Page 72 of Logan’s Acadian Wolves

“And you?” She noticed Logan walking toward them. He, too, had taken off his shirt. Holy hell, the man was hot. She coughed, trying to focus on what she’d been saying.

“Yeah, me too.” Dimitri smiled at Logan, guessing he could hear at least part of their conversation. “Won’t lie, cher, I’m looking forward to watching you shift, to helping you.”

“I’m scared. But I guess this is going to happen whether I like it or not.” Wynter glanced over to the bayou and then bowed her head. “I want you to know that I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me…your talks, the encouragement the past couple of days. I know this hasn’t been easy on you either. Whatever happens tonight…I trust you both.”

“Logan and I won’t let anything happen to you. It’s going to be one of the greatest days of your life.” Dimitri smiled at Wynter, reached over and took her hand in his. He wanted so badly to be able to explain the rush she’d feel, but he reasoned it was of no use. Tonight, she’d run with them and learn the way of the wolves. He was confident she’d do well once she shifted.

Wynter squeezed his hand. She’d meant what she’d said. She trusted them, both Logan and Dimitri. Together they’d get through the night.

“Well hello, Logan, have I told you what a beautiful mate you have?” Dimitri said as Logan approached.

“Yes, you have. My mate is beautiful, isn’t she?” Logan gave him a sardonic smile. He’d told him to talk, not drool.

“Very.” Dimitri laughed, enjoying their easy banter.

Logan leaned down and gave Wynter a kiss. His mate. So perfect for him.

She reached up to him, pushing her hands into his sweaty hair. Her tongue swept into his mouth. A long drugging kiss ensued and before she knew it, she’d jumped into his arms, her legs wrapped around his waist.

Logan could tell she was starting to feel her increased arousal already. He shuddered to think what would happen later. Thank the Goddess he and his beta had a plan to get through the shift. But until then, he’d have to get her to rest. He smiled into her kiss, breaking away with a sigh. His forehead to hers, they both struggled to catch their breath.

“Hey Wyn, baby, you okay?” he asked gently.

“I…I’m sorry. I’m just so…so…” Oh God, what was happening? She’d woken feeling so happy, so refreshed. Now, she was hot and hungry, for both food and sex.

“I know. Come on, let’s get you inside. Your wolf, she’s rising. How about we go get something to eat? It’ll help.” Logan continued to hold Wynter and walked over to the back door.

“But I ate already,” she protested, but her stomach rumbled.

“Your wolf’s preparing. Eating’ll help take the edge off. Being around D probably isn’t helping either.”

“What?”

“She knows my beta’s scent. She’ll want to be around him, to touch him.”

“But Logan, this makes no sense. I only want you.” Humiliation doused her arousal. She buried her head in his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Wyn. This is just your body doing this,” he reassured her, hugging her to his chest.

Logan yearned to tell her that he loved her, but the timing was off. With her impending change, he only sought to soothe her symptoms. Soon, he’d tell her, but with Dimitri watching and her on the edge, now was not that time.

Wynter retreated into herself. Her emotions, lusting after Dimitri upset her sense of what she knew was right. The night before she’d confessed her love. Unexpectedly, but still, those words fell through her lips. And today? Today, she nearly creamed her shorts over a hot, shirtless beta. What kind of a horrible human being did that? She shook her head, realizing she was no longer human. Yet she wasn’t convinced she was one hundred percent wolf. She was made unnaturally, not born a shifter. Sanity would elude her until she ran her own blood tests; she needed to know who and what she really was

The day wore on and Wynter became increasingly restless. Her skin crawled. Her ears rang. Her stomach growled in hunger, despite eating as Logan had told her to do. Wringing her hands up into her hair, she pulled at the blonde springy tendrils, causing a twinge of pain. Sickening as it was, it salved the unending need to scratch and bite. Holed up in the bedroom, she tried to sleep it off, but had only managed a small nap. Logan advised her not to wear constricting clothing, so she’d thrown on a sundress sans underwear. It was far too suffocating; her skin felt raw and chafed against the soft cotton.

She hated that she was changing. None of what had happened had been in her control. Unfair and hurtful. Her parents dying. Being forced to live with Jax. Held captive for months. And now forced against her will to shift into an animal. She despised it. She’d have to make the only choice she had which was to carry on and endure it. Headstrong and determined, she pounded down the stairs, ready to face her Alpha.

Logan had planned a surprise, but things weren’t going well. By late afternoon, Wynter had grown more and more uncomfortable and cranky. Unsure what they’d done to her to turn her wolf, he couldn’t be certain how smoothly she’d shift. In only a few short hours, they’d know. He hated seeing her in such pain and abhorred the fact that he couldn’t control it. That was what he did well: control, dominate. Yet hour after hour, it became more apparent that they’d have to let nature take her course.

By the time Wynter came downstairs, Logan noticed that she looked wild with agitation. Sexy as ever, her unruly curls sprang in all directions. Despite her discomposure, he knew her wolf would be amazing, but he thought better of telling her. For now, he’d orchestrate a diversion of sorts, a lesson on the bayou. He smiled as he led her outside to the waiting airboat. Nothing was more fun, and he suspected it would give her a rush, interrupting the cycle of negative thoughts playing in her mind.

“What is this?” she asked, not sure what they were doing on the docks.

“It’s a boat,” Logan answered with a wink.

“Yeah, I see that. Is it safe? I don’t want to get eaten by alligators. Really, I’ve had enough fanged creatures sinking their teeth into me lately.”

“Nothin’ safer. This is our home, chérie and we’re goin’ to show it to you,” he drawled, doing his best imitation of his beta. “We promise to keep you away from the snakes…even though we might eat them later. Maybe go crawfishin’.”