Page 24

LOGAN

TWO YEARS LATER

Every inch of the medical center represented more than just construction.

It represented everything I’d built in Angel Spring since finding my mate.

Standing at the podium in the town square, with the gleaming building at my back and Sabrina by my side, I felt something rare. Pride without a hint of reservation.

“Thank you all for coming,” I began, resisting the urge to fidget with the microphone. Public speaking wasn’t my thing. That territory belonged to Sabrina. But today deserved my voice, however rough around the edges.

The crowd wasn’t just Angel Spring residents.

Practitioners from across the country, neighboring shifter communities, and even a delegation from the Song pack stood before us.

Reeve and his mate Katie led them. My cousin stood tall with his arm wrapped around Katie’s waist, her bright smile balancing his measured expression.

Two years ago, I’d never have imagined welcoming members of my former pack onto my territory.

Now, watching Reeve’s approving nod as he surveyed the facility, I felt only satisfaction.

“When I first came to Angel Spring, I was running from my past,” I continued, the words flowing easier than expected. “I never planned to build something lasting. I definitely never planned on meeting a stubborn doctor who’d challenge every wall I’d built.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Sabrina squeezed my hand, mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Yet here we stand, opening the most advanced shifter medical facility in the northern territories.” My gaze swept over the building with its clean, modern lines and massive windows reflecting the mountains. “This center isn’t just about healing bodies. It’s about healing communities.”

The applause felt genuine, but what touched me deeper were the expressions on faces throughout the crowd. Hope. Pride. Belonging. The same feelings that had bloomed in my chest since Sabrina chose to make Angel Spring, and me, her home.

Sabrina stepped forward, radiant in a simple blue dress that highlighted the subtle curves of her figure. My wolf stirred possessively at the barely noticeable swell of her abdomen. Our secret for just a little while longer.

“As a doctor, I’ve always believed healing happens beyond hospital walls,” she addressed the crowd, her voice carrying clearly despite her preference for one-on-one interactions.

“This center promises everybody in Angel Spring and beyond that you deserve care that honors both human and wolf nature.”

She detailed the center’s specializations, the shifter-specific emergency medicine, chronic pain management, reproductive health, geriatric care.

Her voice swelled with pride as she described the research lab dedicated to studying shifter maladies.

This was her domain, her passion, and I’d been privileged to help build it.

After the ribbon-cutting, we led tours through the facility.

I hung back, content watching Sabrina shine as she showcased treatment rooms equipped with technology that would make prestigious human hospitals jealous.

Every patient room featured enormous windows framing mountain views.

A healing vista that Sabrina refused to compromise on during design.

“You’ve built something incredible here,” Reeve said, appearing at my elbow with the silent grace that ran in our bloodline. Katie stood beside him, fingers intertwined with his, her eyes bright with admiration as she surveyed the facility.

“We have,” I corrected, watching Sabrina demonstrate the specialized MRI machine that accommodated shifted wolves. “She’s the heart of it.”

Reeve’s knowing smile told me he caught the devotion in my voice. Katie squeezed his hand, a silent communication about their own bond.

“The pack could use a satellite clinic like this,” Reeve said casually. “If you’re interested in expanding.”

Two years ago, the suggestion would have raised every hackle I possessed. Now, I merely nodded. “We’ll consider it. After the baby comes.”

Reeve’s eyes widened, then crinkled with genuine pleasure. Katie let out a small gasp of delight.

“Congratulations,” Reeve said softly. “Victoria would have hated this.”

I snorted. “All the more reason to do it.”

“When is she due?” Katie asked, her warm smile infectious. “Any morning sickness? I remember with Luna, I could barely function the first three months.”

As Katie chatted eagerly about pregnancy and children, I caught the fond look Reeve gave her. It was the same expression I knew crossed my face whenever Sabrina spoke passionately about her work.

We hadn’t heard from Victoria since her disgrace and exile, but occasional whispers reached us of her diminished circumstances in a shifter community far south. Her fall from power came swiftly and completely. Justice for years of manipulation and harm.

By late afternoon, as the last visitors departed, exhaustion crept through me.

Hosting so many people on our territory, even in celebration, had my wolf on edge.

I found Sabrina in her office, sinking gratefully into the chair behind her new desk, fingers running appreciatively over the polished mahogany.

“Chief of Staff,” I said, leaning against the doorframe. “Has a nice ring to it.”

She smiled, but fatigue shadowed her eyes.

Pregnancy hadn’t been easy on her, though she refused to slow down.

“It does, doesn’t it?” She looked around the office.

It was spacious but warm, with plants thriving on every surface and photographs of Angel Spring’s landscapes adorning the walls.

“Though I’ll need to appoint an Acting Chief sooner than we planned. ”

I crossed to her, perching on the edge of her desk. “The maternity leave discussion again?”

She nodded, her hand drifting to her still-mostly-flat stomach. “Seven months isn’t that long,” she said, her tone lacking conviction. “Dr.Stevens is qualified, but we really need to hire at least two more physicians before I step back.”

I captured her hand, bringing it to my lips. “We’ll find them,” I promised. “Money isn’t an issue. We’ll offer them salaries they can’t refuse.”

She rolled her eyes, but her smile remained fond. “Not everything can be solved by throwing money at it, Mr.Billionaire.”

“Most things can,” I countered with a smirk. “How do you think I got you to Angel Spring in the first place?”

Her laughter, bright and uninhibited, remained the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. “You can’t buy loyalty or dedication,” she reminded me. “The doctors we hire need to believe in what we’re building here.”

“Like you did,” I said softly.

Her expression softened. “Like I do,” she corrected. “Every day.”

Standing, she stepped into my arms, her body fitting perfectly against mine as it always had. My hand spread protectively over her abdomen, where our child grew bigger each day.

“Did you ever imagine this?” she asked, voice muffled against my chest. “When you were holed up alone in this mansion, avoiding the town?”

I chuckled, remembering the solitary, angry wolf I’d been. “Never,” I admitted. “I was too busy nursing old wounds to imagine new beginnings.” I pressed my lips to her forehead. “Let’s hope the baby gets your sunny disposition instead of my grumpy one.”

She laughed, the sound echoing through the empty building that would soon fill with healing and hope. “I don’t know. I’ve grown rather fond of your grumpiness.”

Surrounded by our shared vision, I held my mate and felt the last shadows of my past finally dissolve.

FIVE YEARS LATER

The fundraiser was Sabrina’s idea, a gala to raise money for the new pediatric wing. I’d offered to simply write a check for the full amount, but she’d been adamant.

“It’s not just about the money,” she’d explained, bouncing our three-year-old son on her hip. “It’s about community investment. People care more about things they’ve contributed to.”

So here we were, the medical center’s cafeteria transformed into a ballroom with twinkling lights and elegant decorations.

The guest list included not only Angel Spring’s residents but wealthy shifters from across the country, all dressed in their finest and opening their checkbooks for a cause barely on their radar before tonight.

“Daddy!” A small voice cut through the sophisticated murmur. I turned just in time to catch my son as he hurtled toward me, narrowly avoiding a collision with a server carrying champagne flutes.

“Hey, buddy,” I said, lifting him easily. At three, Sawyer already showed signs of shifter strength, his little body vibrating with energy that sometimes seemed impossible to contain. “Where’s your babysitter?”

“Run away,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“You ran away,” I corrected automatically, scanning the room for the harried elderly shifter we’d hired to keep him occupied. I spotted her searching frantically near the kitchen doors and gave her an acknowledging nod.

“You’re supposed to stay with Ms.Howard,” I said, attempting a stern tone undermined by my inability to truly be upset with him.

Sawyer’s lower lip jutted out. “Want Mama,” he said simply, pointing across the room.

Following his gaze, I spotted Sabrina, resplendent in a gown that caught the light as she moved between guests. She laughed at something Juniper said. As she tilted her head, the light caught on my mark on her neck.

Five years together, and she still took my breath away.

“Your mother is something special, isn’t she?” I said softly.

Sawyer nodded vigorously. “Mama fix people,” he declared with absolute certainty only a child could muster.

“That she does,” I agreed, suppressing a smile. “And she’s very busy tonight. So you need to be a good boy for Ms.Howard.”

He sighed dramatically, a miniature version of Sabrina’s exasperated expression. “Kay,” he conceded, as if granting me a great favor.