Page 19 of Cupcake

The voice messages and texts when he’d finally returned had been full of demands and questions. Yeah, there were plenty of people not happy with him. Including Axel and several other members of Logan's family. Most worrisome was the one voice message he’d received nearly two weeks ago from Lucifer.

Dean had some explaining to do.

Just not yet.

Dean had tracked most of his former coven across the entire United States. From one state to another to another. A large group number of coven members that had been the closest to the leaders hadn’t been anywhere to be found though. They werestill out there. Could come for him. He also had seen no sign of his family. If they were even still alive. Most likely the coven leaders were holding them close.

He felt like a failure even though he’d done everything he could.

Until the Intel had dried up.

Dean had run out of options just as the date he’d promised Noah they would return home arrived.

He’d finally admitted that he needed help. That as much as Dean wanted to keep Logan and his family away from danger, he didn’t know what else he could do to find the coven leaders. Or his family.

He did know that he didn’t have much time to figure it out.

He’d been sickened by the devastation they coven left behind as they moved from community to community using up resources. Shifters seemed to have been the most targeted group to steal magic from. And Dean had a powerful dragon alpha that he could call for help if he’d just man up. At least that was how Noah had put it.

The three months that he’d spent hunting his coven, Dean had realized that he wanted Logan more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. Logan was his promise. Fate had given him a gift. He was doing a disservice to both of them by not accepting the incredible mate that he’d been given.

He would have some explaining to do though. And that scared him more than going up against his coven. The entire coven at one time.

Logan had the ability to break him.

Dean even deserved Logan’s anger. If Logan rejected him then Dean had no one to blame but himself. He’d made so many mistakes. He should have told Logan right away. Allowed his mate to make the decision of whether he wanted to be with Dean. If it was safe enough for him.

Until he could take that giant step of admitting everything to his mate, Dean stalked Logan. He watched as Logan and the others made plans about dinner. Going into town to watch a movie. Someone’s birthday was coming up.

They were living their lives as Dean struggled not to lose himself in darkness.

Only the sound of Logan’s bright laugh brought Dean any comfort at all.

It was late afternoon, edging into early evening, and the residents of the big house were having a family get-together. A barbeque, playtime, and relaxing with each other.

Dean tried not to let his jealousy surface. Dean had never had the kind of bonds that this pack exhibited. It didn’t matter if Axel considered them a pack or not. That was how Dean viewed the makeshift family of paranormals. A gay pack. And they were everything that Dean had ever wanted with his own coven. And hadn’t gotten.

It warmed his heart that Logan had them though. That his mate wasn’t alone in the world. Even as much as he watched and protected his mate, Logan was still a mystery.

He sat up at night wondering how his unclaimed mate had come to live with these other paranormals. Most male lions were essential for prides and growing the numbers. Maybe that was it. If Logan identified with any other sexuality than straight, wouldhe have been kicked out? That didn’t sit right with Dean. He grew sick at the thought of Logan being dismissed because he hadn’t or couldn’t provide cubs to the pride.

Maybe one day he would be able to ask.

They could sit under what Dean suspected was Logan’s favorite tree and talk. Share about their pasts. Lean on each other. It was what Dean longed for.

Sprawled out on his lap, Noah, in his familiar form, stretched out his legs before kicking Dean with his back paw.

Dean didn’t know why Noah had insisted on accompanying Dean this afternoon. Especially when all Noah had done was sleep. Much like Logan.

Dean’s magic gave a pulse.

His boy was waking. Noah rolled onto his stomach before he stretched. He arched his back then took a few steps forward.

“Where are you going?” Dean asked.

Noah ignored him.

“Noah!” Nothing. Damn it! Dean jumped to his feet. “Get back here!”

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