*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*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