Logan’s POV
I couldn’t wait to take my baby girl out on our first official date. So much had happened in the short time since we met, and not all of it had been good. I was looking forward to a night where we could just be together-away from the pack house, away from responsibilities. We needed this time, not just as fated mates bound by the Moon Goddess, but as two people learning each other beyond the pull of instinct.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t grateful. I knew without a doubt that I owed everything to the mate bond for bringing Dahlia Sterling into my life. Without it, I wasn’t sure I’d ever have had a chance with a woman like her. But even with the bond, there were no guarantees. Love didn’t thrive on fate alone. If my brother and I wanted this to work, we had to fight for it. And there was nothing in this world I wanted more.
I was prepared to do whatever it took to prove myself worthy of her. I wanted to know every little thing about her-what made her laugh, what kept her up at night, her hopes, her dreams. But I also wanted her to know me, the real me. Not the cold, unfeeling bastard I showed the rest of the world. I just hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed when she saw past the mask.
Shaking off those thoughts, I focused on the night ahead. Tonight was about having fun. Being Alphas-and Luna, in her case-came with an overwhelming weight of responsibility. Liam and I wanted her to know that no matter how heavy the burden, she would always be our priority. That included making sure she had moments like this, where she could let loose and just enjoy herself.
For what felt like the hundredth time, I glanced at my watch. Exactly seven o’clock. I looked up toward the staircase just as she stepped into view, and the sight stole the breath from my lungs.
She looked like a damn goddess.
Dressed in a shimmering, figure-hugging blue dress that matched her eyes, she was the definition of perfection. The fabric clung to every curve, catching the light as she moved. The cut was simple-straight across the top with delicate straps over her bare shoulders-but the effect was devastating. The hem skimmed mid-thigh, teasing just enough to make my mouth dry. A small cut-out beneath her breasts revealed a hint of toned abdomen. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, her makeup barely there yet somehow making her eyes look impossibly large and blue. She hesitated slightly when she saw me staring.
“Is this okay?” she asked uncertainly. “I wasn’t sure where we were going, but this seemed appropriate for a dance club.”
Was she serious? Did she really think she wasn’t enough? This woman could wear a damn burlap sack and still be the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Beside me, I heard Liam’s breathing hitch, confirming I wasn’t alone in my thoughts.
“You look perfect, baby girl,” I reassured her.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life, Angel,” Liam added.
Her answering smile was radiant, lighting up the entire room. I hadn’t seen her smile like that often since we met, but every time she did, it sent my heart into freefall.
Liam opened the door, and I stepped aside, motioning for her to go first. I was trying to be a gentleman-trying being the key word. But then she stepped past me, and I got a full view of the back of her dress. Or rather, the lack of it.
Fuck. Me.
The fabric dipped low, baring her creamy skin all the way down to just above her tailbone. A fresh wave of heat shot through my body, and I had to clench my fists to keep from reaching for her right then and there.
Earlier, Liam and I had argued over who would drive tonight. We compromised-I’d drive us to dinner and the club, and he’d drive home. I regretted that decision the moment he pulled her into the backseat with him.
Sharing her had been surprisingly easy so far, but watching her slide into place beside him, like she belonged there, stirred something dark and insecure inside me. Logically, I knew Liam had accepted the idea of sharing our mate long before I did. He would never try to push me out. But logic didn’t stop the gnawing jealousy creeping up my spine. He had far less to make up for with her than I did.
And that made all the difference.
“Mate will love us the same!” Fang, my wolf, growled impatiently, pulling me from my thoughts.
Still, I couldn’t help but glance back at them every few seconds, torturing myself for no reason. But aside from a few stolen glances, there was nothing to suggest my worst fears were true.
By the time we arrived at the restaurant, I had pushed most of my doubts aside. The hostess led us to our usual table-the one reserved for the Alphas’ family. Lia looked amused when we all squeezed into one side of the booth, effectively sandwiching her between us.
Then Freya appeared.
Freya was a she-wolf from our pack. And if her past behavior was any indication, she was very interested in me and Liam.
“My Alphas!” she greeted, her voice dripping with flirtation. “I wondered when you’d be back to see me. Just couldn’t stay away, huh?” She licked her lips in an exaggerated way, making her intentions painfully clear.
I risked a glance at Lia, expecting irritation or discomfort, but to my surprise, she looked like she was trying not to laugh.
Liam, on the other hand, was done playing games.
“Hi, Freya. We’d like you to meet Dahlia, our date,” he said, putting deliberate emphasis on the last word. He then turned to Lia. “What would you like to drink, Angel?”
Freya’s expression darkened at Liam’s blatant dismissal. But she recovered quickly, a fake-sweet smile curving her lips.
“Oh, Dahlia, huh? That’s new. Last time you were here, you said the girl with you was your girlfriend. What was her name again?” Her tone was pure venom wrapped in sugar.
I nearly choked on my water. Oh, this was gonna be good.
“I’ll have a glass of wine,” Lia said smoothly, answering Liam without even sparing Freya a glance.
Freya huffed. “And what do my Alphas want to drink?”
Lia smirked, throwing Freya’s own words back at her. “Wine sounds perfect. We should share a bottle,” I murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Lia’s neck.
“Great idea, baby,” Liam agreed.
I placed the order, and when Freya stomped off in a huff, Lia finally let out the laughter she’d been holding back.
“What?” she asked when she noticed us staring. “Come on, that was hilarious! You both looked like you wanted to crawl under the table.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “Besides, she was being rude.”
Liam frowned. “Are you sure she didn’t bother you? We can go somewhere else.”
“Of course not! I’m not letting her ruin our night,” Lia said firmly. Then, in a softer tone, she added, “And honestly, it’s not surprising that you’d have brought someone here before. This is your favorite restaurant.”
Once again, her easy understanding threw me off balance. I wanted to believe it came from trust. But a small part of me feared it was indifference.
Dinner passed in a blur of laughter and conversation. The way she moaned in appreciation over every bite of food had me on edge, my hand tracing lazy circles on her thigh beneath the table. She didn’t pull away.
By the time we left for the club, one thought consumed me.
I couldn’t wait to get my baby girl in my arms on the dance floor.