Logan's Acadian Wolves

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“I can save her,” Léopold uttered softly. He watched as the grieving Alpha rocked his mate. Like an animal that had lost one of his own, the wolf refused to release the body.

Dimitri leaned against the wall, his head in his hands. Unlike the Alpha, who was utterly despondent, he peered over to the imposing vampire.

“Devereoux, you need to get outta here. Wyn, she’s…” Dimitri couldn’t bring himself to say the words.

Although wolves were generally immortal, lethal wounds to the neck effectively killed them. While Wynter’s heartbeat was faint, she’d be dead within minutes and shifting was no longer an option. Nothing could be done. As the minutes ticked by, Dimitri had watched his Alpha care for his mate, tell her he loved her. Last words. Last caresses.

“But I can save her, wolf,” Léopold persisted.

Logan slowly lifted his head and caught sight of the vampire standing in the doorway. “What?” he choked.

“Alpha, you know my blood can heal wolves.” Léopold proceeded cautiously. The Alpha, immersed in his bereavement, could attack.

“She’s too far gone; you and I both know that. I can barely hear her heartbeat. The rattle in her lungs has stopped. Please,” Logan begged, tears streaming from his eyes. His voice broke into a cry. “I need to say goodbye. She’s going to leave me. My mate…he killed her.”

“Please listen,” Léopold pleaded. “Think about how vampires are created. In the final moments of our deaths, when the soul teeters between the planes of both the living and the dead, one can be snatched from death’s grip, born anew. Wynter, she rests in the thin veil that separates us from the other side. You must let me try.”

Logan considered Devereoux’s explanation. He’d never in his long life heard of a vampire giving their gift to a wolf. He knew that when they created their own, the child belonged to the sire. Wynter would never want to belong to any other man but him. After the scene in the club, Léopold was far from her favorite person. How would she feel about accepting his blood into her body, taking him on as her sire? Yet, selfishly, Logan carefully weighed the offer. He loved Wynter so much; needed his mate alive. How far would he go to save her?

“Will she be vampire?” Logan asked.

“I cannot say. I won’t lie to you, this is generally the outcome, but like I said, I’m not certain. Is she truly wolf? Is she still at all human? Complicated questions, no?”

“She belongs to me.”

“As her potential sire, I fully and altogether release her to your care, Alpha. I do not wish to command her mind. I swear it.”

Unable to resist the possibility of her salvation, Logan conceded. “Do it,” he whispered.

What choice did he have? If she returned as vampire, he’d love her as much as when she’d been wolf. It was her soul that he loved, no matter her being.

Léopold breathed a sigh of relief as the Alpha capitulated to his suggestion. In truth, in all his years, he’d never converted a wolf. He was unsure about how his blood would affect her, but they had to try. He stripped off his jacket and rolled his sleeve. Positioning himself next to Logan, he bit into his wrist, and offered it to the Alpha. Logan took Léopold’s wrist and pressed it to Wynter’s mouth.

The blood trickled over Wynter’s face. Listless, she wasn’t swallowing.

“Command her,” Léopold told him urgently.

“I can’t feel her…she’s gone,” Logan insisted.

“It’s the only way. I cannot do it.”

Logan meditated, searching his mind for his mate. The tendrils of his power discharged, seeking Wynter. He laughed as a jolt of recognition hit him. She was there, here or on the other side, he couldn’t tell. Her spirit danced in the wind.

“Wyn, sweetheart,” he spoke lovingly. “I need you to listen to me. Please, please come back to me. Hear me and drink.”

In her mind, Wynter floated somewhere lovely and peaceful. But she was alone. The familiar voice sang to her heart, willing her like a lure. Logan? Where was he? The mist caressed her skin as she glided along her journey. But the voice called to her again. Drink? Drink what? No, this place was warm and comforting. Like a mother’s womb, she contentedly existed. Now, Wynter. Logan. Logan, her mate. Memories of his scent and love flooded her mind. Back to Logan, she needed to find him. Drink.

The taste of power slid down her throat, setting off a firing of synapses. Life. Love. Her mate. So far but so close, just within reach. A wisp of hope flickered and she extended her hand to capture it. A little more and she’d awake to him. A river of sanguine vitality permeated her cells, arousing her soul back to Earth.

Astonished, Logan felt his heart squeeze in relief as he watched his mate flare to life, her pale lips suctioning at the wrist he held. The strained look on Devereoux’s face told him that he suffered silently. But Logan wondered if the vampire struggled to conceal pain or lust. Léopold Devereoux, her dark savior, was lethal yet benevolent. As their eyes met, a respectful understanding passed between the two men. He’d forever owe the vampire; a debt he’d gladly repay.

“Enough,” Léopold grunted.

Logan slid a finger in between her mouth and Léopold’s wrist, breaking the seal. Wynter gasped for air, and then choked, blood spilling from her lips. Her eyes flew open; she was shaking as if she were a newborn babe. She cried, a mixture of fear and happiness spinning through her mind as she glanced from Léopold to Logan. The realization that she’d almost died slammed into her.

“Logan,” she whispered.

“Sweetheart.” Logan cradled her into his arms so that her head rested against his shoulder. “I love you. I love you so much.”

“I love you too. I’m not dead?” she asked with a small smile.

“No, you’re not. You’re very much alive, thanks to Devereoux.”

“Léopold,” the vampire corrected. “I do believe we all should be on a first name basis, no?”

“Léopold,” Logan agreed with a smile. He’d never been so grateful to another person in his life, vampire or not.

Wynter tried to process what Logan had just told her. Léopold had saved her life. She struggled to comprehend it. She had died. His blood. Drink. Logan had told her to drink. She drank Léopold’s blood? Connecting the proverbial dots, Wynter sat up, pushing out of Logan’s arms.

“Am I a…? No, I couldn’t be a…?” She glanced from Logan to Léopold then to Dimitri.

Logan cupped her cheek bringing her gaze to his again. He sniffed. “You still scent wolf, so that’s a good sign. We don’t know how it could affect you, but you’re alive and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Oh God, Logan. I love you so much.” Wynter gently pressed her lips to his. Her forehead fell against his as she spoke to him. “I was so scared. I’m sorry for going on that boat.”

Logan stopped her from going any further. “No, Wyn, don’t blame yourself. We knew they’d come for you. I should never have agreed to take you out there.”

“I can’t believe Fiona betrayed the pack like that. Oh God, where is she?” Wynter asked in a panic.

“Dead,” Léopold confirmed.

“You’re sure?” Logan asked. If she wasn’t dead, she would be.

“These swamps are quite messy, wolf. All that mud. Just look at my shoes.” Léopold rocked back, brushed his slacks and attempted to right his sleeves. “Good thing your wolves showed up to assist me or I may have ruined my suit. Those gators, they do enjoy an impromptu meal.”

Logan shook his head with a small laugh. He’d never mistake the vampire’s humor for weakness. Léopold was deadly, but he appeared to do the right thing every now and then. Logan couldn’t say he fully trusted him, but he’d gained an ally without a doubt.

“Léopold, thank you.” Wynter shifted from Logan’s arms and extended her hand to him. She could have sworn she saw him blush.

Léopold took Wynter’s wrist, gently holding her fingers. He caught Logan’s gaze as if to ask for approval. Logan nodded and with a brush of a kiss, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand.

“Anytime, my fine doctor. That lecture. You made quite the impression on me,” he winked. “The world needs your beautiful mind. I’m honored to have helped. And should you spring fangs, please call on me anytime for assistance. But as I’ve assured your Alpha, you are released from any bond with me, as you and Logan are mates.”

Léopold released her hand and stood. He adjusted his pants and scanned the room for his jacket. The black suit looked nearly impeccable as he smoothed out the small wrinkles.

“Dimitri,” Wynter said solemnly.

“Wyn.” Dimitri scooted next to Wynter and carefully gave her a hug. She’d almost died. The whole pack had come so close to destruction. His eyes rimmed in moisture, the emotion he’d held back burst forth. Logan clamped a hand on his shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

“It’s okay, D. She’s alive.” Maybe a vampire, though?

“Look at me. I’m cryin’ like a baby over here. How sad is that?” Dimitri laughed in embarrassment and pushed up onto his feet. “I gotta get out of here and relax. Do something manly like go sit in the hot tub with a beer and a cigar.”

“As much as I usually love the swamp, I’m with you. It’s time to get the hell out of here.” In one smooth motion, Logan stood, carrying Wynter.

Jake and Zeke approached the cabin and together ripped away what remained of the door. Logan strode through the doorway, carrying Wynter toward the boat. Dimitri, Léopold and the others followed him.

Léopold glanced at the naked wolves surrounding him and shook his head. Wolves and their nudity.

“Seriously, do you wolves ever wear clothes?” he quipped with a raised eyebrow.

“You should try it, vamp. You might like it,” Logan replied. He stepped into the boat and cuddled Wynter. “Free like the wind.”

“A cold day in hell, mon ami.” Léopold shrugged his nose in disgust.

“You gotta loosen up,” Dimitri told him.

“Ah, says the man who weeps,” Léopold teased with a smile.

“Tears of joy, man. And for the record, I’ve got plenty of game,” Dimitri jibed in return.

“Léopold, maybe you need to start small. A skinny dip, perhaps?” Logan suggested blithely.

“I highly recommend it,” Wynter added. Naughty thoughts played in her mind, remembering her time in the pool with Logan.

“A recommendation from the lady? Well, that may be advice I’ll take.” Léopold appeared lost in a sensual thought. “A beach, no? Oui, that I could do.”

“Just add a hot woman into the mix, and he’s all in,” Dimitri laughed.

“I knew we could convert him.” Logan kissed Wynter’s hair and reflected on the night’s events.

Ironic how one day he’d been single and fighting to be Alpha and today he’d fought for his mate’s life, assuring his pack still had a leader. With Wynter back in the safety of his arms, he looked forward to solidifying the bond they’d started. Even if she did turn vampire, he didn’t care. As long as Wynter stood at his side, nothing would come between them.

He stole a glance at the debonair vampire who’d saved his mate. On the surface, Léopold wore his years like his designer clothes; tightly reined without a blemish to be found. But Logan’s intuition told him that the centuries had taken a toll on Devereoux. He had recognized the familiar loneliness which danced in Léopold’s eyes. Had he been a romantic at some point in his life? A courageous fighter, waging war for the greater good? Logan reasoned that he might never truly know Léopold’s motives. One thing was certain; the vampire had revealed a side of him rarely seen by others; one that even Logan hadn’t known to exist. Léopold, even if just for a moment in time, had cared, not just about Wynter but about the good of the Acadian pack.