221

Logan’s POV
The music pounded through the crowded bar as we pushed our way inside, searching for a table.
Waves had only been open a few weeks, and judging by the sea of people packed into the space, it was already the hottest spot in town. A place I would’ve once prowled for my next conquest before my world had been turned upside down by Dahlia Sterling. Now, the idea of spending the night lost in her company was all I cared about.
We finally found a table tucked into the back-secluded enough for privacy when we weren’t on the dance floor.
“I’ll go grab our drinks,” I announced before leaning in close, my lips brushing against Lia’s ear. “What do you want, baby girl?”
“Whiskey and a shot of tequila!” she answered without missing a beat, completely ignoring the teasing note in my voice.
“Same!” Liam added, shifting slightly in his seat. I didn’t miss the way he pulled Lia’s chair closer to his as I turned to head for the bar. He wasn’t usually into crowded scenes like this, and the tension in his posture told me he was already out of his element.
“Bro, she’s practically in your lap. Why not just go all in?” I linked him, smirking.
“I just might. Did you not see the way every guy in this place was staring at her when we walked in?” he shot back, his voice tight.
A low growl rumbled from my wolf.
“To be honest, I was too busy admiring that dress and the way it hugs her ass,” I admitted, unapologetic.
“Exactly my point! This place is full of guys just like you used to be-only now, instead of you looking for a quick hookup, they’re eyeing OUR mate.” He was barely keeping his irritation in check.
As I made my way back with our drinks, I took a moment to scan the room-and sure enough, Liam was right. Eyes followed Lia wherever she moved, hungry stares filled with intent. Maybe this was karma for my past, but karma could kiss my ass. My baby girl wasn’t leaving my side tonight, and if any guy so much as breathed too close to her, the Goddess herself would have to intervene to keep me from losing control.
For a while, we sat back, sipping whiskey and watching the crowd before Lia suddenly shot to her feet, her shot glass in hand.
“Shots, then dancing-let’s go!” she commanded.
We threw back our tequila, and before I had a chance to process anything else, she had both Liam and me by the arms, dragging us onto the dance floor.
Liam slid in behind her, pulling her back against his chest, resting his chin on her shoulder as they swayed in sync with the rhythm. I took my place in front of her, hands resting on her hips, fingers digging into the soft curves of her body as I moved against her.
She melted between us, her body shifting, pressing against one of us, then the other. As the beat picked up, she reached behind her, looping an arm around Liam’s neck while pulling me in closer with the other, threading her fingers through my hair.
Jealousy flared in the eyes of every man around us as they watched our gorgeous little mate moving against us. She was absolute fire, and I was battling an erection the entire time. If she kept this up, I’d need to dunk my head in ice water.
Time blurred as we danced. Lia never seemed to tire, her energy boundless. Liam and I took turns grabbing drinks, each of us savoring the stolen moments alone with her before she pulled us back into the music. She was radiant-laughing, teasing, owning the room in a way that made it impossible to look anywhere else.
Then, finally, she pulled away. “Bathroom break. I’ll be right back,” she promised before either of us could argue.
Liam wanted to follow, but she insisted we stay, pointing out that we had a clear view of the hallway leading to the restrooms. Reluctantly, we let her go.
Minutes passed, and Liam and I got caught up in conversation until I felt warm hands slide around my waist from behind. A soft body pressed against me, molding into my back.
“Hey, baby, I missed you,” I murmured, grinning as I wrapped my arms over hers, rolling my hips in time with the music.
Liam’s eyes went wide.
And then, in the same instant, it hit me-this she-wolf smelled wrong. There were no sparks where our skin touched.
My head snapped up, searching for Lia.
And there she was, standing across the room near the bar, staring straight at me.
The moment our eyes met, she looked away, turning sharply and disappearing into the crowd.
“Fuck!”
I shoved the imposter away from me, a surge of urgency overtaking me. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of her face-Rowena.
Fucking fantastic.
What the hell was she even doing here?
I needed to get to Lia. Now.
Just as I started moving, the music cut out, the speakers crackling as an announcement rang through the bar-open mic night was about to begin.
The sudden shift in atmosphere worked in my favor. With the music gone, people began trickling off the dance floor, clearing a path. I spotted Lia at the bar, deep in conversation with the bartender.
But my relief was short-lived.
Some asshole stood next to her, his arm slung casually around her back, fingers creeping dangerously close to her ass.
Rage ignited in my chest, but before I could take a step, my baby girl handled it herself.
With a swift, practiced motion, she grabbed his wrist, twisting it backward until he let out a strangled yelp.
“Don’t fucking touch me without my permission,” she snapped.
He recoiled, cradling his hand, stammering out an apology before slinking away.
A mix of admiration and something far more primal flooded through me.
Shoving the thought aside, I closed the distance between us, already forming my apology as I slid in beside her.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I thought it was you, I swear-”
“I know, Logan,” she interrupted before I could finish. “I saw the whole thing. I watched her sneak up on you.”
“You did?” I frowned, confused.
She nodded. “You don’t have to apologize.”
“Then… why did you walk away?” I pressed, still trying to make sense of it.
“I wasn’t upset,” she admitted, her tone unreadable. “I’m indifferent. I told you-I don’t do drama.”
That caught me off guard. “But you still walked away.”
She shrugged. “It was my turn to get the drinks. Besides, I don’t own you. You can dance with whoever you want.”
Something in the casual way she said it sent frustration rolling through me.
Without a word, I grabbed her by the hips, spinning her to face me. I pressed my forehead against hers, inhaling deeply, grounding myself in her presence.
She didn’t own me?
Bullshit.
Because from the moment I laid eyes on her, she had owned every goddamn part of me.
“Oh, but you do own me, baby girl,” I murmured, my voice low and intense. “Body and soul, you’ve had me from the moment I laid eyes on you.” Every word was the truth, and I hoped she could see that.
Lia pulled back slightly, searching my eyes, as if she were trying to decide whether or not to believe me. I willed her to see my sincerity, to feel it as deeply as I meant it. But before she could respond, a male voice called out her name from beside us.
“Lia?” The tone was tentative, questioning.
She turned toward the sound, her eyes widening in surprise. “Silas? Hey! What are you doing here?” Excitement laced her voice. So this was Silas-the so-called friend.
“Lia Bee! Oh my Goddess, I was worried about you!” he exclaimed, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Fang growled in my head, his rage barely contained. My wolf was demanding I tear this guy apart for touching what was ours. And that nickname? Lia Bee? Yeah, no. That wasn’t sitting right with me at all. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay in control. Lia wouldn’t appreciate our possessiveness, not here, not now.
“I’m okay,” she reassured him, though there was a tinge of guilt in her voice. “Sorry I worried you. I should’ve called.”
“You look better than okay, beautiful,” he said, letting his eyes roam over her.
She swatted his arm playfully, and that was it. Fuck no.
I slid an arm around her waist and pulled her into my side, making it crystal clear who she belonged to.
Only then did the bastard acknowledge me. “Oh, hey man. Liam, right?”
Before I could correct him, Lia spoke up. “Actually, this is Logan. Liam’s twin brother. Liam’s here too, though.”
Silas’s eyes flickered between us with mild curiosity. “Didn’t realize Alpha Ashford had a twin. Nice to meet you, Logan.”
I didn’t respond. Just gave him a curt nod.
But then he had the audacity to smirk at Lia and say, “Anyway, Lia Bee, I might be willing to forgive you if you’re up for making it up to me.”
I braced myself, my jaw tightening. If his idea of making it up to him involved anything that required him touching her, he wasn’t walking out of here in one piece.
Lia tilted her head, eyeing him warily. “That depends. What do you want?”
Silas held up his hands, feigning innocence. “Nothing sinister, geez! It’s open mic night. I was going to sing, but it’d be way more fun if you joined me. Just like old times.”
Lia’s face lit up with excitement. “We’d have to use the house band, so it needs to be something they’d know… something current.” She chewed on her bottom lip in thought before her eyes sparkled with realization. “How about Shallow? It’s a duet, and they have to know that one!”
Silas grinned like he just won the lottery. “Perfect! I’ll go sign us up!”
I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes as Lia did a little happy dance before grabbing our drinks and heading back to our table.
We sat there, sipping our whiskey, while the first few acts performed. Lia was practically buzzing with excitement, her energy even higher than when we’d been dancing. Liam, completely oblivious to the situation, was enjoying the music and chatting with her. Meanwhile, I was freaking the fuck out.
Was she really about to get up there and sing?
What if she was terrible? Worse-what if singing with Silas made her realize they had some deep, unshakable connection? It wasn’t exactly subtle that the guy wanted her.
I decided to let Liam remain in blissful ignorance. No need for both of us to panic.
Then, the MC grabbed the mic. “Next up, with our first duet of the night, let’s give a warm welcome to Silas Kessler and Dahlia Sterling!”
Lia squealed. “Wish me luck!” She practically bounced out of her seat and rushed toward the stage.
Liam blinked. “Wh-what is happening right now?”
I sighed. “Apparently, our mate has a hidden talent. Silas ran into us at the bar, asked her to sing, and she agreed. Sounds like they used to do this often.”
Liam leaned in. “But… are they good? What do we say if she sucks?”
I didn’t even hesitate. “We smile, we cheer, and we act like it was the best damn thing we’ve ever heard.”
He nodded. “Right. Got it.”
Then, the music started.
Silas took the lead, his voice smooth and confident. The crowd immediately reacted, cheering him on. I gritted my teeth, begrudgingly admitting to myself that he was good. Really good.
But it wasn’t his voice I was waiting for.
And then Lia started to sing.
Tell me something, boy
Aren’t you tired tryin’ to fill that void?
Or do you need more?
Ain’t it hard keepin’ it so hardcore?
Her voice. Holy fuck, her voice.
It was breathtaking-silky, rich, powerful. Every note sent a shiver down my spine. The crowd erupted into applause, but I barely heard them. I was too busy staring at the woman who had just completely wrecked me with nothing but her voice.
Liam let out a stunned breath. “Holy fuck.”
I had no words. Just pure, unfiltered awe.
We sat there, utterly transfixed, as she sang the rest of the song, her voice wrapping around every lyric like magic. By the time they finished, the entire bar was on their feet, cheering, whistling, clapping.
And all I could think was-
I could listen to that voice every day for the rest of my life.
I wanted to hear her sing lullabies to our pups.
I wanted forever with this woman.
And for the first time in my life, I knew-without a shadow of a doubt-that there was no going back.
Lia wasn’t just my mate.
She was everything.