*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.
*Poppy*I watched as Daliah tried to call Tanner again but to no avail. His phone was still out of range, and the agreed emergency number was not answering. Arthur moved towards his wife and rubbed her shoulders, whispering reassuring words to which she nodded."Maybe Seamus started to suspect something. Maybe Tanner needs to be more careful and hide his phone; you said yourself that his last call was strange." I hinted, trying to comfort a frightened woman.It was the first time I had talked to Arthur or Daliah since I visited Autumn Pack. First, our trip was disrupted. Although I must admit that the help in overcoming the pain was pleasant, the fact that I allowed myself to be so stupidly surprised was not my best moment.Then, this sparring, which helped me more than running through the forest, also caused me a few additional problems. And I'm not talking about stupid gossip, which hasn't bothered me for a long time, but the fact that many people witnessed my little madness didn't
*Tanner*I heard water dripping into the metal bowl in the left corner of my cell. The cold and dampness of the musty floor made my body shiver, and a very sharp, frosty wind pierced me, causing a fever. My eyes were tired and sleepy, and my eyelids were too heavy to lift, but my brain screamed at me to move."How long do we have to keep him here? It's been almost ten days, and the guy hasn't said a word.""We are to hold him until he arrives. We are not paid to extract information from him; they will take care of that."I heard the muffled but still quite distinct voices of several men talking nearby. Although slightly muffled, my hearing still registered everything that was happening around me."Time for another dose."This announcement made me panic and made my heart beat faster. I knew what these words meant, and I was afraid that I would no longer be able to resist the effects of the drug. Otis was already so heavily intoxicated that his further resistance wavered. Even though I
*Tanner*"As you can see, I took the liberty of providing a little protection in case you betray me again. I hope you don't mind me bringing a guest." Seamus got up from his chair and slowly walked towards my Rose."N-no!" I tried to scream, "R-roseee!" I tried to make a full sound, but my tongue seemed too heavy.My heart sped up to an almost steady beat as his foot nudged my mate's delicate shoulder. Otis woke up for a second, and I growled at my Alpha in warning."U hu hu. Well, well, what a display of aggression. I just wanted to say hello to our little human being." Seamus mocked, crouching down next to Rose, revealing the dark cloth from her face that covered her entire body."Pretty. It's a pity she's an ordinary human. Such people usually die quickly." He added, playing with her red strands, causing me to feel fear, panic, and rage that I couldn't do anything. This drug gradually knocked me off my feet, leaving only my mind able to process reality."L-leave h-her." I pleaded,
*Poppy*I stood in a beautiful long blue tulle dress, staring at my reflection in the dark window, watching the snow fall on its glass. I felt out of place, out of my skin; although the dress, shoes, and the whole arrangement made me feel like a charming woman, I felt like a usurper in someone else's fairy tale.I took another sip of champagne that was too dry for my taste and turned towards the ballroom, looking for the one face in the crowded room I didn't want to see but forced myself to encounter to gain an advantage for my case.I noticed some of Seamus's good friends, who surprisingly didn't even look at me, apart from the typical male salivation over my body as if it was the next snack on their menu. I haven't seen or sensed Seamus anywhere. The lustful looks gave me creeps, and I turned around and focused on the golden carvings in the columns surrounding the windows. I didn't think such a situation would happen to me, especially in the face of the royal family, for whom mate b
*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