Page 14 of Cupcake

Lucifer had provided them with heavy snowfall. But this wasn’t normal snow. It wasn’t freezing. And the snow was fluffy. Logan sort of wanted to shift and roll around in it.

He eyed the quiet mate to Lucifer. He smelt like a feline. A scent that Logan had picked up a few times around Dean’s bakery. Logan didn’t know what type of feline he was and was pretty sure he shouldn’t ask. Should he?

The other guy was just watching the boys play.

Logan took a few steps closer.

Maybe he should leave the boy alone? Logan wanted to talk to him though. Dang, he didn’t know what to do. No, he needed to stop this. His lack of confidence was probably what drove Dean away.

Logan missed the baker. Hated walking by the dark windows of the bakery every morning. He’d gone as far as taking side roads instead of Main Street just so he didn’t have to see the sad building that had been abandoned.

His family sometimes mentioned Dean, but Logan didn’t listen to their conversations. It hurt too much. Instead, he needed to get on with his life. Make new friends. Enjoy being with his family. Pray and hope that his mate was out there somewhere looking for him.

Determination thrummed through him. With a nudge from his lion side, Logan approached the young man that he wanted to be friends with. Gage. That was this guy’s name. Logan was glad that he remembered.

“Hey.”

Gage turned and smiled. He had a nice smile. Friendly. Logan liked that. “Logan, right?”

He remembered Logan’s name! That must mean that their friendship was meant to be. “Yeah.” He shifted from foot to foot. No, he was a brave boy. He could just ask. “Can I… Are you a feline? I can smell it, but the species isn’t one I recognize.”

Gage snorted. “Oh, just your average housecat.”

Logan perked up. “Really?” He gave a little shimmy. Dean’s assistant had been a housecat. That was awesome. He wished he’d known before. Maybe they could have been friends. Except he was gone now too. “I’ve smelt your species before but couldn’t ask. That is awesome! Do you want to shift? Bryce says the snow isn’t cold. We can take a nap under my tree!”

Sometimes his mouth ran away, and he didn’t think things through. That was probably a weird statement. Would Gage think he was weird?

“Logan loves to take naps. He’s not hitting on you,” Gavin said, joining them while swinging his arm over Logan’s shoulder.

Oh God no! He would never hit on a mate. Especially not one of the mates of Lucifer! He whimpered. Logan didn’t want to end up in hell! They surely didn’t have trees like his there. “I wasn’t! I swear! Gav—”

“It’s okay,” Gavin said. He stroked the back of Logan’s neck, calming him.

Gage didn’t seem upset.

Okay, deep breath. Everything would be okay. Axel wouldn’t let Lucifer just send him to hell for misspeaking. Logan hoped. Gavin was there to help.

“Logan loves to shift if you do want to. He’ll probably end up falling asleep though. He really does love his naps.”

That was so true! Naps were the best! Maybe Gage already knew that though. “The sun is shining even with the snow that Mister Lucifer provided,” Logan said. “I never napped in snow before. Too cold.” He wanted too though. The snow appeared as soft as his favorite jammies!

“Maybe you can shift and run around a little first? I’ll ask Trevor to go with you.” Gavin strolled off as he called for Trevor.

“Yes,” Logan hissed. “The felines.” He turned to Gage. “What do you say? We’re practically brothers after all.” Feline brothers. That’s what they were. Logan was collecting so many brothers that he would never have a chance to miss the blood relations that had kicked him out.

Gage seemed interested.

“I’d ask Nate—he’s a bobcat shifter,” Logan said. “But he’s playing with Bryce. Or trying to bury Bryce. I’m not sure.” He tilted his head as he peered across the yard. What were the boys doing? That didn’t look safe. Or that fun. Shifting and napping was way more fun.

Gage tapped Logan’s shoulder.

“Oh! Hey!” Logan said sheepishly. He’d forgotten what he was doing. “Sorry.”

“No problem. I would like to shift if you still want to,” Gage told him.

“Really?” Yes! This was going to be great! “Trevor—”

“Right behind you, boy.” Trevor bumped into Logan’s back. “I’ll shift and keep an eye on the two of you.”

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