Chapter 89

Evelyn

I glared at Logan, defying his defiance, even as I noticed that something in me had shifted.

For so long, I had been denying it, dismissing it even to myself. This was more than longing. More than love. It was instinct, primal, deep, and ancient, like it had been written in my bones long before I was ever born.

My wolf stirred constantly in his presence, aware and alert, urging me toward Logan with a hunger that was more than physical. It felt fated. And it was absolutely terrifying.

But I raised my chin, waiting for him to say something else. Logan had frozen. His broad shoulders went rigid, his eyes searching mine for some hint at a jest. But he would find none in my expression.

“I feel it too,” he said at last, voice hoarse. “I didn’t want to name it… but I’ve known for a while. I denied it, but… It’s hard to ignore.”

My breath hitched. I nodded. “It’s real, then?”

He nodded slowly, his voice low. “I don’t think anything has ever been more real than this.”

We stood there, our silence around us humming with things we’d been too scared to say before. But around us, chaos continued to swirl. People ran past us, preparing for the search, but for those few heartbeats, it was just the two of us, sharing in something unique and private.

His hand came up, brushing against my cheek, reverent. I leaned into his warm touch, closing my eyes to savor it for just a breath. If only I could have stopped time to live in that moment for even longer. But then he spoke, breaking the calm.

“I’m going after Jesse,” he said, voice low and steady. “And when I come back, Evelyn, I’m mating with you. We’re going to make this official. No more pushing you away because I think I don’t deserve you or because of all of our bullshit excuses. We’re going to start over.”

My heart swelled, my wolf howling her agreement. My voice cracked when I said, “You really want to do this?”

His smile was soft but sure. “Of course, Evelyn. I would do it now if this issue weren’t so pressing. But don’t worry, when I return, Jesse’s capture will be your mating gift.”

It should have comforted me. And while it did somewhat, it also made my blood boil. How dare Jesse run around freely and delay this special moment between Logan and I. He had already taken so much from me, but this was a step too far.

“Then I’m coming with you,” I said.

He blinked. “Evelyn—”

“Listen, I’m not staying behind while you go risk your life. And I want to see Jesse brought to heel. I think I deserve it at this point. Plus, we’re stronger together, remember?” I stepped forward, daring him to argue. “You said we’d start over. So let’s do that. As partners.”

He studied me for a long, tense moment. Then, he finally gave a single nod with a sharp sigh. “You’re hard to argue with, did you know that? Especially when you look at me like that. Alright. Let’s bring him in. Together.”

‘

We hunted all day like predators on the scent of prey. But there was no scent, just blind guessing.

The sun climbed high and began to fall again as we scoured every corner of the surrounding forest and city, following whispers and shadows. All were leads that went nowhere.

Until one didn’t.

A scout returned breathless just before dusk. She jogged over and then bent double in front of us, trying to catch her breath.

I slid from my horse and put a comforting hand on her back.

“What is it?” I asked. I gave Logan a look of concern. He watched from his horse, patient and coiled to spring.

“We found him,” the scout gasped. “He’s in an old penthouse, Your Highness.”

I froze, my eyes going wide. “In the city?”

The scout nodded.

“Is it Scott’s?” The question was thin and hesitant.

“It is,” the scout confirmed.

Again, Logan’s eyes snagged on mine.

“I gave him that penthouse,” I admitted. “I know exactly where it is.”

My mind raced to keep up. It was clear that the penthouse I had gifted Scott for his alliance had been disclosed to Jesse. If Jesse was in Scott’s penthouse, obviously, they knew each other. They likely had also been collaborating.

My stomach fell to my feet. “We need to go,” I said, rushing back to my saddle.

Logan stirred his horse into movement. “Lead the way.”

We moved quickly. By the time we reached the penthouse, night had fallen. The city was quiet around us, but the tension crackled in the air like an oncoming storm. We took the stairs two at a time, not even daring to feign subtlety. Let them know we were coming. It wouldn’t change the outcome when we got there.

The door was unlocked, but Logan still shoundered it open with a bang. My eyes immediately found Jesse, where he was waiting for us in the living room, smug and unrepentant. Behind him, Emma stepped forward, her smile icy.

“I didn’t expect a royal welcome,” Jesse sneered.

“You’re under arrest,” Logan growled. “Make this easy for everyone and put your hands up.”

Jesse laughed. “And arresting me worked so well the last time, didn’t it? Where’s the fun in going quietly?”

Then he lunged.

The next few moments blurred into instinct.

Logan and Jesse clashed with a ferocity only brothers could summon, rage and rivalry fueling every strike. Within moments, the air carried the metallic scent of blood as claws came out and fangs sank into flesh. Their wolves clashed in a flurry of frenzied movement.

I barely had time to call out Logan’s name before Emma was on me too, a whirlwind of sharp claws and cruel ambition herself.

“This was a long time coming, huh, Princess?” Emma snarled gleefully.

She was fast, but I had something she didn’t: purpose.

“You really think you’re meant to rule us?” she spat as she struck. “You think you can just go around drawing up bills and making decisions just because of who your daddy is? I’ve seen who you are, Evelyn. Even before your little announcement, I knew you were just a foolish little girl, unfit to rule.”

“I don’t want to rule,” I shot back, blocking her blow. “But I will protect what’s mine. Loyalty is a trait you could benefit from learning, Emma.”

With a final surge of power, I pinned her to the wall, my claws inches from her throat.

Logan slammed Jesse to the floor beside us at the same time, his breathing ragged but triumphant. I was able to spare a single glance back at Logan and see that he was hovering over Jesse’s unconscious body, panting. He must have knocked Jesse out with that final thrust.

We had won.

Or at least, I thought we had. The mere moment I had let my guard slip to check on Logan, Emma struck. I felt her claws rake my cheek, the pain so abrupt and unexpected that it was blinding. I recoiled enough that Emma was able to kick once at my leg and slip free.

Logan lunged but missed as Emma fled. As she ran from us, her hysterical, girlish laughter followed her out.

“Fuck,” I grumbled. “She’s gone.”

“We still have Jesse,” Logan allowed.

I cradled my bloody cheek. “It’s not enough.”

And it wouldn’t be, until Emma was captured and executed.