Chapter 354 Unwanted Company

Ella

We settled into the hard plastic seats, the cacophony of engines and crowd noise enveloping us like a heavy blanket. Even from our spot, I could see the intensity on the drivers’ faces, their concentration palpable even from a distance.

There was something both exciting and terrifying about it, and something addictive, I was sure of it. This was a place for adrenaline junkies, for people who loved thrills and danger, even just as casual observers.

Logan leaned closer, his clear blue eyes not leaving the spectacle unfolding on the racetrack. “See that guy in the blue car? His gear ratios are off. He’s gonna lose speed on the straights.”

I looked at him, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Gear ratios? That’s an oddly specific observation.”

He flushed slightly, a sheepish smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You know how much I love cars. That’s all.”

I peered into his eyes, looking for a hint of deception. I could tell that there was something he wasn’t telling me, something beyond just loving cars, but I let it slide. If he wanted to share, he would, in his own time. And frankly, it wasn’t really my concern.

Soon, though, the race completely captured my attention. The swerving of the cars, the high- pitched roar of the engines, even the palpable tension in the air-it was intoxicating. I found myself cheering as cars zoomed past the finish line, lap after lap.

“Looks like someone’s getting into it,” Logan chuckled, handing me a cup of soda.

I took a sip and smiled. “It’s… growing on me. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually having fun.”

He beamed, and I sensed a kind of pride in his eyes. “Told you so. Aren’t you glad that you came out instead of eating pizza and watching true crime?”

I blushed. “There’s a time and a place for everything,” I found myself saying. Then, maybe thanks to a little unwarranted push from my wolf: “I’ll have to introduce you to my guilty pleasures as payback.”

Logan smirked, his blue eyes flashing with something I couldn’t quite read. “I’d love that,” he murmured. His voice was almost husky over the sound of the roaring engines. “True crime and pizza with you sounds…”

push. Instead, I let myself get swept

into the spectacle of it all. But I quickly pushed that thought away. One time would be good enough. There was no need for

engine mapping isn’t right,” Logan commented, his eyes narrowing at one of the vehicles whizzing past us. “He’s gonna face some

the car’s engine sputtered and lagged behind the other cars. The driver inside could be seen banging his hands on the steering

know your stuff. Do you come to these races a

up some juicy tidbit about his mysterious relationship with car racing. But then, he seemed to think better of it. “Yeah, I try to come every weekend when

Still, I couldn’t

one of the cars zooming around the track.

down at my almost empty cup, realizing only then how thirsty the excitement had

get you another,” Logan offered, rising

I protested, but he just rolled his eyes, snatched the empty cup from my hand,

here,” he said. “Save

right muscles. For a split second, I felt the presence of my wolf, as if she were drawn to him, too. I had to consciously tear my gaze away, a low growl sounding in the back

where he’d

a hint of teasing in her voice. “Anyone

he’s an attractive man,” I defended, rolling my eyes internally.

but there’s looking and then there’s looking,” Ema purred. “Don’t think I didn’t notice your body language, Ella.

“Yeah, well, hearts can

“And what about the soul? We’re fated mates, you know. That’s

“but it’s complicated, Ema. He’s trying to pull away from a life of

thinking about the long term, about what could happen if he

over our shoulders? Not to mention, the fact

probed. “You’re worried about how they’ll react when

heavier this time. “Of course. They’ve got strong values too, Ema. To them, learning that I’m ‘dating’ a

hard place,” Ema acknowledged. “But, Ella, you don’t have to decide everything now.

what? The possibility of monumental disaster?

countered. “Remember the guy you dated in

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