*Tanner (Poppy's Previous Gamma)*I glanced into the rearview mirror, feeling like someone was following me despite having been alone on the road for at least twenty miles. I hadn't seen anyone, and this road is usually well-traveled, although perhaps not at night. It was just past one o'clock. I looked again and slowed down to make sure that no one was following me, whether in a car or on all fours, lurking in the darkness of the forest."I must have gone crazy," I whispered, shaking my head, but my wolf Otis was growling a warning in my head.'Hurry up. Something is wrong.' He warned me, and I immediately accelerated towards the human city.His senses have never failed me yet, and if Otis feels something is wrong, it is. The first time this happened was when, a few days after making the oath to my Luna, Otis started acting strange when Seamus began to send me on resupply missions to the human city. I didn't understand why he needed such large amounts of opioids, but I didn't questio
*Poppy*I had a dream last night that started with me running through a field of wildflowers, the sun shining, and the wind in my hair. I was chasing after love, and it felt exhilarating like I was on the brink of something unique. But as I ran, the scenery around me began to change. The once vibrant field turned into a desolate wasteland, the sun disappeared behind dark clouds, and the wind turned into a bitter, cold gale.Suddenly, I was alone in this barren landscape, with no one in sight. The love I had been chasing after had vanished, leaving me stranded in a lonely, loveless world. The feeling of loneliness and heartache was overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of despair.In my dream, I realized that sometimes, the pursuit of love can lead to a nightmare of loneliness. It was a haunting reminder that love is not always guaranteed, and the fear of ending alone can turn a beautiful dream into a chilling nightmare. It was a jarring and sobering experience that
*Poppy*Gemma jumped on the bed, squealing delightfully and eating her favorite jelly beans. I tried one too many times to remind her of good manners, but every time she flashed me with her big, shining, and pleading eyes, I gave up and let her jump one more time."Mommy, can I sleep at Trevor's? Aunt Nastya said our apartment is closed. Some kind of revelation or something." Gemma asked, plopping in the middle of the bed, spilling the remains of the jelly beans from the package."Not revelation, but renovation. And Aunt Nastya has some old news. Everything is already fixed, and we can spend a few days in our beautiful little apartment again." I closed my suitcase, leaned over it, and grabbed the last strawberry jelly beside my daughter's little feet."Hey. This is my favorite." Gemma pouted and quickly picked up the remaining jelly beans, stuffing them into her mouth."And try saying Anastasia. Aunt Anastasia." I corrected her, although I know she won't be able to say the full versio
*Poppy*I looked out the window and watched the beautiful autumn slowly ending, preparing for the incoming winter. My favorite red, brown, and gold leaves had already begun to fall to the ground, leaving the branches bare and slightly off-putting. The sky had already started to turn dark blue, and in less than an hour, it would undoubtedly turn into a completely black surface covered with a trillion stars."You've been so quiet since Gemma fell asleep. I hope you don't mind me asking you to change your seat." Logan chatted, keeping his eyes on the empty road shrouded in blowing leaves, distracting me from what was undoubtedly my escape from my nervous situation."No. Not. I'm just deep in thought; I didn't think that the closer I get to the goal, I'll have more and more problems, doubts, and fears." I answered honestly, although that wasn't really on my mind then."You'll see; everything will work out, and you'll win." Logan placed a warm hand on my thigh, and I cringed."Just forty-f
*Poppy*The whole world stopped as soon as his warm lips pressed against mine. The cool breeze stopped a few inches short of my skin; the fog thickened into a cloud between us, and the sound of the engine starting faded to silence. The blood was pounding in my ears, adrenaline was pumping my body, and the pain in my lower abdomen, which for a moment had almost separated me from the inside, stopped as if Logan's lips were the best painkiller.The kiss was subtle and delicate, even seeming to be a brush, but the warmth emanating from his skin was enough to accelerate my racing heart and speed up my pulse. I opened my eyes in shock but couldn't push him away. Logan closed his eyes and touched my lips as if he were testing the waters and counting on my steps to cross the boundaries of decency.Seconds seemed to be an eternity when my brain was fighting with my heart, and everyone was giving rational and particular arguments. But Iris's purr and her relief in suffering had the decisive voi
*Logan*I sat in the armchair and stared at Gemma sleeping, dressed in her favorite purple flannel pajamas, holding the silver and gray wolf mascot I had given her the first month she came to live in our kingdom. Her sweet face melted into a quizzical smile as I told her about my meeting with Trevor tomorrow. Her excitement could be considered a sign of an early bond between two werewolves, but Gunnar explained that it was more of a need for a loved one going through a similar experience.I took another sip of the beer Albert had kindly stocked Poppy's little fridge with and watched Gemma's steady breathing, wrapped in a warm blanket and lying comfortably on the sofa in the living room. My thoughts revolved around that one incredible moment less than an hour ago on the side of the road. My body boiled again at the memory, and my penis stood at attention almost immediately."Holy shit," I sighed and stood up, getting as far away from Gemma as possible.I stood at the kitchen sink and l
*Logan*"And now! Don't stop; concentrate on your opponent! Right, left, center!"I shouted commands from the sideline, never taking my eyes off Poppy and Gamma Chloé, who were punching each other like pros. My heart was pounding as I watched Poppy's progress in just a few months, but I was still afraid for her as I watched Chloé deliver blows to her so efficiently and precisely."Don't let your guard down! Up! Up! Now, double chin!"Poppy followed all my instructions, and Chloé's mate cheered on his wife from the other side. Both women did great, collecting points and improving their skills. Even though Chloé was a highly trained and experienced warrior, she sometimes buckled under Poppy's pressure. The people gathered around cheered the two women, but most of them chose Poppy, surprised and proud of her remarkable progress.Poppy's blows began to look like those thrown in a frenzy, thoughtlessly and definitely as if she was taking out her frustration, aggression, or pain on her oppo
*Poppy*I sat in an uncomfortable hospital chair and stared at Ryan, who was sleeping and hooked up to a drip. I shouldn't be so worried about his condition, but I couldn't help but feel guilty. I'm the one who put him in here. A part of me felt proud that I had defeated such a great and good warrior as Ryan. Still, on the other hand, there was a knocking fear in my heart that this fury might attack me again, and it wouldn't be directed at someone equal or Seamus but at someone close to me, maybe even weaker than me.'Stop blaming yourself for winning. Ryan understands he's a fighter himself.' Iris convinced me, but I couldn't look at this victory with full pride. Not after the way Chloé looks at me.'She is just jealous. She lost to Loser Poppy.' She growled, recalling Chloé's comments behind my back.