Logan Chapter 94

-Logan-

Once we got the camera from the photographer, he was very cooperative. We deleted all of the pictures from his camera and his phone, though he thankfully didn’t get anything too destructive. I’ve coached my whole pack on how to melt into the shadows before they shift, to avoid eyes at all costs. I’ve asked Ollie to have Jeffries check up on the kid, and James is riding Jeffries’ ass as well. Jeffries is technically part of James’ security team, but Ollie requested to keep him on retainer because he’s a nosy fucker. Ollie’s got this inquisitive nature that has him riding the cutting edge of his sphere, but it spills over into every other sector of his life, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew exactly what Emory and I usually do on our way home from work in the evenings. Soon enough, we’ll know all about this photographer, as well.

I lifted his wallet, and his license claims he is one Hector Perez, who lives in Brooklyn. We’ll see if he’s actually a journalist or one of the conspiracy theorists. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he was wandering Central Park within a mile of my property on the full moon. The necessity of shifting on the full moon is a myth, but it does feel better.

Emory breaks into my thoughts with her own at this; *We really should set aside some time to go through myth and fact as far as all those legends go. You all have been talking about shifters like there are other types. Do you know any? Do they form groups like a pack or is that only wolves? I never realized how many questions I would have if I met a mythical creature. I guess I figured I would just go along with everything and start my hero’s journey. There’s so much to make sense of, though.

I love the way her mind works, but we really are going to have to actually set time aside to go over everything. I need my full concentration on Hector right now. *Maybe later, little mate. We have a few things to take care of right now.* I sent her upstairs to bed more than an hour ago. I’m pissed that this little punk is staining our mating night, but I want Emory well rested for officially taking up her place as the pack’s new Luna. It’s good to know our range covers the space between us- she’s in our room on the second floor, and I’m in the basement with Chucklehead and my guard dogs. But, more than anything, I want her calm and doing that cute snuffle-snort she does when she’s sleeping hard.

*First of all, I do not snore. Second of all, you’re always calling me little. Little rose, little mate, even baby. I’m actually tall for a woman. I’ve never been petite. What’s up with that?* I can’t stop the smile twitching at the corners of my mouth. Everyone else in the room notices, and considering I’ve been letting the silence percolate while Hector decides how much he wants to tell us tonight, I’m getting strange looks all around. My shifters are looking at me like I’ve got a screw loose, and Hector is one jump scare away from pissing himself. I guess that’s one way to intimidate somebody. I resolve to get back to him in a minute.

*Well, little rose, you’ll always be short compared to me. And I would break somebody described as petite in the human world. I like your curves, baby. I like how they fit in my hands, I like how they move when you walk, and I like most of all how they jiggle when I’m balls deep-* I get the impression of Emory’s squeak on the other end of our connection, and I chuckle as she immediately starts trying to clear her mind of thoughts to end the conversation. If the shifters thought I was crazy before, they’re convinced of it now. I’ll have to tell them it was for Hector’s benefit or explain the telepathy to them. I’m not sure we want to confirm that particular rumor to anyone. The more people know, the less advantage we can take of it.

I shake my head to plant my head firmly where my feet are. “So. Hector. You tell me you’re a journalist. What were you doing out in the woods on a Monday night if you have a day job? Aren’t you tired?”

I can almost see him firming his resolve, now that the interrogation has started. I must admit that I haven’t had much occasion to interrogate people up until tonight, but I’m actually having some fun with it. Maybe I’ll donate some time to James’ company on the weekends. “What were you doing in the woods on a Monday night? I know for a fact that you have a day job. Sir.” He tacks the honorific on at the end, as if it will help him at this point.

“You happened to catch the Mrs. and I celebrating our marriage with some close friends and neighbors. We have a thing for the woods at night, as I’m sure you noticed.” I wince, hoping that lie doesn’t come back to bite Emory in the ass. She’s not truly all that outdoorsy, but it’s the simplest explanation for what we were doing out there. I’m sure she’ll understand. Maybe we can be ‘caught’ walking around Central Park together over a lunch break, or we can set up elaborate vacations near places with great hiking. I know my wolf would be all for it. “You didn’t answer me, Hector, and I can’t help but wonder why you think that’s a good idea.”

Hector gulps nervously. “I was just following up on an anonymous tip. A coworker of mine got suspended recently but we all think there’s more story that could get her put back on the roster.” Fucking Cora, again. Landon clearly isn’t watching her close enough if she can set other psychoes on us.

“You should let Cora know that doing that only worsens her case. The police will be hearing about this. But before they get here, you’re going to sign an NDA about anything you saw or heard tonight. Emory and I very much appreciate our privacy after this circus, and we’re going to tell them that my security found you snooping around our wedding ceremony uninvited. You’ll get a slap on the wrist, probably, but I think you can handle it.” Hector scowls and doesn’t reply. “It would be in your best interest to take this offer, Hector. If I get my lawyer out of bed at this hour, you won’t come out nearly as pretty.”

Hector finally nods his agreement, and I pull out a standard NDA my lawyers have written up, then have one of the pack who’s in law school alter it just slightly to better fit tonight’s events. Once Hector signs the documents and we double check that we wiped the pictures off of all his devices, I have another of the pack call the police. This was a fairly easy fix, but somehow that doesn’t make me feel any more secure. We’ll have to find a new place to meet, a new place to run. At least Emory finally fell asleep.