He found a spot at the ice cream shack, right in front. The joint was busy. Teenagers hung by the benches, loud and obnoxious. Families with sticky kids, retirees with big hats. Not exactly Logan’s scene, but if Nick wanted cookie dough, he’d make it happen.
They climbed out. The crowd startled Nick, made him stiffen and pause. Logan stepped in, crowding Nick’s back, his lips nearly brushing his ear. “Ignore everyone. They’re nothing but human noise. You just focus on me.”
Nick barely nodded, but Logan felt the relief ripple through him. He steered Nick to the counter, hugged close like a bodyguard or some messed-up boyfriend who didn’t know boundaries.
The server, a girl with tattoos and green hair, didn’t even blink at the two of them. “What’ll it be?”
Nick licked his lips, glancing at the flavors, then pointed. “Cookie dough. In a cup.”
Logan ordered a double fudge for himself and then paid with no fuss. He tucked Nick under one arm and steered him to the one empty table in the shade.
He watched Nick eat, watched the way his pink tongue darted out, catching bits of ice cream. The guy was hungry, just not for normal food. Logan grinned, letting him have the first quiet meal he’d probably had in ages.
They sat, bodies pressed together, but it didn’t matter. Logan didn’t care who saw, who judged. Nick shivered once, but Logan dug his thumb into the back of Nick’s neck, grounding him.
“You’re staring,” Nick muttered.
“Can’t help it,” Logan said. “You eat like you were starved your whole life.”
Nick held his gaze, chewing slowly. “Maybe I was.”
Logan swallowed hard, heat rising up his neck. If he ever met the people who’d made Nick feel like less, he’d tear their faces off.
“You want to walk?” Logan asked when Nick finished.
Nick hesitated then nodded. “Yeah. But only with you.”
Logan almost groaned. This mate thing, it got under his skin in a way nothing else had. He wanted to carry Nick everywhere, show him off, let the world see how precious he was.
They made it maybe ten steps before Logan heard the voice.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
Logan stiffened, his body blocking Nick from the threat before his brain finished piecing it together. Mack. That slick, oily grin—a hundred percent pain in the ass.
Mack leaned against a lamppost, his arms folded, his gaze glued to Nick like he already knew where every weakness could be found.
Nick tensed, and Logan felt it roll through him, all fight-or-flight.
He drew himself up, every inch of muscle, menace simmering just below the surface. “You stalking us now? Can’t get enough of what you see?”
Mack smiled. The effect was more snake than wolf. “Just admiring my cousin’s taste. Wasn’t expecting you to go for someone so…fragile.”
Logan wanted to break Mack in half. He curled his arm tighter around Nick. “Takes a hell of a man to survive what Nick’s been through. You don’t even compare.”
Mack’s gaze slid back and forth, appraising, like he was picking out a side of beef. Logan growled, low. His wolf wanted to lunge.
Nick didn’t speak, but Logan could feel the tremor running through him. Like he was bracing for a fist instead of just words.
Mack flicked his fingers, looking bored. “Didn’t mean to crash the honeymoon, cousin. But if you want my advice, keep a closer eye on your mate. Would be a shame if someone snatched him up.”
Logan stepped forward, crowding Mack back. “You so much as look at Nick again, we finish this conversation in a ditch.”
Mack’s eyes went cold, but he didn’t flinch. “Family’s family,” he said, smirking. “You know where to find me.”
Then he just turned and walked away, daring Logan to follow.
Nick sagged. Logan cradled him close, fury vibrating through his grip. He glared after Mack, memorizing the exact shade of his jacket, the way he slouched, all threat and violence waiting for an opening.
