“You need to eat. This is not the time to be wasting food.”
She sighed, shoulders dropping. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Logan parked herself in front of her tray and patted the table, encouraging me to sit with her where she could still watch the kids. Tilly peeked out below Logan’s ear, accepting a tiny piece of apple Logan broke off from her stash.
Pretty sure if I had ovaries they would be exploding right now.
Logan laughed.I’ve been dying of cuteness all day.
Do you wanna tell me what’s going on with Kendrick?
She sucked in a sharp breath, her cheeks flushing pink.Not really. Mostly because I don’tknowwhat’s going on.
I sliced up her meatballs for her while she nibbled her fruit salad.I’m not saying you have to do anything, but Iamgoing to point out that you don’t have to stop yourself from figuring it out.
No one likes him. It wouldn’t be fair.
Butyoulike him. And I don’tdislike him.
He’s not as bad as the others think,she insisted.I’ve seen him when they’re not around.
The owlet swooped over, Tilly giving a shriek and darting down Logan’s shirt.
“Moira, that’s not kind.” Logan sighed, cupping her hands over the little Tilly ball in her clothes.It’s like this with him and the other Protectors.
I stared at her for a long moment, trying to parse exactly what she meant before it occurred to me that in the wild Tilly would be prey for Moira. Holy shit. Every Protector was a predator except for Kendrick. No wonder he was a twitchy bitch.
I never considered that.
I don’t think any of them have.Logan gave Moira a little strip of ham from her sandwich, still running her thumb softly over Tilly. “Moira, honey, can you please give Tilly some space? You can sit with me later, okay?”
The little owl fluffed up all of her feathers, looking adorably indignant.
“It’s not special treatment,” Logan said softly. “Everyone needs different levels of care and there’s nothing wrong with that. Why don’t you finish your drawing and when I’m done eating we can have a cuddle?”
Moira huffed and hopped back down. She shifted back, briefly pulled her dress on again and resumed her coloring.
She’s a little troublemaker,Logan said with an affectionate smile.Cute, though.
Very. So how are we supposed to get Kendrick to chill out if part of his problem is that he’s surrounded by predators?
Fuck if I know.
With no answers forthcoming, I opted to make sure Logan ate every bite, besides the few she offered to the little shifters who came to paw at her ankles.
They all got in their cuddles for a while, Tilly eventually regaining her courage and emerging from Logan’s shirt. Margaret and a few of the shifter parents took over, sending Logan away for a proper break.
What’s our web up to now?I asked as we walked arm in arm down the hall.Do you think you’ll pursue more with Haru, or keep it to a group playtime?
Definitely not opposed to more. I feel like I need twice as many hours in the day.
With how many people want a piece of you, that’s pretty accurate. So you’ve been with Yelena, Velda, and Haru, plus Caden and me. Have you been with Kendrick?
No. Just the one kiss and getting close while charging wards.Her uncertainty blended with desire and flickered through the bond.
Fair. Is Velda with anyone?
I think so. She has four claimants, so I can only assume she’s got something going on with at least one of them. Caden and Yelena have been getting closer.
