Page 82 of Cupcake

Around him, Logan’s real family, his chosen family, helped people that they’d never even met before. Mal and Axel were serving food from the numerous platters Lucifer had waved into existence. Gage and Adam were running around refilling glasses and making sure everyone got what they wanted. Lucifer waspacing in the corner on his cell, finding a place for the pride to go. Noah moved from table to table, leaving behind calmness and smiles. And Logan’s mate, his wonderful mate, magically healing anyone with small injuries or sickness. All while the pride accepted their gifts but very few said thank you.

For the first time in his life, Logan was glad that he’d been kicked out of his pride. If he’d stayed, he would have ended up like all these lost souls. There was no happiness in their eyes. Their gazes lacked any love. These were broken shifters.

“Thanks for doing this,” Josiah said quietly. “I didn’t know…I wasn’t sure how much longer we would last.”

Logan’s heart squeezed.

Dean was by his side in an instant. “Is everything okay here?” he asked. His firm fingers massaging the nape of Logan’s neck.

Josiah watched them for a moment before he nodded. “Why don’t you join us? I’m sure you have questions.”

“I do.” Dean glanced at the girls.

Noah popped up by the table. “Hey, girls!”

Three small faces turned to the familiar.

“I heard there’s ice cream! What do you say we get some? There’re all types of flavors. And sprinkles!”

The oldest girl, Sarah, sitting between the two other siblings, wrapped her arms around her younger sister’s shoulders before glancing toward Josiah.

Protective. Wary.

Josiah nodded. “Stay with Noah though. Or come right back here.”

“Okay, Dad,” Sarah said before helping the other girls out of their seats.

“I’ll keep an eye on them,” Noah promised.

“They’ll be safe with Noah,” Dean assured him.

Noah pranced off with the girls and Josiah sighed. “Sorry, it’s not always safe for them to be on their own. Not around here.”

“What do you mean?” Dean asked. “Should we be worried about an attack?”

When his brother didn’t immediately tell them that there was no danger, Logan grabbed his wrist. “Josiah?”

Josiah looked around the room. “The girls are safe with Noah?”

“Yes, but I can have Mal and Adam stay with them as well,” Dean offered.

“If you wouldn’t mind. We could take a short walk.”

“I’ll be right back.” Dean rose and hurried across the room.

“Jo?” Logan was scared. Not for himself but for his brother and nieces.

“Not here,” Josiah said quietly. “Please.”

“They’ve got the girls,” Dean said when he returned.

“This way.” Josiah rose and led them out the side door. He didn’t say anything as they walked back to the street with thehouses. Josiah moved until they were standing in front of the yellow house that he’d grown up in.

“It looks so different,” Logan couldn’t help but to say.

Josiah turned. His gold eyes sparkling in the fading light. “I’m glad Mother and Father sent you away.”

It shouldn’t have hurt so much to hear those words. Logan knew that his family hadn’t loved him but—

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