Logan’s command snapped me out of my trance. My father’s figure began to flicker like a weak candle, and a pang of dread hit me as I turned to face Logan. He was already pulling me toward the window, Mal and Liam close behind us.
The moonlight spilling through the glass revealed what Logan had seen first-wolves. Dozens of them, their eyes glowing an unnatural gold, circling the house like predators closing in on their prey. Their fur shimmered under the pale light, and the way they moved-deliberate, almost synchronized-made it clear they weren’t ordinary wolves.
“Oh my God,” Mal whispered, her voice barely audible. She clung to Liam, her eyes wide with terror. “What do they want?”
Logan’s jaw clenched, his eyes darting from the window to the blocked exits. “It’s not what they want,” he said darkly. “It’s who.”
I swallowed hard, the truth dawning on me. “They’re here for us,” I whispered. “Aren’t they?”
Logan nodded, his expression grim. “They’re here for you, Audrey.”
“Oh, Great!! Someone can’t even have a break from being chased.”
Logan’s lips twitched in the faintest smirk at my sarcasm, but his eyes remained sharp, scanning the room for options. “No breaks for the special ones,” he muttered.
“How do we even fight something like this?” Mal’s voice trembeled as she stepped closer to Liam.
Logan glanced at Mal, his expression hard. “We don’t fight them,” he said firmly.
“But you are an Alpha is that not you duty?” Mal asked curiously.
Logan let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Oh sure, Mal. Let me just step outside, tell them to sit, and we’ll all share a nice cup of tea while I assert my alpha dominance. Maybe even sing ‘Kumbaya.’ Would that make you feel better?”
Mal blinked, clearly unamused. “I was just saying-”
“And I’m just saying,” Logan interrupted, his tone dripping with sarcasm, “that being an alpha doesn’t exactly come with an ‘instant-win’ button. These wolves aren’t here for negotiation. They’re here for her.” He jabbed a thumb toward me, his eyes flashing with both frustration and urgency.
“Well, sorry for being so popular,” I shot back, crossing my arms even as fear bubbled under my forced bravado.
“Trust me, Audrey,” Logan replied, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, “your fans are the absolute worst.”
Liam glanced nervously at the window, where one of the wolves had started scratching at the glass, leaving deep gouges in the surface. “Uh, guys? Maybe save the banter for when we’re not about to be mauled by a wolf army?”
Logan sighed dramatically. “Fine. Let’s skip the chit-chat and get to the part where I risk my life saving everyone. Again.”
“Again?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “You act like you don’t enjoy it.”
Logan turned to me, his smirk softening into something more genuine, though his voice was still laced with sarcasm. “Oh, I live for it. Nothing makes my day like playing hero for a girl who won’t listen when I tell her to run.”
Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed through the room as one of the wolves broke through the glass, sending shards flying. Logan immediately stepped in front of me, his body tense, the playful glint in his eyes gone.
The room exploded into chaos as the wolf snarled, its golden eyes glowing like molten fire. Logan shoved me back toward Mal and Liam, who scrambled to grab anything they could use as a weapon.
“Stay behind me,” Logan growled, his voice dropping into an authoritative tone that sent a shiver down my spine. He stepped forward, placing himself between us and the intruder, his body taut with barely-contained energy.
The wolf crouched low, ready to pounce, but Logan didn’t flinch. Instead, he bared his teeth, and for a split second, I thought I saw his eyes flash a brilliant silver.
“Bad move, pal,” Logan muttered under his breath, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.
“Logan!” Mal shrieked as the wolf lunged, its massive form crashing into him. The two tumbled to the ground in a violent blur of claws and snarls. Logan’s strength was unreal, his movements precise and calculated as he wrestled the wolf back, forcing it to the floor with a bone-jarring thud.
“Don’t just stand there!” Logan barked, his voice strained as he held the wolf’s snapping jaws mere inches from his face. “Get to the other room-now!”
“But-” I hesitated, torn between staying to help and obeying his command.
“Go!” he roared.