25. Logan
25
LOGAN
L ogan watched Serena bend down to check on a young fox's splinted leg, admiring how her hair fell forward when she worked. He caught himself before he got too distracted and returned to installing the new security camera.
"Looking good," he called down to her.
"The fox or me?" Serena glanced up with a playful smile.
"Both." He winked, making her blush. "How's our patient doing?"
"Much better. That healing potion worked wonders." She stood and stretched. "Need help up there?"
"I've got it. Just a few more screws." He secured the camera in place. These new motion sensors would give them an early warning if Silas tried anything.
"You know, between my potions and your new security system, we're turning this place into quite the fortress." Serena moved to help organize supplies for rebuilding the damaged raccoon enclosure.
Logan climbed down the ladder and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "Can't be too careful." He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her familiar scent of herbs and lavender.
"Logan!" She squirmed, laughing. "We have work to do."
"We can multitask." But he released her with a final squeeze. "The deer need their medicine in ten minutes anyway."
They worked side by side throughout the day, falling into an easy rhythm. Logan found himself constantly seeking excuses to touch her - brushing hands while passing tools, steadying her as she climbed enclosure fences, quick kisses between tasks.
"You're insatiable," she teased after he stole another kiss while they mixed feed.
"Just making up for lost time." He grabbed a bag of feed. "Race you to the bird sanctuary?"
"Oh no, I learned my lesson about racing a bear shifter years ago." But she hurried after him anyway, both of them laughing.
Working together this past week felt so natural, like they'd never been apart. Even with the looming threat of Silas, Logan found himself enjoying every moment. They were stronger together - her magic complementing his strength, her methodical nature balancing his instincts.
Later that afternoon, Logan watched Serena through the doorway of her makeshift potion lab in the sanctuary's workshop. Her hands moved with practiced confidence as she mixed ingredients, a far cry from the hesitant movements she'd shown just a week ago. The afternoon sun caught her hair, highlighting strands of gold he'd never noticed before.
"That should do it," she called out, holding up a vial of shimmering blue liquid. "This will help that eagle's wing heal twice as fast."
Pride swelled in his chest. "Look at you, brewing complex healing potions without even checking your notes."
"Well, I had a good study partner." She grinned, gesturing at the mess of failed attempts from their practice sessions that still decorated the walls. "Nothing builds confidence quite like turning half your boyfriend's workshop into a flower garden."
Logan crossed to her in two quick strides and pulled her close. "I liked the flowers. Made the place smell better."
"Better than bear?" She wrinkled her nose playfully.
"Watch it," He growled softly against her ear, enjoying how she shivered. "This bear might have to show you who's boss."
"Later." She pushed at his chest with a laugh. "We have work to do first."
He released her reluctantly, watching as she gathered her supplies. The change in her over the past week amazed him. Ever since she'd faced down Beatrice, that spark he remembered from years ago had returned full force. She walked taller, smiled more freely, approached each challenge with determination instead of doubt.
"You're staring at me again," she said without looking up from her work.
"Can't help myself. You're beautiful when you're in your element."
A blush colored her cheeks, but she didn't deflect the compliment like she would have days ago. Instead, she met his eyes with a confident smile that caused his bear to rumble with happiness.
Logan couldn’t help himself and wrapped his arms around Serena's waist again, pulling her against his chest. Her familiar scent of herbs and lavender mixed with something uniquely her filled his senses.
"You smell like home," he murmured, nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear. His bear preened when she shivered in response.
"Logan, we really need to get back to work," she protested weakly, even as she leaned into him.
He drank in the sight of her. Her gray eyes sparkled behind her glasses, and wisps of hair had escaped her messy bun to frame her face. His chest tightened with emotion - she belonged here, with him.
"Move in with me," he said, the words tumbling out before he could second-guess himself. "Here at the cabin. We could wake up together, work together. You could set up a proper lab instead of this makeshift workspace."
Serena's eyes widened. "That's... that's a big step."
"Is it?" Logan traced his thumb along her jaw. "You're here more than your place anyway. Half your potion ingredients have migrated to my shelves."
"True." A small smile played at her lips. "And your coffee maker is better than mine."
"See? Practical reasons." He grinned, though his heart beat erratically in his chest as he waited for her response.
"I'll think about it," she said finally, but Logan caught the excited gleam in her eye as she glanced around the workshop, likely already planning where she'd set up her equipment. His bear purred at the thought of having her here permanently.
"No pressure," he said, though everything in him wanted to convince her right now. "Just something to consider."
She nodded, that soft smile still on her face as she turned back to her work. Logan kept his arm around her, watching as she measured ingredients with calculated precision. He could picture countless days just like this - her working while he held her, both of them building something together here.
Later that night, Logan watched Serena chop vegetables, her movements quick and precise. The familiar domesticity of cooking together in his cabin's kitchen stirred something within him. His bear hummed as she worked alongside him, fitting perfectly next to him.
"Here, taste this." He held out a spoonful of the sauce he'd been perfecting. She leaned forward, and he couldn't resist stealing a quick kiss before feeding her.
"Mmm." Her eyes lit up. "Even better than I remember. Though you still use too much garlic."
"No such thing as too much garlic." He grinned, pulling her closer against him. "Besides, you love it."
"Do not." But she was smiling as she stirred the pot of pasta.
The spring evening beckoned them outside after the meal was ready. Logan carried their plates to the porch while Serena grabbed the wine. The sanctuary sprawled before them, peaceful in the golden sunset light. The scent of pine and wildflowers carried on the gentle breeze.
"Remember when we used to eat out here every summer night when we were teenagers?" Serena settled into one of the weathered chairs. "But back then it was just empty land."
"Now look at it." Pride swelled in Logan's chest as he surveyed his sanctuary. "Though I think recent improvements have less to do with the animals and more to do with a certain witch's touch."
Her laughter warmed him better than any wine could. "Are you referring to the accidental flower patches all over?"
"Those too." He reached across the small table and grabbed her hand. "Everything's better with you here."
The way her soft hand fit in his made his bear want to roar with joy. This was undeniably right - her here, them together, building something lasting. No more wasted years apart.
Before long, Logan gathered their empty plates and led Serena to the porch swing. The old wood creaked as they settled in, her small frame fitting perfectly against his side. His bear rumbled with contentment as she tucked her feet under herself and rested her head on his shoulder.
Above them, stars dotted the clear spring sky like scattered diamonds. The sanctuary was peaceful around them except for the occasional hoot of an owl or rustle of nighttime creatures.
"Look, a shooting star!" Serena pointed upward, excitement lighting her face.
"Make a wish." Logan tightened his arm around her shoulders, drinking in her warmth.
"I already got what I wished for," she murmured, snuggling closer.
"Cold?" he asked.
"Mm-mm. You're like my personal space heater." She poked his ribs playfully.
"One of my many talents." He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "Though I can think of better ways to keep warm."
"Is that so?" She tilted her face up to his, moonlight catching her glasses. "Care to demonstrate?"
Logan growled softly and captured her lips with his. The swing swayed gently as they kissed under the starlit sky, everything else falling away except the feel of her in his arms.
Logan's phone suddenly chimed loudly in his pocket, interrupting their peaceful moment. When he took his phone out, he noticed the motion sensor alert flashing across the screen, followed by another, then three more in rapid succession.
His nostrils flared as an acrid scent hit him - smoke, and not from a campfire. His bear growled beneath his skin, urging him to charge toward the threat. But he's learned over the past few weeks, with Serena's help, to assess before acting.
"Something's wrong." He pulled back from Serena and scanned the darkness. The smoke grew stronger, carried on the spring breeze. "You smell that?"
"Is that..." Serena straightened beside him, adjusting her glasses. "Smoke?"
"Yeah." His phone buzzed again. Six sensors triggered now, all on the eastern perimeter. The bear within him growled fiercer, protective instincts surging. His animals were over there - the new fox kits, the injured eagle, the elderly deer that trusted him. Beside him, Serena's breath quickened.
"The wind's picking up," she said, gripping his arm. "Logan, if there's a fire-"
"I know." He pulled her closer, nostrils flaring as he tried to pinpoint the source. Dark clouds billowed higher against the star-filled sky, obscuring the moon.