*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
*Logan*I stood like a statue, trying to control my body, which was shaking with rage. Gunnar struggled to get outside and sink his fangs, claws, whatever into the disgusting skin of the man touching our woman."Excuse me, Your Majesty, but is everything alright? I thought I heard a growl?" Alpha, whose name I don't even remember anymore, asked, baring his neck, pulling his daughter away from me even though her eyes were devouring me, not realizing that she was in a life-threatening situation."I'm sorry, but we must move this conversation to another time. I have some urgent business to attend to." I drawled through my teeth, trying to sound as neutral as possible.But even that didn't work out today because the man let out a whimper, and his daughter moaned with pleasure, filling the space with the scent of her arousal. Gunnar growled again, this time disgusted by her horniness, and directed his disgust at the tall, handsome Alpha, who was currently leading an unease Poppy to the dan
*Poppy*Don't give up. Don't give up. Please don't give in to him.I repeated in my head, surrendering to his skilled movements as a dancer. I loved dancing with him. He taught me every step and every rhythm, and he now led me across the dance floor with such grace and precision that I couldn't help but admire his skills.Please don't give in to him. Not now. Do not give up.I cheered myself on, remembering who was holding me in my arms. The sparks, the warmth that suddenly filled me, and the attraction that was impossible to ignore spoke for itself. I danced with a traitor. I danced with Seamus, my still-tying mate. His scent still made me feel attracted to him, his body still fit mine perfectly, and his voice still sent shivers of pleasure when he spoke to me.
*Poppy*"Where are you rushing? You'll get tangled in that pretty dress and fall over."Logan caught me just before I could run into a wall. In my reverie, and the lack of visibility through my teary eyes, I didn't notice that I was aiming for a wall, not a door, to check on my daughter."H-he. I-I didn't. He-he knows. Oh, my Goddess."I stuttered, unable to form a coherent sentence due to my panicked state. Seamus was just down the stairs, probably gloating at his victory over me, knowing full well that with Tanner out of the picture, my claims were not valid. And the validation of the bond between us could be easily fixed by public rejection after listening to some stupid, meaningless scolding."Hold on, Poppy. Slow down and breathe." Logan recommended as he noticed my trembling body. I started taking deep breaths, still trembling in his grip."Breathe with me, Poppy. One – inhale. Two – exhale. Good. One more time." He instructed, and I followed.My body was slowly obeying his comm
*Poppy*I bit down on the next towel Anastasia handed me, but it didn't stop my screams. My claws dug into the wooden floor, tearing out pieces as I vented my pain. My body had no strength to shake, and sweat poured down me like a downpour. I was getting weaker every second, and the pain in my lower abdomen spread throughout my body like lava."How much longer?" Daliah asked, wiping my forehead, although it didn't provide any relief."I don't know. I have no idea how much longer that bastard will do this to her." Anastasia replied with concern, trying to ease Iris's pain, "It's the second day in a row and another hour without a break." She added, keeping her hands on my back and gently stroking it."Who allowed her to do this? Let's do something. Otherwise, the injuries will be chronic, and she won't even get to court on her own." Daliah started screaming hysterically, grabbing her hair,"Holy shit, Poppy, he's not worth it!" She turned to me, trying to look into my cloudy eyes, "Let
*Poppy*The day of the funeral dawned heavy with unspoken grief and uncertainty. The air was thick, and a heavy fog was rolling over the river's surface as the Larch Grove Pack members gathered at the pier. Their eyes cast downwards, and their hearts were burdened with the loss of their Alpha, Seamus. I stood among them, my shoulders squared, forcing myself to remain composed despite the wave of turmoil. It had only been a matter of days since Seamus's death, and now I faced the moment of farewell.The makeshift altar at the end of the pier was adorned with wildflowers and tokens of respect, symbolizing the bond shared between Alpha and his loyal followers. Torches had been placed around the pier, ready to flicker to life and send Seamus off in a blaze of tribute when the time came. I could hear the low murmurs of those in attendance, their whispers punctuating the profound silence
*Poppy*I stood at the helm of the Larch Groove Pack, the warmth of the sun streaming through the expansive glass window of what had once been the grand hall and now was my makeshift command post. The air was thick with tension as I surveyed the faces of my pack members, their expressions a mixture of uncertainty and expectation. This wasn't just a new chapter but a complete rewrite of the history that had plagued them for far too long.Clearing my throat, I took a deep breath, channeling the strength of my daughter Gemma's memories, my mentor Gamma Tanner's wisdom, and the resolve hinted at in the dungeons. "We have a priority," I declared, my voice steady and unwavering. "The water supply—our lives depend on it. I'm demanding an immediate change of the w
*Poppy*The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow that filtered through the trees of Larch Grove Pack. I gazed over Easton's shoulder and saw Prince Nanyou standing solemnly among the gathered members of the pack, his princely demeanor calm yet authoritative. I finally learned his name after mistakenly calling him Nintendo once, and I almost burned with shame for misspelling it. Luckily, he was understanding, but Princes Dante and Easton made fun of me every time they could.Given the recent events that have deeply affected everyone, it was evident that the pack required a leader, a guiding voice amid the turmoil following Seamus's death. Today’s meeting was specifically held to reveal the verdict reached by the three royals."Thank you all for coming," Nanyou began, his voice resonating through the clearing where they had co
*Poppy*I took a deep breath as I settled into the worn leather chair beneath the dim light of the small room. The weight of the past days felt as heavy as the bars that kept me locked in the dungeons—the unrelenting reminder of the turmoil that had engulfed my life. Today, however, I had the chance to reach out to the most important people in the world—my daughter, Gemma, and my trusted friend, ex-Gamma Tanner.I set my phone on the table, the screen flickered to life with a steady pulse, and I dialed Tanner's number. The signals went one after another as I watched my reflection on the screen, waiting for the call to connect. As it did, anticipation filled the air. Just hearing Gemma's voice would be worth my treacherous journey."Mom?" Gemma's bright voice broke through the static, and I felt relief. Seeing her smiling face, with its blue eyes and blond pigtails, made me choke on my sobs, and I clapped my hand over my mouth."Sweetheart!" My voice blended warmth and care, and my hea
*Poppy*For the past thirty minutes, three handsome princes have been discussing my situation fervently, even though I'm sitting right next to them, hearing every word they say and wondering why no one has let me out and allowed me to contact my daughter. I have some rights, don't I? We may not be subject to the human justice system, but for God's sake, I have the right to a lawyer, to remain silent, and to make one phone call. Unfortunately, I've been denied that for the past three days. I'm not going to sit here idly wondering when and if I'll be able to hear my daughter's voice and see her sweet, smiling face. I got up from the small bed, walked toward the silver bars, and cleared my throat loudly. Unfortunately, my attempt to get the attention of the three powerful Lycans failed, and each of them began to discuss various matters, interjecting words whose meaning was a mystery to me. Well, yes, I have not learned to speak Italian or Mandarin. Spanish is the only language I have lea
*Poppy*“ How did I end up here? “ I wondered as I sat in the barred cell, pulling at my hair. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. This wasn't how my case was supposed to end. This wasn't how my life was supposed to unfold, for fuck's sake. What the hell had gone wrong?! I shouted these questions like a catapult, creating an even bigger mess. I lifted my head and stared at Easton, pacing back and forth, tearing at his hair as I did, questioning our situation. His footsteps could already make a path the size of the Great Wall of China. Chairman Pullman glared at me as if I'd killed his cat with a hammer. Where had he even come from? And how on earth did he manage to convene some extraordinary council that was supposed to decide my fate? When did my life turn into a series of endless disasters?"What will happen to me? I mean, what could be a punishment for this?" I asked quietly, pondering how to escape this impasse. Easton paused and glanced my way. His eyes were eerily stormy as i
*Dante de Gallo*My head is pounding, and I feel like I have a subscription to a jackhammer. My skull feels like it’s splitting. I groaned when I tried to move just enough to grab a mug of steaming tea. The clatter of dishes, the layers of conversations, and, above all, the mingling of smells were not helping me at all. I found myself breathing through my mouth and praying for mercy after yesterday's foolishness."I told you to stop at scotch; you insisted on that damn moonshine. Now suffer." Nanyou, my best friend and partner in crime, chirped, delighting in my misery. I looked at him through slightly swollen eyelids, and although I tried to give him a murderous glare, I suspected from his amused expression that I appeared as if I had suffered a stroke."Why didn't you stop me?" I asked, even as my breath still carried a stench of booze. I had overdone it. Yesterday, or rather this morning, I had gone too far. My father would scold me if he found out that his pride and joy had failed
*Dante de Gallo*"Listen to me, Allegra, and listen closely." I turned to my sister as our jet landed at the small airport, making our way toward the VIP hangar. Our relationship has always been complicated, filled with both protectiveness and frustration. "I’m here to investigate some ridiculous case and plan to do it as quickly as possible. Don't interfere, don't step in my way, and most importantly, don't go after that insufferable royal jerk. I don't have time to babysit you, and I have no intention of instigating a conflict with the Brantfords. Keep your hands to yourself, and don't think I don't know why you're here." I threatened her with my finger, even though Allegra looked at me as if I was unjustly accusing her. "You're still obsessed with him," I confronted her, and she momentarily widened her eyes. "You better stop this because once your lycan detects your mate, you don't want to break her heart by choosing an unworthy jerk over the blessed love sent to you by the Goddes
*Dante de Gallo*"You have to be kidding me, Dad," I growled, hearing his latest request. I turned suddenly, checking if the joke on his lips matched his equally smiling face, but it didn’t. Unfortunately, his sincere expression suggested I was not dealing with a joking father but a king giving an order."You want me to go to the States as a European royal representative because the Supreme Council called a meeting for a frivolous reason?" I asked, making sure that my reasoning included the entire situation. "Yes. And as the future King Dante, you must learn to keep your grudges tucked away and perform your duties respectfully and passionately." He scolded me, recalling my quarrel with one of the Brantford brothers. I narrowed my eyes at the old man but kept quiet and nodded before he dismissed me from the damn office. How the hell does he expect me to fulfill my duties with this jerk taunting me every chance he gets?'Fuck that princeling. Let's make our father proud and resolve the