Page 99 of Poet & Protector

It shouldn’t have surprised me that he’d go for the jugular without hesitation, but I still flinched and Logan smiled.

“And then there’s Neville,” he continued, a cruel sweetness flavoring his words. “I suppose I can’t blame you for being attracted to him. The brooding hero is such an irresistible type in addition to his being very easy on the eye.”

I couldn’t stop my growl, but Logan only laughed.

“I haven’t decided if I should be jealous and put a stop to your dallying before it goes further, or choose to look the other way for the time being…Or perhaps there’s a third possibility that involves all three of us. Wouldn’t that be interesting?”

I almost choked, horrified by what he might be implying. I couldn’t read his expression with enough confidence to know whether he was serious or provoking me.

“However it plays out,” Logan said, “your choices will have a profound influence on mine.”

It was too much. My head spun as I grasped for anything that could stop this or at least slow him down.

“What about Efron?” I blurted.

Logan stiffened, his smirk vanishing. “My father has nothing to do with this.”

“He’s the master of the Bane pack,” I countered. “Until the union, you aren’t in charge, your father is. And I’m a Nightshade. You have even less claim to authority over my pack. Lumine is my mistress.”

“I’m failing to see how any of this is relevant,” Logan said, though he dropped his cigarette to the floor and crushed it out with far more force than necessary.

“What you’re proposing will disrupt the balance of the Haldis pack before we’re even truly formed,” I replied, knowing I might be making a deadly mistake by pushing back. “Ren and Calla could report that to Emile and Stephen. If the complaint made it to the elder Keepers, do you think they’d still trust you with control of us, when you seem more concerned with your personal interests than our mission?”

Logan regarded me for several moments. I refused to look away as he held my gaze, but my heart crashed against my ribs and blood roared in my ears as I waited for his reply.

At last, he smiled, but with far less good humor. “Careful now, Mason. You’re playing with fire.”

“So are you,” I replied, marveling at the steadiness of my voice. I knew I couldn’t deny Logan forever, but I would not let him break me. And I would never truly be his.

“Be grateful I find your courage appealing,” he said. “Even if it’s misguided.”

He tapped another cigarette out of his pack and lit it, exhaling sweet, spiced smoke.

I opened my mouth to argue further, but before I knew what was happening, he leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. I went rigid as his kiss lingered and his tongue slipped in to taste me.

“Hmmm.” Logan finally pulled back. “Yes. Perfect.”

I had no idea what that meant, but the satisfaction in his voice made my skin crawl. I was also desperate to scrub my hand across my lips and rid myself of his kiss, but I didn’t dare.

He reached for my hand and tucked his lit cigarette between my fingers.

“You’re tense, Mason. This will take the edge off.”

After giving me one last smile, he rose and left the room.

When he was gone, I raised my forearm to my mouth, using the sleeve of my shirt to try to rub away the feeling of his lips on mine. The action offered a little comfort, but it couldn’t erase the memory.

Logan’s cigarette continued to burn between my shaking fingers. I wasn’t a smoker, but I brought it to my lips, was greeted by the surprising, sweet taste of sugar, and took a drag. The first inhalation was like tiny barbs in my lungs, and I plunged into a coughing fit, but the unpleasant burn was chased by a strong, soothing buzz from the nicotine. I took a second drag, desperate to drive off the overwhelming revulsion brought on by the conversation that had just taken place.

I didn’t know if my threat had put Logan off or not. At best, I’d planted some doubts in his mind. That was something, but it wouldn’t last. If I’d truly convinced Logan to keep his distance, he wouldn’t have kissed me.

Letting out a long, slow exhale, I attempted to blow smoke rings. Anything to keep my mind from circling a spiral of doom. They came out in half-formed wobbly ovals, but creating the shapes was easier than I expected. Who knew?

I rested my elbow on my knees and covered my eyes with one hand, fighting to keep my thoughts blank as my mind insisted on replaying scenes with Logan from Eden and just now.

I heard the door to the commons open and caught the scent of frosted winter air tinged with lilies. My packmates and I had all agreed years ago to never let Calla know she smelled like her namesake. She’d bite our noses off.

Clenching my jaw, I made a quick decision. I wouldn’t be able to keep everything from my alpha. By holding me back after the very first meeting of the Haldis pack, Logan had effectively declared his intentions to all his young wolves. I could only try to limit any collateral damage.