Nick’s eyelids fluttered then popped open. First thing he did was seek out Logan, like he couldn’t breathe until he saw his mate. Logan’s chest lurched.
“You’re here.”
“Right here.”
Nick tried to push up, but his arms gave out. He crashed back to the mattress, his breath coming in rough pants. His eyes darted around the room. “Where’s the doctor? What did he do?”
“Just took some blood. Said you’re going to be fine.” Logan stroked Nick’s knuckles, grounding both of them. “Says you’re hungry for more than blood now.”
Nick froze. “He said I was pregnant.” His gaze collided with Logan’s, panicked. “That’s not possible.”
Logan pulled him upright, slow and careful. He held on even when Nick tried to twist away. “You heard the man. You’re carrying our kid.”
For one second, Nick’s face crumpled, pain and disbelief fighting for first place. Then he slammed up his walls and yanked free.
“Don’t touch me.” His voice shook.
Not happening. Logan wrapped an arm around Nick’s waist and dragged him back in. He half expected Nick to throw a punch, but instead he wilted, his mouth pressed flat.
A tremor ripped through Nick, his teeth bared in a parody of a smile. “Get off me, Logan. Just…let me deal with this. Alone.”
“Not leaving.”
Nick tensed, his muscles working like he wanted to bolt. “I don’t want you here.”
Logan let that one land. He didn’t care. “Hurts to see you like this. Let me help.”
“Why? It’s not your problem.” The words stung, but it was the lie behind them that pissed Logan off. He held on tighter, refusing to give an inch.
“You’re my mate. Our baby’s growing in you. There’s nowhere else I want to be.”
Nick made a wounded sound, digging his fingers into his own arm. “Just let go. Please, Logan. I fucking mean it.”
Logan shook his head. There was no way he was letting go. “Not after what you’ve been through. You shoved all this shit down your whole life, and now you’re supposed to handle this alone? Nah. Not happening.”
Nick tried to laugh. It broke halfway out. “If I was a better person, I wouldn’t have lashed out at you.” Anger flared, gone just as fast. “I don’t know how to do this. I don’t want to do this. I’m not fucking cut out to be someone’s dad. I eat frozen pizza three times a week, and my stepdad used to call me a walking disappointment.”
“Then you’ll be a better dad than he ever was,” Logan said. “You’ll do it your way.”
Nick stared at him, hatred and hope warring in his face. “You don’t get it. This is wrong, Logan. I’m not even human. I’m some…vampire freak.”
Something in Logan snapped. He grabbed Nick by the jaw and forced him to meet his eyes. “Look at me. I don’t care what you are. You’re mine. You hear me?”
Nick’s mouth worked, but nothing came out.
“Yeah. You’re scared. So am I. Doesn’t mean you get to run away.”
Nick’s lips parted like he was going to spit venom, but the fight drained. He sagged in Logan’s grip.
“Just let me go,” Nick begged, his voice thin. “I need space.”
“If you want to walk out this room, I’ll walk with you. If you want to burn this house to the ground, I’ll grab the matches.”
Nick flinched. “Don’t say shit like that.”
“Too late. I’m not letting you deal with this alone.”
Fury rippled over Nick’s face. He tried to claw at Logan’s arms, but Logan didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned in and bit Nick’s neck, not hard enough to break skin but hard enough to mark. His canines found the same spot where their mate bond had sealed.
