Logan Chapter 79

-Logan-

“The chosen one!” Shouts Hunter, jokingly, as he makes jazz hands in Emory’s general direction. Landon chuckles and bumps shoulders with him. I grit my teeth in an effort to hold my temper at their cavalier attitude toward my mate. She’s Luna, and she’s mine, and she deserves their respect. I understand that this is a big change for her family, though. They require my patience and understanding, like any pup would.

Bryan, of course, doesn’t lose the thread of his thoughts with Hunter’s jeering. “Fated, meaning not her choice? Fated, meaning forced?” His volume is rising, as is the color in his cheeks. Even Bill is looking implacable beside him. He’s not a fan of Bryan’s assumptions, either. Terri is looking back and forth like our argument is a tennis match, waiting for someone to make it a happy new family again.

“There’s an element of… physical necessity for proximity. Keep in mind that I didn’t choose this, either. I would have dated Emory more traditionally if I could have. But that’s not how the stars dictated things, and we would never have been paired if we weren’t perfect together.” I still haven’t said the right thing to Bryan, and he explodes out of his seat.

“Oh, well if you didn’t choose it then I suppose it’s all fine and not your fault at all. I’m sure you couldn’t have done anything about it! I’m sure it couldn’t have played out any other way, in any way that would have included more dignity for my sister, you hairy bag of dicks!” Landon starts to growl at the blatant disrespect, and all of the other shifters in the house have gone deathly silent. I wave Landon down.

“I would like anyone not in the sitting room to leave the house, please. You are dismissed for the day. Report back tomorrow morning. Good evening.” It’s a little late for any kind of saving face, but I can’t risk one of them taking offense on my behalf like Landon is. They won’t be able to control their tempers as well as he is, and they’re far more likely to rush in and attack the perceived threat.

Emory sighs dramatically and pinches the bridge of her nose. “Is it your life’s mission to make mine more difficult, Bryan? I’m working hard enough to earn these people’s respect, and you’re acting like a psycho. Can’t you see how that reflects on me? You’re yelling obscenities at basically my fiance as well as the governor of what amounts to a small town composed entirely- down to the elementary school- of people who could kill you by accident in a wrestling match.” Bryan looks at her incredulously.

“You shouldn’t have to earn anything! You’re the victim here!” I don’t know that I appreciate the terminology, for all that I agree with him. I don’t think she should have to earn their respect, either, but I know she will.

“I’m their new leader. Of course, I have to earn their respect. Anyone would when they’re suddenly thrust into leadership of a group. That isn’t something you can change or improve by painting me as a damsel in distress who needs her big brother to come save her.” I love watching her stand up to him. It’s so hot to see this different side of her, but it’s only now occurring to me that I’ve never seen my little rose in a situation where she’s comfortable. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her let loose like this, and it shames me to know that it isn’t with me. I suppose the only fix for that is time, which we’ve had precious little of.

Bryan seems to finally take a second to think after Emory’s rebuttal. He knows we have better hearing than humans do at this point, and that we’re stronger and faster. He turns to me, done arguing with Emory. “You can’t protect her? Even from your own people?” I bristle at the implication.

“The pack would never harm their Luna. It’s not the way. They might snub her or disrespect her, but never outright harm. Our main problems come entirely from humanity.” I’m trying hard not to be racist, but if humans operated more like shifter packs, so much chaos could be avoided.

Bryan rolls his eyes at me, and Landon steps in. “That’s gotta stop. You don’t disrespect the Alpha or Luna unless you want your shit rocked. I’m a great guy and all, but I’m still his enforcer. If any of the pack spot you acting like a little shit with no consequences, we’ll have anarchy around here real fucking quick.” He starts poking Bryan’s chest with each word. “You. Respect. Your. Superiors.” Landon’s chest and biceps are pumped with aggression, and his eyes are flashing with his wolf. Finally, Bryan seems to be finding some self preservation, and takes a deep breath as he breaks eye contact.

Emory puts a hand on his arm. “All of this was a surprise, yes. But I wouldn’t let Logan go, even if it meant my life goes back to normal, Bryan. This is where we are now, and this is my future. Can you just… support me? Mama? Dad?” Not a ringing endorsement for her feelings towards me, but it’s still endearing to watch Terri run to her and embrace her all over again.

“Of course we support you, baby. Did you say fiance? Are we havin’ a wedding?” Terri’s eyes light up in excitement, trying to change the subject, while Emory winces all over again.

“Not… exactly? I’d call it more of a civil ceremony than the big church wedding you always envisioned for me, Mama.” Terri’s face falls in confusion.

“How come we can’t do it big, even if it’s shifter style?” She steps back, holding both of Emory’s hands.

“Well first of all, it’s going to be on the next full moon. So, Monday. It’s not a lot of time to plan anything. Second of all, they already have a fated mate ceremony to complete my and Logan’s bond. Afterward we’ll be able to hang out in separate rooms, at least.” Emory’s eyes get big as she explains the rest. “Some people have said we’ll start reading each other’s minds and maybe even other powers. It all sounds very… incredible.”

Terri puts a hand to her forehead in dramatic fashion. “Well sweetheart, it’s a darn good thing the weekend’s only just started! We have two full days to find you a dress, at the very least! Surely nobody can object to my baby getting the white dress she deserves.” I smother a smile and jump in.

“Surely not. And I don’t mind paying whatever it takes to get something bought and fitted in time. I’m sure you can find something in all of New York City to suit you, little rose?” Emory glares at me for getting her stuck with a full day, minimum, of shopping. To save myself, I add “and of course you need a new pair of heels to go with it?” I sigh in relief at her smile.

Terri shakes a finger at me. “Don’t think you’re off the hook either, young man. Does this wolf wedding include groomsmen? Do we need to get tuxes? Is there an aisle? Should her daddy give her away? Surely her daddy will get to give her away. Will there be dancing afterwards?”

I ignore Emory’s choking sound at the mention of after. “Afterwards will have to be a shifter- only party, I’m afraid. Lots of shifting and running in the woods- I wouldn’t want you all to get caught up in it. As for walking down an aisle, it’s traditional for the couple to walk themselves up to the front, but I don’t see why we can’t add just a couple of the human traditions at the very beginning. Once the fated mate ceremony starts, we’ll have to keep it all the same for fear of diluting the effects. I wouldn’t want Emory to be stuck sitting in on my meetings forever.”

Bill finally speaks up. “I’ve been thinkin’ about that. Y’all haven’t explained that part. What do you mean, she’s sitting in on your meetings?”

“Well, Dad, anytime we get more than fifteen feet or so away from each other, I get real itchy. Like that time I fell in that poison ivy patch.” Emory explains, and I watch Bill sit back in his chair oh so slowly as the strangeness of his daughter’s new life finally settles on his shoulders.