Page 53 of Shadow of Fury

“Maybe because you’re finally letting the idea of her as your perfect mate go.”

Logan was already shaking his head as a twinge of something in the back of his mind made him restless, “No. I think it’s more than that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think… maybe… it’s almost like the strength of my father’s Alpha order not to talk about that night is waning.”

Dominic’s eyebrows hit his hairline, “Holy shit. Did you just say that out loud?”

“Yeah.” Logan’s heart started to race as he realized his throat didn’t close the words off. “Yeah, I did.”

“You’ve never been able to talk about that night, or even really say your dad used his power against you, have you? You’ve definitely never said as much to me. I always just assumed.”

“It’s weakening.”

“Why?” Dominic wasn’t casually lounging against the counter anymore but was upright and alert. “How?”

“Maybe because of his illness? Because he’s weaker now?”

Dominic shook his head, “No, he’s been weakening for a while because of the illness. What if, what if it’s your mom?”

Logan nodded, “She died this afternoon. They may not have been a love match but they were fated mates. They were bonded. If he was siphoning her strength through the bond to keep himself going, that would explain why she was far sicker than him despite him being the one with the illness.”

“Fucking hell.” Dominic groaned. “What a bastard. He was siphoning her strength even as she was dying?”

“I think so.” Logan fought the nausea that roiled in his gut as he thought of his dying mother and his last conversation with her. “But if he was using her power to keep himself going, he’s lost access to it with her death. He’s weaker now than he’s ever been so his hold on the pack is weakening too.”

“He’s really dying then, and probably soon.”

“Not soon enough.” Logan pushed to his feet. “We need to go and talk to your dad. Now.”

“My dad?”

“If the order my dad used on me is weakening, maybe his power over your dad is too. Maybe all the lies he’s hidden behind his veil of silence are starting to seep through.” Logan nodded as the puzzle pieces began to come together for him. “In case he finds another way to regain his strength, we need to talk to your dad, now, tonight.”

“What do you think he knows?”

“Everything.” He grabbed for his shoes where he’d dropped them by the barstool and began shoving his feet into them. “I spoke to my mom before she passed. She said something to me I haven’t been able to figure out. She said I needed to find the ones who didn’t leave.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know.” he admitted. “She said something else too, something about how there were others who were sick, others who had died. She said Dad was the root of the sickness.”

“Because he’s sick with power? I think we all know he’s willing to go to any lengths to protect himself and his secrets. I wouldn’t put murdering a few people past him. Would you?”

“No. I wouldn’t. He’s done it before.” Logan felt the words slip past his lips and then gasped when his throat spasmed.

The order that had kept those words and so many like them at bay was weakening. He still felt the pain and the choking feeling but it hadn’t been enough to keep the words inside of him this time. He briefly panicked at the thought of Wren experiencing that same feeling of helplessness when she couldn’t get a breath of air and everything inside of him wanted to rush back to her and make sure she was okay.

But if he truly wanted to protect her, he had to get to the bottom of this while he still had the chance. He had to discover what else his father was hiding. He had to take away the bastard's power. Then he would truly be able to give Wren the truth that she deserved.

“Logan? You okay?” Dominic had come around the counter and put a hand on his shoulder.

It was only then he realized he’d doubled over and was breathing hard. He struggled for breath, the curse of his father’s stranglehold on him kicking hard against his admission. It was still powerful enough to hurt him even if it hadn’t managed to keep the words at bay.

“Yeah.” He sucked in a gasp of air and tried to calm his racing mind. “I’m okay but we need to go, now.”

“Let me call my dad and see if he’s in any state to talk to us.” Dominic hedged but Logan was upright again and shaking his head.