Arise

I had already changed into my pajamas when Logan. I folded the last of my clothes into my suitcase before turning to him to speak. He was heated to say the least. “Where have you been? I was hoping you would follow me out.”

He loosened his tie. “I had to sit and make sure there wouldn’t be any retribution for what you said.”

I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I had to. I couldn’t just sit there and listen to them speak about us like that!”

“We are supposed to make a pact with them. Build a stronger bond with this pack.” He took a step closer.

I shrugged. “And we will once Emily becomes Alpha.”

He threw his arms up in disbelief and scoffed. “Do you still not understand the repercussions of what you did?”

“I was standing up for our pack. I don’t see what’s wrong.” Logan had just sat there, taking all of the shots.

He shook his head and placed his hands on his hips. “You don’t get to do anything in the first place. You’re not Beta anymore, Rosetta. You gave up that position just before we arrived.”

I blinked, biting the insides of my mouth hard enough that it would bleed. “What was I supposed to do here, then? Sit there on my ass like you and listen to them drone on and--”

“He could’ve killed you,” he shouted, breathing hard. “Right then and there.” He brought his hands close together. “You were this close to him, his claws could’ve slit your throat.” His voiced had choked up at the end.

I faltered, not fully realizing the possibility.

He turned away from and headed to the bathroom, but not before saying, “being human has limited your awareness of your surroundings.”

I lied on the bed tightly holding the sheets up to my neck. Even with all my ambivalent feelings towards Logan, he was unfortunately right. My choice of words had warranted some sort of consequence from Alpha Crescent and Beta Stiles. I had acted rashly with my emotions.

I mentally groaned knowing that I would have to apologize to them tomorrow.

I turned over to my side just as the sound of the bathroom door opening perked my ears. I remained absolutely still and tried to calm my breathing.

Logan had every right to be angry with me, but I wasn’t prepared to feel his wrath again...or ever.

I felt the bed dip beside me, but not close enough to feel his heat.

He must’ve suspected I was awake because he spoke up. Softly this time. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

I turned over to face him only to realize he was sitting upright, with his back against the head board. The blanket pooled at my lap as I rose up to mimic his position. “No, you were right. I shouldn’t have said any of what I did. I’ll apologize tomorrow, don’t worry.”

“Why did you?”

“Because I reached my maximum limit of bullshit,” I lied.

He chuckled, bringing me relief. I hadn’t realized how stiff I was. “I think I would’ve attacked Beta Stiles if you hadn’t started shouting.”

I smiled and searched for his eyes, but it was hard to see in the dark. I reached behind me to turn on the lamp and let the light dimly fill up the room.

I tilted my head and wondered why he hadn’t. “Why do you let people say things like that about you?” He could very much defend himself, yet he refused.

“Because I deserve it.”

I shook my head, quick to deny. “No, you don’t.”

“Even from you?” His stormy gray eyes had looked almost black.

My heart had picked up its pace. I had always found a way to deflect his attempts to change the conversation to this, but this time. . .

I shook my head vigorously. “No, Logan. I haven’t said--”

“I know.” There it was again. That damn sad smile he was always showing me. I missed seeing his grin where his dimples would show. I missed when he gray eyes would seem to smile when they flashed every time he looked at me. I missed his warmth. I missed just talking to him about mundane things.

He was right here in front of me and yet I missed him.

He must’ve showered just now because a drop of water was sliding down his face.

Without even thinking, I placed my palm on his cheek and swiped the droplet with my thumb just below his eye.

Before I could move my hand, he placed his over it and dipped his head toward mine.

The air had suddenly felt thinner, and all I could hear was my heart hammering in my chest. I gulped. "Tell me a story."

He blinked. The moment lost.

Why was I denying any chance of a relationship with him again? Was I really that scared?

He pulled back, out of the bubble we had. I waited for reality to slip back in. For him to just make up an excuse to sleep, because if wasn't, I was two seconds away from doing it myself.

But then he asked, "what would like to know?"

My edges of my mouth rose up. "Anything." Anything to get us back to that moment. Anything to keep us from going back to that moment. My mind was going in circles.

"How about a confession?"

Too afraid to speak, I nodded. Nerves filled my stomach. My mind was racing.

His fingers reached over the small space between us and touched mine, bringing my hand closer to him but still away. "I can't keep doing this." I froze but he continued, "I can't keep going around in circles. I keep telling myself to wait for you but each day I see you walk further and further away from me. I keeping thinking we're in a good place, but in my heart I know I'm just fooling myself."

His gaze fell to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “Please be honest with me. I can't take it anymore.”

My lips parted and his gaze dropped down to them once more.

I didn’t speak, didn't even know what to say. My mouth parting to say something but nothing could come to me.

“Doll,” with the hand he had over mine, he slid them over to rest against his chest. His heart had been beating fast. He closed his eyes and dipped his head to my heart. “Please.”

That was my undoing.

My voice broke as I said, “I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"Myself," I finally confessed. I was the only person holding me back and it was because I was scared. "Being with you was so easy, but then it got hard too fast. I can't remember when it was easy anymore."

He tugged at my fingers. "Then we make new memories. Better ones."

"You hurt me and I used it against you. We can't just pick up where we left off."

He picked up his head and saw the doubt in my eyes, he shook his head. "If you don't want to be me with, why did you say all those things tonight?"

"Because you are my mate," I admitted, cutting him off. "And, I can't stand it to see you get hurt anymore.” I closed my eyes and leaned in. Letting my heart speak louder than my mind.

I kissed him with everything I had in me. Grabbing his shoulders, I let my actions speak for me. Let the tears fall freely down my face, embracing the way my heart had been feeling for a while.

He immediately fell in step with just as much fervor, never holding back. I had been craving him. Every inch of me touching every inch of him.

He moaned, gripping my waist and placing me in his lap. Heat spread everywhere he touched. I didn't want him to stop.

I kissed him until I couldn't breathe.

I love you.

We pulled apart but remained close, panting.

I played with the ends of his hair as I finally revealed the three words I had been too scared to say. "I love you, Logan." He closed his eyes and dropped his head on my shoulder. I smiled, rubbing soothing circles on his neck. "With my whole heart, I love you."

A shudder had overtaken him as choke came out from his throat.

He lifted his head, disbelief swirling in his eyes. "Say that again."

I laughed. "I. Love. You."

"Again."

I rolled my eyes but obliged, following it up with a kiss. And another. And another until the words and the kisses had become one.

As I finally found my way back to him.

ONE MORE CHAPTER!!!!!!!