Page 8 of Marked For A Bite (Rebellious Mates #2)

SIX

LOGAN

L ogan pulled into the small but fortified detached garage on his property and killed the Jeep's engine.

The silence pressed in around them like a held breath.

The scent of Zoe's arousal still lingered in the Jeep, mingling with the crisp pine and damp earth of the mountains.

His wolf practically purred with satisfaction at having its mate here at their sanctuary, but Logan made himself stay calm.

Zoe's voice broke the quiet, her tone light but curious. "Your cabin looks like a fortress."

She unbuckled her seatbelt, her fitted white t-shirt shifting with the motion, and Logan's gaze flicked to her. The thin fabric clung to her curves, the outline of her white lace bra visible beneath it. His jaw tightened at the sight while his wolf howled with excitement beneath his skin.

"That was the point," he said, his voice controlled. He stepped out of his Jeep, the cool night air doing little to temper the heat building within him.

Zoe followed, her tennis shoes crunching on the gravel as she circled the garage, taking in the reinforced steel doors, the motion sensors, and the high-security locks. "You're not exactly subtle, are you?"

"Subtlety gets you killed in my line of work." He grabbed her backpack from the backseat and slung it over his shoulder with deliberate movements.

She tilted her head slightly, her hazel eyes gleaming with mischief. "So, what, you're like the wolf shifter version of James Bond? Only with more… claws?"

Logan arched a brow, amused despite himself. "Something like that."

He gestured for her to follow him down the narrow path leading to his cabin. The scent of her curiosity—spiced with that intoxicating arousal—drifted toward him like a siren’s call.

The cabin itself was sturdy and unassuming from the outside, but the security measures were anything but.

Reinforced windows, motion-activated floodlights, and a perimeter lined with sensors marked the property as belonging to someone who expected trouble.

Zoe paused at the front porch, her fingers brushing over the carved wooden railing.

"This is… cozy," she said, her tone teasing but genuine. "In a 'don't mess with me' kind of way."

Logan unlocked the door with a key hidden in a concealed compartment, his movements precise. "Cozy isn't the goal. Safety is."

She stepped inside, her eyes widening at the open layout. The living room was sparsely furnished but functional—a leather couch, a low wooden coffee table, and a stone fireplace that dominated one wall. The kitchen was small but well-stocked, and a narrow hallway led to the bedroom at the back.

"It's not much," Logan said, setting her backpack by the door. "But it's secure."

Zoe turned to face Logan, her arms crossed over her chest. For a moment, the teasing glint in her eyes softened, replaced by something thoughtful. "So, you really live like this? Always on edge and always expecting someone to come after you?"

He shrugged, his voice tight. "It's part of the job."

"Doesn't it get lonely?" Her question caught him off guard, her tone softer now, almost tender.

Logan's chest tightened. Lonely didn't begin to cover it. He'd spent years building walls—literally and figuratively—to keep people at a distance. But standing there, with Zoe's eyes locked on his, those walls felt flimsy, like they might crumble at any moment.

"I manage," he said finally, his voice rougher than he intended.

She stepped closer, her scent wrapping around him like a warm blanket. "You don't have to manage anymore. At least, not by yourself."

His wolf surged forward, desperate to close the distance between them, and to claim her as his mate. But Logan forced himself to stay still, his large hands clenched at his sides. "You don't know what you're saying."

"Don't I?" Her lips curved into a small smile. "You keep telling me how dangerous you are and how dangerous your life is. But here's the thing, Logan—I'm not scared of you."

His pulse quickened, something primal stirring deep within him. "You should be."

"Maybe. But I'm not." She took another step closer, her gaze unwavering. "You're not the monster you think you are. And I'm not as fragile as you seem to think I am."

Logan's breath caught, his control slipping as her words hit him like a punch to the gut.

She was close enough now that he could see the faint freckles dusting her nose and the way her lips parted slightly as she exhaled.

His wolf growled in approval, urging him to close the remaining distance, and to claim her as his.

But he didn't. Not yet.

"You're walking a dangerous line, Zoe," he warned, his voice low and rough.

She smirked, her eyes sparkling with defiance. "I've always liked a little excitement."

Logan groaned, his resolve fraying at the edges. "You might be the death of me."

"Well, at least you're not alone anymore."

The words hit him like a tidal wave, knocking the air from his lungs. For the first time in years, the weight of his isolation felt almost unbearable, and the promise of her presence—bold, stubborn, and fiercely loyal—was almost too much to resist.

"Come on," he said finally, his voice gruff. "Let's get you settled."

Zoe grabbed her backpack from the floor near the front door, her hazel eyes flickering with curiosity as she followed him down the narrow hallway toward the bedroom at the back of the cabin.

The space was small, dominated by a large bed with dark, heavy bedding and a worn wooden dresser.

A single reinforced window let in the faint glow of moonlight, casting shadows across the room.

"You can take the bed," Logan said, gesturing to it with a nod. "I'll sleep on the couch."

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "So chivalrous. But I'm not kicking you out of your own bed, Logan."

"It's not up for debate." His tone was firm, brooking no argument. "You need rest, and I'm used to sleeping wherever I can."

Her eyes locked onto his, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "You're really not going to let me argue, are you?"

"No." The corner of his mouth twitched, barely suppressing a smirk. "But I do appreciate the effort."

Zoe laughed softly, the sound warm and infectious, and Logan felt something tighten in his chest. He forced himself to focus, his hands clasped behind his back to keep from reaching for her.

Her scent—honey and wildflowers—was everywhere, wrapping around him like a vice.

His wolf growled again under his skin, urging him to claim her right now while they were in his bedroom.

"Logan," she said, her voice softer now, "you promised you'd explain everything. About mates. About what this"—she gestured between them—"means."

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark auburn hair. "I did."

Her gaze was steady, those hazel eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, and he knew he couldn't avoid it any longer.

He stepped closer, his voice low and deliberate.

"A mate… it's not something we choose. It's something fate decides.

A bond that's deeper than anything else.

It's not just physical. It's primal. It's everything. "

Zoe's breath hitched, her lips parting as she stared up at him. "And you think I'm yours?"

"I know you are." The words came out rough, his control slipping. "From the moment I touched you at your house, I felt it. My wolf recognized you."

She swallowed hard, her hands clutching the strap of her backpack. "What does that mean for us?"

Logan's jaw tightened, his green eyes darkening with restrained hunger.

"It means I'll protect you. Always. But it also means…

" He hesitated, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

"I want to claim you. To make you mine in every way possible.

But I won't. Not until you're ready. Not until you understand what it truly means. "

Zoe's cheeks flushed and he could smell her arousal. She stepped closer, her voice barely audible. "And what if I'm ready now?"

His chest tightened, his control on the brink of snapping completely. "Zoe?—"

"Don't," she said, cutting him off. "Don't tell me it's too dangerous or that I don't know what I'm saying."

He caught her wrist gently, his touch firm but careful. "You don't know what you are asking for."

"Then show me," she whispered, her eyes locked on his.

For a long moment, Logan didn't move, his breath ragged as he fought the urge to close the distance between them. But then she rose on her toes and leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a tentative kiss, and his control shattered.

He deepened the kiss, his hands sliding around her waist to pull her closer. She melted against him, her fingers tangling in his hair, and Logan felt his wolf lunge forward, possessive and hungry.

But he forced himself to pull back, his chest heaving as he rested his forehead against hers. "Not yet," Logan said, his voice rough. "When we do this, it's forever. And you need to be completely sure."

The air between them was thick with unspoken desire.

His wolf growled, desperate to close the distance again and to claim her fully.

But the rational part of his brain was telling him to stop and to think.

She didn't know who she was really consenting to.

They'd only known each other for six hours. Six reckless hours.

Zoe's swollen lips curved into a devastating smile, her hazel eyes gleaming with determination. "What if I already am?"

His jaw clenched tighter, his eyes darkening with raw hunger. God, he wanted to give in and to take her right there in the dim light of his bedroom. But he couldn't. Not yet. Not like this.

He wasn't some impulsive pup ruled by his base instincts. He was an enforcer, a strategist. And this—claiming his mate—wasn't part of the mission. Kieran would have his head if he found out Zoe wasn't at the safehouse right now, let alone that Logan was considering marking her already.

"We can't do this right now. It's too complicated," Logan said firmly, forcing himself to take a step back. His hands clenched tightly at his sides, his wolf growling in protest. "You do not know what you're agreeing to. Not really."

Zoe crossed her arms over her fitted t-shirt, her eyebrow arching in challenge. "You keep saying that, but I think I do. You're my mate, right? That's what you said. Fate decided this for us. So why are you fighting it?"

Logan's jaw twitched. She was relentless, stubborn in a way that both frustrated and intrigued him. "Because fate doesn't erase the fact that we barely know each other. You don't know who I am and what I've done. And you sure as hell don't know what me claiming you would mean for us."

"Then tell me." She stepped closer, her scent wrapping around him again. "Explain it to me. Because right now, all I know is that I feel something for you I've never felt before. And I don't think that's going away just because you're scared of it."

"I'm not scared," Logan growled, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm being smart. This isn't just about us. There's a bigger picture here. Kieran sent me to extract you, not?—"

"Not what?" she interrupted, her tone sharp. "Not have me fall for you? Too late for that, Logan. And I think it's too late for you too."

He stared at her, his chest tightening. She was right, damn her.

He'd felt the pull of the mate bond the moment he'd touched her.

But that didn't change the fact that this wasn't just about them.

Kieran would expect Zoe at the safehouse, not tucked away in Logan's cabin.

And Logan's duties as enforcer didn't leave room for distractions, especially not one as all-consuming as Zoe.

"Kieran won't approve of this," Logan said finally, his voice gruff. "He'll want you at the safehouse, where you'll be protected. Not here with me."

Zoe rolled her eyes, her lips curving into that defiant smile. "Fine, then it's settled. I'll talk to him in the morning. I'll make him understand. This is my choice, not his."

Logan groaned. "You don't know Kieran. He's not exactly the understanding type."

"Well, then he can deal with it," Zoe shot back, her chin lifting in stubborn defiance. "Because I'm not staying at some safehouse without you. You're the one who makes me feel safe. Not some strangers."

Her words hit him hard, his chest tightening with something he couldn't quite name. He wanted to argue, and to tell her she was being reckless. But the truth was, he didn't want her anywhere but here with him. His wolf growled with approval, urging him to stop fighting and just take what was his.

"This isn't going to be easy," Logan said finally, his voice low. "My life… it's extremely dangerous. And once I claim you, you'll be tied to that. Forever."

Zoe stepped closer, her fingers brushing against his arm. "Then I'll face it. With you."

Logan's gaze locked onto hers, his wolf practically purring at her words. She was so fearless, defiant in a way that made his chest ache. He wanted to believe her, and to trust that she could handle this—handle him. But the logical part of his mind was still screaming at him to stop.

"Fine. We'll talk to Kieran in the morning," he said finally. "But for now… you need rest."

Zoe's lips curved up into a smirk. "Are you always this stubborn?"

"Only when it matters," Logan replied, his tone dry.

She laughed softly, and Logan felt something tighten deep in his chest. He quickly turned away, his hands clenched to keep from reaching for her.

"Get some sleep," he said, his voice firm. "We'll figure this out in the morning."

Zoe nodded, but her eyes lingered on him as he walked out of the bedroom. He hated walking away from her. Hated leaving her in his bed while he slept on the couch. But he had to stay smart and had to think clearly. Desire wouldn't control him, no matter how much he wanted her.