Chapter 7

For the next few days, I noticed something different about Logan every time I passed him in the halls. It seemed as though he was doing everything possible to avoid me. And every time I got within five feet of him, he seemed to clench his jaw and stiffen. I couldn't imagine what I could have done to make him have such dislike for him, but I took it like a personal insult.

His scent was stronger lately, making it exceedingly hard to ignore him. I felt my heart give a quiver every time I passed him, and it seemed as though I could sense his scent in every room, even my own. Still, I found solace in a small clearing near the school grounds. During the talk with him, Professor Xavier told me I was going to completely safe around the school grounds, as long as I didn't stray too far. I didn't like being trapped like that, but on the other hand, my instincts told me it would be better to hang around rather than have another encounter with Sabretooth. Though I technically was going off school grounds, the foliage making up the forest surrounding it were a god-send. I could rush through, letting the animal in my soul uncoil and take over. It felt like freedom, and since my bike was crushed, I'd hadn't felt freedom in a long time.

It was on one of these trips into the deep heart of the woods, pushing past the oaks and maples and holly bushes, that I found my clearing. I'd seen a light shaft breaking through in front of me and was intrigued, because the forest was so dense. I hadn't seen any trace of the sun all day. I broke through the last of the bushes and briars and found the most beautiful place I'd ever seen.

The clearing had shafts of light, breaking through the boughs of the trees to glisten the fresh morning dew. The air smelled clear and crisp; like fresh rain, although the bright glimmer of the cloudless sky proved there hadn't been a drop. Against my bare feet, the grass felt soft and slightly wet from the dew. I closed my eyes, breathing in the freshness of the air. The beauty and surreal mystique of the place drew me in.

I'd gone there often, whether to think or rest or simply enjoy the break away from the convoluted web of life. But lately, I'd gone to think about Logan. He was confusing. I was completely trapped. His scent. That familiar, delicious, ethereal scent. It was what trapped me, filling my mind with chaos, lust mixed with confusion with a hint of joy. I knew I more than enjoyed it; I was addicted.

I turned my face toward the light breeze, hoping to clear my mind of Logan. This was unhealthy, obsessing over him. He was a guy. A guy and nothing more. And for a moment, laying on the soft grass as the breeze ran through my hair, I believed it.

Logan watched from in the dense trees. This was the last place he'd expected to see her. In fact, that's precisely the reason he'd gone here. Too much of her filled his thoughts, taunting the hidden animal lust locked away in his soul. His attraction to her had increased lately, tempting him to do something he'd later regret. She turned over in the slight wind and her scent blew toward him.

He stopped, frozen. Once again the undeniable scent filled his lungs, wrapping him in a deadlock of attraction. He could feel the Wolverine, filled with complete aggresive passion, pacing inside of him, restless, trying to find an escape at all costs. He tightened his chest, trying with all his might to desregard the furious, animalistic greed rising up in him. He tried to look away, but his eyes were locked on her delicate figure, clad only in a small yelow tank top and short shorts.

He watched, self-resolve slipping away more with every second. She uncrossed her slender legs, then crossed them again, obviously content and untroubled. His chin trembled, the resevoir of self control almost empty. The Wolverine had stopped pacing, seeing an opening. He weakened, her scent still lingering from the breeze. He took a reluctant step forward...but was snapped back to his senses.

She had gone rigid, her green eyes searching the forest. Logan realized with horror that the smallest, most unnoticable wind was lightly brushing against his back. It wasn't much, but he was sure it had carried his scent far enough for her to recognize it. He started to take a small, quiet step backwards, when her bright green eyes rested on him.

Logan waited, for what he didn't know. An explosion, a fight, whatever she had in mind. But he saw her eyes move to the rest of the forest clearing. He didn't dare give a sigh of relief, because even that could set of her senses. Her beautiful eyes swept over the clearing one more time, but didn't rest on him again. After a quick minute, she seemed to relax. He silently relaxed as well, but the Wolverine was enraged at its missed chance at what it wanted. Logan wanted to move back, but knew her keen senses would catch even the smallest movement. He stood and waited, trying to find a way out.

I closed my eyes, suspicious. I had sensed Logan. His scent was much too recognizable for me to miss. And I had seen him, standing there like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. But I didn't attack him out of anger for spying...partially because...I liked it. I leaned back, listening with all my might...what was he doing? I heard rough, uneven breaths...and the smallest sound of ruffling clothes.

My chin trembled slightly, remembering the smallest look into his chest that day at the bar. Beneath my lids, visions of him taunted me,

Logan leaning against the bar, sweat glistening on him from the cage fight,

Logan fighting Sabretooth, a look of pure animal fury on his face,

Logan draped over the lobby bench, his face pleased,

Logan, Logan, Logan...

I heard the crunch of leaves approaching, and my stomach tightened. What was he doing? If he was planning something, he should have done it already. If he'd just been spying, he would have hightailed it back to the school when I sensed him. If he'd gone to come bring me back to the safety of the school on Xavier's orders, he would just come get me... But no. He simply stood there. Suddenly, another breeze came from his direction, and my face was tickled with the tantalizing scent of his bare skin. But I smelled...fear? And something...something like soft rose. Jean! She wasn't there a minute ago. What were they doing!?

I reached out my hearing, centering all my powers on that one sense.

"What are you doing?" hissed a soft, female voice. Jean. Logan didn't answer, at least no answer I could detect. I heard their feet leave, but the lighter set pause. I could sense Jeans worried expression even without powers. As soon as their feet carried away, my eyes popped open. I looked in the direction where their scents still lingered. What...what was that I had seen on Logans face?

As I closed my eyes to relax with my thoughts, I couldn't help but remember the look on his face, as if he had been caught indulging in something forbidden. A thought wavered across my mind for the slightest moment...

Did Logan...feel the way I did?