27. Logan
27
LOGAN
L ogan's blood ran cold as Silas's tattoos blazed with an unnatural bright blue light. The magical runes pulsed across his enemy's skin, distorting the air around them with their power. In that split second before Silas transformed, Logan saw the raw hatred twisting his former friend's features into something barely recognizable.
The change rippled through Silas's body, his human form erupting into the massive bulk of a Kodiak bear. Each muscle flexed with enhanced strength from Beatrice's magic as he charged straight for Serena.
Time seemed to crystallize. Logan's heart thundered in his chest as he watched Silas's massive paws tear up chunks of earth, closing the distance to Serena with frightening speed. The bear's eyes gleamed with murderous intent, fixed solely on the woman Logan had just found again.
Primal rage and protective instincts surged through Logan's body. His own transformation came naturally, fueled by the desperate need to protect what was his. His bones shifted and reformed, brown fur sprouting across his skin as he launched himself between Silas and Serena.
The familiar rush of power flooded his limbs as he took his bear form, planting his paws firmly in front of Serena. He towered over her smaller frame, muscles coiled and ready. A deep growl rumbled through his chest, the sound carrying a clear warning even as Silas bore down on them both.
Logan's enhanced senses picked up Serena's rapid heartbeat behind him, the acrid smell of smoke from the burning sanctuary, and the magical energy crackling around Silas's approaching form. Every instinct screamed at him to attack, to eliminate the threat to his mate.
Silas's claws flashed in the firelight as he closed the final few feet between them. Logan's lips pulled back in a snarl, exposing razor-sharp teeth. The tattoos on Silas's bear form pulsed with that same eerie blue light, promising enhanced strength behind every blow. But Logan didn't care - he'd tear himself apart before he let Silas lay a single claw on Serena.
The ground trembled as the two massive bears collided with bone-crushing force. Logan's protective rage fueled every swipe of his claws, every snap of his powerful jaws. Silas's magically enhanced strength made his attacks devastating, but Logan's fury burned hotter than any spell.
Blood matted their fur as they tore into each other. The metallic scent filled Logan's nostrils, mixing with the smoke from his burning sanctuary. Behind him, he heard Serena's sharp intake of breath as Silas's claws raked across his shoulder. The pain only fueled his determination.
Silas's magical tattoos pulsed with that sickening blue light, lending supernatural power to each blow. But Logan had something stronger driving him - the need to protect what he loved. His sanctuary. His animals. His Serena.
With a roar that shook the trees, Logan reared up to his full height. Silas matched his stance, both bears towering over nine feet tall as they grappled. Logan's muscles strained as he drove Silas backward, away from where Serena stood.
Silas's claws tore chunks from Logan's hide, but he barely felt it. All he could focus on was ending this threat once and for all. No more attacks. No more sick animals. No more endangering the woman he loved.
Logan feinted left, then struck like lightning when Silas took the bait. His massive jaws clamped around Silas's throat, crushing through muscle and bone. The magical tattoos flared brilliantly then faded as Silas's struggles weakened.
With one final, savage shake, Logan felt Silas go limp in his grasp. He released his hold and the other bear's massive form crumpled to the ground, lifeless. The blue glow of Beatrice's magic flickered once more then died completely.
Logan stood over his fallen enemy, chest heaving as blood dripped from his wounds. He felt no remorse - only relief that the threat to his family was finally eliminated. His bear form vibrated with satisfaction, knowing their territory and mate were safe at last.
"Logan?" Serena's voice was steady despite everything she'd witnessed. "The firefighters are here."
He turned his massive head toward her, huffing in acknowledgment.
Logan's shift back to human form sent waves of pain through his battered body. Blood trickled from deep gashes across his chest and shoulder, but satisfaction coursed through him. Silas would never threaten what was his again.
"Logan!" Serena rushed to his side, her eyes wide with concern. "Don't you dare move."
He couldn't help the crooked grin that spread across his face, even as the movement split his lip further. "I won, didn't I?"
"This isn't funny." She draped a blanket over his naked form, her hands trembling slightly. "Come on, we need to get you to the treatment room before you bleed out, you stubborn bear."
Logan let her support some of his weight as they made their way to the treatment room, though his pride bristled at showing weakness. The sound of fire engines and shouting firefighters filled the air behind them.
"At least the sanctuary will be okay," he muttered, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.
"The sanctuary can be rebuilt. You can't." Serena's voice cracked as she helped him onto the examination table. She busied herself gathering supplies, her movements quick and efficient despite her obvious distress.
"I'm fine, honey. Just need a few band-aids."
She shot him a withering look over her glasses. "These gashes are deep enough to need stitches on a normal person. Now hold still while I mix the healing potion."
Logan settled back, content to watch her work. The familiar scent of her magic filled the air as she combined ingredients with practiced movements. His bear preened with satisfaction - their mate was taking care of them.
"This will sting," she warned, applying the glowing blue liquid to his wounds.
Logan hissed through his teeth but didn't flinch. The potion burned as it knit his flesh back together, but he'd endured worse. "Worth it to keep you safe."
Serena's hands paused in their work. "I was scared for you."
"Hey." He caught her chin with his fingers, tilting her face up to meet his eyes. "I'll always protect what's mine."
Her cheeks flushed pink but she didn't look away. "I know. That's what worries me."
Logan watched Serena's delicate fingers work as she applied the last of the healing potion to his wounds. Her touch sent sparks of electricity through his skin, making his bear rumble with contentment despite the burning sensation of the medicine.
"This section's going to need complete rebuilding," he said, rolling his shoulder to test the newly healed muscle. "Insurance company's going to love this."
Serena's gray eyes met his. "We'll figure it out together. I'm not going anywhere."
His bear perked up at that 'we.' Logan's chest tightened as she stepped between his legs where he sat on the examination table, her small frame fitting perfectly against him.
"I mean it," she continued, pushing her glasses up her nose in that adorably nervous way of hers. "I love you, Logan. I never really stopped, even when I thought I had." Her hands came to rest on his chest, right over his thundering heart. "And yes, I want to move in with you."
Logan's bear roared with triumph inside him. She was choosing them, claiming them just as much as they'd claimed her. The urge to grab her, to mark her as his mate right there on the examination table nearly overwhelmed him. But something in her expression made him hold back, sensing she had more to say.
Her fingers traced one of his newly healed scars. "We'll rebuild this place together. Make it even better than before." A small smile played on her lips.
"I love you too," he said, his voice deep with emotion. His hands came up to cup her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "Never stopped, not once in these past ten years. Even when I tried to convince myself otherwise."
Her eyes widened, a pretty blush spreading across her cheeks.
"I used to dream about you coming back to Saltwater Grove," he admitted, one hand sliding down to rest possessively on her hip. "I had hoped somehow we'd find our way back to each other. Now here you are, saving my animals, protecting my sanctuary." He pulled her closer, enjoying how she fit against him. "Making me fall madly in love with you all over again."
"Logan…" she whispered.
He pulled her even closer, his large hands spanning her waist. His bear purred at having his mate in his arms, safe and willing to build a life with him. The scent of her happiness mixed with the lingering traces of her healing magic, creating an intoxicating combination that made his head spin.
"You have no idea how happy you've made me," he murmured, pressing his forehead against hers. "Having you here, in our home..." His voice roughened with emotion. "It's everything I wanted back then, and everything I want now."
Serena's fingers traced patterns on his chest, right over his thundering heart. "Our home," she tested the words, a smile spreading across her face. "I like the sound of that."
"Good, because I'm never letting you go again." His possessive declaration made her shiver in his arms.
Logan captured her lips with his, pouring ten years of longing and love into the kiss. Her small gasp of surprise melted into a soft moan as she pressed closer, her fingers tangling through his dark hair.
The kiss deepened, transforming into something that spoke of shared dreams and promises. Of lazy Sunday mornings and quiet evenings caring for the animals together. Of a future filled with the kind of love that stories were written about.
When they finally broke apart, Serena's glasses were slightly askew, and her cheeks were flushed pink. Logan's heart swelled at the sight. This brilliant, beautiful witch was his, and this time he'd make damn sure she knew exactly how cherished she was.
"Welcome home, Serena," he said simply.