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Fifteen minutes later, holding hands with her mate, Sheila entered what Logan declared was his office. Her father, Ricky and Nicky stood on the left side of the room, glaring. Across from them, Logan’s Beta and two other enforcers glared back. Sheila remembered their names; Aedan and Adam.
She looked to the left; one pair of twins. Then to the right; another pair of twins. All powerful enforcers. She leaned in to whisper to her mate.
“This is strange. It’s like they’re communicating.”
Logan looked down at her. His eyes glinted with laughter. “Yep. Just wait until you see the girls fight. It’s a silent bloodbath.”
John looked their way and smiled when he saw her.
“Daddy!” Sheila rushed into his arms. Her eyes filled with tears that spilled over.
“Hey now. It will be okay, darling. Hush.”
Sheila fought the sobs, but they broke out, anyway. She cried like a little girl into her father’s arms. He held her, whispering comforting words. When her feelings settled, she pulled back and dried her tears away.
“Sorry. I don’t know why I just broke down like that.”
“After all you’ve been through? I expected nothing less. I would have been worried if you didn’t have a crying jag.”
Sheila kissed her father on the cheek, making him grin.
“Thank you, daddy. How’s mom and the twins from hell?”
“Worried about you, but fine. Ian’s holding the fort until I get back.”
“Hey! What about us? Don’t we deserve a hug and a kiss after risking our lives sneaking into tiger territory?”
A snarl came from the tiger side of the room. Sheila ignored it. Ricky opened his arms for her. She leaned in for a hug. Before she could make the first step, an arm coiled around her waist, pulling her back into a hard chest.
“That’s okay. You’ll survive without my mate’s hugs and kisses from now on.”
Logan’s rumbling voice vibrated through her. She looked back at him.
“Hey! They are my-”
“Sheila, don’t.”
The flash of his beast in his eyes caused her to bite back her protest.
“Fine,” she gritted through her teeth. “But we will discuss this later.” She was not going through life, not touching her friends just because he was possessive.
“Okay kids, let’s settle and discuss the events.”
Her father was all about business. Such an Alpha!
A knock at the office door made them all turn. It opened before anyone could react.
“Sorry to disturb you. I brought you some food.”
Karina entered the room carrying a large plate with food. The older woman winked at Sheila.
“I know men get grumpy when they are hungry.”
All the males in the room growled. Karina smiled.
“You and Logan need to eat, dear.”
A couple of juveniles entered after her with pitchers of water and smaller plates holding cookies.
Oh, the female was sneaky! When she passed by, Sheila touched Karina’s arm.
“Thank you, Karina. For the food and the gifts,” she caressed the knife belt, letting her know what she was talking about. Logan’s mom stroked her cheek.
“When everything settles, we’ll schedule some practice time.”
Behind her, Logan made a small sound of distress. Sheila looked up at him. He was biting back a smile while he looked at the ceiling, like he was praying for help.
Ricky and Nicky chuckled.
Adam and Aedan groaned.
Even her father looked shocked. No. Not shocked. Scared! Assholes males! She will show them!
“Sorry for the disruption. Carry on.”
Karina left. The two juveniles hurried out to avoid the tension in the room.
Sheila struggled to get out of Logan’s tight hold. He ignored her. Instead, he guided her to his desk, sitting in the large, comfortable-looking chair and settling her into his lap.
“Logan!”
“Hush. Your scent keeps my tiger calm. There are too many dominant males in this room. Our bond is not strong enough. He’s on edge.”
Logan spoke the words in her ear, but she was sure the others heard. Though neither one of them commented. Sheila relaxed in his arms.
“Let’s get this thing going. Sheila, tell us what the hell happened two days ago.”
Taking a deep breath, she told them everything she remembered. When she finished, the room fell silent.
Popping a Pathé into her mouth, she groaned at the savory tastes exploding on her tastebuds. She was so hungry that her stomach was about to eat itself.
Logan’s rumble of anger vibrated against her. She pressed her palms on his chest and rubbed her face against his. She was stroking him to calm the beast. Logan pressed a kiss to the mark on the junction of her neck and shoulder. The puncture wound was still sensitive, making her shiver in pleasure.
Finally, her father spoke.
“Cain,” John repeated the name.
Sheila watched him pace, frowning in thought.
“Are you sure that was the name?”
“Yes. They were very clear about it. Then they referred to him as Doc. Does the name mean anything to you?”
John frowned, munching on a baguette. “I don’t know if it’s relevant.”
“Tell us anyway. Maybe we can connect some dots.”
Logan watched her father, but his hand was caressing her thigh. His continuous contact was heating her blood. Sheila did not want for her father to scent her arousal. It was mortifying. She slapped Logan’s hand, signaling him to stop. He snarled and continued. Fine! She will get him later.
“The lead scientist of the lab they created me in, had a son. A four-year-old-boy. His name was Cain. But I don’t see what a child might want with you, Sheila.”
“Maybe revenge? You killed his father. He might want to kill me as payment.”
“No, baby. You said the man wants you alive.”
Sheila frowned. “Yeah. That’s what that dude Rusty said. But,-”
“Let me place some questions to other Alphas. That the wolves are in with the humans doesn’t sit well with me. They don’t like humans. Not more than we do. And that I can’t reach their Alpha worries me.”
“Do you think they are hostages?”
Logan placed the obvious question. Sheila frowned. “But wouldn’t others know if something was wrong with their pack? Wolves are tight with other packs.”
“Yes. That’s what I want to find out. I’ll reach out to Ash’s brother. They kept in contact. If he can’t tell me what’s going on, then we’ll see.”
“How about setting up a double invasion? Panther and tiger from both sides, sneaking into their territory.”
“Maybe. I want to send a Ranger to do some reconnaissance first. I know they had pregnant females and a small pack of cubs.”
“Let me know when, and I’ll assign someone from the pride.”
Sheila watched the two Alphas come to an accord. Her father looked at her, then at her mate.
“Logan, take care of my daughter or I’ll gut you. Are we clear?” John addressed him in a very reasonable tone.
“Dad!” Sheila was appalled at his behavior.
“You can try. I’ll enjoy the fight.”
With a gasp, she looked at her mate. “Logan!” He didn’t break the stare-down he had with her father.
“You have nothing to worry about, Alpha Black. I’ll give my life for her.”
“Good. I need to get back to my territory.”
Sheila rose from her mates’ lap. “Already?” A lump clogged her throat. She wanted her father to stay longer. His presence was so familiar and comforting. She went to him, hugging him tight.
“Don’t worry, darling. I’ll be back.”
“We’ll escort you out,” Logan offered.
“No need. Your Beta is more than capable. I’ll miss you, daughter,” John whispered in her hair.
Sheila scowled. “I’m mated, dad. Not dead.”
He chuckled. “I know. But I’ll still miss you. Your mother and I, we had hoped you would find a mate in our pride. Ricky was first on the list.”
Sheila gasped. “What?!”
The growl Logan let out told them he had heard that comment and wasn’t pleased with that piece of information. He was on his feet, glaring at Ricky with deadly intent.
“Yay, thanks Alpha. Now the tiger wants to eat me,” Ricky mumbled dryly.
Nicky slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, little brother. I’ll be there to collect the bones.”
“Ha. Ha. Not funny.”
John kissed Sheila’s head and released her. Logan was there to pull her back into his arms.
“Sheila, play nice with Logan. And don’t torture the poor man.”
With a wink at her, her father left the office, followed by his and Logan’s Rangers.
“Love you too, dad,” she yelled after him. Then she buried her face in her mate’s chest and cried while he held her. When her crying jag settled, Sheila looked up at her mate.
“Sorry. I keep breaking down on you. I’ll go about my business and leave you to yours.”
“No, Sheila. We will go about our business. You are my mate and part of the pride now.”
“I don’t feel like it just yet.”
“But you will, after you get to know everyone.”
Sheila sniffled. Logan cupped her face in his palms, pressing his lips to hers in the gentlest kiss. His lips brushed hers lightly, tantalizing her. The tip of his tongue brushed against her own as she opened for him. Sheila moaned. Logan’s taste was addicting. She lost herself in his kiss; in his arms.
Her hands moved up his body, touching his toned muscles, moving up his pectorals. She felt him twitch under her exploring fingers. Sheila linked her hands behind his head, tugging him lower so she could deepen the kiss.
“Sheila, baby.”
They pressed their bodies together. Logan held Sheila tight against him, roaming his large hands over her back, then moving lower to cup her ass.
“I’m hot,” Sheila breathed between kisses. She felt like she could cook a stake on her skin.
“Me too,” Logan answered.
She coiled one leg around his, opening herself, and rubbing her pelvis against his thigh. Gods! She was about to come. A knock at the office door broke the sexual spell.
“Logan? I’m sorry for doing this to you, but Sparrow’s awake.”
It was Karina. Sheila panted, fighting to settle her breathing. So was Logan. He pressed his forehead to hers and gulped for air.
“Yeah? Thanks mom. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
There was no response, just Karina’s footsteps fading away as she left.
“Sorry Sheila, but I need to go. I haven’t seen Sparrow in a few days. I need to see how she’s feeling. If she’s able to talk...”
Sheila shook her head at him. She understood. “There’s no need to apologize. She’s your sister.”
“Thanks, baby.”
“I can come with you, if you want.”
“Really?”
She smiled. “Yes, baby.” Sheila took his hand, lifted on tiptoes and kissed him. Logan stroked his fingers through her hair. It felt so good, she had the wild urge to purr.
“Okay,” he whispered, tugging her toward the door.
Minutes later, they entered Sparrow’s room. His sister sat in a rocking chair, facing the window. Sheila let go of his hand. He kneeled in front of his sister, touching her face.
“Sparrow?”
Sheila watched him. He was hurting so much because of what those human bastards had done to his sister. A boulder settled on her chest. Tears filled her eyes. Her mate was hurting.
“Sparrow,” Logan tried again.
The young woman didn’t respond. Sheila placed a hand on his shoulder for support. His head lowered, then he stood, ready to leave. She gripped his hand.
“No. Let’s stay with her for a while.”
He nodded and pulled two chairs next to Sparrow’s. Logan settled next to his sister, taking her hand. Sheila took a hairbrush from Sparrow’s nightstand, settling behind the young woman. With care and patience, she separated Sparrow’s thick, gold-colored hair, brushing out the night’s knots.
*
Sitting next to his catatonic sister, Logan watched his mate brush her hair. With every stroke of the brush, he felt Sparrow relax. He looked at his mate, then at his sister. Neither woman seemed to realize that they were crying silently.
“Thank you,” he breathed. Sheila just lifted her tear-filled eyes, smiled and didn’t say anything. She kept brushing and humming under her breath a song he had never heard before.
When she was done, she placed the brush aside and sat on Sparrow’s other side, taking her hand. They stayed there for a while, looking out the window, anchoring Sparrow to the pride.