When they stopped outside Paul’s office, Logan blew out a breath in relief. “Thank fuck, for— Oh shit.”
Baker went inside, but McKillan and Simon resumed their course.
Dread settled like lead in Logan’s belly, getting heavier with each step they took. When it seemed obvious they were heading for Jacob’s office, Logan hissed out, “What do they want? Should I go?”
Jacob looked relaxed, unruffled by the impending visit, and Logan marvelled at his poise. “No, stay where you are, but for fuck’s sake try and calm down. I don’t need my office reeking of fear. And I’m not sure what they want. It’s not unheard of for McKillan to come down here when it’s almost time for affiliation, but it’s definitely not the norm.”
A minute or so later the door to Jacob’s office swung open and Alpha Michael McKillan filled the doorway. All six foot five inches of him. Both Jacob and Logan immediately stood, and Logan swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“Sorry to interrupt, Jacob.” McKillan didn’t look the least bit apologetic. “Saw Logan was with you and thought it’d be a good time to come and check up on our star candidate.” His gaze focused in on Logan, and Logan tried not to shrink under it. It’d only been a few years since Michael had been a frequent guest in his parent’s house. Felt like a lifetime ago now.
McKillan was fair and loyal to his pack, but he had zero tolerance for betrayal and very little for failure. Logan hoped he didn’t look as guilty or terrified as he felt.
But McKillan’s senses were honed to a degree Logan could never hope to achieve, and he saw the moment McKillan registered the scents obviously rolling off Logan.
“Nervous?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
He could also spot a lie, especially from someone like Logan who hadn’t been trained in subterfuge.
“Yes, Alpha.” Logan answered, clenching his sweaty palms into fists. “A little.” Why was he so fucking scared? He’d done escape runs before and never felt like this. What was different about this time?
You know what.
McKillan eyed him expectantly, waiting for further explanation.
“I’m a little late handing in my candidate files, and I’m hoping that’s not why you’re here.” It was close enough to the truth for Logan to get away with it. He glanced at a stack of files on Jacob’s desk to add weight to his reply.
To his utter fucking relief, McKillan smiled. He also raised his eyebrows at Logan’s confession but seemed more amused than angry.
“It’s not, but I don’t appreciate lateness, Logan. Don’t let it happen again.”
“I won’t.” Logan said, expression contrite, and thankfully McKillan turned his attention to Jacob, Logan apparently already forgotten about.
“I came for an update on Cole Moreton.” He pointed to the files on the desk, which Logan could easily have told him about, but was more than happy for Jacob to take over. “I take it his signed agreement is in there?”
It was. Logan had got Cole to sign it Thursday night. Even though Cole had no intention of ever joining the McKillan pack, it had to look like he did. Jacob slid a file out from the bottom of the pile and handed it to McKillan.
Who handed it straight to Baker to read. “I assume he agreed to take the bite sooner rather than later?” Again he addressed this question to Jacob, talking to Logan obviously beneath him now.
Jacob nodded. “Yes, Alpha. He’s set to move his belongings into the trainee’s flats on July ninth, then join Paul’s team on July tenth after the affiliation ceremony. As soon as he’s settled and familiar with pack etiquette and rules, he’ll take the bite from Paul.”
Every part of Logan wanted to protest at that. The thought of Paul’s fucking mouth anywhere near Cole made him want to shift on the spot and track that arsehole down.
Don’t react, don’t react.
He thought about Aaron, about the last time they ran together, anything to take his mind off it so his body didn’t betray him.
“Good. We’re expecting great things from this one.” McKillan didn’t mention any of Logan’s other candidates, as though they were unimportant. They might not have had all the skills that Cole had, but they still mattered. He kept his gaze lowered and waited until McKillan and Baker had left before reacting.
“Fucking hell,” he hissed as soon as the door click shut, soundproofing the room. “It’s like the others are just numbers to expand the pack.”
“They should consider themselves lucky they’ve not caught his eye.”
Logan grunted. “I suppose.”
“Come on, Logan. They’ll get to join an area of the pack they want to and will have a far easier life than Moreton ever would’ve.”
“I know, but—”
