Chapter Fifteen.

Chapter Fifteen.

I pressed myself further into the warmth that seemed to surround me like a cocoon. I felt so safe wrapped in this blanket of warmth and comfort. The nightmares that I had experienced ever since I was little didn't appear last night. I couldn't remember the last time I had slept so peacefully without the haunted dreams visiting me.

I felt refreshed. It was as if one peaceful sleep had left me revived. For the first time in a while I felt alive. I wasn't waking up in fear of what the day might bring; I was able to wake up knowing that my dad wouldn't be able to hurt me as long as I stayed where I was.

I slowly opened my eyes and blinked rapidly so that I could adjust to the light that streamed through a small gap in the curtains from where they hadn't been closed properly. My eyes felt tender and it hurt a little every time I blinked. I recognised the feeling and knew that I had gone to sleep crying. I back tracked through the previous day in my mind hoping to remember what had caused an emotional breakdown.

I was struck with the horror that my dad had found us. The letter appearing before my now tightly closed eyes. He had found us just like he had promised. He was a smart man, he was cunning and I wasn't surprised that he had found us so quickly I was only frozen with the realisation that he was coming after us and I didn't know when.

My mum's own breakdown had hit me hard. I had never seen my mum in that way before as she was always so strong and positive, even at the worst of times. I never wanted to see my mum so broken, so frightened and vulnerable ever again. Her face when she had been told about the letter would forever stay with me. I would do everything within me to protect my mum and to prevent that look from ever appearing on her face again.

I wondered how my mum was coping as I hadn't seen her since last night. Logan and Samuel had said that my mum needed space and as much as I wanted to be with her so that I could offer her comfort in some sort of way I knew that she needed to be alone. The look on my mum's face had told me that it was something that she could only deal with if she was by herself. As much as it pained me I had to respect what she wanted and give my mum her space to come to terms with everything.

The room I was in wasn't one that I was familiar with. I only knew my bedroom and Logan's bedroom. The room that I was in was a little smaller but the colour scheme, design and placement of the furniture was similar to the layout of Logan's room in his house.

A small frown crinkled my forehead as I continued to look around. A groan from my side and something tightening itself around my waist, pulling me towards a hard object had me panicking. A small scream escaped my lips as I began to squirm against whatever held me.

A loud growl echoed through the room as I was suddenly under a large body, the person on top of me looked around as if they were looking for any sign of danger, a reason for why I had screamed. I was surprised that they had managed to keep their body weight off of me so that they lightly hovered above me; the loose fabric of the shirt they wore was the only thing touching me.

Logan looked down at me, his brown eyes boring into my own before he scanned every inch of my face before going lower to see if I was injured anywhere. I could see the confusion in his eyes as he realised that I was perfectly fine and that no one was around to hurt me.

I had forgotten that I had asked Logan to stay with me. I had expected him to say no but when he had climbed in next to me without a word and held me close I had still thought that he would have left at some point in the night. I felt butterflies within my stomach as I stared up at Logan with wide eyes, knowing that he had spent the entire night with me. Comforting me seemed to unlock the chest that I had created to hide my feelings.

I was happy that Logan had stayed with me. I found myself wanting Logan's company more often. He had chased away the nightmares and thoughts of my dad. He kept me warm and safe; I was truly protected when he held my body in his arms. A sense of belonging seemed to overcome me as I felt heat gather in my cheeks under Logan's intense gaze.

The mate bond that had been weak but there between us seemed to have strengthened overnight. The close proximity between us and the newfound trust that I had developed for Logan, even if it was only a little bit, seemed to have strengthened the mate bond and the invisible pull that I felt between us.

"Are you alright?" Logan asked me, his voice thick and husky with sleep causing a small shudder to make its way down my spine.

"I'm fine," I whispered shyly as I continued to look up at him.

I didn't know where the sudden behaviour change had come from as I had once been adamant that I didn't want a mate but as I continued to look up at Logan and thought of all the things that he had done for me even if he didn't know me probably was making me rethink my decision. The strengthening mate bond was playing a part and as much as I wanted to blame it on the unseen force I knew that my feelings were the main reason as to why I suddenly felt different.

Logan's body heat radiated off of him and onto me making my body unusually hot, it tingled from the heat causing my heart to flutter. I had always reacted to Logan differently than to anyone else and now, after last night my reactions only seemed to increase. I found myself wanting to reach out and touch him, to feel the addictive tingles across my bare skin. I wanted to be wrapped in his embrace for as long as possible and for him to never let me go.

I was scared that everything was moving too fast. I wasn't sure how long I had been here with everything that had happened but I knew that it couldn't have been long. The feelings, whatever the feelings were that I had for Logan were strong, stronger than anything I had ever felt. The hatred I had for my dad didn't compare to what I felt for Logan. I was terrified that I was falling in too deep and I wouldn't be able to come back to level ground.

"Are you?" He asked as he arched a dark eyebrow. I could hear the real question underlying the two words. He wanted to know how I was after last night and everything that had happened. I wasn't concerned about myself only my mum.

"I will be," I told him. It would take a while for my dad's threat to sink in and for me and my mum to figure out a plan but I knew that Logan would be there at my side. "Can I see my mum?"

I watched as Logan's eyes seemed to glaze over as he stared at nothing in particular. I had seen this expression on many different werewolves, mainly Jason and Oliver and I knew that Logan was having a conversation with someone through the pack link. I waited patiently staring up at his face as he continued to hover above me, his weight held on his forearms that were placed on either side of my body.

"Samuel said your mum is resting," he told me as his eyes refocused and his pupils shrank in size, "Vincent, an older pack member is looking after her now."

I frowned slightly. I wanted to see my mum to check if she was alright or not, "Who's Vincent?"

"Your mum's befriended him since you guys arrived here," Logan informed me.

My eyes widened at the news of my mum befriending someone, especially a male, after everything that my dad had done. I was proud of her being able to open up to others enough to become friends with them as I knew that when we had been with my dad my mum hadn't had any friends, we had only had each other.

"That's good," I allowed a small smile to make its way onto my face knowing that my mum was being looked after.

"Let me take you out," Logan suddenly said as he rolled himself off of me so that he was lying on his side.

I scrunched my face up in confusion, "out?"

"Yes, out," He chuckled slightly, "there's a nice little café in town that we could have breakfast or rather lunch, and then go to this ice cream place just down the road."

I wanted to get out of the house and get some fresh air. At the mention of food my stomach growled loudly, the sound echoing throughout the room as I blushed brightly and clutched my stomach in my hands.

"I'll take that as a yes," Logan laughed at my side.

"Don't you have work to do with the pack?" I asked. I didn't want to take him away from his responsibilities as an Alpha and away from his pack.

"I've booked the next few days off, so you're stuck with me," He joked, "I had someone bring some clothes for you to change into and there's a bathroom through the closed door. I'll be back soon."

"Okay," I said with a small smile.

Logan leaned forward and quickly brushed his lips against my forehead before rolling off of the bed and making his way to the door that he quickly walked out of and shut quietly behind him. My cheeks felt as if they were on fire and my forehead tingled from his lips brushing against it. I rolled off of the bed and made my way to the closed door that I knew was the bathroom. I was still in the clothes that I had worn yesterday that were now creased and crinkled; I was surprised that I had managed to sleep in the tight jeans and jumper.

Just as Logan had said an entire outfit had been placed on the side in the bathroom. I quickly did my business and showered before changing into the clothes that had been brought for me and towel dried my hair. I allowed it to flow freely down my back in soft waves as I exited the bathroom to see that Logan lay on the bed, showered and changed and ready to go out.

"Ready?" He asked as he sat up and grabbed his jacket that had been placed next to him.

"Yeah," I smiled as I slipped my feet into my shoes that I found on the floor by the foot of the bed.

Logan smiled back at me, the entire smile lighting up his face as he stood from the bed and held his hand out for me to take. I knew he was giving me a choice of whether or not to take it and after a moment of hesitation I placed my hand in his. The familiar warmth surged through my arm and tingles danced across my skin at his touch.

Logan led us through the house and towards what I guessed was the garage where he grabbed the keys to a fancy looking black car. He helped me into the passenger seat before walking around the seat and sitting himself behind the wheel.

"It won't take long to drive there," Logan informed me as he started the car and pulled out of the garage. The heat was on low warming up the cold car.

"It's beautiful here," I murmured as I stared out the window at the massive trees. Autumn had come quickly and the leaves on the trees had turned vibrant shades of reds, oranges, yellows and browns while piles had gathered up at the bottom of the trunks.

"It is," Logan agreed.

"Is everyone here a werewolf?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, my great great great grandfather built this village when he was in charge of the pack. He couldn't risk humans witnessing our kind shifting so he moved the pack deep within the forest and then went deeper so that it would be hard to find. He built the village with the help of his pack members and since then my family has updated and added to the pack as the years go on and the pack grows," Logan went on as if it was nothing, "it's how most, if not all packs live far away from humans."

"Wow," I stated quietly. It made sense for his great great great grandfather to build his own village away from the prying eyes of humans where they would be free to shift as they wished and live by their own set of rules and laws.

"Wow indeed," Logan chuckled, "it was why we were so shocked when we found you and your mum on our territory as a human hasn't been spotted on our land for years."

A comfortable silence settled in the car as the both of us were content with our own thoughts. I continued to watch out the window as we drove though the town and passed houses and shops. The town full of werewolves seemed lively as I saw many people wandering the streets and enjoying themselves. I was fascinated by their way of life.

"We're here," Logan smiled from the driver's side as he parked the car and turned it off. I looked up to see a friendly looking café in front of us, it was cute and small and I could see that it was quiet through the window.

I climbed out of the car and met Logan at the front as he waited for me before he began to walk towards the café. I looked down to see his hand hanging limp at his side. I breathed in deeply before I reached forwards and slid my hand into his. I felt Logan's eyes on my face but I kept looking forwards as my hand was given a gentle squeeze.

The café was warm and cosy from the inside. The light chatter in the room fell silent as Logan walked in first with me trailing behind him. My hair fell in front of my face as I shyly looked through it to see that everyone was staring at us, at me.

"Alpha, Luna," chorused through the café as they bowed their heads in respect.

"Good afternoon," Logan politely responded with a smile as I smiled a little through my hair not knowing if they could see it or not. I had yet to be introduced to all of the pack members and so it was the first time that I had seen most if not all the people in the café.

Logan led us through the aisle and towards a free table in the corner by the window. He helped pull out my chair for me as I sat down and then tucked me in. I slipped my coat off and hung it on the back of the chair while looking around.

"It's so cosy in here," I told Logan with a small smile.

"It's my favourite place; well this and the ice cream shop," He grinned.

I stared up at him from where I sat. There was something different about Logan and I couldn't seem to pin point what it was. I had only seen Logan yesterday and yet he looked different today. Logan had always walked with confidence, he was an Alpha, he was powerful and strong, he was a great leader but Logan walked taller today, his shoulder had been squared and his head held high. If it was possible it looked as if he had gotten stronger, his already muscular physique looked even more muscular. Logan looked more intimidating today than he had yesterday and I didn't understand.

"Alpha, Luna," the waitress came over, an elderly woman with a notepad in hand lightly bowed her head before speaking, "can I get you any drinks or food?"

"Mrs. Roberts," he acknowledged with a dip of his head, "I'll have the usual please."

"With the banana milkshake?" She asked with a small smile.

"Of course," Logan grinned up at her. It was clear that Logan was a regular here as he had his own special that he got every time that he came.

"Luna?" she smiled kindly as her attention was directed on me. I could feel other pairs of eyes on me as I tugged my jumper's sleeve further down my wrist as a nervous habit.

"Um, I'll have the same please," I looked up at her name tag before smiling, "Mary."

I could see the shock of her face before she quickly masked it and spoke, "they will be with you soon."

I turned back to Logan ready to continue studying him to figure out what was different only to find him already staring at me. I could see a smile on his face that he made no effort to hide. His brown eyes seemed lighter than normal as they glistened and swirled with emotion I couldn't place.

"What?" I asked self-consciously. I nervously ran my fingers though my knotted curls to see if I had anything stuck in it like a leaf before I touched my face lightly thinking that I had some tooth paste at the corners of my lips.

"You always seem to surprise me," he muttered. He must have seen the confused look remain on my face as he began to explain further, "many people would have just thanked her without taking the time to read her name tag but you didn't. You treated Mary as an equal, not many people would do that let alone a Luna."

I furrowed my eyebrows. I now understood what Logan was saying. There was hierarchy within a pack that I was only beginning to understand but Logan being an Alpha and because I am his mate it meant that we were of higher status than others. I guessed that those who weren't of a high power within a pack were treated differently. I didn't like it as I knew what it was like to not be treated as someone's equal and like dirt instead but I knew that there wasn't a lot I could do as it was tradition and the packs way of life.

"Oh," I muttered, not really sure what to say.

"Here you go," Mary said suddenly appearing with two milkshakes that she placed in front of us, "your food will be here shortly."

"Thank you," We both said at the side time causing Mary to laugh as she walked away while I suppressed a giggle.

I brought the milkshake closer to my mouth as I took a sip through the straw and stared at Logan who was looking around the café. I blushed when he suddenly turned to look at me, his brown eyes boring into my own as the corner of his lips twitched when he saw me staring at him.

"Why do you keep looking at me?" he asked curiously as he raised his eyebrow.

"You look different," I told him honestly as I looked up at him through my eye lashes.

Logan's smile suddenly dropped as he turned serious. My throat suddenly became dry and my tongue darted out to wet my dry lips.

"Something happen last night," He informed me while trapping me with his eyes. I could see that whatever had happened changed him although I could see happiness along with other emotions shining behind his eyes.

I didn't remembered anything other than the letter, my mum crying and then being carried to bed by Logan who stayed with me, "what happened?"

Logan seemed to hesitate at my question. I watched the conflicting emotions flicker across his eyes and I knew he didn't know whether or not to tell me. I was beginning to worry that something bad had happened that I didn't know about. My stomach dropped as I thought about something happening to my mum but Logan had said that she was fine and that Vincent was with her.

I was worried that something had happened to a pack member or that rogues had attacked again but Logan wouldn't be spending the day with me and I was sure that the house would be on lock down. And the earlier happiness I had seen wouldn't be there if it was bad.

Logan took a deep breath as he reached across the table and took my hand in his. The smile that spread across his face seemed to erase my earlier fears as he continued, "you accepted me as your mate."