*Poppy*
While once I wouldn't even dream of letting someone look at me in my underwear, now I can't imagine not having Anastasia with me when I almost have to crawl to the shower.
King Alexander's words were prophetic, too. Not only did Gemma become so close to them, but so did I. For over two months, I have been with the King and Queen on a first-name basis, treating them like family. They pamper my daughter as if she were an actual princess. Apart from the moments when I saw Lex or Anastasia get angry and cause fear among people, I discovered that they were cheerful, regular, and accommodating people.
Our acquaintance became a friendship almost immediately, leaving only one problem between us. Prince Logan. Although I finally managed to say his name without the title after his many corrections, I still don't know why I can't bring myself to relax around him.
*Poppy*The dinner was awkward, at least to me. I couldn't look at Logan, and Iris couldn't stop reminding me of his words before he stormed off, leaving me stunned. Additionally, Gemma decided to have her worst day today and refused to eat, sitting with arms crossed over her chest, unsatisfied with the King's refusal to allow her to ride on his lycan. Although he promised her to do it one day, I convinced him to change his mind, explaining that it wasn't good for Gemma. Not because it was dangerous, or I didn't trust him, but because lately Gemma was acting more like a spoiled brat than ever, and that wasn't my intention to raise her as such."So, how's it going with the training, Poppy? I heard from many that you have improved tremendously, and the duel would be a cake for you or Iris." Lex asked, breaking the awkward silence."Well, thank you, but I wouldn't be so confident. The fir
*Poppy*My heart pounded in my chest, not because of his words but because of how he said them. It felt almost like he screamed his frustration out at me for not noticing his feelings towards me, but I was not his mate. Iris sat quietly, not commenting or joking about rushing to console the frustrated little lycan prince. She understood him better than anyone. Despite his flaws, Ezra was her everything, and not even his flaws were able to stop her from loving him. She would choose him every time over someone better."Mommy. Why is Logan angry?" Gemma asked, a little scared.I rushed to her and hugged her immediately. I knew she was sensitive to similar situations, as if my fear of being disposed of by Seamus had been projected onto her and instilled in her a fear of angry alphas. I kissed her head before smiling at her."Honey, you know Logan would neve
*Logan*I hit the punching bag with great force, but even that didn't bring any relief. Furious, I let out a roar and allowed Gunnar to come out momentarily. With his sharp claws, I tore the hard leather material into shreds, scattering all the sand on the floor."Great, that's the fifth one. I hope Your Assholeness will buy them all for me." Andrew, the owner of the gym in vampire territory, clapped as he approached cautiously."Don't piss me off too. Or I'll count your bones instead of that miserable bag. What happened to those strong dragon skins you were so proud of recently?" I hissed, breathing deeply, trying to control my anger and Gunnar's desire to kill.Andrew snorted and crossed his arms over his chest, showing off his tattooed forearms. The contrast of the black ink on his pale, almost snow-white skin always attracted my attention. I have a few tattoos, but none look as great as his. Maybe it's because of my sun-kissed skin; the tattoo doesn't stand out as much as it does
*Logan*When I entered the training field, I had a clearly defined goal. Still, after just a few seconds spent surrounded by this most beautiful smell, tantalizing my senses, I had to double my effort not to throw myself at her and tear off her tight training outfit, emphasizing her tempting curves.Gunnar was no better; if it weren't for the fact that I was the dominant part, he would have long ago assumed his intimidating Lycan form and forced the shift on Poppy and would have copulated day and night with Iris, marking her as ours in more than one way.But today, something changed. Not only the time of our training, which I may have forced Poppy too coldly and rudely, but her attitude, definitely her attitude towards me and, to my surprise, her training outfit. I stopped beside the sparring ring, set down my towel and water bottle, and watched my mate hit the heavy training dummy in the middle.Her focus was absolute, and her strokes were precise and calculated, precisely as I had t
*Tanner (Poppy's Previous Gamma)*I glanced into the rearview mirror, feeling like someone was following me despite having been alone on the road for at least twenty miles. I hadn't seen anyone, and this road is usually well-traveled, although perhaps not at night. It was just past one o'clock. I looked again and slowed down to make sure that no one was following me, whether in a car or on all fours, lurking in the darkness of the forest."I must have gone crazy," I whispered, shaking my head, but my wolf Otis was growling a warning in my head.'Hurry up. Something is wrong.' He warned me, and I immediately accelerated towards the human city.His senses have never failed me yet, and if Otis feels something is wrong, it is. The first time this happened was when, a few days after making the oath to my Luna, Otis started acting strange when Seamus began to send me on resupply missions to the human city. I didn't understand why he needed such large amounts of opioids, but I didn't questio
*Poppy*I had a dream last night that started with me running through a field of wildflowers, the sun shining, and the wind in my hair. I was chasing after love, and it felt exhilarating like I was on the brink of something unique. But as I ran, the scenery around me began to change. The once vibrant field turned into a desolate wasteland, the sun disappeared behind dark clouds, and the wind turned into a bitter, cold gale.Suddenly, I was alone in this barren landscape, with no one in sight. The love I had been chasing after had vanished, leaving me stranded in a lonely, loveless world. The feeling of loneliness and heartache was overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of despair.In my dream, I realized that sometimes, the pursuit of love can lead to a nightmare of loneliness. It was a haunting reminder that love is not always guaranteed, and the fear of ending alone can turn a beautiful dream into a chilling nightmare. It was a jarring and sobering experience that
*Poppy*Gemma jumped on the bed, squealing delightfully and eating her favorite jelly beans. I tried one too many times to remind her of good manners, but every time she flashed me with her big, shining, and pleading eyes, I gave up and let her jump one more time."Mommy, can I sleep at Trevor's? Aunt Nastya said our apartment is closed. Some kind of revelation or something." Gemma asked, plopping in the middle of the bed, spilling the remains of the jelly beans from the package."Not revelation, but renovation. And Aunt Nastya has some old news. Everything is already fixed, and we can spend a few days in our beautiful little apartment again." I closed my suitcase, leaned over it, and grabbed the last strawberry jelly beside my daughter's little feet."Hey. This is my favorite." Gemma pouted and quickly picked up the remaining jelly beans, stuffing them into her mouth."And try saying Anastasia. Aunt Anastasia." I corrected her, although I know she won't be able to say the full versio
*Poppy*I looked out the window and watched the beautiful autumn slowly ending, preparing for the incoming winter. My favorite red, brown, and gold leaves had already begun to fall to the ground, leaving the branches bare and slightly off-putting. The sky had already started to turn dark blue, and in less than an hour, it would undoubtedly turn into a completely black surface covered with a trillion stars."You've been so quiet since Gemma fell asleep. I hope you don't mind me asking you to change your seat." Logan chatted, keeping his eyes on the empty road shrouded in blowing leaves, distracting me from what was undoubtedly my escape from my nervous situation."No. Not. I'm just deep in thought; I didn't think that the closer I get to the goal, I'll have more and more problems, doubts, and fears." I answered honestly, although that wasn't really on my mind then."You'll see; everything will work out, and you'll win." Logan placed a warm hand on my thigh, and I cringed."Just forty-f
*Andrew*I stood at the eastern window of the mansion, gazing out at the horizon. I felt a strange unease stirring within me, a thread of anxiety woven through the quiet. My twin sister, an intrepid adventurer and skilled operative, had been missing for weeks since the last mission. This treacherous undertaking had pulled me into the shadows of the unknown. We have been waiting for news, hoping against hope that she would return.The Piemontesi Valley, cradled by majestic mountains and cloaked in a blanket of vibrant green, had always been a sanctuary of peace. The sun cast a golden hue over lush valleys and placid streams, the air filled with the fragrance of wildflowers and the gentle rustle of leaves. It was a haven where time seemed to stand still, and every care would dissolve into the landscape. But as the sun dipped below the mountains, the sky flared with vibrant hues of or
*Poppy*The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the room. Andrew and I sat in a cluttered room filled with papers, charts, and remnants of late-night coffee sessions. I leaned back in my chair, my brow furrowed in thought as I stared at the wall, which seemed to be closing in on us with every quiet moment."Andrew," I began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us, "how long has it been since we picked up any signs from the distribution channel?"Andrew glanced at his watch, the weariness in his eyes evident. "Almost three weeks. My contacts are spread out and searching, but... there haven't been any leads. It's like they vanished into thin air."
*Poppy*I sat at the kitchen table, the morning light filtering through the half-drawn curtains, casting long shadows against the worn wood. The news of the arson at the Larch Groove Pack had unsettled me, stirring deeply buried fears and memories. I wrapped my arms around the lukewarm cup of coffee, feeling its familiar warmth seep into my palms, yet it did little to calm the swirling thoughts in my mind.With his charm and charisma, Seamus had always danced at the edges of legality, a figure caught in a web of deceit with my parents and Amanda. Yet, as the events of the past few weeks unfolded, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about him—and everyone around me.After a restless night, my decision was
*Tanner*The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the estate as I slipped silently through the darkened halls. Tonight was another night of secrets, another night where burdened memories loomed over me like a shadow, urging me toward the hidden chamber. The scent of old parchment mingled with the musk of the damp stone walls as I arrived at my destination. I had come to consult the documents I'd discovered—records that could change everything we had fought for.To anyone else, the door to the hidden room appeared solid and unyielding. But I knew the entrance well; a subtle twist of the handle, a gentle pull, and the familiar scent of history greeted me. The flickering light from my lantern illuminated the dusty furniture and weathered shelves lined with forgotten tomes and ancient ma
*Tanner*The atmosphere in the pack house had shifted in the days following Amanda's banishment. A lingering tension hung in the air, and whispers filled the halls. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the windows, I found myself wandering the vast corridors that had become so familiar yet held secrets I had never sought to uncover.With each step, I felt a strange pull toward a part of the house I had never explored - the old wing where the previous Luna, Seamus's Mother, had once held her meetings and conducted her duties. As I approached her office, the air grew colder, and I instinctively paused at the doorway. Memories of Luna's strong presence flooded my mind; she had been a beacon of leadership and wisdom for the pack.
*Tanner*I stood at the entrance of the great hall, my gaze sweeping across the gathered members of the pack. The murmurs and hushed voices filled the air, creating a tense atmosphere. There had been whispers of dissent, growing louder. Now, it was time to confront the growing animosity among our pack."Silence!" My commanding voice cut through the noise, and the hall fell quiet. "I've called you all here to address the growing rift within our ranks. If there are grievances, let them be known here and now."I stepped forward, my presence commanding and fierce. "Anyone who believes they have a problem with Luna Rose is welcome to voice their concern. This is your chance."After a moment of silence, Amanda stepped out of the crowd, her expression defiant. She wasn't alone - several of the former Alpha's loyal supporters aligned beside her, each brimming with discontent. "I'll speak," Amanda declared, her voice dripping with contempt. "Luna R
*Tanner*I walked across the clearing, the evening sun casting long shadows over the pack grounds. The air buzzed with energy as the pack members mingled, some practicing their skills. In contrast, others tended to the myriad tasks that kept the community alive—just days into my new role as Alpha, the enormity of my responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders. I could feel the eyes of the pack on me, a mixture of expectation and respect mingling in the air.As a newly appointed Alpha, I swiftly took the reins. My training had prepared me for the responsibilities, but nothing could have fully equipped me for the seismic shift in dynamics I now experienced. One of the hardest parts was watching Rose, my mate. She was gorgeous, both inside and out, and her heart was woven into the very fabric of the pack. But with every passing day, I could see the toll the duties of being the Luna were taking on her.Rose had always been strong, but the
*Tanner*The sun hung low in the sky as Rose and I drove through the dense woods leading to Larch Groove Pack. The scent of maples and lindens filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. I glanced over at Rose, who was taking in her surroundings with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The recent troubles of the pack weighed heavily on both of us. The news of poisoned water had spread like wildfire, leaving a shadow over the community. Now, as their new leaders, we had a responsibility to help heal the land and restore the trust of the pack members.I rolled the car to a stop in front of the pack's modest lodge, a sturdy structure with a welcoming charm flanked by towering trees. As we stepped out, a group of pack members gathered, their expressions blending curiosity and caution. I took a deep breath, ready to greet them."Hello, everyone," I said, projecting confidence as my new Alpha aura radiated as Otis rose to his full
*Tanner*The sun began to dip behind the distant mountains, casting a warm golden hue across the valley. The vibrant colors of the setting sun reflected off the river, creating a serene yet bittersweet atmosphere. I stood near the edge of a clearing, watching the ripples cascade down the water's surface. I was lost in thought, the weight of gratitude and farewell heavy on my heart.Rose approached me, her hand gently squeezing my arm. "It's almost time," she said softly, her voice a mixture of hope and sorrow.I turned to her, my eyes softening. "I know, baby. I didn't think saying goodbye would feel this hard." Memories of the past few weeks—the challenges we faced, the bonds we forged—flooded my mind. We had come to this valley as strangers but were leaving as a family.We walked towards the small clearing where Andrew and Amara awaited us. Andrew stood tall, his arms crossed over his chest, his expression a blend of