Chapter 13 The First Kiss

Logan’s POV

We rode hard for hours, pushing through the failing light into dusk. The attack had set every instinct on high alert. Someone wanted Valencia badly enough to hire professional killers and have a backup archer.

Elton. It had to be him. Who else would move this quickly?

But something nagged at me. The way that last attacker had looked at Valencia. And that shout before Knox killed him... the words had been foreign, not any language I recognized.

What aren't you telling me, Valencia?

As darkness fell completely, I made a decision. "There's a cave system ahead. We'll stop there for the night."

Valencia didn't argue. She'd been silent since the attack, her body tense against mine. Shock, probably. Or fear. She had every right to both.

The cave I found was perfect—hidden by overgrowth, with a narrow entrance that would be easy to defend. I dismounted and helped Valencia down, then led the horse inside.

"Wait here," I ordered, drawing my sword. "I need to check the cave."

It was empty, as I'd hoped. Deep enough for shelter, dry, with old signs of previous travelers—a fire pit, some scattered stones. I worked quickly, gathering wood, starting a fire, laying out the bedroll I'd packed.

Valencia stood near the entrance, watching me work. She looked small and lost, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Come sit by the fire," I said, softer than usual. "Warm up."

She obeyed, lowering herself onto the bedroll. I handed her some dried meat and a water skin. "Eat."

She took them but didn't move to eat. Just stared at the fire, lost in thought.

I positioned myself at the cave entrance, my back to her, my eyes on the darkness outside. Listening. Watching.

The silence stretched between us, broken only by the crackling fire and the distant sounds of the night forest.

"You're very quiet," I finally said. "Even more than usual."

"I'm thinking," she whispered. "About what happened today."

"Those men came for you specifically." Not a question. A statement.

"Yes."

"Because Elton wants to use you against me."

She didn't respond immediately. When she did, her voice was careful. "Why would anyone think I'm valuable enough for that?"

"Because people like Elton always look for weaknesses. And he saw that I..." I stopped, unsure how to finish.

"That you what?"

I turned to look at her. She was watching me now, her purple eyes reflecting the firelight. Those eyes. So unusual. Had that been what caught the attackers' attention?

"That I defended you," I said finally. "Publicly. Killed for you. That makes you a potential target."

Valencia looked down at the dried meat in her hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"Don't apologize for being attacked." The words came out harsher than intended. "None of this is your fault."

I crossed the cave and crouched in front of her, forcing her to meet my gaze. "I need you to understand something. I don't make empty promises. When I said I'd protect you, I meant it. Anyone who tries to hurt you will answer to me."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Why?" The question was barely a whisper. "Why would you go so far for... for a slave?"

Because my wolf recognizes you as our mate. Because the thought of losing you fills me with rage I can barely control. Because when I hold you, something in me feels complete for the first time in my life.

But I couldn't say any of that. Didn't even want to acknowledge it to myself.

"Knox is restless when you're in danger," I said instead. "He pushes at me constantly, wanting to ensure your safety. I've never experienced anything like it."

"Is that all?" she asked. "Just your wolf's instinct?"

I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I don't know what this is," I admitted, my voice low. "But today, when I saw them coming for you..." I paused, my jaw clenching. "Something in me just... erupted. The need to destroy them, to eliminate any threat to you—it wasn't rational. It wasn't just about protecting property."

Her breath hitched. My hand moved from her hair to cup her cheek, my thumb brushing across her cheekbone.

"You said I think of you as property," I continued, holding her gaze. "But property doesn't make me feel... this."

"Feel what?" she whispered.

"Like I'd tear apart anyone who dares to touch you." My thumb traced her jawline. "I want to keep you close, where I can see you, make sure nothing ever hurts you again."

Valencia's hand came up to cover mine where it rested on her cheek. Her touch was tentative, unsure. "Alpha Logan, I — I don't understand any of this either. Everything is so confusing. But I..." She paused, seeming to gather courage. "I feel safer with you than I've felt in fifteen years. Even though I probably shouldn't."

My hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair. "Why shouldn't you?"

"Because you're an Alpha. I'm a slave. This is..." She trailed off, but her eyes were locked on mine, and I could see the conflict there.

"Complicated?" I supplied.

"Dangerous."

"Probably." I pulled her closer, until our faces were inches apart. "But I'm going to ask you something, Valencia. And I need you to answer honestly."

"What?"

"Tell me to stop." My voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "Tell me to let go, to keep my distance. Say it, and I will."

I gave her every chance to refuse. To maintain the barrier between us. My hand stayed gentle on her neck, ready to release her the moment she asked.

But she didn't ask.

Instead, after a long moment where I could hear her heart racing, see the pulse jumping in her throat, she leaned forward.

That was all the permission I needed.

I closed the remaining distance and kissed her.

Her lips were soft, tentative at first. This was clearly new to her—everything about her response told me she'd never been kissed before. I kept it gentle, just a press of lips, giving her time to adjust.

Then she made a small sound in the back of her throat and kissed me back.

Control slipped. My hand tightened in her hair as the kiss deepened. My other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against me until there was no space between us. She tasted like mint and something uniquely her, and I couldn't get enough.

Valencia's hands fisted in my shirt, holding on like I was the only solid thing in her world. When I traced her bottom lip with my tongue, she gasped, and I took advantage, exploring her mouth with an urgency that surprised me.

I forced myself to slow down, to gentle the kiss. Valencia was inexperienced, overwhelmed. This was too much, too fast.

I pulled back, both of us breathing hard. Her eyes were wide, her lips swollen from my kiss. A blush spread across her pale cheeks, making her look impossibly young and vulnerable.

"We should stop," I said, though every fiber of my being protested the words.

"Should we?" The question was barely audible, but there was something in her eyes—a boldness I hadn't seen before.

A growl rumbled in my chest—Knox's reaction to her challenge. "Valencia..."

"I'm not afraid of you," she said quietly. "Maybe I should be. But I'm not."

That admission undid something in me. Without another word, I shifted our positions, lying back and pulling her with me. She made a surprised sound but didn't resist as I arranged her against my chest, her head tucked under my chin.

One arm pillowed her head, the other wrapped around her waist, holding her close. I could feel her heart racing against my ribs, feel the warmth of her breath through my shirt.

"Sleep," I commanded, though my tone was gentler than any order I'd ever given. "I'll keep watch."