Page 95 of Logan’s Acadian Wolves

Logan stopped her from going any further. “No, Wyn, don’t blame yourself. We knew they’d come for you. I should never have agreed to take you out there.”

“I can’t believe Fiona betrayed the pack like that. Oh God, where is she?” Wynter asked in a panic.

“Dead,” Léopold confirmed.

“You’re sure?” Logan asked. If she wasn’t dead, she would be.

“These swamps are quite messy, wolf. All that mud. Just look at my shoes.” Léopold rocked back, brushed his slacks and attempted to right his sleeves. “Good thing your wolves showed up to assist me or I may have ruined my suit. Those gators, they do enjoy an impromptu meal.”

Logan shook his head with a small laugh. He’d never mistake the vampire’s humor for weakness. Léopold was deadly, but he appeared to do the right thing every now and then. Logan couldn’t say he fully trusted him, but he’d gained an ally without a doubt.

“Léopold, thank you.” Wynter shifted from Logan’s arms and extended her hand to him. She could have sworn she saw him blush.

Léopold took Wynter’s wrist, gently holding her fingers. He caught Logan’s gaze as if to ask for approval. Logan nodded and with a brush of a kiss, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

“Anytime, my fine doctor. That lecture. You made quite the impression on me,” he winked. “The world needs your beautiful mind. I’m honored to have helped. And should you spring fangs, please call on me anytime for assistance. But as I’ve assured your Alpha, you are released from any bond with me, as you and Logan are mates.”

Léopold released her hand and stood. He adjusted his pants and scanned the room for his jacket. The black suit looked nearly impeccable as he smoothed out the small wrinkles.

“Dimitri,” Wynter said solemnly.

“Wyn.” Dimitri scooted next to Wynter and carefully gave her a hug. She’d almost died. The whole pack had come so close to destruction. His eyes rimmed in moisture, the emotion he’d held back burst forth. Logan clamped a hand on his shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

“It’s okay, D. She’s alive.” Maybe a vampire, though?

“Look at me. I’m cryin’ like a baby over here. How sad is that?” Dimitri laughed in embarrassment and pushed up onto his feet. “I gotta get out of here and relax. Do something manly like go sit in the hot tub with a beer and a cigar.”

“As much as I usually love the swamp, I’m with you. It’s time to get the hell out of here.” In one smooth motion, Logan stood, carrying Wynter.

Jake and Zeke approached the cabin and together ripped away what remained of the door. Logan strode through the doorway, carrying Wynter toward the boat. Dimitri, Léopold and the others followed him.

Léopold glanced at the naked wolves surrounding him and shook his head. Wolves and their nudity.

“Seriously, do you wolves ever wear clothes?” he quipped with a raised eyebrow.

“You should try it, vamp. You might like it,” Logan replied. He stepped into the boat and cuddled Wynter. “Free like the wind.”

“A cold day in hell, mon ami.” Léopold shrugged his nose in disgust.

“You gotta loosen up,” Dimitri told him.

“Ah, says the man who weeps,” Léopold teased with a smile.

“Tears of joy, man. And for the record, I’ve got plenty of game,” Dimitri jibed in return.

“Léopold, maybe you need to start small. A skinny dip, perhaps?” Logan suggested blithely.

“I highly recommend it,” Wynter added. Naughty thoughts played in her mind, remembering her time in the pool with Logan.

“A recommendation from the lady? Well, that may be advice I’ll take.” Léopold appeared lost in a sensual thought. “A beach, no? Oui, that I could do.”

“Just add a hot woman into the mix, and he’s all in,” Dimitri laughed.

“I knew we could convert him.” Logan kissed Wynter’s hair and reflected on the night’s events.

Ironic how one day he’d been single and fighting to be Alpha and today he’d fought for his mate’s life, assuring his pack still had a leader. With Wynter back in the safety of his arms, he looked forward to solidifying the bond they’d started. Even if she did turn vampire, he didn’t care. As long as Wynter stood at his side, nothing would come between them.

He stole a glance at the debonair vampire who’d saved his mate. On the surface, Léopold wore his years like his designer clothes; tightly reined without a blemish to be found. But Logan’s intuition told him that the centuries had taken a toll on Devereoux. He had recognized the familiar loneliness which danced in Léopold’s eyes. Had he been a romantic at some point in his life? A courageous fighter, waging war for the greater good? Logan reasoned that he might never truly know Léopold’s motives. One thing was certain; the vampire had revealed a side of him rarely seen by others; one that even Logan hadn’t known to exist. Léopold, even if just for a moment in time, had cared, not just about Wynter but about the good of the Acadian pack.