Chapter Sixteen
Logan
There was no sleeping for him. Not with his mate and Noah still gone, but Logan was exhausted and was at least attempting to rest his tired body and wary mind. He’d dressed in his cutest pair of satin shorts with lace trim and matching camisole. His favorite aspect of this outfit was that the V-neck of the camisole revealed his pierced nipples. Admittedly, after the day he’d had, Logan needed to feel pretty.
His brother and nieces were set up at Mason’s old cabin just a few miles away. Logan’s mother had refused to leave the pride land. Five elder members had stayed while the rest of the pride had gone with the lion alpha that had come for them.
Alpha Jones was a powerful shifter, but it was his soft smile and kind eyes that had won Logan and the rest of the pride over. He’d offered safety to the pride who wanted it. His territory had plenty of space and resources. His educational programs to help save natural lions were well-known throughout the country. Alpha Jones spent his time and money saving natural big cats and his own pride.
Logan had begged his mother to go with alpha Jones. She’d ignored his request, refusing to even speak to Logan. Logan had his brother though. And his beautiful nieces. They might not stick around. The alpha had brought one of his strongest lionesses, Kia, that Josiah and the girls had seemed drawn to. For the time being, Logan had his brother and time.
Now all he needed was his mate and familiar.
He’d always loved his suite, a real home, but with his two favorite people gone, Logan was having a hard time settling.
Logan sprung up and out of bed at the knock.
Who would that be?
Was Dean hurt?
Had something bad happened?
Logan raced toward the door and swung it open in fear.
“What’s wrong?” Logan demanded.
Bryce, Nate, and Lawson stood in the hallway.
“Nothing!” Bryce clasped his hands to his chest. “I’m sorry. We wanted to talk to you! I didn’t think about Dean and Noah being gone. We should have been with you!” He launched himself at Logan, hugging him tight.
Logan’s heart was beating so fast that he was almost dizzy. “They’re okay though?”
“As far as we know,” Lawson responded.
Bryce was still hugging the stuffing out of Logan.
“Bryce, honey, let him breathe.” Lawson thankfully pulled Bryce off him.
Nate looked down the hall before shoving them the rest of the way back into Logan’s suite and shutting the door. His face was red. And he was staring at Logan's chest.
That was when Logan remembered what he was wearing. He’d told his alpha and Levi that he wanted to rest before Dean and Noah returned. Logan hadn’t expected anyone to come up. Oh! What should he do? Was it too late to run? Hide? He could be in his bed with the blankets over his head in seconds!
“Dude,” Nate drawled. He still hadn’t looked away from Logan’s nipples. “Your nipples are pierced.”
“And belly button!” Bryce added. “That is so cool!”
Logan shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“Nate!” Lawson nudged Nate.
Nate blinked rapidly before he looked up at Logan. Their gazes met and Nate started to blush. Logan had never seen his friend’s face so red. Nate was one of the most playful and hard to intimate people ever.
Wrapping his arms around himself in a hug, Logan waited for the reaction he’d been avoiding for so long.
“That’s…” Nate swallowed hard. “An…outfit.”
Logan nodded. It was too late to pretend that this conversation wasn’t happening. Maybe he could promise not to wear these clothes again. Would that make things better?
“Nate! You’re staring,” Bryce nudged him.
“Yeah. I…” Nate shook his head. His face still tomato red.
“Your outfit is very nice,” Bryce told him.
Logan appreciated the alpha mate trying to help. To smooth things over. “They’re my pretties,” he shared quietly.
“And you look very pretty,” Bryce told him. “Right, Nate?”
“I’m sorry.” Nate shook his head.
Here it was. Logan hadn’t expected Nate out of everyone to have a problem with his pretty clothes. Nate was a little who loved his diapers. Logan had no issue with Nate’s kinks.
“But you look hot, dude. Like sexy. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’m…you… Damn, man.” Nate ducked his chin.
Logan’s anxiety began to lessen. Wait! He was scenting that Nate was embarrassed not disgusted. “You think I look hot?”
“Yeah.” Nate rubbed the back of his head. “Seriously.”
“I agree,” Lawson told him. “I’m so jealous. You look good!”
“Beautiful!” Bryce said. “The clothes and piercings.”
“I… We…” Nate was still struggling.
Logan rolled his shoulders, feeling more at ease. His friends were shocked but not reacting negatively to his secret. Maybe he shouldn't have hidden it for so long.
“We shift together all the time. I had no idea you’d gotten pierced. And the clothes, man. Fuck!”
“Dean pierced me. My nipples and belly button and…” Oh! He probably shouldn’t tell them what else. He found himself blushing now.
“And?” Nate croaked. His gaze going up and down Logan’s body. His gaze landing on Logan’s barely covered cock. “No?”
“What?” Bryce demanded. “What else?”
“Uh…” Logan didn’t know how to respond.
“Bo is getting pierced!” Nate demanded. “Maybe Papa too but he really doesn’t like needles. Daddy is going to get all the piercings though. I’ve read the books man!”
“What?” Bryce demanded again.
“His cock is pierced!” Nate exclaimed loudly.
“Oh!” Bryce’s eyes widened. “But—”
“Can I see?” Nate begged.
“No!” Logan and Lawson said at the same time.
“Why not?” Nate argued.
“Because you are already making Logan feel uncomfortable,” Lawson said. “He’s not going to show you his dick just so you can see that too.”
“But it’s gorgeous!” Nate whined.
Logan had expected a lot of reactions from his family. He knew eventually they would see the piercings. He shifted too much to hide those. The clothes…they didn’t even seem to be on the same level as the piercings. He started to laugh. Little Nate was just so excited for him. For himself? Logan wasn’t sure. He did think that Bo would end up pierced sometime in the future.
“Tell me everything!” Nate snagged Logan’s arms, dragging him to the couch. Bryce and Lawson followed and soon they were in a cuddle pile close together.
“Dean and Noah are really okay?” Maybe his friends were there to distract him from something bad happening.
“I swear they are, as far as we know,” Bryce said. “Daddy’s busy with everyone else taking care of the shifters that were all rescued today. Making sure that their transitions to new packs are smooth. I got to talking to Nate and Lawson about your brother and nieces.”
“Is it okay that they’re here? I can—”
“It’s more than okay.” Bryce held up his hand, Logan. “But we want them to be happy. Daddy said that he didn’t think they’d stay permanently because the girls need a pride. And alpha Jones is big on education for his members and your brother wants the girls to go to school.”
“As much as I want him around, I think the pride might be best for the girls. For Josiah too. They can see how a real family takes care of each other.” Logan was just glad he’d get to spend some time with them. Even if it was going to be limited.
“That’s what we were thinking about,” Bryce said. “When they do leave, we want them to have some of their own belongings to take with them. They have to start from scratch here. Daddy said the girls didn’t have much anyway. We wanted to ask your permission to buy them some stuff.”
Logan perked up. “That would be wonderful!” His family was the best. His brothers of choice wanted to make his nieces start life in their pride happy. “I’ll help as well! Maybe we can even go on a shopping trip!”
“Yes!” Lawson pumped his fist. “A trip to the city!”
“First,” Nate drawled, “we need to talk about this outfit, man.”
Logan hunched his shoulders. It felt weird being so underdressed around his friends. “Okay?”
“How long have you liked wearing such pretty clothes?” Nate asked.
Oh! That was not the question that Logan expected.
“Is this something Dean introduced you to?” Nate pressed.
“I stumbled on lace, silk, and satin several months back. I ordered what I thought was a cute pair of pajama pants but received a pink silk pair instead. I was going to send them back, but I liked the way that they felt in my hands.”
“You wanted to know what they felt like on your body?” Lawson suggested.
“Yes,” Logan agreed.
“I get it. After I mated with Drake and started to change and get enhancements, I tested some fabrics myself. I love the feel of soft cotton,” Lawson told him.
Nate was frowning at Logan. “But you didn’t hide that from us, Lawson. Logan did.”
Logan dropped his gaze. He had. “Yeah.”
“Even though you know that I wear a diaper when I’m little?” Nate asked.
“Bryce does too sometimes. And there are other littles in the family. No one…no one else wears pretties.”
“And you are pretty in them,” Nate told him.
“Thanks.”
“Dean appreciates them too, doesn’t he?” Nate grinned at him.
“He…” Logan smiled. “He doesn’t mind.”
Lawson snorted. Bryce laughed. Nate winked and nodded. “The piercings?” Nate questioned. “That had to be Dean.”
“He suggested them, yes.” Logan glanced down at his chest with his pretty jewelry. “He did them himself and managed the pain with his magic.”
“Totally awesome,” Nate told him.
“You…” Logan hated to ask. “You don’t think that anyone would judge me if I wore my pretties around the house.”
“I can guarantee that no one will mind,” Nate said.
“Of course they won’t!” Bryce insisted.
“I’m gonna have to agree with them. I know it’s scary to share your secrets, but we all love you. We just want you to be happy. If wearing pretties makes you happy, then we support you,” Lawson said.
“And another excuse to go shopping again!” Nate clapped.
Logan laughed. “I do like shopping.”
They all jumped as Lucifer appeared in the middle of the living room.
“Easy there, boys.” Lucifer held up his hands. “I didn’t mean to frighten you all.”
“Where’s Dean? Noah? What happened?” Logan struggled to get off the couch.
“It’s okay, pretty lion,” Lucifer told him. “I came to take you to them. They are fine but could use your support.”
“Yes, take me!” Logan demanded.
“I want to go too!” Nate shouted.
“I need to get Daddy,” Bryce said.
“They are fine,” Lucifer repeated. “Dean could use his mate. The threat is over but it’s more of a family thing at this point.”
“We are family,” Nate stated firmly.
“I know, my fierce bobcat,” Lucifer said. “But this has to do with Dean’s family. I don’t know who else he wants involved.”
Nate huffed. “Fine.”
“Let’s go,” Logan insisted. If Dean needed him, then Logan would be there for his mate.
Lucifer waved his hand in front of Logan. He was magically dressed in jeans and a T-shirt along with a pair of boots. “Let’s keep the pretty clothes under those. We don’t want Dean to lose all control and embarrass us all by not being able to keep his hands off you.”
Logan giggled. “Good idea.”
“Let’s go.” Lucifer placed his hand on Logan’s shoulder. They transported from his home to Dean’s side.
“Dean?” Logan said softly.
His mate looked up at him with sad eyes. “I wanted to protect them.”
* * * * *
Dean
He’d thought that everything would be fine. The magic the coven wielded was nothing compared to his own. With Lucifer and Noah, Dean had known that it would be time-consuming and exhausting, but no one needed to die.
No one should have had to die.
Dean had not expected his sister to attempt to stab him in the back with a knife.
Crouching over her still body, Dean mourned the young woman that had lost her life. It wasn’t even his side that had taken her out. As she’d stabbed Dean, another coven member had sent a fireball into them. Dean’s protective gear had saved him from both the knife and the fireball.
There was a snap before Logan was standing beside him.
“Dean?” Logan said his name quietly.
He looked up at his sweet mate. “I wanted to protect them.”
“I know you did.” Logan knelt at his side. “I’m sorry.”
“She didn’t deserve to die,” Dean said. “We had everything under control. Once we stripped the leaders of their magic, I thought that the rest of the coven would understand what they’d been doing.”
“They did understand,” Noah said, joining them. He blocked Dean from his sister’s body. “They just didn’t care. Even though the leaders weren’t sharing the bulk of the magic they stole. They wanted what little of the shifter blood magic they were receiving.”
Dean knew his familiar was right.
“At least she was the only life lost today,” Lucifer stated. “I’m sorry I couldn’t heal her. She was already gone and even I can’t bring someone back from death.”
“I understand.” Dean pulled Logan closer. “Thanks for coming. I don’t want to leave until the coven is gone.”
“Gone?” Logan asked.
Dean looked around the canyon. “They don’t deserve to live in a place this beautiful that was made off the suffering of others. Lucifer is contacting his demons, and this territory will go to one of the alphas that is taking in the shifters.”
“I like that idea,” Logan told him. He climbed into Dean’s lap. There was no one around other than Lucifer and Noah. Neither of them would care about Logan cuddling his mate. “That the shifters can claim the land and make something special out of such a terrible thing.”
“It’s the least the coven can do,” Dean said.
“Where will the coven go?” Logan asked.
“They aren’t a coven any longer. Any memory of using or having magic is gone. They are fully human.”
“It doesn’t seem enough,” Logan said quietly.
“What doesn’t?” Dean asked.
Logan ducked his head, but Dean wasn’t having any of that. Dean grasped Logan’s chin, forcing his boy’s eyes up.
“Tell me,” Dean requested.
“They killed people,” Logan said. “I get that you don’t want to take their lives, but should they really get to walk away from all of this?”
“Oh no, baby. The coven members and everyone involved in the murders have already been taken to the hell realm to face punishment. They just went as humans. I couldn’t take their lives with the magic they possessed but Lucifer can send all souls, dead or alive, to hell.”
“They’ll pay?” Logan asked. “For killing my father? Josiah’s best friend, Luna? For hurting my family?”
“They will pay for every misdeed they did, young lion.” Lucifer patted his shoulder. “The coven members that are alive here in this realm have a lot to make up for. They will need to make amends with the time they have left in this realm.”
Logan smiled. He cupped Dean’s face. “Come home with me?”
Dean looked around the canyon. The land was gorgeous. He hoped to come back one day to see what the shifters could make of this territory. He couldn’t help but look back at his sister’s body.
“Let us take care of her,” Noah said, placing his palm on Dean’s shoulder. “We’ll give her a proper burial.”
“Come home with me,” Logan said again. “Let our friends clean this up. You’ve done enough.”
He found himself nodding. Dean wanted to be with his mate. He was bone-deep tired. Relieved that the coven had been stopped but not really knowing what to do next. Maybe it was time to let someone else figure it out for once.
Logan rose before pulling Dean to his feet. His boy kept an arm around Dean’s waist, allowing Dean to lean against him. It felt nice to have Logan by his side. Only Noah had ever been with Dean, but he had a family now. A mate. Brotherhood.
“Thank you all.” Dean met Gavin’s gaze. As soon as the magical protections had been broken around the canyon, the thunderbird had swooped in, providing cover for them. It had taken all of them working together to defeat the coven.
The magical power that the coven had been stolen was safely stuffed into an iron-laced container currently sitting in hell.
Gavin dipped his head. “Go home. Let your mate care for you.”
Turning his head to nuzzle Logan’s neck, Dean had never heard a better plan in his life. He portaled them into their shared bedroom.
As soon as they arrived in the bedroom, Logan turned to wrap both arms around Dean’s neck. He kissed Dean before he drew away. “Let me take care of you, Daddy.”
“I’d like that.” For once Dean didn’t feel the need to be in charge.
Logan led Dean across the room to the bathroom. “How about a hot shower to start with?”
“Yes please,” Dean replied.
Logan pulled his phone from his pocket and typed something before setting the device aside. Probably informing the family that they were back. Dean leaned against the counter as Logan strolled to the shower and turned on the water.
Already Dean was looking forward to washing away the day. There might not be blood on his hands, but he felt dirty.
His mate returned to him with a soft smile. “You look amazing. I haven’t seen this cape of yours. My badass mage warrior.”
That was right. Logan hadn’t seen him like this. Dean only used this outfit to hide his identity when he’d been taking on his coven. He hadn’t wanted to coven members to know who he was until it was too late.
Slowly Logan undressed him.
The bathroom began to fill with steam, making the space almost dreamy. Logan knelt before he started to undo Dean’s boots. Closing his eyes, Dean pushed away memories from earlier to enjoy his boy taking care of him. This wasn’t something that he’d ever trusted anyone else to do for him.
He walked forward when Logan guided him until Dean was standing under the hot spray of the water, letting it cascade down his back. Logan closed the glass door, encasing them in the moist heat. Dean groaned as Logan slid his palms over Dean’s chest. He’d never get tired of Logan’s hands on him. The rough callouses of his work adding an extra layer of texture.
“Turn for me,” Logan whispered.
Dean turned, pressing his shoulder blades against the slick and warm tiled wall finally opening his eyes.
Logan was watching him with a half-smile and soft eyes while pouring shower gel into his hands.
“What are you thinking about, cupcake?”
Logan’s smile grew. “If I’m sweet as a cupcake, then you’re strong as the wrapper that holds me together.” One hand went to Dean’s chest as Logan trailed the other across Dean’s cock.
Even only half erect, Dean hissed at the touch.
“Do you like, Daddy?” Logan teased.
“You know I do.”
“You’re really going to like this then.” Logan sank to his knees in front of Dean.
“I like the view,” Dean told him. “That’s for sure.”
Logan wrapped one slick hand around his cock and stroked. “But you can’t come yet, Daddy.”
“Why not?” Lazily, he pumped his hips, forcing his shaft between Logan’s circled fingers.
“Remember telling me how much you like the feeling of being turned on? Liked being hard?”
Only his boy would remind him of something he’d said before. “I do.” He still thrust into Logan’s hold.
“I’m going to make you feel good,” Logan said. “Get your cock all nice and hard with my mouth. Then you’re going to take me to bed and fuck me.”
Dean’s groan vibrated off the tiles.
“Think you can handle that, Daddy?” Logan taunted.
Sliding his fingers through Logan’s wet locks, pulling Logan forward, Dean nodded. “Start sucking, baby.”
“With pleasure, Daddy!” Logan rinsed the shower gel from Dean’s body before he closed his lips around the head of Dean’s cock and sucked.
Fuck! That was just what he needed. Logan was a beautiful sight kneeling in front of him.
Logan took his time teasing Dean.
It wasn’t until Dean was holding Logan’s head in his hands, pummeling Logan’s throat, that his boy pulled away.
“No! Come back here!” Dean ordered. He was so close to coming.
“Can’t, Daddy.” Logan rose to his knees. “I have more work to do.”
“What work?” Dean demanded.
Grabbing the bottle of shower gel once again, Logan shook it at Dean. He turned to look over his shoulder at Dean as he poured gel into his palm.
“What are you up to?” Dean asked.
“You just need to be a good Daddy and wait,” Logan told him. “No touching though.”
“No—”
Logan grinned as he used his slick fingers to tease at his own entrance.
Oh shit! Fuck! His boy wasn’t going to… Yes, he was!
Logan slid one finger inside his hole.
“Baby!” Dean nearly whimpered. His boy was a vision. Even though he wasn’t touching himself, Dean’s cock twitched. “You better loosen yourself up good. I’m going to fuck you so hard.”
“I want it, Daddy.” Logan had two fingers buried in his hole. “I want you to claim me again.”
“I’m going to do that and more.” Dean grabbed the base of his cock. He had to do something or he would climax way too fast. He had to wait until he could be inside his boy. “Hurry.”
Logan grinned. “I want to feel you.” Pulling his fingers out, Logan quickly turned off the water.
Dean was already pushing the door open. They raced out and both reached for towels at the same time.
He barely took the time to brush the cloth over himself removing the bulk of the water. Dean didn’t care that they were both damp as he pushed his mate toward the bedroom.
Giggling as he nearly tripped over his feet, Logan was just as excited as he was.
“Bed!” Dean ordered.
Logan climbed up from the foot of the bed before remaining on his hands and knees. “You promised to claim me again!”
“I am going to claim you,” Dean vowed. “All night long. Until you can’t walk.”
“Do it, Daddy! I want to feel you.”
Dean joined Logan on the bed, running his hands up the backs of Logan’s thick calves to his waist. He squeezed hard before leaning down to lick over Logan’s right butt cheek.
His boy shuddered.
He sank his teeth into Logan’s hard ass.
Logan groaned. “Yes!”
Releasing Logan’s skin, Dean moved to his other ass cheek and did the same.
“Please,” Logan whined.
Straightening back up, Dean covered Logan’s body with his own. Dean’s cock riding against Logan’s balls.
“Okay, pretty. Hold still.” He pushed into Logan with one smooth thrust.
Throwing his head back, Logan howled.
“That’s it. Daddy’s good boy.” Dean had to take a minute to regain his composure. Logan’s hole holding his shaft trapped.
Once Logan’s body began to relax from the invasion, Dean pulled back before slamming forward. To have such a strong man under him was a heady feeling. To know that Logan trusted Dean more than anyone else in the world. In any realms. That the fates knew they were perfect for each other.
It didn’t matter how long they were together.
What they had to do to stay together.
Logan was his boy. His mate. His entire world.
“Daddy!” Logan whined as he threw himself back onto each thrust.
“My cupcake. My love,” Dean murmured. “Come for me.” He allowed his magic to burst from his fingers as he grasped Logan’s cock. Adding a vibration. The ring in Logan’s cock caught on Dean’s fingers.
His boy screamed loud enough to wake the rest of the house.
Dean smiled as he climaxed as well.
Mates.
Together forever.
And now they were finally safe.