Page 40 of Cupcake

As Logan lay awake, he’d tracked his family through the house. He knew that Noah was asleep on his couch. The rest of the family had settled in the family room to be together. Logan had scared them. Stressed them out. He felt horrible.

Logan’s heart ached. For more than the loss of a mate. He’d hurt every single person he cared about. Logan was not a good boy. Not at all!

The pain from his leg radiated through his body but Logan felt like he deserved it for what he’d put everyone through. And for using the opportunity to be close to his mate this once.

Just this once.

Axel’s fingers tightened around his ankle. “What are you talking about? You always wanted a mate.”

Logan lifted his gaze as tears flowed freely down his face. “I did. I do. And he’s perfect but he doesn’t want me. How do I live without him?”

Axel’s hand jerked.

Above his head there was a gasp.

Logan closed his eyes momentarily. Dang it! He hadn’t been paying attention to Dean’s breathing. Hadn’t realized that Dean was waking up. Carefully—his leg still hurt horribly—Logan shuffled away from Dean’s side.

Dean sat up.

Logan couldn’t help but flinch back. He was prepared for Dean’s anger. It was not polite to cuddle someone in their sleep. It was wrong. Logan was not a good person. “I’m sorry,” he managed as he looked away from Dean.

Dean still had dark circles under his eyes. He was pale and sickly. That was probably Logan’s fault. Logan should get off the bed. Move far away. He just didn’t think he had the strength.

“You’re going to fall off the mattress if you scoot any farther from me,” Dean said. “I’ll get up. You stay.”

Logan nodded. That was easier. He was certain that Dean wanted to get away from him as soon as possible. Logan might never get out of bed again.

Dean slid off the mattress before turning to Axel. “Would you mind giving me some time with my mate?”

Axel rose as well. “Drake has food prepared. I’ll have him bring it up and put it in the kitchen. Hopefully this means Noah will wake up soon as well.”

“Yes, he’s waking up.” Dean glanced at Logan. “If you could please make sure he’s fed. This might take a few minutes.”

Logan could feel the strong emotions through the bond with his alpha. Axel was unsure about something. “He’s been through a lot,” Axel said.

Logan knew they were talking about him and pouted. He was sitting right there. Sure, he had messed up but that didn’t mean they needed to be rude.

“I know,” Dean said simply.

Axel walked over to where Logan was struggling to sit up. He gripped Logan under the arms, lifting him until Logan was against the pillows before Axel fluffed them at Logan’s back, making him more comfortable. Axel leaned close where Logan was forced to look him in the eye. “We love you, Logan.”

“I love you too,” he confessed. “All of you.” Logan hated that he’d hurt them.

“Then obey me when I tell you to listen to your mate.”

Logan nodded. It didn’t appear like he had much of a choice. It wasn’t like he could run now. Not with his leg like it was. “I will.”

Axel lifted a brow before he tugged on Logan’s earlobe. “Listen with your ears, boy.”

He didn’t understand. What else would he listen with? “Okay.”

That was it. Logan agreed and Axel headed for the bedroom door. Immediately Logan wanted to call him back. He didn’t want to hear Dean’s rejection again. He really shouldn’thave cuddled up with Dean when Dean already made their relationship clear. Dean’s sleep had been fretful. They had been holding hands. Logan had been weak.

Dean paced away from him. Logan watched his back as he seemed to be gathering himself. Logan wanted to make things easier on him. Dean had saved him after all.

“I’m sorry,” Logan offered.

Dean turned around. Dang, he looked so utterly exhausted. “Why are you sorry, Logan?”

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