*Logan*"And now! Don't stop; concentrate on your opponent! Right, left, center!"I shouted commands from the sideline, never taking my eyes off Poppy and Gamma Chloé, who were punching each other like pros. My heart was pounding as I watched Poppy's progress in just a few months, but I was still afraid for her as I watched Chloé deliver blows to her so efficiently and precisely."Don't let your guard down! Up! Up! Now, double chin!"Poppy followed all my instructions, and Chloé's mate cheered on his wife from the other side. Both women did great, collecting points and improving their skills. Even though Chloé was a highly trained and experienced warrior, she sometimes buckled under Poppy's pressure. The people gathered around cheered the two women, but most of them chose Poppy, surprised and proud of her remarkable progress.Poppy's blows began to look like those thrown in a frenzy, thoughtlessly and definitely as if she was taking out her frustration, aggression, or pain on her oppo
*Poppy*I sat in an uncomfortable hospital chair and stared at Ryan, who was sleeping and hooked up to a drip. I shouldn't be so worried about his condition, but I couldn't help but feel guilty. I'm the one who put him in here. A part of me felt proud that I had defeated such a great and good warrior as Ryan. Still, on the other hand, there was a knocking fear in my heart that this fury might attack me again, and it wouldn't be directed at someone equal or Seamus but at someone close to me, maybe even weaker than me.'Stop blaming yourself for winning. Ryan understands he's a fighter himself.' Iris convinced me, but I couldn't look at this victory with full pride. Not after the way Chloé looks at me.'She is just jealous. She lost to Loser Poppy.' She growled, recalling Chloé's comments behind my back.
*Poppy*I watched as Daliah tried to call Tanner again but to no avail. His phone was still out of range, and the agreed emergency number was not answering. Arthur moved towards his wife and rubbed her shoulders, whispering reassuring words to which she nodded."Maybe Seamus started to suspect something. Maybe Tanner needs to be more careful and hide his phone; you said yourself that his last call was strange." I hinted, trying to comfort a frightened woman.It was the first time I had talked to Arthur or Daliah since I visited Autumn Pack. First, our trip was disrupted. Although I must admit that the help in overcoming the pain was pleasant, the fact that I allowed myself to be so stupidly surprised was not my best moment.Then, this sparring, which helped me more than running through the forest, also caused me a few additional problems. And I'm not talking about stupid gossip, which hasn't bothered me for a long time, but the fact that many people witnessed my little madness didn't
*Tanner*I heard water dripping into the metal bowl in the left corner of my cell. The cold and dampness of the musty floor made my body shiver, and a very sharp, frosty wind pierced me, causing a fever. My eyes were tired and sleepy, and my eyelids were too heavy to lift, but my brain screamed at me to move."How long do we have to keep him here? It's been almost ten days, and the guy hasn't said a word.""We are to hold him until he arrives. We are not paid to extract information from him; they will take care of that."I heard the muffled but still quite distinct voices of several men talking nearby. Although slightly muffled, my hearing still registered everything that was happening around me."Time for another dose."This announcement made me panic and made my heart beat faster. I knew what these words meant, and I was afraid that I would no longer be able to resist the effects of the drug. Otis was already so heavily intoxicated that his further resistance wavered. Even though I
*Tanner*"As you can see, I took the liberty of providing a little protection in case you betray me again. I hope you don't mind me bringing a guest." Seamus got up from his chair and slowly walked towards my Rose."N-no!" I tried to scream, "R-roseee!" I tried to make a full sound, but my tongue seemed too heavy.My heart sped up to an almost steady beat as his foot nudged my mate's delicate shoulder. Otis woke up for a second, and I growled at my Alpha in warning."U hu hu. Well, well, what a display of aggression. I just wanted to say hello to our little human being." Seamus mocked, crouching down next to Rose, revealing the dark cloth from her face that covered her entire body."Pretty. It's a pity she's an ordinary human. Such people usually die quickly." He added, playing with her red strands, causing me to feel fear, panic, and rage that I couldn't do anything. This drug gradually knocked me off my feet, leaving only my mind able to process reality."L-leave h-her." I pleaded,
*Poppy*I stood in a beautiful long blue tulle dress, staring at my reflection in the dark window, watching the snow fall on its glass. I felt out of place, out of my skin; although the dress, shoes, and the whole arrangement made me feel like a charming woman, I felt like a usurper in someone else's fairy tale.I took another sip of champagne that was too dry for my taste and turned towards the ballroom, looking for the one face in the crowded room I didn't want to see but forced myself to encounter to gain an advantage for my case.I noticed some of Seamus's good friends, who surprisingly didn't even look at me, apart from the typical male salivation over my body as if it was the next snack on their menu. I haven't seen or sensed Seamus anywhere. The lustful looks gave me creeps, and I turned around and focused on the golden carvings in the columns surrounding the windows. I didn't think such a situation would happen to me, especially in the face of the royal family, for whom mate b
*Poppy*Another hour passed, and I could feel Logan's eyes on me, although he did not need to watch me. Seamus didn't show up. There was neither him nor his Beta nor the fake woman he exchanged me for. To tell you the truth, I felt devastated. I was sure that Seamus would not let go of such an opportunity to shine in the salons, especially if it involved the royal family and the possibility of obtaining their support.I glanced to my left, where Alexander and Anastasia were accepting another gift from another couple, showing their gratitude for the invitation and their support and devotion to our leaders. Anastasia looked phenomenal in her black and scarlet dress with quite bold gold lace along the entire length. Her warm but trained smile never left her face, and her eyes shone with happiness and joy, although this was probably due to the champagne her waiter supplied her with hec
*Poppy*"I can't believe it! Arranged marriage?" I gasped, almost spilling all the contents of my ceramic mug."Can you believe it? And to think that Lex rejected the proposal without seeing the bride. But it would be funny if he realized what a fool he was if it was too late." Easton laughed as he drank the last drop of wine straight from the bottle."I wonder what he would have done then. Did he accept his fate, or did he kill me to have Anastasia?" He thought, turning the empty bottle of wine in his hands.I blinked several times, wondering if it was my imagination or the effect of two cups of wine giving me the images. I noticed a slight mischievous smile on Easton's lips, but it quickly disappeared or wasn't there initially."The question is, what would you do?" I answered with a question, although I didn't think I would hear the answer."I would kill."I heard the answer, and I was stunned. Shocked, I looked at Easton, staring off into the distance with his look, which I had pre
*Poppy*I stood frozen, staring at the space where my mother had stood just a few milliseconds ago, asking, no, begging me not to accept anything my own old home had to offer. Her voice, gnawing with emotion, still echoes in my head, and her skeletal, crying posture replays like a looped image."What the fuck?" I asked in shock, but my stomach suddenly interrupted and forced me to act.I clamped my hand over my mouth and dashed towards the bathroom like fleeing a fire. I collapsed onto the icy tiles, and with alarming speed, I leaned over the toilet and began to retch. It was a relentless assault, each wave bringing with it shivers, tears, and a lump not in my stomach but in my throat. The most unbearable part was the strange aftertaste that lingered in my mouth after each expulsion.'What's going on here, Pops? I feel this strange taste and churning in my stomach, but I don't feel any other poisoning symptoms.' Iris, my she-wolf, began to analyze our bodies, trying to understand what
*Poppy*I sat there as if I was sentenced, feeling all the eyes on me. They weren't pleasant, but they didn't exude fear, but cold. I felt unwanted, unnecessary, and even out of place. What happened to them? Had Seamus manipulated them so much that they believed everything he said? I don't know, but something was odd here.Iris was silent, trying to ignore each one of them and not think that we had spent over twenty years of our lives with these people, laughing, having fun, and making mischief. It was pathetic that one man could turn over a hundred people against me."Let's go out of here. I feel like having breakfast outside. It stinks of rot in here." Easton threw his napkin on the table and stood up loudly.All eyes turned to him, and he gave them a challenging look. They didn't like the insult, but none dared to retort to the royal Lycan."You're right. Why poison yourself before a duel."I agreed, stood up ostentatiously from the table, and walked with Easton towards the buffet.
*Poppy*I didn't have time to look inside the pack house because I was exhausted. The whole day today, although short, was exhausting for me, and all I could think about was a hot shower, a nice dinner, and a warm, comfortable bed. Still holding me under my arm, Easton and I climbed up to the second floor, where the guest rooms were, and I went to the last door on the right, where there was an apartment with two separate bedrooms and bathrooms. On the way, we stopped by the master Omega's room and picked up both sets of keys. The woman's face was priceless because she instantly paled when she looked at me. She looked like she had seen a ghost, and she probably had. Who knows what nonsense Seamus had told them while I was gone? I knew her; she was one of the two deputies of the previous head omega who somehow managed to climb the ladder, and now they call her Luna. I am filled with rage every time I remember her betrayal. It hurt more than Seamus's. Amanda Slone, now twenty-eight yea
*Poppy*My smile was still etched when Eason swerved the car onto the road to the main entrance. Without waiting for the guards to open it, he sped up and forced it to open. I squealed and closed my eyes out of fear and excitement, but Easton only howled as he drove further into the land.Of course, as expected, our entry caused alarm and panic, which only made us laugh even more. We had just invaded the pack, and we knew there was nothing they could do to us for it. Easton sped up and turned on the music from his phone connected to the panel again, and the sounds of "Sabotage" exploded from the speakers again. Easton opened all the windows and treated our companions to our eccentric entrance. The way through the alleys flew by at a dizzying pace, and we shouted the lyrics from the bottom of our hearts, nodding our heads and getting into the rhythm. We were escorted by several giant werewolves in their animal form, growling at us warningly. Easton didn't dare stop. When the row of tre
*Poppy*The tension in the car was palpable, a volatile mix of anger, disbelief, and disappointment. It was as if these emotions were tangible, ready to ignite the air between us. Their clash was a prelude to the storm that was about to break."That was your father, wasn't it?" Easton asked, although he probably already knew the answer judging by my face."Yes, but I don't want to talk about it. Please, not now." I replied, trying to keep the sobbing coming with great strides under control before venting to it after parking the car.Easton respected my wish for silence, but his curiosity was evident in how his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. He was brimming with questions, but he held them back. Thankfully, our journey was short, and the cabin we arrived at, nestled by the river bank, was a welcome distraction.I remember it as a primitive wooden hut where patrolmen used to sleep during night watch. Although it was not of the highest quality back then, what stood before us no
*Poppy*As we ventured onto the familiar road, the first mile leading to my hometown, my heart raced with anticipation. The sun, high in the sky, cast a bright light over the treetops, creating a magical scene that marks the beginning of our journey. With the road stretching ahead like the path to a lion's cave, we advanced, armed with nothing but our courage and determination. In the background, my daughter's sweet voice, wishing me a safe journey, was a constant source of motivation.Like a coiled spring, Iris remained silent, seemingly conserving all her energy for the confrontation awaited us the next day. I, too, resolved to focus solely on the task at hand, not allowing any thoughts of my former home to distract me until the final, decisive moment.After organizing the car in the middle of nowhere and dressing up Easton, we resumed our journey to the Larch Groove Pack in complete silence while covering the remaining distance in less time than expected. Easton didn't have to say
*Rose*The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the backyard where little Gemma was playing. I sat on the bench, sipping my chamomile tea and watching her chase after a playful puppy from one of her newest friends. The girl's laughter, a symphony of pure joy, filled the air as she ran around, her pigtails bouncing with each step. The parents of Gemma's new friend sat across the playground from her, watching their daughter play happily with her dog and the new werewolf girl. Today, I promised to look after Gemma while Amara and her mother, Andrew, again set out to find his sister, Azize.Too many things that need to be added have started to play out. From what I've gathered here, Azize is the most accomplished warrior among all the inhabitants. Her killing technique is unmatched, and her dizzying precision has become so legendary that she has been given the nickname Taipan Reaper because no one kills as quickly and effectively as she does. And that's where my question com
*Rose*I purred as I cuddled into Tanner's firm and warm chest after so long. I hugged him tighter, inhaling his unique scent, which I had missed so much. He grazed his fingers over my bare shoulder, and the spark that created our contact made me moan in delight."I can't believe you're here. I was in such a dark place when I thought you were dead, and the rest after that agonizing pain is blank." he sighed, blowing breath on my hair, and I felt his pain through our bond."I don't even know what I did during that time. Maybe I was a monster like Seamus. Oh, Goddess, I probably was." He worried, and I lifted myself on his chest and looked at him over the cascade of my messy hair."Don't do that." I shook my head and held his face, leaning down, "Don't compare yourself to that man. You are not him." I denied it and leaned lower to kiss his cheeks, "You were not yourself gently. Whatever you did, they made you do this. He. That Alpha lied to you to make you believe I was dead and used yo
*Poppy*I ran without looking back. Luckily, I hadn't decided on any uncomfortable heels but ankle boots with a light heel. Thanks to this, I could quickly move between the thick bushes and the thorny undergrowth of the forest. My heart was pounding as I heard the sounds of cutting metal from behind me. I knew our transport was ruined, and my route to the Larch Groove Pack had become complicated.'Speed up, or let me run. He's already changed.' Iris urged me, ready to transform and run her fast dash towards safety.The problem was that I didn't want to change into Iris. I didn't know Easton very well, but I knew enough from Logan to know that his brother could get furious when provoked and take full advantage of it. He never said anything wrong about him to me, but I guessed that this seemingly calm man could turn into an uncontrollable beast when provoked. I sped up and turned left, hoping to find civilization to hide from him there.I know from history, stories, and teachings pass