*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 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 was fidgeting in the backseat, clutching my documents. Outside the window, the trees merged into a beautiful landscape of colors, from dark greens to browns, oranges, and reds. Autumn has come. I loved this time of year the most.Not only did nature spoil us with colors, but the air smelled different. Evening walks seemed more romantic. Morning runs gave me energy, and pumpkin dishes were one of my favorites. Not to mention autumn evenings with wine and reading by the warm fireplace.I sighed as I considered my romance novel collection, which decorated the living room bookcase. I also remembered the smell of a caramel candy apple latte on the table and the tender stroking of my partner sitting with me on the couch."We are approaching the gate. Prepare for inspection."My driver said over his shoulder as he turned onto a wide gravel road in the middle of a multicolored forest.My heart leaped into my throat, and my grip on the documents tightened. There was no turning back. I
*Poppy*The office was huge and elegantly decorated, but it was also intimidating. I nervously walked to one of the petitioners' chairs and waited for permission to sit down.The Queen gestured to a chair, and I quickly sat, watching as King Alexander walked over to his large oak desk and sat down in his giant leather chair, staring at me with a slightly offended expression. Queen Anastasia stood at his side and put her hand on his shoulder, pressuring him to behave."'How may I help you, Luna Hopkins?" the King asked, clasping his hands before him."Or should I say, Mrs. Hopkins? Because Luna isn't your title anymore." He added, slightly lowering his voice to a cold one.I gulped, glanced at the documents in my hands, and cleared my throat. I looked bravely into his eyes, placed the documents on his desk, and straightened up in my chair."I would like to request the opportunity to exercise Luna's Law." I sang loudly, almost shouting. I quickly corrected my tone and repeated it, quiet
*Poppy*I stood at the sink, washing the dishes after breakfast, looking out the window for my swift, agile little girl. She moved incredibly fast for a girl of almost five, rivaling an eight-year-old's strength.My pride and joy just flashed past my window like lightning bolts, and all I noticed was her blonde hair floating in the wind."Gem, please don't run so fast. And don't get too far away," I lectured my naughty daughter, laughing as I heard her groan in exasperation."But I'm training to outdo Trevor in the upcoming races." Gemma climbed onto the bench by the kitchen window and stuck out her sweet, chubby, wind-red face, piercing me with her big, intense blue eyes."Honey, Trevor is ten years old and Alpha's son." I reminded her, leaning down to look at her through the glass. "Besides, no one will allow you to compete in senior events. Your age group is not yet allowed to compete in official ranking events, and from what Ms. Coltrane told me, you have been suspended from the e
*Logan*I glanced at the road before me with an absentminded face. I looked at the navigation panel and sighed at the sight of another two hours of driving before I reached my destination. I've never wanted to tear Lex apart as much as I do now. Not only did he turn me into an errand boy, but he only gave me two days to do so."Who does he think he is? Almighty?" I drawled as I stepped on the gas.'He's a king, so technically he's almighty. He can even give orders to a pompous asshole like you.' Gunnar, my lycan, mocked.'Thanks for your support, pal. We'll see who's an asshole when you have to sleep with that red-headed witch.' I told him off.Gunnar was furious when we mentioned the pompous, cynical woman who gave us a headache. His distaste for Princess Margo mirrors my own for her human form, Matilde. Just the thought of this woman makes me want to vomit. Not that she's ugly or gross, but every meeting ends with arguments and destruction for some reason. We seem not to get along a
*Logan*I sat in the farthest corner of the tent with a baseball hat on my head, trying to hide from the prying eyes. This task bordered on a miracle because my aura, not only as a royal but as a Lycan, was more intense and noticeable. From the moment I parked the car, I attracted curious eyes. I only hoped they would mistake me for Mr. Bernard in disguise, not someone of royal blood.Albert explained everything to me, or at least what he knew, suggesting that much more was hidden beneath the top that needed to be revealed. I already know that the woman I am picking up is Poppy Hopkins, a former Luna or current one. She was a member of the Larch Grove Pack, who was allowed to use Luna's Law to bring justice and punish Alpha and his Luna for their wrongs against the pack members and his rightful Luna and heir.I must admit that I greatly admire a woman who decided to challenge the stronger one and intends to fight him for the sake of her daughter. Gunnar shuddered to hear that any Alph
*Logan*Albert promised to take me to Mrs. Hopkins right after his son's race, his first entry into the tournament for aspiring warriors this year. This custom originated many years ago and is celebrated in every pack. I remember taking part in them when I was ten years old.Each young member, regardless of gender or species, participated in a tournament in which their predispositions to later ranks were tested. From an early age, people checked whether they were fit to be warriors, trainers, trackers, scouts, or even the highest ranks, such as beta or alpha. Thanks to this annual competition, leaders can even be selected.I moved over three hundred yards away from the tent, perfectly hidden in the tree line with still perfect visibility of the event. Trevor lined up at the starting line with six other kids in his age group, ready to run. Trevor is a complete dad, not only in appearance but also in character. The boy loved jokes and pranks but stopped at nothing to defend those humili