Page 15 of Marked For A Bite
He shrugged, his voice tight. "It's part of the job."
"Doesn't it get lonely?" Her question caught him off guard, her tone softer now, almost tender.
Logan's chest tightened. Lonely didn't begin to cover it. He'd spent years building walls—literally and figuratively—to keep people at a distance. But standing there, with Zoe's eyes locked on his, those walls felt flimsy, like they might crumble at any moment.
"I manage," he said finally, his voice rougher than he intended.
She stepped closer, her scent wrapping around him like a warm blanket. "You don't have to manage anymore. At least, not by yourself."
His wolf surged forward, desperate to close the distance between them, and to claim her as his mate. But Logan forced himself to stay still, his large hands clenched at his sides. "You don't know what you're saying."
"Don't I?" Her lips curved into a small smile. "You keep telling me how dangerous you are and how dangerous your life is. But here's the thing, Logan—I'm not scared of you."
His pulse quickened, something primal stirring deep within him. "You should be."
"Maybe. But I'm not." She took another step closer, her gaze unwavering. "You're not the monster you think you are. And I'm not as fragile as you seem to think I am."
Logan's breath caught, his control slipping as her words hit him like a punch to the gut. She was close enough now that he could see the faint freckles dusting her nose and the way her lips parted slightly as she exhaled. His wolf growled in approval, urging him to close the remaining distance, and to claim her as his.
But he didn't. Not yet.
"You're walking a dangerous line, Zoe," he warned, his voice low and rough.
She smirked, her eyes sparkling with defiance. "I've always liked a little excitement."
Logan groaned, his resolve fraying at the edges. "You might be the death of me."
"Well, at least you're not alone anymore."
The words hit him like a tidal wave, knocking the air from his lungs. For the first time in years, the weight of his isolation felt almost unbearable, and the promise of her presence—bold, stubborn, and fiercely loyal—was almost too much to resist.
"Come on," he said finally, his voice gruff. "Let's get you settled."
Zoe grabbed her backpack from the floor near the front door, her hazel eyes flickering with curiosity as she followed him down the narrow hallway toward the bedroom at the back of the cabin. The space was small, dominated by a large bed with dark, heavy bedding and a worn wooden dresser. A single reinforced window let in the faint glow of moonlight, casting shadows across the room.
"You can take the bed," Logan said, gesturing to it with a nod. "I'll sleep on the couch."
She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "So chivalrous. But I'm not kicking you out of your own bed, Logan."
"It's not up for debate." His tone was firm, brooking no argument. "You need rest, and I'm used to sleeping wherever I can."
Her eyes locked onto his, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "You're really not going to let me argue, are you?"
"No." The corner of his mouth twitched, barely suppressing a smirk. "But I do appreciate the effort."
Zoe laughed softly, the sound warm and infectious, and Logan felt something tighten in his chest. He forced himself to focus, his hands clasped behind his back to keep from reaching for her. Her scent—honey and wildflowers—was everywhere, wrapping around him like a vice. His wolf growled again under his skin, urging him to claim her right now while they were in his bedroom.
"Logan," she said, her voice softer now, "you promised you'd explain everything. About mates. About what this"—she gestured between them—"means."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark auburn hair. "I did."
Her gaze was steady, those hazel eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, and he knew he couldn't avoid it any longer. He stepped closer, his voice low and deliberate. "A mate… it's not something we choose. It's something fate decides. A bond that's deeper than anything else. It's not just physical. It's primal. It's everything."
Zoe's breath hitched, her lips parting as she stared up at him. "And you think I'm yours?"
"I know you are." The words came out rough, his control slipping. "From the moment I touched you at your house, I felt it. My wolf recognized you."
She swallowed hard, her hands clutching the strap of her backpack. "What does that mean for us?"
