Chapter 14 Dakota : 60 vouchers My heart raced and my body felt like it had been crushed by a rock . After the attack , Logan took me back home , while Jasper and Conan went in search of River . Logan stood in front of the closed door , staring at me . I hugged my knees , tears rolling down my cheeks . He cleared his throat . " Just give me one reasonable reason why you followed River into the woods . Why ? " His voice was sharp but he remained calm . I swallowed hard , tears rolling down my cheeks . " This is your fault . You and your brothers ' fault- " " Oh , really ? " he asked , taking a step forward . " It's my fault that your lover is a Vampire , isn't it ? It is my fault that he's dangerous and not accepted in this Pack , right ? It is my fault that he almost got you killed today , isn't it ? And if it weren't for my brothers and I , you'd be dead . But I guess , it's still our fault ." I folded my hands while avoiding looking at him . " He already told me he was a Vampire , although I doubted him . If he is really dangerous , why would he tell me who he is ? " " I'd have known if I read minds ," he said , approaching me . " He told you who he is because he loves you and wants you to know everything about him . I just read his mind , Dakota ." He forced a smile and arched his eyebrows . I sighed . " You don't have to be sarcastic . " " Oh , darling , I'm not , " he said , standing in front of me . I continued sobbing . " I don't know what would have happened to me , if you guys hadn't shown up . " My tears kept falling , the ache in my chest like a raw wound . Logan's presence felt like a storm - frustrating , and somehow magnetic . fierce , He crouched down beside me , his eyes searching mine . " Listen , Dakota ... I know I've been a jerk . Hell , I probably deserve every bit of anger you throw at me . But right now , none of that matters . All I care about is you being safe . " His voice softened , genuine this time . I blinked back tears and looked at him , confused . " Why ? Why do you care ? After everything- " Logan reached out and brushed a damp strand of hair from my face . The touch was gentle , and it sent a strange shiver down my spine . " Because ... I care about you . More than I should . More than I want to ." My heart skipped painfully . " You're just saying that ," I whispered . " No , I'm not ." His dark eyes locked onto mine . " Look , River's a Vampire , and yeah , that scares the hell out of all of us . But you're not just some pawn in this pack war or political game . You're important to me . " He leaned closer and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear , his thumb lingering on my cheek . " Me and my brothers ? We're not going to tell a soul about River . His identity stays secret . If being with him makes you happy , then I won't stop you ." 16:07 Fri , Sep 19 d Chapter 14 I swallowed , my throat tight . " That's ... unexpected ? 13 $ 5 wach Logan chuckled softly . " Yeah , I know . I'm full of surprises " He paused , searching my face like he wanted to memorize every curve . " But understand this , I'm not going to sit back and watch you get hurt . Not again . " I stared at him , torn between disbelief and hope . " Why now ? Why all this sudden concern ? " He sighed , his jaw tightening . " I don't know . Maybe because you mean more to me than I thought . Maybe because I'm scared of losing you ." I raised an eyebrow , smirking despite the heaviness . " You definitely have an ulterior motive for wanting to protect me all of a sudden . " Logan's brow furrowed . " What are you talking about ? " I leaned back , crossing my arms , fighting the lump in my throat . " You want to secure the Alpha position . You want your father to choose you as the next Alpha , and you think having me around helps with that ." His eyes widened , shock flashing through them . " You're insane , " he spat . " I don't want the Alpha position for that reason . And I'm not using you ." I shook my head , biting the inside of my cheek . " Then why do you care so much ? After all the times you've bullied me , made my life hell ... why protect me now ? " Logan looked away , voice softer but strained . " Because ... sometimes the things you want and the things you should want aren't the same . I'm not good at this , at caring . But I mean it . I want to protect you , to teach you to control your wolf . To keep you safe ." " Teach me ? " I scoffed . " I don't need your protection or your help . I already have someone who offered to train me . Someone who cares about me . " Logan's face darkened , confusion twisting into anger . " Who ? Who is this person ? " I refused to answer . " That's none of your business . " He stood up abruptly , pacing the room . " You don't get it , do you ? If anything happens to you , anything at all , you'll have yourself to blame . Don't expect me or my brothers to be accountable for it . " His voice cracked on the last words , the emotion raw and unfiltered . I sat frozen , watching the man I thought I hated crumble a little in front of me . " Why do I feel like this silly mate bond you rejected keeps making you care ? When you don't even want to ? " Logan stopped mid - step and let out a bitter laugh . " I don't understand it either ! I don't want to care , but I do . And it pisses me off . " Without another word , he stormed out , slamming the door behind him . The room suddenly felt colder , emptier . I hugged my knees tighter , fighting the urge to sob again . My phone rang just as I was drying my tears with the sleeve of my hoodie . The screen flashed : Alicia . 16:07 Fri , Sep 19 d Chapter 14 I took a shaky breath and answered . " Hey .. " " Oh my goddess , Dakota ! Are you okay ? I heard something happened near the east woods . News spread like wildfire . I heard you were attacked by a strange- " " I'm fine , " I cut her off softly , my voice hoarse . " You don't sound fine , " she murmured . " I can come over . Right now . Just say the word . " " No , don't , " I replied , glancing around my empty room . " I. I just need to be alone tonight . I might skip school tomorrow . " There was a pause . " Okay , I'll cover for you with Mrs. Freda if she takes attendance . But promise me you'll call if you need anything ? " " I promise . " After we hung up , I glanced at myself in the mirror . My cheek was scratched , but the bleeding had stopped . My ribs ached , but nothing felt broken . Still , I didn't want Mom to see me like this - bruised , emotionally wrecked , and very much not okay . So I pulled on a coat and snuck out the back door , heading toward the Pack hospital . But halfway there , I paused . Something was off . I slowed down , lifting my hands . The dull ache in my ribs ? Gone . The sting on my cheek ? Faded . I touched it , blinking in surprise . My skin was smooth . Healed . " What the ... ? " My pace quickened , but not toward the hospital anymore . I needed answers . And there was only one person I trusted enough to ask : River . Brenda opened the door before I could even knock . Her eyes narrowed the second she saw me . " You've got some nerve coming here , " she snapped . I stepped back slightly but held my ground . " Please , I just need to talk to him . " Her gaze was cold , her voice sharper than before. " No. Absolutely not . Stay away from my son . He doesn't need any more trouble from your kind . " " Please , Brenda- " " Do you even know what you've dragged my son into ? The council will rip him apart if they find out ! " " I'm not going to tell anyone ," I said firmly . " And neither will my stepbrothers . " Her mouth parted in disbelief . " You expect me to believe that ? " 16:07 Fri , Sep 19 d .. Chapter 14 60 55 vouchers " I mean it . " My voice cracked with sincerity . " They were there . They helped me . Logan promised he wouldn't tell a soul . Please . Just let me talk to River . " " Go home , Dakota . You've done enough . " Her fingers tightened on the door , ready to slam it in my face . " Brenda , " a quiet voice said behind her . River . My heart flipped . Brenda turned . " River , please go back inside . " But he shook his head slowly and stepped forward , eyes shadowed and guarded . " It's okay , Mom . " Brenda stared at him , then at me , before stepping aside reluctantly . " Be careful , son . Don't trust her ," she muttered and disappeared down the hallway . I stood frozen until River finally looked at me , arms crossed over his chest , face unreadable . " You shouldn't be here . " " I had to see you ," I said quietly . " After what happened ... " He looked away . " You could've died , Dakota . You almost died . I told you to stay away . I had no idea you were listened . " attacked , I had teleported deeper into the woods . If only you " I chose to be there . I wanted to help- " " I don't need your help ," he snapped . " I don't fear your brothers or this Pack . " I stepped closer , the air between us thick with tension . " My stepbrothers aren't going to tell anyone ." River's jaw clenched . " And I'm supposed to just believe that ? They hate me ." " Maybe . But they saved me . And Logan said he'd keep your secret . " I reached for his hand but he pulled away . He finally met my eyes , and something flickered in his gaze . Hope ? Doubt ? Pain ? " Go away , Dakota , " he snapped . " I don't want to , " I cried out . " You're useless to me , Dakota . You are a pest and pests are meant to be trampled upon .." " What are you saying ? " I asked , tears welling in my eyes . " I reject you , Dakota . You mean nothing to me . I don't want you as my mate , " he growled . " Now , go away . " Tears rolled down my eyes as I searched his eyes . I could see how much he loathed me all of a sudden . Why ? 16:07 Fri , Sep 19 ... Chapter 15