*Poppy*Logan's grip tightened, and a low, almost inaudible growl escaped from his chest as if the new arrival was already getting on his nerves. His possessiveness surprised me, but I didn't dare to tell him to behave."Oh, yeah. This is going to be one hell of a Christmas." The man agreed happily with Albert, and he began to hiss in pain after a while."Ouch. What's that for?" The man became indignant, assuming the tone of a sulking child."Language, dear boy. Language. You are in the presence of children and ladies. Don't forget your manners, or I will teach them again. Do you want that?" Sybilla turned to the man like a mother disciplining a small child.I didn't see the scene because my nose was almost painfully pressed into Logan's torso, and his previously vibrating chest began to bounce with the intensity of his laughter."It was better than any gift; I wish I had recorded it," he commented, still not breaking the pressure, pushing my nose deeper into his body."Logan. Logan,
*Logan*Gunnar activated when he sensed Andrew's presence, knowing exactly how his damn beauty affected the opposite sex. His possessiveness overtook him and forced me to hug Poppy and release pheromones, warning any man not to approach our mate.'Stop it, you idiot, or someone will discover our secret. You don't want Poppy to find out like that, do you?' I scolded Gunnar, who didn't care about the consequences of his actions.His sulking face remained in my head throughout the dinner, during which not only Andrew, Azize, and Amara noticed our extremely intense possessiveness, but Albert also began to look at me inquisitively.For a whole hour, I sat like a stiff board, holding the cutlery in an iron grip, forcing myself to keep my distance from Poppy and Gemma sitting next to me while each of the men at the table chatted or flirted with her awkwardly.'I don't care; one more sweet look, a compliment, or a wink, and I'll tear off their glowing eyes and make a string of pearls out of t
*Poppy*"What a crazy shit. I didn't think such scumbags were still walking around the earth unpunished. Damn, girl, you have balls. Luna's law, wow. I've never heard of a woman who would dare to question Alpha's authority in court, let alone challenge him to a duel. That is the highest level of bravery. " Azize praised my actions after I've spent the last thirty minutes telling them why we were here.They both looked like top-notch badasses, so it was an honor to hear such compliments from them. Amara winked at me as she sipped a glass of dry chardonnay, which turned out to be a mixture of AB blood types."I'd like to see a little fairy knocking down a giant beast. You're truly a brave woman, Poppy. I know that you must feel a lot of pressure on your shoulders, but as Azize said, I think you're the first one who has a chance to kick that chauvinist pig's ass and show them that we girls are not afraid to fight for our rights." Amara added, patting my knee before she realized what she
*Poppy*This was not what I expected when Azize told me about their noble but hidden organization to save women from the hands of their abusers. Firstly, I didn't think that vampires could do good, and secondly, I was surprised by the scope of their activities, covering almost the entire continent.I looked around the building Azize had taken me to. It was almost no different from the hospital. All the hay was white, and floral decorations were visible here and there. In a few spots, the decorations resembled beautiful bark cut from a huge old oak tree lined with moss, giving the area a pleasant scent.I felt calm and relaxed, which is probably why such accents were placed when arranging the place. Nature always helps us relax and feel at home, especially us shapeshifters for whom nature is a refuge, freedom, and life."There are psychotherapy workshops there; in the next room, there are relaxation classes, and at the end of the corridor, there are painting workshops. Our redhead stay
*Poppy*Step by step, I slowly approached the scared girl. My heart pounded, and Iris looked inquisitively at this little huddled creature. She didn't say anything, but I sensed that Iris was trying to remember something that would make us understand this strange need to protect her.I tried not to make any noise, although my footsteps echoed off the walls, so the girl knew she was not alone in the room. Her rose scent grew stronger with every inch, and her storm of red curls resembled crimson up close in the glow of the lighting."Don't trust anyone. No one."She repeated like a mantra in a quiet, slightly tearful voice."Go to the Moon. To the Pope."Her words rang out louder and more precisely, though she cut them off at the end as if her whisper was turning into silence. I watched her carefully, trying to assess the situation. Azzize said she held her backpack to her chest, but what if she had some weapon on her? I tried to see through her red curls, but they were so thick that it
*Poppy*The fall caused my head to hit the marble floor, disabling me for several seconds. Everything seemed to freeze before my body regained consciousness and began to react to the attack.Automatically, Iris began to growl, trying to break away from the screaming girl clenching around my chest like a vine. I tried to pry her arms off me, potentially causing her as little harm as possible. After all, it was just a tiny little human girl facing off against a werewolf.I quickly managed to loosen her arms, escape her, and reverse our situation. I put my arms under her armpits and clasped my hands behind the back of her head, wrapping my legs around her waist, pressing myself to the floor, immobilizing her."Calm down," I tried to reach out to her, but her howls turned into sobs that shook her body. "You're in no danger. I am not going to hurt you. Calm down!" I raised my voice but tried to sound calm and not aggressive.Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Azize had entered the
*Logan*I sat in a chair and held a sleeping Gemma. I stared at her beautiful, rosy cheeks and couldn't help but smile at her. Her sweaty blonde hair stuck to her neck, and I gently brushed it back. She was tired of running after vampires who were much faster than her, but she didn't give up until she almost collapsed from exhaustion.I never thought that watching someone else's baby would awaken a fatherly instinct in me. I knew she was special when I saw her confidently sparring with me at the tournament. But I never imagined I would bond with her so quickly and deeply that I would consider her my own.'That's my girl.' Gunnar confessed proudly, staring at the little one with adoration and pride.'Yeah. You mean OUR girl.' I affirmed and emphasized that she was not exclusive.Gunnar rolled his eyes but agreed. Gemma sighed deeply and snuggled into my chest, purring like a contented little kitten; they remind me of her own mother, who also makes similar sounds when she is happy. I la
*Logan*I lay in my bed, propped up on the pillow that smelled of apple pie, and watched both my girls sleeping, curled on the massive bed, holding each other's hands. An intensely red, warm quilt with Christmas gift patterns shines in your eyes like the glow of a burning fire in the fireplace. Vampires know no moderation in decorating, playing, eating, drinking, or in life in general. Their fortunes are always countless, their estates are exaggerated, and their tastes are tacky, starkly contrasting to my simple, balanced life.My quarters in Andrew's grand mansion remained consistent, always the smallest yet still resembling a luxurious suite. However, they eschewed the use of gold embellishments, Persian rugs, and furniture from the Baroque era. I appreciate simplicity, but they went overboard in adorning my room, leaving it resembling the epitome of a picturesque scene from a Christmas magazine.'What's wrong with the decorations? It's Christmas.' Gunnar reminded me while making h
*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