He lay wrapped in Logan’s strong arms, safe, protected. But that wasn’t reality, and Cole couldn’t hideaway forever. He’d woken with a question burning its way through his brain, and he felt sick with guilt that he’d not asked it sooner.
“Logan,” Cole pushed up on his elbows and gave him a nudge to his ribs. “Wake up.”
“Mmm?” Logan stirred, eyes drifting open. He smiled sleepily at Cole, and for a moment, Cole forgot what it was he wanted to ask, lost in the warmth of Logan’s gaze. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss him, to follow up on what they’d been skirting around.
He closed his eyes, breaking their connection, and sighed. “What happened to my parents? Are they okay? Did they get to where they’re supposed to be?” When he dared look up at Logan again, he caught the small smile playing on his lips. “What?”
“Yes, they’re safe. And they’re here, Cole. You can see them whenever you’re ready.”
Sitting up abruptly, he stared at Logan, not sure if the anger building inside him was rational or a result of the impending full moon. “Why didn’t you say so before? Why didn’t you bring them to see me?” He shook his head, not understanding why Logan wouldn’t have fetched them as soon as Cole got there.
Logan stared back, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “You were in a bad way when we brought you in. They don’t know you’re a shifter, Cole. If I let them see you, they’d notice how quick your wounds were healing—especially your mum— and I didn’t know if you wanted them to know or if you wanted to be the one to tell them.”
“Didn’t they ask to see me?” Cole knew his parents, and if they knew he was here, they’d want to bloody well see him. “Did you even tell them I was here?”
“Yes, of course I told them. And they did want to see you, but I said you were sleeping. That the journey here had been rough, and you were resting, not to be disturbed. Doctor’s orders.”
“And they accepted that?”
“Well, your mother had some choice words for me.” He rolled his eyes at Cole’s smirk. “But I promised to let them know as soon as you woke up.”
“I was awake hours ago.”
“I got a little distracted.” Logan gestured to the two of them, then met Cole’s gaze, eyes darkening.
That look did things to him, set his blood alight. Cole swallowed thickly as his pulse quickened, heat stirring in his belly. “Maybe you could um... get them now?”
“Yeah.” Logan’s eyes dipped to Cole’s mouth, lingering for a moment before looking up again. He licked his lips, and Cole was hit by a need so sudden and so strong, he was leaning into the kiss before he registered moving.
Logan met him halfway, hands coming up to cup Cole’s jaw before sliding back into his hair. Rough stubble scraped his skin, and Cole moaned. The sound was low, rough, sounding distinctly like a throaty growl, and he sprung back in alarm.
“What the hell?” He put his hands on his throat as though he could feel a physical change there.
Logan eyed him warily. “It’s natural,” he offered.
“For you maybe. But I’m not used to bloody growling when someone kisses me.” He stood, restlessness taking hold, and began to pace the length of the small room.
“Cole?” Logan moved to stand, but Cole put his hand out to stop him.
“Don’t.” He ran his hands through his hair, gripping until it hurt. “I feel... fuck. I don’t know.” He whirled to face Logan. “Wrong. I feel wrong, and yet not. My body isn’t how it’s supposed to be, but at the same time, I know that it is. I know that sounds crazy, but...” He raised his hands and shrugged. “I don’t want this. I don’t want to have superior strength and senses, to turn into a wolf on the full moon or whenever I fancy it. I never wanted any of this, and yet...” He looked up at Logan, desperate and confused, tears filling his eyes. “I have this urge deep in my gut—” He clutched his belly. “—and it’s getting stronger. This bone-deep urge to shift and run. Run as fast as I can. To feel the earth beneath my feet, the wind in my face, and howl at the moon till my throat hurts.”
“Cole.” Logan slipped off the bed and started towards him.
“I’m scared.” A sob caught in his throat. “So fucking scared.”
“I know.”
Logan’s strong arms wrapped around him, holding him together when Cole was certain he was about to fall apart. He breathed in, Logan’s scent thick and heavy this close, and Cole closed his eyes, letting it fill him up and soothe him.
And my wolf.
The thought brought another round of sobs, and Logan held him tight while Cole clung to him.
“What’s going to happen to me?” he asked, afraid of what the answer might be.
Logan sighed and held him tighter. “I don’t know.”
“But you have an idea?” Cole could hear it in his voice.
