*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
*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
*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
*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
*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
*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*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*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*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