Fiona's pov“Do you feel that?” I whispered, clutching Logan’s hand tighter.His eyes flicked skyward, silver burning. “He’s here.”The night shuddered. Wakanda’s power rolling over the valley like thunder made flesh. Wolves dropped to their knees, some howling in devotion, others whimpering in fear. My fire flared instinctively, sparks leaping from my skin.Logan growled, his body shielding mine. “Stand tall. Don’t bow. Not to him.”The ground trembled. A crack split through the stone of the council yard as Wakanda stepped from the shadows. Cloak dragging, eyes black as void, he raised one hand and silence smothered the crowd.“My blood,” he intoned, voice carrying like steel. “You stand against me? Against your father?”Logan snarled back, “I stand against your chains. This pack is mine.”Gasps rippled through the wolves. Some shouted his name. Others hissed traitor. The divide widened like a wound.Wakanda’s gaze shifted—to me. His lips curled. “Daughter. Do you come home to kneel?
Fiona's pov“Let me go,” I breathed, palms flat against Logan’s chest.“You don’t mean that.” His voice was rough, wolf-laced, his grip caging me against the stone wall.“I do,” I shut back, though my pulse betrayed me, drumming wild. “You think one fight makes me forgive? You think one kiss....."His mouth cut me off, hard and claiming. I shoved, but he deepened it, forcing the bond to flare until my knees threatened to buckle. When he finally tore back, his breath seared my cheek.“You talk about forgiveness like I’m begging for it.” His thumb grazed the curve of my breast, making me gasp. “I’m not. I’ll take you even if you hate me.”My fire burst instinctively, flames crawling over my arms. He didn’t flinch, didn’t let go. His eyes burned silver. “Do it. Burn me. But you’ll still be mine.”“You arrogant bastard,” I hissed, shoving again. “You hurt me. You let Amaiya crawl into your bed....”His snarl cracked the air. “She never touched me.”“She carries a child!”“It isn’t mine!”
Logan's pov“Faster, Fiona,” I muttered, jaw tight as we cut through the forest.She was at my side, her fire glowing faint in the night, her hair still damp from the river. “I’m not slowing you, wolf. You’re bleeding again.”“I’ll bleed when I’m dead,” I shot back, pushing harder.“Arrogant,” she hissed.“Yours,” I growled, not looking back.Her silence lasted only seconds. “Then prove it. Don’t stumble into your pack half-dead. Stand tall.”My chest tightened at the command in her voice. My mate. My fire.Even when she cursed me, she made me stronger.The trees broke. The Whiteclaw stronghold sprawled below, torches blazing, drums echoing. A crowd filled the courtyard, howling chants rising. At the center, Rowan. Cloaked, smug, standing tall before the altar stone. And at his side… Amaiya, her belly swollen, her smile sharp.My wolf snarled so loud it shook the ground under my boots.“She’s carrying your blood,” Fiona said coldly, fire crackling at her hands.“No,” I snapped, eyes l
Logan's pov“Fiona, higher!” I shouted, claws crashing at the stone.She hurled fire upward, molten gold cracking the roof. Dust rained down, chunks breaking loose. Above us, shadows screamed, my father’s scouts swarming.“They’re dropping ropes!” she warned.“Let them,” I growled, silver wolf surging in my chest. “We’ll cut them down.”Her fire flared again, dazzling the cavern like a second sun. Sweat rolled down her throat, soaking her thin dress. My chest tightened, not from fear, desire, raw and inconvenient.“Logan, focus!” she snapped, catching me staring.“I am focused,” I shot back, ripping through another slab of stone. “On the only thing that matters, getting you out.”“You mean us.” She scorched a soldier’s rope, sending him screaming into the black pool below. “If you keep treating me like baggage, I’ll burn you too.”My jaw clenched, wolf snarling. “Try it.”Her fire licked dangerously close to my arm. “Don’t tempt me.”I bared my teeth in a grin, even as blood dripped d
Fiona's pov“Let go of me, Logan!” I shoved at his chest, water dripping down both of us.“No,” he growled, hand tight around my wrist. “You’ll slip on the rock. You’ll break your neck.”“I don’t need your saving!” My fire shaped in my palm, lighting the cavern gold. “I’m not weak!”His eyes flashed silver, wolf pushing through. “You think I don’t know that? I’ve seen you burn armies. But you’re mine, Fiona. If I don’t protect you, what the hell am I for?”I yanked free, my chest heaving. His words stabbed and soothed all at once. My wet dress clung to me, the thin fabric plastered over skin. His gaze dropped for a fraction of a second, hunger flashing. My cheeks burned hot.“Stop looking at me like that,” I snapped.“I can’t.” His voice dropped rough. “The bond doesn’t let me. Your scent’s all over me, your heartbeat’s in my skull, your body.......”“Don’t say it,” I cut him off, but the bond betrayed me, heat rolling low in my belly.“You want me to shut up?” His jaw flexed. “Then a
Logan's pov “Keep moving,” I ordered, dragging Fiona deeper into the tunnel.“You don’t have to tell me twice,” she snapped, but her hand clung to mine like fire on skin.The stone walls narrowed. Water dripped in steady beats. Behind us, Wakanda’s roar cracked through rock, hunting us still. My wolf clawed inside my chest, snarling to turn, to fight, but I gritted my teeth. Not yet.Fiona stumbled on loose gravel. I caught her against me, my hand splayed on her hip. The heat of her skin bled through torn cloth. She looked up, eyes bright gold with power, lips parted like she was ready to curse me—or kiss me.“Logan,” she said, voice sharp, “don’t look at me like that.”“Like what?” My hand stayed on her, too tight, too unwilling to let go.“Like I’m already yours.”“You are.” The words tore out before I could leash them.She shoved free, light sparking down her arms. “I’m only here because the bond won’t let me leave you to die. Don’t twist it into love.”My chest burned worse than