"Okay, hit me," said Logan as he plopped down on the couch, leaning his elbows on his knees as he scratched his stubble nervously.

"Okay, but I want the truth. I want real answers this time. I don't want excuses," I huffed, crossing my arms.

Logan nodded, encouraging me to continue.

"Why are you organising another Whipping?" I grunted, knowing that going in with the toughest question first was a bit risky, but it was the answer I wanted the most out of all of them.

Logan buried his face in his hands, huffing. "Do you really have to ask me that?"

"Yes," I announced, glaring.

"Eliza, I don't need anyone else's opinion right now on the matter. I'm trying to figure out what to do and you're just making it harder for me by asking this."

"Wow. That's your answer?" I laughed in disbelief, "you said you would answer my questions."

Logan gazed at me, his lips set in a firm line. He obviously wasn't going to be spilling anything today.

"Just forget it," I mumbled as I pushed myself up off the opposite couch, taking a few steps towards the door. However, Logan reached out for my arm, grasping it softly, sending tiny tingles to flow through it.

"Please don't leave. I'll answer."

I pulled my arm away, not enjoying the physical contact in a time like this. I pushed away the warm thoughts of Logan that were now invading my mind, wanting to be angry at him.

"Okay, so why?" I asked, nervously fiddling with my fingers as I placed myself on the edge of the couch.

Logan shook his head, puffing out all the air he had collected in his cheeks in angst. "My father had a lot of blood on his hands, Eliza. When he died, it then got transferred to Jordan, and when Jordan died, it then got transferred to me."

I shook my head; my eyes slightly squinted. "I don't understand."

Logan sighed, running his hands through his dark hair. "My father wasn't the best guy. He looked after his family and pack, don't get me wrong, but he saw no value in other people's lives. He killed for the fun of it, and, it's come back to haunt him."

"Or come back to haunt you?" I whispered.

Logan nodded. "People want revenge, Eliza. My father is dead, and so is my older brother, so who's the next best person for them all to target?"

I furrowed my brows, not understanding what it all had to do with organising another Whipping.

"People would jump at the chance to take this pack down, but they've been waiting. They've been waiting for the right time, and what is my biggest weakness? You."

I stared at Logan, my lips parted in shock.

"I've been told multiple times the day I find my mate is the day this pack will be destroyed. After years of no mate showing up, I organised the first Whipping because I didn't want to find you. I decided it was for the best. I wanted someone to have children with so my bloodline could continue, but someone that I wouldn't be attached to, so they couldn't be used against me. Then I found you."

The room was filled with silence, but this silence sounded deafening. A million thoughts were racing through my head and I didn't know what to think or feel. I was feeling every emotion under the sun.

"So you're organising another Whipping because you found me?"

"No...well yes," mumbled Logan as he moved towards me, crouching down in front of me, gazing up with his hazel eyes, holding an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse. "I wanted to organise another Whipping to make people think I hadn't found my mate. People were starting to suspect and ask questions after what happened at the first event, and I wanted to keep you safe."

"What were you going to say to them about why you stopped the first event? Everyone saw you attack your Beta after he whipped me," I whispered, finally letting the salty tears dribble down my now flushed cheeks.

"I was just going to make something up. I was going to say I was unhappy with the choice of girl my Beta made or that I didn't want him to start the event until I got there. I was still thinking about that part."

"Any children of yours would become a target too Logan," I mumbled.

Logan nodded, slightly shaking his head. "I know, but we are a private pack. My children would have been kept a secret until they were all old enough and strong enough to defend themselves, and then, one of them would take over the pack for me."

Logan reached forward, cupping my cheeks, wiping away the waterfall of tears.

"What would you do with the winner of the second Whipping? Would you take her as your Luna?"

I didn't want to know the answer, and the idea that Logan was going to choose someone else over me put a strain on my heart, causing my chest to feel tight.

"No, of course not. I was going to explain everything in private to her afterwards. She would have just lived within the pack like everyone else, but she wouldn't become the Luna. She would be safe though, I didn't think anyone would have tried to hurt her, because they would know she's not my real mate. I've thought about hosting the Whipping in private, and just pretending that it went ahead so no one had to get hurt, and then pick one of the girls at random, but there would just be too many complications and questions asked. I wouldn't be able to trust the other girls not to say anything. It wouldn't work."

"You don't actually think that the girl would accept being told she wasn't going to become the Luna after going through with The Whipping?" I scoffed, shaking my head.

Logan shrugged, chewing on his bottom lip. "She would have to. I would keep her here against her will if it meant keeping you safe."

I was really having trouble understanding his feelings for me, or if he had any at all. The organisation of the second Whipping had made me feel as if I wasn't good enough for him, and I felt a little better knowing that it really was for the protection of me; nothing else.

I shook my head, running my hands through my hair in frustration. "It doesn't seem like you put in any effort to find me. You could have visited neighbouring packs to see if anyone there was your mate."

Logan shook his head. "I asked Eliza, I asked every pack I could think of, but all of them denied my request to visit. They obviously didn't trust me around them, knowing who my father was. Forcing my way onto their territory would just start unnecessary wars, so I just gave up searching for you."

I sighed, taking in all of the information, feeling my head throb.

"I have never regretted anything more in my life, Eliza. I wish I had met you under different circumstances," said Logan as he softly caressed my cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I know this is all very upsetting for you, so I'll think about changing my decision. I will try and come up with some other options, but please remember, I am trying to keep you and my pack safe."

I nodded in understanding, pulling away from Logan's hand as I wiped away the remaining tears. Standing up, I stretched my arms out in front of me, sighing loudly.

Logan stood up from his crouching position, studying me to ensure I was alright.

It felt good to know the truth, and I felt like Logan had really opened up to me. I still didn't know an awful lot about him, but this had really felt like the first step. Walking over to one his living room walls, I studied the number of beautifully framed photographs placed upon in it.

"You look so happy," I said, pointing at a photo of Logan and Jordan.

Logan laughed, shoving his hands in his pockets and making his way over to the wall. "Yeah, Jordan was a funny guy."

"Who's this?" I asked, pointing to another photograph of Logan and Jordan, but this one had a girl in it. The girl was clinging onto Jordan's shoulder, mid-laugh, flashing her perfect white teeth; her long brunette locks floating in the wind. "Is that his mate?"

"Uh, no," said Logan, reaching over me and pointing at another photo that included Jordan, but this photo had a blonde girl in it. "That's his mate, Emily."

"Oh," I mumbled, gazing between the photos.

"That," said Logan as he pointed back to the brunette girl, "Is Joanna. She was Jordan's ex, but, a good friend of ours."

"His ex?" I asked.

Logan nodded. "Yeah, they were together for a while, but then Jordan met Emily, and there was no way he could choose anyone over his mate. They were supposed to be the next Alpha and Luna of the pack, but...yeah."

"Where are Emily and Joanna now?"

Logan looked at me, his mouth set in a firm line. "Joanna left after Jordan died. She was heartbroken, and Emily committed suicide...She couldn't live life without him."

I turned to Logan, gazing into his hazel eyes to check for any signs that he was uncomfortable, but he smiled, showing me he was alright.

"How did he die?" I asked, knowing that the question may have been out of line, but I really wanted Logan to open up to me.

"He died unexpectedly. He went to sleep one night, and he never woke up."

Logan dropped his gaze, chewing on his lip.

"I'm sorry."

"He was really stressed about becoming the Alpha, so, the doctor put it down to that. We never really got any answers."

I nodded, knowing that terrible things like this happened on the daily, and it was unfair, but there was nothing anybody could do. It hurt to see Logan so withdrawn, and I was starting to feel guilty about asking him so many questions, but I was happy I was finally seeing the real Logan, even if it did mean the hurt and emotional Logan.

............................................

Question for my readers! Who's your celebrity crush?

Hi guys, thanks for reading. I am starting to feel unwell again, so I wrote this update for you just in case I can't update for the next few days.

Thank your for the votes and comments!

Lots of love xxx