “It’s great news. You should be proud.”

“I am. Ashley made me apply last week, and, well… I can’t believe it. I planned on taking two weeks off and then doing a massive job hunt all summer. Now I’m going back to school in the fall.”

“So you’re not going to find a job?”

“I… I don’t know what I’m going to do, to be honest. I haven’t even had