Chapter 17

AMY “Her name is Charlotte,” he quoted softly and my chest heaved up and then down in a slow but heavy manner. “We used to be lovers long before I met you.” My palms gripped the blanket on impulse. “What happened to you two then?” He sighed while his eyes wandered to the marble flooring. “I don’t know.“ “There you go again.” “You wanted to know who she is and I believe I’ve answered that question.” “This is not fair, Logan.” “It’s hard talking about it.” The throbbing pain that had been gradually subsiding started to sprout again. “It’s harder for me knowing there’s another woman in your life. A woman you clearly desire more than me.” “Amy,” he sighed, unable to find the right words to say but we both knew there was nothing he could say that would justify his actions. “Is she still in the picture?” His lips twitched. “No.” “I don’t believe you.” “I swear—“ “Stop it! Stop.“ I rubbed my forehead trying to curtail the migraine about to torture me. “How are you feeling?” he said worriedly trying to touch me, but I slapped his hand off. “Amy, I don't understand why you’re acting this way. You never cared about me being your mate or entertain the idea of love—“ “Maybe a part of me wants that!” I cut him off on impulse and I immediately regretted saying that. “Maybe a part of me wants you. Maybe a part of me wants to be the only woman in your life,” I whispered, neither of us refusing to leave each other’s gaze. His eyes gleamed of so much passion but I couldn’t trust them, Logan was extremely good at manipulation and this was probably one of his antics. “Our mate bond is influencing your thoughts. Get some rest,” he responded and wanted to leave but I held his right wrist. His pulse was beating so fast as if his heart wanted to explode. He pulled my hand off and the pain only worsened. It hurt me to the core that his heart already belonged to another. He was about to leave again but he hesitated once again. “You know,” he said with a sad smile, “when I saw you shift into your wolf today, I felt pain. The pain of not being able to shift into my wolf. But then I felt joy too.” He gently massaged my thigh through the blanket but I didn’t stop him this time. “You have the most beautiful wolf I’ve ever come across.” “Maybe this is the mate bond at work again but I would trade my world just to protect you. I just don’t know how to bring myself to love again,” he mumbled. “But I do know that a part of me wants to love you. I want to cherish you every single day that I get to breathe,” he whispered as his head leaned closer to mine, “I want to shield you from the evils of our world, I want you wrapped in my embrace, to walk down the road and enjoy the night skies. I want to wake up and see you, sleeping in my arms peacefully…” His lips gently claimed mine and I felt a new wave of euphoria just tasting his soft lips alone. He was gentle and in a way his lips assured me that he meant every word. He held my cheeks dearly as he pulled away while our forehead bonded against each other. His warm breaths easily made my cheeks flustered and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling sheepishly. This was my first kiss and I couldn’t have wished for a better man. Not that he wasn’t still a jerk but he was my mate after all and these little charms of his were easily breaking my defenses. I hated it just as much as I loved it too. He smiled too and then he slowly pulled away from me even though I didn’t badly want him to stay. “I should leave you to rest,” he whispered. “Are you going back to the party?” “My mate is not in her best condition and I’m away partying, what kind of mate would you tag me as?” He smirked and I chuckled. “You can go though, The celebration was organized for us after all.” “I admire your permission, but I think I would rather stay here and watch over you.” I tried hard hoping my cheeks wouldn’t turn red but with that endearing look of his, I was probably a goner. “I’ll be downstairs,” he added and I nodded before he took the tray and left. As the door clicked shut, I touched my mouth, daydreaming about his soft lips. I felt heat rising within me and all I craved for was more. As the night sunk deeper, Logan returned to the room to sleep. While he was busy arranging a blanket on the couch I wondered how uncomfortable he must have felt sleeping on it. “You can join me but maintain your distance,” my voice almost trailed a whispery path and he halted, looking at me in shock. “No it’s fine,” he stuttered. “Fine then.” I dragged the blanket up to my shoulder before leaning on the pillow. I pretended to close my eyes but I sneakily watched him. He stared at the couch and back at the bed. “You know what, since you insist,” he pulled the blanket off the couch. “I never insisted,” I mumbled while he smirked but deep down it soothed me. I remembered Sarah’s words and now I found reasoning in them. Right now, Logan’s heart was still somewhere else, if I want him, I need to tame him.