Page 22 of Shifters Reckoning

“Make myself coffee,” I said.

He stood and came around his desk.

I shook my head at him and then my ass at him as I crossed the threshold. “Alone, this time. Then I’m going to find my mom.”

He howled loudly as I exited the study.

After a hot cup of coffee, I wandered through the spacious manor to find Logan still seated in the same chair in his office, multiple stacks of paperwork spread all over his desk. He looked up as I entered and eyed my T-shirt and shorts, but he didn’t say anything.

“Did Olivia say if Mom’s around?” I asked, moving around his desk to stand beside him.

And Marcus. But I kept that to myself. Too much shit hung over our heads, and it was nonstop exhausting. Another moment with my mate… That was all I needed before I could get on with life. Hopefully, he wasn’t still prickly about being the third wheel earlier.

“She said she’s off somewhere with Dr. Wise, learning more shifter lore.”

“Then I’ll catch her when she’s back around.” I nodded to the piles in front of him. “So, what are you up to?”

“Catching up on business paperwork.”

“That’s something I need to do for Willow Creek Vet Clinic. As it stands, I don’t think I’m going to open my practice again, not in any meaningful way.”

His mouth pinched. “Blackwood Construction hasn’t won any bids on any jobs lately, and we’re about to have a lull in work. I’m thinking about having all the crews come here to build temporary housing for all the shifters you want to train. When we operated as the infirmary after our last skirmish with Acheron, we were stacked two and three to a bed, and I’d like to avoid that if we can. Juggling all the people got downright fucking annoying.”

“You’re a good alpha, Logan,” I murmured. “So many needs to balance.”

He scooted back from his desk and patted his thigh. “Need a seat?”

“Yes, please.” The chair creaked as I settled in his lap. “Wasn’t sure if you were still mad at me from earlier. Telling you and your alpha ego off.”

He chuckled. “What sort of tantrum were you expecting? I’m sure I can oblige you.”

“I’d like to forgo the bruised-ego tantrum. At least for today.”

“Done.” He wrapped his arms around me, pulled me as close as he could, and pressed kisses to the tops of my shoulders. Resting against him eased the heaviness that had settled in my chest.

“It’s been hard on you since the big-cat attack in Magnolia State Park.” His breath warmed the back of my neck and stirred my hair.

“It’s been… life-altering.”

“For both your mother and for you,” he agreed.

“For all of us. That’s why I need to check on my mom today and on Shannon and Riley tomorrow. Maybe I’ll take them to Vixen’s for lunch and check on Sheila too.”

“That’s reasonable. Maybe not the safest option but reasonable.”

My shoulders drooped. “I’m glad I don’t have to fight with you about it.”

“Multimorph beats alpha every day of the week.”

I straightened. “Logan, I have a question.”

“What’s that?”

“Where are all the shifter children?”

He stiffened. “They’re in Willow Creek and other places.”

“All of them?”