Page 2 of Nico

Now he was starring in the live-action adaptation of Shadowfall: Requiem. Apparently one of the most popular video games in existence. I didn't know much about it.

I knew there were swords, monsters, magic, and enough devoted fans to fuel an entire economy. The production company had chosen Pecan Pines as one of the primary filming locations.

Which was exactly how we found ourselves preparing for a month-long stay in wolf territory neither of us had been in before. Well, it was not entirely unfamiliar territory, because Cooper Hayes was there.

My gaze drifted toward the window. The memory arrived unexpectedly. I thought of Logan and my old hometown. Winter Valley, with its snow-covered forests, and pack runs beneath moonlit skies.

Cooper had been older than me, already respected, and carrying responsibilities that most wolves spent their lives avoiding. Even back then he'd possessed that strange ability to make people listen without raising his voice.

Years had passed since he'd left Winter Valley, ages since since I'd seen him in person. Still, when he'd personally offered hospitality to Logan and me during filming, I hadn't hesitated.

There were very few alphas I trusted. Cooper was one of them.

Logan tossed another shirt into his suitcase.

"You know," he said casually, "most brothers would be excited about this."

"I'm thrilled,” I told him.

"You don't sound thrilled, so that means…you're worried?” Logan asked.

"I'm always worried." I pointed toward him. "Because of you."

"Because I'm famous,” Logan stated.

"Because you're Logan."

His grin widened. Unfortunately, that grin still worked exactly the same way it had when he was twelve years old and trying to convince me to help hide evidence after breaking something.

"I'll behave,” Logan told me.

"No, you won’t,” I said grimly.

I stared at him, and he stared back. Then he sighed dramatically.

"Fine. I'll be on my best behavior,” Logan grumbled.

"We're guests,” I reminded him. "Of Alpha Cooper.”

"I won't embarrass you,” Logan promised.

I narrowed my eyes. He smiled, and the smile alone told me I was doomed. A few minutes later, he collapsed backward across the bed.

"You need a hobby,” Logan pointed out.

I continued checking travel documents.

"I have a hobby,” I replied rather defensively.

"What is it?" Logan asked, curious.

"Keeping you alive,” I said in a deadpanned voice.

Logan barked out a laugh. "I walked right into that."

The drive to Pecan Pines took a while. They were peaceful and glorious hours, because Logan couldn't create new problems because he was asleep in the passenger seat.

The closer we got, the more picturesque the landscape became. I spotted dense forests, rolling hills, and long stretches of open road. Something inside my chest loosened slightly.