Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61468 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
The Wolf and I both get to our feet. He nudges me gently once more and rubs his cheek against my belly. I wonder if he knows I’m pregnant—I wonder if he can smell it or sense it somehow.
Then he takes a few steps back from me and starts to change again, only backwards. I watch as the fur flows inward and his limbs and joints and muscles all rearrange themselves. It seems to go faster this time—so fast I can barely catch all the details before the Wolf disappears completely.
In his place Logan is suddenly standing there, completely nude.
11
POPPY
“Sorry,” Logan says gruffly. “I’m afraid my boxers didn’t make it. Any clothing I have on gets ripped to shreds during a Shift.”
I’m trying not to look but my eyes flick down anyway. Oh my God, he’s hard! And really, really big.
I jerk my eyes away quickly. I should not be looking there. What is wrong with me? My cheeks go hot with a blush, but Logan doesn’t seem to notice.
He walks back to the porch and I trail behind him, trying really hard not to look at his firm ass and broad shoulders. Somehow he looks even bigger naked, but I should not be noticing that, I tell myself sternly. He’s my brother-in-law and besides, I’m pregnant! Aren’t pregnant women supposed to lose their sex drive? If that’s true, though, why is mine in overdrive right now?
Logan pulls on his jeans but doesn’t bother with the t-shirt. He carries it inside and I go with him, back into the warmth of the house.
“Come on,” he says to me. “Let’s talk.” And leads the way into the living room where a fire is crackling in the fireplace, just like it was the very first day I came to him. God, was that only two weeks ago? It seems like so much longer.
We sit together on the couch, side-by-side but not looking at each other. I don’t know why I feel so awkward now. Maybe because I saw him naked?
“Um…I really like your Wolf,” I say, trying to break the ice.
“Yeah…” Logan rakes a hand through his hair. “He likes you too. A lot.”
He doesn’t sound very happy about it—I wonder why.
“Er…will I turn into a Wolf like that too?” I ask. “Since I’m, uh, half Were?”
He shakes his head.
“No. Female Weres don’t have Wolves—only males. But your baby has Were genes—if it’s a boy, he’ll definitely have a Wolf.”
I shake my head.
“I don’t understand why Dirk never told me any of this. I mean, he has a Wolf inside too—right?”
Logan nods.
“Yes. Not as big as mine, since he’s a Beta, but he does have one. I don’t know why he never told you, either. It’s important for a future mate to meet a male’s Wolf. He should have showed you before you got married. It’s incredibly disrespectful not to.”
“I’m beginning to think I never really knew him at all,” I say softly and I feel tears rise to sting my eyes. “I only saw what he wanted me to see. He was putting on an act the whole time—leading me on.” I sniff and something warm and wet rolls down my cheek.
“Aww, sweetheart—I’m so fucking sorry. Come here.”
Logan puts one long arm around me and pulls me close. I go willingly and wrap my arms around his waist. I press my cheek to his chest, feeling the warmth of his bare skin against my face.
“I’m so sorry, Poppy. He’s a bastard,” he rumbles. “And I’m sorry I haven’t tracked him down yet. I even hired a PI, but no luck—he’s nowhere to be found.”
“He’s probably partying somewhere,” I say, my voice slightly hoarse. I sniff and try to stop crying. Even now Dirk’s betrayal hurts so much. “I thought…I thought he loved me,” I whisper.
“That fucker—I’d like to kill him for hurting you!” Logan’s arm tightens protectively around me. “I don’t understand how he could act like this—how he could treat you this way. I don’t get how he could abandon such a sweet, beautiful wife.”
I can feel my cheeks get hot. Does Logan really think I’m beautiful? Dirk used to give me compliments constantly—it was part of the love-bombing he did to reel me in, but now I know they were all fake.
But I can tell that Logan is sincere. He’s looking down at me with that unreadable look in his eyes again. I wish I knew what he was thinking.
“Er…I don’t know what to say.”
I swipe at my eyes. Somehow I can’t stop looking at him. He’s so big, sitting there, holding me. The room is dim, lit only by the firelight. The glow makes his skin golden. He’s freaking gorgeous and he smells so good—he smells like his Wolf. I love that smell. It’s the smell of home—of safety and security. Everything Dirk promised me and then yanked away at the last minute.