*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*Easton's words echoed in my head like a mantra, encouraging me to fight, rebuilding my self-esteem, but above all, strengthening my belief that this duel would be the final stage in my life, cutting myself off from Seamus, Larch Groove Pack, opening the way for me where I can build my future with a clean slate.That short stop in the park was exactly what I needed—a breath. I needed to catch my breath and distance myself from what had just ended. I never thought that when I finally got the freedom I wanted, instead of being thankful for the end of suffering, I would be mourning my former lover and those beautiful moments we had together. But in that moment, the park was a sanctuary, a brief respite from the storm of emotions.That's why I had this panic attack; I forgot that Seamus used to be a loving and caring man who cared for my every need as if I were his queen. What happened to him? I don't know. But I don't want to find out. That stage is behind me now, closed. This rea