*Poppy*I passed another sign suggesting a detour, probably the fifth one in a row, but I kept going. For the past hour, these signs had been guiding me forward. I had never seen the end of a road marked so densely, and for such a long distance; it had to mean something. When Logan was driving us here, I knew, or instead remembered, that all these detours or signs indicating the end of the road were just a decoy for the curious, who wanted to see for themselves if the legends of swamp monsters were true.He explained it as a way to avoid unwanted guests, or at least scare most of them away, but those who ignored the signs they had to deal with differently, making sure no one would remember anything. I yawned again but quickly slapped my cheek to stay awake. I had to have my eyes wide open so as not to miss any sign intended only for the initiated, if there was one. I only remember a little about the ride to Andrew's house because my brain was busy with something other than memorizing
*Poppy*I tore off another piece of bread, dipped it in the wonderfully spiced warm pumpkin soup, and stuffed my face, eating as if I hadn't had food in a year. I felt like that, although my hunger seemed only a day away."Take it easy, slowly, or you'll choke, Poppy." Sybilla lectured me, although not very seriously, because she was enjoying me judging by the smile that appeared on her face."This is delicious. Thank you." I praised with a full mouth, wanting to finish the meal as soon as possible and see my daughter.Sybilla took care of my guest from the truck and secured the cargo I had brought. I didn't think I would ever be as grateful for the help as I was then. If it weren't for Sybilla, I know that today I wouldn't be sitting in a warm parlor, warming myself by the fireplace and eating delicious soup. Her kindness and support were a lifeline in this dire situation.Those vampires that attacked me were genuinely terrifying, and from what Sybilla explained to me on the way to t
*Poppy*As I entered the dense and eerie forest at night, the darkness enveloped me like a heavy cloak. The trees loomed overhead, casting long, shadowy shapes that seemed to shift and dance in the faint moonlight. Twigs cracked beneath my feet, and the rustling of leaves in the breeze sounded like whispers in the darkness. Each step felt heavy with the weight of the unknown, and every distant hoot of an owl or rustle in the underbrush sent shivers down my spine. Despite the creepiness, there was a strange allure to the mysterious atmosphere of the forest, which drew me deeper and deeper into its depths.I walked barefoot along a path covered with dry autumn leaves. A heavy, cold fog spread around me, but my bare arms did not shiver. I walked unruffled as if none of these inconveniences affected me.I suddenly heard a child's laughter somewhere in the distance, and my previously unshaken heart beat painfully. A feeling of loss and pain shot through my body, and instinctively, I ran to
*Andrew*I stared at the phone in my hands, wondering whether or not to send the information to Azize. Two days had passed since we had each gone our separate ways with our missions to accomplish, but something about all this was gnawing at me. Something didn't fit here.The man lying chained to the large metal grate groaned, waking up once again from the slumber I had sent him into. I didn't want to knock him out, but his terrifying screams and cries for help could cause us unnecessary problems and bring people to me that I preferred to avoid in the current situation.The guy looked exactly like the described gamma. He had all the traits described by Poppy and his mate, including the mark of belonging to the Larch Groove Pack and the dove tattoo above it, but his behavior was far from how I imagined someone forced to cooperate. He was not grateful for the rescue, no, quite the opposite; with a murderous look, he threw himself at me several times, trying to break free and return to hi
*Logan*My head was pounding as the horrible aftermath of being poisoned had not decreased with time. Gunnar was in a position where everything irritated him; any sound or light annoyed him as if he were experiencing a massive migraine. It was strange considering our nature and accelerated regeneration abilities, yet I blamed it on dehydration, body weakness, and terrible fatigue.Despite the odds, we completed the mission with a different outcome. The person we had hoped would lead us to victory turned out to be more troublesome and ineffective. His unwavering devotion to Alpha recited like a mantra, and his irrational fury at the mere mention of his mate bordered on the edge of paranoia.We concluded that he must have been exposed to hallucinogens and was persuaded that his beloved had perished, and he held Poppy responsible for all of his sufferings. His accusations against my mate were unbearable. Tanner blames Poppy not only for the loss of his dear Rose but also for the sufferin
*Poppy*I was standing in the small kitchen near Logan's room, frying pancakes for my daughter, who was taking her morning nap. My nightmare woke me well before dawn, and unfortunately, my cries for help also woke my daughter.I spent a good hour cuddling up to her, kissing her sweaty head, and confessing my undying love. She became my dream catcher, chasing away the dark thoughts that haunted my dreams at night. I spent the morning telling her a made-up story about how I had gone with Azize to help her distribute the remaining gifts to children living in other further parts of the valley.I couldn't tell her the truth; she was too little and too innocent to burden her sweetheart with the evil of this world. Our morning went undisturbed as if everyone knew I needed this day to rest and spend it with my daughter, recharging my batteries and enjoying her company. I have yet to hear anyone call the landline beside Logan's bed and inform me if anyone has returned. I was worried but trust
*Poppy*My palms were drenched in sweat as we neared the hospital wing. I bombarded Amara with questions about the boys' health, but she remained silent, her calm demeanor only adding to my growing anxiety.How could I not worry when I didn't know what to expect? I wanted to scream at her, but I held back. The only thing that comforted me was Iris's lack of fear, which signaled that the situation might not be as dire as I thought. My emotions were a turbulent sea, threatening to engulf me at any moment."I just want you to know that we're working on it. Our serologist, Kyle, is the best in his field. Before you know it, we can neutralize the toxins," Amara revealed, and the word "serologist" made my blood run cold.I stood frozen in the middle of the hospital corridor, a wave of fear washing over me. What Amara said sounded too serious to be ignored, and even Iris got scared suddenly. The fear in the air was palpable, making it hard to breathe."What do you mean by serologist? What th
*Poppy*I sat there, overwhelmed by a wave of emotions, staring at Tanner's peaceful sleeping face. The sight of him and Logan, both in a medically induced coma to rid their bodies of toxins, was a stark reminder of the guilt and turmoil I was grappling with. I'm no doctor, but the thought of cleansing such a complex organ as the brain in this way was unfathomable.I didn't expect Seamus to go so far as to poison people so he could change their perception of reality. It's like taking one person out of them and putting in another, completely different and unrecognizable.Doctor Kyle claims that the body cleanses itself the fastest during sleep, hence the idea of keeping them in this state. The only questions are how long they will sleep so soundly and how he determines that the toxin has wholly left their system. Unfortunately, Doctor Kyle could not give me a specific answer to these questions. I sighed and grabbed Tanner's hand."I'm sorry. I hope I can tell you this to your face soon
*Poppy*I stood at the entrance of the grand living room in the Piemontesi house, a familiar yet foreign feeling washing over me as I stepped across the threshold. Iris stirred, agitated, making my nerves skyrocket. What was that strange sensation at the back of my neck? Was it nerves or something entirely different? I wondered as I walked inside, holding Gemma's hand, with Dante and his sister by my sides.As I caught sight of Amara in Andrew's arms, a rush of happiness surged through me. I hurried forward with Gemma, my heart swelling as I reached out to hug my newfound best friend. "My sweet girl," Amara whispered, squeezing the life out of me. Despite the lack of oxygen, I felt relief upon returning to where I felt safe and peaceful."You had us worried, young lady! You better have a better explanation than making new friendships to bring us
*Dante de Gallo*The sun was setting over the quaint Valley of Piemontesi, casting a warm golden hue across the landscape. I stood by the window of the small coffee shop we passed yesterday on our way to the vampire's mansion, and the memory of Poppy's bright smile while entering this mysterious town, hiding its secrets, popped into my head. It was a cozy place, and even the omnipresent vampires looking around me furtively did not take away its charm.Poppy spent the night with her daughter, who radiated joy at seeing her mother and offered her undivided attention. Allegra and I quickly retreated to the background, dealing with the mansion's hosts as they inquired about rooms- a first for us. As royals, we’re always served first, never last, and certainly never left to handle things on our own.It was quite an experience, particularly when
*Dante de Gallo*The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the forest path leading to Poppy's home. I sat close beside her. My sister Allegra was in the front passenger seat of our SUV, her laughter mingling with the sound of silly reels she watched on her phone and the soft murmur of music. The tranquil sounds of the radio were a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions stirring within me. With every moment, I couldn't shake the sensation that Poppy was meant for me, that she was my mate. Yet, the lack of recognition from my lycan Aldo gnawed at me like a persistent ache I couldn't ignore.I have no idea how I convinced her to join me on the trip back to her daughter's. Still, perhaps a huge part of it was thanks to my younger sister Allegra, who not only charmed Poppy with her colorful personality but also, thanks to her ability to subtly but effectively man
*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