*Poppy*
I stood at the courtyard's edge, my heart racing as uncertainty knotted my stomach. The vibrant garden colors around me felt muted compared to the swirling emotions within me. The time had come for me to face Andrew and Amara to deliver the news I had wrestled with for days. I could no longer ignore the call of my heart, the longing for home, and the necessity of returning to the Autumn Pack.Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the large stone archway that led into the main hall. Inside, Andrew and Amara were conversing, their expressions serious. I knew precisely what they were whispering about, and the weight of that knowledge settled heavily like a lead upon my heart as I faced this agonizing decision. How could I walk away when their home was cloaked in such a shroud of sorrow? The air was thick with grief, and I felt the aching pull of my reluctance. Blaze was gone, his suffering mercifully at an end, yet the relief felt like a cruel taunt i*Poppy*When we finally arrived at the Autumn Pack territory, the sun had just dipped below the horizon. The familiar scents of pine and earth enveloped me, and with every step closer to the pack house, I felt a mixture of emotions swell within me. It had been far too long since we had walked these grounds, yet it felt like coming home.As we approached the front steps of the large, welcoming house, the door swung open, revealing Daliah and Arthur - a couple who had been pillars of strength and warmth throughout my life. The years may have added silver to their hair and deep lines of wisdom to their faces, but the joy in their eyes remained youthful and vibrant."Poppy! Gemma!" Daliah exclaimed, her arms wide open as she rushed to embrace us."Daliah, it's so good to be back," I squeezed her tightly. A wave of relief washed over me; this was th
*Poppy*I was fidgeting in the backseat, clutching my documents. Outside the window, the trees merged into a beautiful landscape of colors, from dark greens to browns, oranges, and reds. Autumn has come. I loved this time of year the most.Not only did nature spoil us with colors, but the air smelled different. Evening walks seemed more romantic. Morning runs gave me energy, and pumpkin dishes were one of my favorites. Not to mention autumn evenings with wine and reading by the warm fireplace.I sighed as I considered my romance novel collection, which decorated the living room bookcase. I also remembered the smell of a caramel candy apple latte on the table and the tender stroking of my partner sitting with me on the couch."We are approaching the gate. Prepare for inspection."My driver said over his shoulder as he turned onto a wide gravel road in the middle of a multicolored forest.My heart leaped into my throat, and my grip on the documents tightened. There was no turning back. I
*Poppy*The office was huge and elegantly decorated, but it was also intimidating. I nervously walked to one of the petitioners' chairs and waited for permission to sit down.The Queen gestured to a chair, and I quickly sat, watching as King Alexander walked over to his large oak desk and sat down in his giant leather chair, staring at me with a slightly offended expression. Queen Anastasia stood at his side and put her hand on his shoulder, pressuring him to behave."'How may I help you, Luna Hopkins?" the King asked, clasping his hands before him."Or should I say, Mrs. Hopkins? Because Luna isn't your title anymore." He added, slightly lowering his voice to a cold one.I gulped, glanced at the documents in my hands, and cleared my throat. I looked bravely into his eyes, placed the documents on his desk, and straightened up in my chair."I would like to request the opportunity to exercise Luna's Law." I sang loudly, almost shouting. I quickly corrected my tone and repeated it, quiet
*Poppy*I stood at the sink, washing the dishes after breakfast, looking out the window for my swift, agile little girl. She moved incredibly fast for a girl of almost five, rivaling an eight-year-old's strength.My pride and joy just flashed past my window like lightning bolts, and all I noticed was her blonde hair floating in the wind."Gem, please don't run so fast. And don't get too far away," I lectured my naughty daughter, laughing as I heard her groan in exasperation."But I'm training to outdo Trevor in the upcoming races." Gemma climbed onto the bench by the kitchen window and stuck out her sweet, chubby, wind-red face, piercing me with her big, intense blue eyes."Honey, Trevor is ten years old and Alpha's son." I reminded her, leaning down to look at her through the glass. "Besides, no one will allow you to compete in senior events. Your age group is not yet allowed to compete in official ranking events, and from what Ms. Coltrane told me, you have been suspended from the e
*Logan*I glanced at the road before me with an absentminded face. I looked at the navigation panel and sighed at the sight of another two hours of driving before I reached my destination. I've never wanted to tear Lex apart as much as I do now. Not only did he turn me into an errand boy, but he only gave me two days to do so."Who does he think he is? Almighty?" I drawled as I stepped on the gas.'He's a king, so technically he's almighty. He can even give orders to a pompous asshole like you.' Gunnar, my lycan, mocked.'Thanks for your support, pal. We'll see who's an asshole when you have to sleep with that red-headed witch.' I told him off.Gunnar was furious when we mentioned the pompous, cynical woman who gave us a headache. His distaste for Princess Margo mirrors my own for her human form, Matilde. Just the thought of this woman makes me want to vomit. Not that she's ugly or gross, but every meeting ends with arguments and destruction for some reason. We seem not to get along a
*Logan*I sat in the farthest corner of the tent with a baseball hat on my head, trying to hide from the prying eyes. This task bordered on a miracle because my aura, not only as a royal but as a Lycan, was more intense and noticeable. From the moment I parked the car, I attracted curious eyes. I only hoped they would mistake me for Mr. Bernard in disguise, not someone of royal blood.Albert explained everything to me, or at least what he knew, suggesting that much more was hidden beneath the top that needed to be revealed. I already know that the woman I am picking up is Poppy Hopkins, a former Luna or current one. She was a member of the Larch Grove Pack, who was allowed to use Luna's Law to bring justice and punish Alpha and his Luna for their wrongs against the pack members and his rightful Luna and heir.I must admit that I greatly admire a woman who decided to challenge the stronger one and intends to fight him for the sake of her daughter. Gunnar shuddered to hear that any Alph
*Logan*Albert promised to take me to Mrs. Hopkins right after his son's race, his first entry into the tournament for aspiring warriors this year. This custom originated many years ago and is celebrated in every pack. I remember taking part in them when I was ten years old.Each young member, regardless of gender or species, participated in a tournament in which their predispositions to later ranks were tested. From an early age, people checked whether they were fit to be warriors, trainers, trackers, scouts, or even the highest ranks, such as beta or alpha. Thanks to this annual competition, leaders can even be selected.I moved over three hundred yards away from the tent, perfectly hidden in the tree line with still perfect visibility of the event. Trevor lined up at the starting line with six other kids in his age group, ready to run. Trevor is a complete dad, not only in appearance but also in character. The boy loved jokes and pranks but stopped at nothing to defend those humili
*Poppy*I stared at the beautiful Audi's taillights, gripping the steering wheel. My heart was beating to the rhythm of the song coming from the radio, perfectly matching my situation to its lyrics. I just trusted a handsome stranger to help me win my battle."Mommy, will I be a princess if we live in a palace?" Gemma asked from the backseat, bored with repeatedly looking through her favorite book.I glanced in the rearview mirror at her smiling, hopeful face, "You'll always be a princess to me, honey, but you'd have to be a king's daughter or marry a prince to become one truly. And we won't live in the palace, honey. Mommy will be there training, so we will probably stay in a guest house." I explained to my dreamy daughter, who was already making a thoughtful face."And if you marry Logan, will I become a princess?" She asked, shocking me so much that I lost control of the steering wheel and veered slightly to the side of the road."Shit." I cursed and quickly returned to the road. "
*Poppy*When we finally arrived at the Autumn Pack territory, the sun had just dipped below the horizon. The familiar scents of pine and earth enveloped me, and with every step closer to the pack house, I felt a mixture of emotions swell within me. It had been far too long since we had walked these grounds, yet it felt like coming home.As we approached the front steps of the large, welcoming house, the door swung open, revealing Daliah and Arthur - a couple who had been pillars of strength and warmth throughout my life. The years may have added silver to their hair and deep lines of wisdom to their faces, but the joy in their eyes remained youthful and vibrant."Poppy! Gemma!" Daliah exclaimed, her arms wide open as she rushed to embrace us."Daliah, it's so good to be back," I squeezed her tightly. A wave of relief washed over me; this was th
*Poppy*I stood at the courtyard's edge, my heart racing as uncertainty knotted my stomach. The vibrant garden colors around me felt muted compared to the swirling emotions within me. The time had come for me to face Andrew and Amara to deliver the news I had wrestled with for days. I could no longer ignore the call of my heart, the longing for home, and the necessity of returning to the Autumn Pack.Taking a deep breath, I made my way to the large stone archway that led into the main hall. Inside, Andrew and Amara were conversing, their expressions serious. I knew precisely what they were whispering about, and the weight of that knowledge settled heavily like a lead upon my heart as I faced this agonizing decision. How could I walk away when their home was cloaked in such a shroud of sorrow? The air was thick with grief, and I felt the aching pull of my reluctance. Blaze was gone, his suffering mercifully at an end, yet the relief felt like a cruel taunt i
*Poppy*I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the sprawling landscape beyond the mansion's walls. The sun was slowly sinking behind the distant mountains, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. It was beautiful and captivating, but I found no solace in the view. My mind was a tangled mess of worry and frustration, and the weight of uncertainty pressed heavily on my chest.For days, I had scoured every possible lead in search of the identity behind the recent events that sent ripples of unease throughout our community. The whispers of betrayal, secrecy, and impending danger loomed over me like a dark cloud, suffocating any flicker of hope. Each day had been met with disappointment; unreliable informants, half-truths, and more questions than answers left the journey feeling as though
*Andrew*The dim light of the hospital room flickered gently, casting a warm glow over Azize as she slowly regained her strength. The walls were adorned with calming landscapes, but the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension and curiosity. After days of worry and uncertainty, Azize finally opened her eyes. Dr. Kyle and I sat beside her, our faces etched with concern and reassurance."Azize," I breathed with a mixture of relief and urgency. You're awake!"The remnants of exhaustion lingered in her features as she struggled to sit up, clutching the soft blanket around her for reassurance. "Hey, Drew. Hey, Kyle." Her voice was hoarse, but each word carried the weight of everything she had endured.Kyle, seeing her stubbornness, leaned closer. "Take your time, Azize. You've been through a lot. But if you can,
*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.