Chapter 13
SABRINA
I woke to an empty bed.My heart pounded as I stumbled out of bed, wrapping myself in his discarded shirt before following the sound of his deep voice down the hall.
I found him in his office, shoulders hunched as he spoke in hushed tones on his phone.Sunlight caught in his tousled hair, giving him a golden halo that made my breath catch.
“The environmental assessment team will be here by noon,” he said, not looking up as his fingers drummed against the polished wood desk.“I want full transparency.Soil samples, water testing, everything has to be documented and by the book.”
I leaned against the doorframe, admiring the determined set of his jaw as he issued commands with the easy authority of a man used to being obeyed.But there was something different about him this morning.There was a lightness I’d never seen before.
When he finally ended the call, his eyes found mine, warming instantly.“I’m going to get the mine shut down.Permanently.”The muscle in his jaw ticked.“There’s going to be a town meeting tonight.They deserve to know everything about the contamination, Victoria’s involvement, the cleanup plan.”
I crossed the room without hesitation, sliding my arms around his waist.His skin burned hot beneath my palms, his scent wrapping around me like a physical embrace.The corded muscles of his back tensed, then relaxed under my touch, his body recognizing mine.
“You’re not what they expected, are you?”I murmured against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my cheek.
Logan’s chuckle rumbled against my ear.“A Song alpha organizing a community gathering?My grandfather would rise from his grave in protest.”
My fingers traced the scar on his ribs, feeling the ridge of healing tissue beneath my touch.“Good thing I’m not afraid of ghosts.”
The first thing I did when we arrived at the clinic was check up on Marshall.He sat propped against pillows, his skin no longer ashen but flushed with returning health.The silver poisoning had receded from his bloodstream, leaving his eyes clear and alert.
“Well, if it isn’t the alpha and his doctor,” Marshall called, his voice stronger than it had been in days.Other shifters occupied the remaining beds, all showing remarkable improvement.
I checked Marshall’s vitals, satisfaction warming my chest as the numbers confirmed what my eyes told me.The steady beep of monitors provided a reassuring background rhythm as I worked.
“The poison concentration has dropped by sixty percent since yesterday,” I said, updating his chart with steady hands.“Your wolf’s natural healing is taking over.”
“Thanks to you,” Marshall said, then his gaze shifted to Logan.Something unspoken passed between the men.
Logan clasped Marshall’s shoulder, a rare physical acknowledgment that made my heart twist.“This town needs you back on your feet.Don’t rush it.”
Marshall chuckled.“Careful, Song.People might start thinking you actually care.”
Logan’s mouth twitched.“Tell anyone and I’ll deny it.”
As we left, Juniper intercepted us with a knowing smile, her bright eyes sparkling with energy.“The town’s buzzing.Word of the mine closure is spreading faster than my best gossip.They’re setting up in the square already, calling it a celebration.”
Logan stiffened beside me.“A celebration?”
“Of course,” Juniper said, her weathered hands smoothing down her apron.“The poison is contained, the sick are healing.What else would we do but celebrate?”
I felt Logan’s confusion through his tense muscles.The alpha wasn’t used to being the cause of joy rather than pain.
We stepped outside to find the town square of Angel Spring already being transformed.Colorful banners stretched between lampposts, and a stage was being constructed near the courthouse steps.Townspeople nodded respectfully as Logan passed, not cowering in fear, but in acknowledgement.
The transformation wasn’t just in the decorations but in the atmosphere itself.Where fear had once hung like a fog, now a lively buzz of excitement filled the air.Children raced through the streets without their parents calling them back.
A human woman approached hesitantly, offering a paper bag that released the heavenly scent of fresh baked goods.The steam rising from the bag carried notes of cinnamon and butter that made my mouth water.
“For you both,” she said, her eyes downcast but her voice steady.“My son was one of the first you treated at the clinic, Dr.Wu.And Mr.Song—” she faltered, then straightened her spine.“Thank you for putting our safety above profits.Not everyone would.”
Logan accepted the bag with an awkward nod, clearly unprepared for gratitude.As the woman walked away, I bumped his shoulder.“See?Not everyone thinks you’re the big bad wolf.”
The unfamiliar warmth in his eyes made my breath catch.“Only you get to call me that, Doc.”
Evening approached in a blur of preparations.I found Logan in his bedroom, standing before the mirror wearing a dark blue button-up shirt.His fingers fumbled with the top button, an unexpected vulnerability in the gesture.
