Page 53 of Puck'N Enemy
“Did you really think we’ll let the enemy hang aroundourarena?” Mitchikov fumes, intent on not giving me a chance to explain myself.
“I’m not here to trouble Logan—” I’ve barely gotten the words out to explain myself when Mitchikov lunges at me, swinging his fist.
My reflexes kick in, blocking the punch with my forearm. I step back, keeping my stance defensive but controlled.
I don’t want trouble, not here. I can take him down if I have to, but I know it’d cause a mess.
Committee heads from both schools would get involved if this fight got out of hand. I don’t want any of that mess while I already have my own shitty problems to handle.
“Look,” I say in an even tone. “I’m not here to spy on you or sabotage your teammates. Just back off and we can talk calmly.”
Mitchikov just glares at me, looking like he’s ready to beat the shit out of me. He steps closer, ready to swing harder, and I realize I have no choice but to fight.
“Enough!” A familiar voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
Everyone freezes.
Turning around, I see Logan. He’s wearing a casual black T-shirt that clings to his massive, muscled chest. His dark hair is still damp from the shower he took minutes ago. His stance is relaxed but his gaze is sharp and deadly calm.
Striding forward, he walks past Mitchikov until he’s standing right between us.
“Don’t touch him,” Logan says in a deep, commanding voice.
Mitchikov falters. “But—”
“Cap, he’s a Bear,” a guy mutters from behind Logan. He looks as confused as the rest of his teammates.
Logan turns his head just enough to pin the guy with a glare. “I don’t care.”
Standing to his full height, Logan turns around to face every single one of his teammates. “Listen carefully,” he says in a low, deep voice. “Dylan’s with me. He’s my boyfriend. He’s not a threat, and he’s definitely not your punching bag.”
He glares particularly at Mitchikov, who stares at him with his mouth hanging open.
“If anyone touches him again…” Logan’s jaw tightens. “They’ll answer to me.”
The Knights shift uneasily, glancing at each other.
“You’re dating a Bear? Since when—?” Bastian, the Knights’ center, asks, looking genuinely baffled.
“Since yesterday,” Logan says in a loud, clear voice. “But I’ve loved him a lot longer.”
Silence falls over the group. Everyone’s staring at me now, trying to get a good look at me.
Ignoring them, Logan turns toward me. His expression softens when his eyes meet mine. “You okay, Dylan?”
I blink, momentarily stunned by his concern. My throat feels tight but warmth spreads through my chest.
Because Logan didn’t just step in. He did it without any hesitation.
I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Logan’s hand brushes against mine. It’s a light, innocent touch but it grounds me completely.
He glances back at his teammates, voice returning to that cool steel. “We’re leaving for our date. Don’t you dare follow us.”
And just like that, Logan guides me away from the group of stunned Knights, their whispers fading behind us.
As we walk down the dimly lit street, I feel something bloom in my chest. It’s a quiet happiness I haven’t felt in years. For the first time, it feels like a real step toward something I thought I’d lost forever.
