by Sara Summers
My happy expression turned into one of wide-eyed surprise. While part of me had expected him to stay by my family until I returned, most of me had figured he’d go to Atlanta for that movie as soon as I left.
“How is he?” I wondered.
We both knew I wasn’t talking about Cody.
“He’s part of the family.” Tanner shrugged. “Doesn’t suck at construction anymore. When we watched you on that talk show, he wouldn’t shut up about how good you looked and how well you did with the host.”
“We can hear you.” I heard Cody yell from the other room.
Logan didn’t say anything, I noticed.
“Is he happy?” I tried not to let myself think too much about the way he and Cody were laughing like they’d known each other their whole lives. While I’d facetimed my family a lot, none of us had ever brought up Logan before. I’d never asked, and they’d never said anything.
“As happy as anyone can be while their soulmate is across the world.”
The words startled me. While I’d had a great time seeing Europe and meeting strangers and eating the most incredible foods, I had missed plenty of things about the US. And while I hadn’t talked to Logan at all since leaving, I’d thought about him plenty. There were so many things that I loved about him that I’d never told him or even admitted to myself during the month we’d been together.
“Time for lunch.” My mom called out. “Tell Emma we’ll all call later!”
“Sorry, Em. Gotta go.” He ended the call.
My hotel room suddenly felt very quiet and very lonely.
The quiet emptiness of the room brought me back to the time I’d lived with Logan in New York. While nothing about our relationship had been all that intimate, there had been little important things that, after being out with other humans so much, I realized were big things.
I loved the way Logan would pause the movie or put down his phone whenever I was talking, and the way he was happy to turn on something else if I was bored by whatever we were watching.
I loved the way he didn’t care how I dressed or did my hair, and the way he told me I was beautiful or sexy no matter what I was wearing. He’d never minded when I came home covered in dirt from being in the forest or sweat from walking outside all day, and he still hugged me and told me that I looked good.
He was terrible at a lot of things—standing up for me being at the top of that list—but that wasn’t because he didn’t want to. He was terrible at it because he hadn’t known exactly what he wanted. By the looks of the man sitting on the couch playing halo with my brother, that had changed drastically.
Logan had decided what he wanted, and he wanted me.
The screen on my iPad lit up with a message from Tanner’s phone, distracting me from my thoughts. All he’d sent was the link to a video.
I clicked on it, and Logan’s face popped up. He looked exactly the same as he had the last time I’d seen him, when I’d thrown him out of my parents’ house.
It was the statement he’d made in response to what his mom said, the one I’d never had the heart to watch. I had been avoiding everything that could possibly make me want to go back to him before I felt ready.
My finger hovered over the video, unsure if I was ready to press play yet. Was I ready for the emotions I’d avoided for so long to come rushing back? Was I ready to remember the pain from that whole experience?
I didn’t know the answer, but I knew I needed to face the past even if it was just to realize I needed more time.
So, I pressed play.
“What my mother said was a lie, all of it. She never liked Emma, and she was mad when I left to come after her. I’m in Washington now because it’s where I need to be. I’m a shifter too, and it’s time I accept it and learn what that means. I’m taking a break from acting until I feel confident I can do it again without losing the woman I love.” He explained.
“What do you want?” someone called out from behind the camera.
“I thought that was obvious. I want to be with my soulmate. I treated her poorly, I took advantage of the fact that we were meant for each other, and I put everything before her. That’s a mistake I’m not going to make again.”
“What are you going to do?” the same person wondered.
“I’m going to wait for the girl I love to fall in love with me, no matter how long it takes. I will get my soulmate back.”
“What do you have to say to your mothers’ accusations, other than that they were a lie?” the reporter checked.
Logan grimaced.
“Emma gave up everything so we could be together. She dealt with the fame and publicity with a smile on her face and never even tried to argue. She signed t-shirts and gave away bags worth more than some people make in a month of work. Does that sound like the kind of person who could ever hurt someone?” he paused for a moment and then said, “No more questions.”
The video ended, and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.
I’d expected to feel hurt when I watched the video, I’d expected to remember the events of that day like they were burned into my mind.
Instead, when I saw Logan’s face all I could think about was how much I missed him.
I knew then what I needed to do.
It was time for me to go back home. Not to the forest, not to my parent’s house, but to my home.
My soulmate.
Twenty-Nine
My car pulled up in front of Logan’s house and I swallowed a lump in my throat. When I’d asked Tanner for the address, he’d replied quickly and I’d had no reason to go anywhere else first.
As nerve-wracking as it was, I needed to see Logan.
“Thanks.” I smiled at the driver and handed him some cash, slipping out of the car.
Despite the cold November air, I was wearing shorts and my new favorite big sweater. I’d tried to wear jean pants but just didn’t like them anymore. Shorts were comfortable, pants weren’t.
I knocked on the door, and when there was no answer, I tried the doorknob.
It was open.
I’d expected it to be open though, because Logan should’ve known exactly where I was and when I was flying. I thought he would be waiting there for me.
The house was silent and empty though.
I hung my purse on one of the coat hooks by the door and rubbed my arm, which had goosebumps. I didn’t know if they were from the chill in the house or the nerves that had both me and the wolf inside me on edge.
Walking through the living room and kitchen, I couldn’t help but admire the house. It wasn’t fancy and pristine the way the New York place had been, but that only made it better. Everything was modern and nice, but still designed with comfort in mind.
I pulled off my furry boots and left them by the door, walking on the coldish, dark-colored wood. When I stepped on the soft, fuzzy rug in the living room, I smiled.
The kitchen looked like it had been used, but not a lot. There was a pan on the stove and a half bunch of bananas on the counter, along with a few plates on the sink. It looked like Logan had learned to cook while I was gone, and that was impressive.
I walked through past a spare room full of boxes and didn’t bother going to see what was in them, figuring it was just some of his old stuff.
The second spare room had a piano and guitar in them, and I took a second to realize that I’d had no idea Logan played the piano. That made me wonder what else I still didn’t know about him.
When I entered the bedroom, I stopped.
There was a large picture of Logan and I on the wall, along with a few smaller ones around the room. They’d all been taken during one of our big publicity photoshoots, where they would take pictures of us in a dozen different outfits and places and hairstyles.
The dresser had a dozen of the little things I’d picked up around NYC on it, and the closet was full of clothes that I’d liked but had to leave when I left the Cage the second time. My shoes were in there too.
The bat
hroom had a set of the shampoo and conditioner that I’d come to love after using it in New York, and even had a silky white robe hanging up on the wall.
I heard the front door open. When Logan called my name, the tiny butterflies in my stomach started flapping their wings like crazy.
“Emma?” he walked through the house, and I felt frozen in place. I didn’t know what to say, or what to do. It almost felt like I was meeting my soulmate for the first time.
When he stopped in the doorway of the bedroom, neither of us said anything.
I spent a few seconds just taking him in. He was stronger than I remembered, built more like the shifters I’d always known. His perfectly-trimmed chin scruff had grown into a full-blown beard, and he was wearing a t-shirt with a little hole in the sleeve and dirty basketball shorts.
My eyes landed on the chain around his neck, holding the sparkly ring I’d left with him.
When I saw him wearing that, I didn’t bother waiting another second.
I ran forward and threw my arms around his neck, my feet lifting a few inches off the ground as he picked me up and held me tight.
The hug was long and warm and perfect, but I wanted more. My lips found his while my hands tangled into his hair.
As we kissed, I realized that I’d missed him so much more than I’d known.
“I’ve imagined this moment so many times.” His voice was growly in the sexiest way, and it felt so good to be close to him that I felt a weight physically lift off of my shoulders.
“You’re a shifter. A real one, this time.” I laughed a little and shook my head, my fists sliding down to touch the dirty shirt. I’d noticed the clothes on his porch, which were a sure sign that was true.
“And you’re a city girl.” He brushed his thumb over my lips, which were glossed in a light pink color. Or at least they had been, before he’d kissed the lip gloss away.
“I guess I am.” I reached up to touch the hair on his face. “I can’t believe you have a beard. I thought about you a lot while I was gone, but I never imagined you growing a beard. I thought the artful stubble was kind of the Logan Lush trademark.”
“It was.” He grinned. “Do you like it?”
“I’m not sure.” I made a face and we both laughed a little.
“It feels so good to have you in my arms again.” He said, the arm around my waist tightening as he pulled me closer. “How long are you staying?”
“As long as you let me.” I shrugged gently and smiled when Logan’s eyes widened. Picking up the silver chain around his neck, I tugged it over his head. “I told you I’d be back for this. I love this ring.”
“You’re back for good?” he asked, his voice shaking a little.
“I’m home.” I smiled.
Logan pulled the chain out of my hand and threw it over my neck before he grabbed my thighs and lifted me in the air. I wrapped my legs around him and was more than happy to return the kiss he pressed to my lips.
“I love you, Emma. I swear, this time I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you happy. I love you.” He repeated, lifting one of his hands to the cotie on my neck.
His feelings rushed through me, his hurricane of emotions only making me smile against his lips.
“I know. I love you too.” I placed my hand against his neck to give him my emotions the way he was giving me his.
Logan groaned and pulled me tighter so there wasn’t even a sliver of space between us.
“I should’ve done this a long time ago.” He growled, kissing me for a long minute.
“Better late than never.” I whispered, just before his mouth took mine again.
Thirty
“What are we going to do now?” I wondered. I wasn’t looking at Logan; laying on his chest was too comfortable to stop.
We were in bed, the blankets tangled in our legs, and we’d been there like that for a long, long time.
“I don’t care as long as we stay together.” He murmured into my hair. “We could travel, or we could stay here and build houses and be part of the pack. Or we could accept one of the movie or TV show offers my agent keeps calling about. I’m okay with anything.”
“I’d be fine with you acting again, I just don’t know what I’d do while you’re busy.” I admitted.
“You’d be acting too.” Logan ran his fingers through my hair. “Most of the producers who want me want you too. They think we have chemistry or something.”
I didn’t have to look at him to see the little smirk on his face.
“Gee, I wonder why.” I rolled my eyes and sat up, the mood becoming more serious. “Would you want me to be an actor with you? I know I probably have a lot to learn, but I could do it. Only if you’d be okay with it.”
“Emma,” he lifted his hand to my face. “I would love that. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to because you’re a Lush.”
“I don’t feel like I have to.” I tilted my head to the side and brushed through a few tangles with my fingers. “And I actually think I could enjoy it, depending on what parts we’re supposed to play.”
“There was some talk about a TV show about a human and shifter finding out they’re soulmates. That would probably be a good place to start.”
I smiled.
“Sounds perfect.” Leaning forward, I pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I’ll call my agent tomorrow, then. We’re busy today.” He pulled me back into bed and kissed me until I forgot both of our names.
Epilogue
“What do you need, Tanner? I’m running late.” I answered my phone as I grabbed my hat and sunglasses while Logan pulled me out the door of our apartment. We were supposed to be on set five minutes ago, but after filming until 2 AM the night before, we had overslept.
“It’s a quick question, promise.” He said, sounding out of breath.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I sat down in the passenger seat and met Logan’s curious gaze for a brief second before he pulled out of the parking garage.
“Yeah. What would a human expect you to do when your soulmate’s overprotective dad is chasing you down the street with a gun?”
“What?” I gawked at Logan.
“Time is not on my side here, Em. The guy stopped to pump his shotgun.”
“Just shift and run, Tanner! Get out of there!”
I heard a crash that I assumed was my brother throwing his phone into a bush. Groaning, I hung up the phone.
“Did that conversation really just happen?” Logan looked at me, unsure.
“I think it did.” I leaned back in my seat and took my soulmate’s hand.
“He’ll be fine. His soulmate will stand up for him.” Logan sounded sure of that.
I wasn’t as convinced as he was, because I’d seen first-hand how hard it was to convince your soulmate’s human parents to accept that you turned their kid into a shifter.
“I hope so.” I looked out through the window and hoped that, for my brother’s sake, his soulmate was as tough as Logan seemed to think.
Tanner and Hallie’s Story
SOULFATED
Coming September 1st 2018
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Acknowledgments
100% of the credit for this book goes to my fantastic (and sexy) husband, Chad. Thank you SO MUCH for taking care of our screaming infant so I could have time to pursue my dreams. Thank you for always supporting me, for believing in me, and for not judging me when I’m laughing so hard I’m crying because I wrote something that I think is so funny I re
ally just can’t handle it. Thanks for listening to summaries of my stories even though the plan changes a hundred times during the process, thanks for loving me, and thanks for treating me like a princess. You are the best soulmate I could ever dream up.
