*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*We entered the crowded gym, and all eyes were on us. I could smell the scents of many vampires, but I was also surprised to find a few humans and werewolves in the area. Everyone bowed to Andrew or greeted him with kind words, and I followed him in awe as so many people treated him like a king here; after all, seeing how he takes care of the entire valley, you could say that about him. Andrew is the law and order here, and it is to him that people come for help. I greeted the instructors politely when we entered the hall with a vast ring where someone was celebrating a victory over a fallen opponent. Seeing Andrew, everyone quickly got up from the ring, and the knocked-out guy was carried out by two thugs and revived on a nearby bench.Andrew directed me to the aisles of training clothes for the forgetful, and after stocking up on some cotton leggings and a T-shirt, I headed to the changing room to change. When I came out a minute later, I found Andrew in the ring wearing only
*Poppy*I read another text message from Rose, who informed me about every change in the boys' flight and sighed, seeing that another day was passing fruitlessly. I don't know what I expected after those few days spent in Piemonthelm, but deep in my heart, I prayed for a miracle that unfortunately has not come yet.I spent many more days at Andrew's house than I had initially intended, not because Logan and Tanner were in comas but for my daughter's sake and the slowly developing friendship between Rose, Amara, and me. I got to know them better and discovered they both had huge hearts and were wonderful people. Rose and I visited the boys together and supported each other through difficult times.The toxin used to poison the boys turned out to be so strong that completely removing it may be time-consuming, but Dr. Kyle promised to use all his power and knowledge to speed up the process.It turned out that Dr. Kyle Velikov is a vampire over a thousand years old, with such extensive kno
*Rose*I sat anxiously in the stiff hospital chair, my gaze fixed on the motionless figure lying in the hospital bed. Tubes and wires snaked from Tanner's body to various machines, monitoring his vitals. I reached out to hold his hand, seeking the warmth that had always comforted me, but found only the clammy touch of illness.Tears welled in my eyes as I remembered the events that had led us to this moment: his sudden appearance at my house with a nervous expression on his face, his frantic rush to help me pack my most necessary belongings, and the last words of love he said before running away. I did what he asked me to, but in my wildest dreams, I had never thought that we would reunite like this. Of course, there was a vast possibility that we would never be together again, but I prayed. I prayed so hard that God would allow us to find our happy ending.And now I got the chance to reunite with my Tanner to cry, overhearing the doctor's grim diagnosis of poisoning. I couldn't beli
*Poppy*I struggled to maintain a steady breath, my nerves on edge as I sat in the courtroom for an eternity. The absence of the Council and Seamus only heightened my anxiety. Easton's attempts to reassure me fell on deaf ears, my heart pounding in my chest, a relentless drumbeat of anticipation.My phone vibrated in my pocket again, and I pulled it out to see what disheartening update Rose had sent me this time."Put it away. They're on their way." Easton, my new loyal friend and ally, leaned down and whispered. Without looking, I put the phone back down and glanced nervously over my left shoulder, meeting the cynical gaze of my mate, Seamus, who had appeared alone this time without his vixen clinging to his arm."I hope we can get this over with quickly. After all, it's New Year's, and there's no better way to celebrate it than in the Werewolf Council building."His representative threw it our way as he walked past to sit in the dock reserved for the accused. Seamus didn't say a wor
*Poppy*All eyes were focused on a snarling, angry Seamus, who had risen from his seat, dug his claws into the table before him, and glared murderously at Easton and me. "I don't have to tell you what that reaction means, do I?" Easton asked the Council members, staring at our scene with mixed emotions. Seamus, the current Alpha, and I, the challenger, were the main focus of their attention. Some were wiping their foreheads in surprise, others were writing something vigorously in their notes, and a few were looking at Seamus with such contempt that I almost burst out laughing with happiness.'Damn right, princeling. Let's take down that shitty mate of us.' Iris shouted her encouragement as she howled in joy in my head at Seamus's reaction.My heart was pounding, and I was still trying to cool down after that scene Easton put on me and the intended kiss, but I gazed at Seamus, who wasn't expecting me to play dirty. His fur was almost bristling, and his eyes were narrowed in anger and
*Poppy*I stumbled out of the Council Headquarters, my mind a foggy void, my legs unsteady, and my heart thudding so violently that I couldn't discern reality. The next thing I knew, I was seated in the car, Easton's laughter reverberating around me. Like a rushing river, his words failed to breach the invisible barrier that had enveloped me.I felt as if I were trapped in a hermetically sealed bubble. Glancing at my hands, clasped tightly on my lap, I saw them shaking. Looking up through the window and watching the warm sunshine, my mind was whirling with emotions. I could hardly believe it—I had won the case against Seamus, and justice had finally been served.Relief washed over me, knowing I had fought tirelessly for what was right and had come out victorious. It was a victory that echoed with the sound of justice served. But beneath the surface, bittersweet nostalgia and lingering pain threatened to overshadow my triumph. Memories of happier times with Seamus flooded my mind, and
*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