Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 38003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
They had never talked about this. “Not ever?”
“No, not ever. You get the chance to be with your one soul mate. Some mates are lucky and will be together for their whole lives. Others, not so much.” Anna climbed off her chair, but Poppy had seen the pain flash in her gaze.
“Mom, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, sweetheart. I know this is a trying time for you. For all of you. I remember my first transition. It was a painful experience, but it was also the night I found your father. Even with all of that pain, there was joy, and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.” Anna sighed. “I want that for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes, there is something so magical about finding your one true love.”
It was hard for Poppy not to snort. “Do you think that there is a chance that mates may not like each other?” Poppy asked.
“No.”
“No?”
“The feelings that consume you, it is … no, there is no way for that kind of feeling to be anything that can be easily squashed or ignored. It builds you up. Drives you. It’s like an explosion, and it happens so fast. You can’t deny it. Can’t ignore it.” Anna smiled. “It’s always there, glowing between you.”
Poppy wanted to tell her mother that the anger and hatred were very much real. Clearly, her mother wasn’t aware of what happened if two mates weren’t accepting of each other.
She went to her mother and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her close. “Well, I hope that’s not the case and someone from Lionel’s pack is there to love you, and cherish you, and to want to keep you as part of them.” She kissed her mother’s head.
Anna laughed.
“Sweetheart, that is what I should be saying to you. Not the other way around.” Anna kissed her head. “I’m getting hungry. How about I head out and grab us a couple of burgers from the diner?”
“Sounds amazing.” She smiled at her mother, loving her even more.
Anna gave her a kiss on the head and then left the store.
Alone.
Poppy was able to drop the falseness. She hated lying to her mother. It made her skin crawl.
Being alone wasn’t a good thing either. With her mother around, she was able to control the wolf a little better.
Her skin felt too tight. It was uncomfortable.
Keeping so many secrets locked up inside her made her struggle to focus. The wolf inside her wanted out. It wanted to run. To be let free, but it also wanted to go to its mate. To Klaus.
She took several deep breaths.
It had only been three days. There was no way this feeling should be coming to her right now.
In and out.
She felt the perspiration on her brow, the sickness swirling in her gut.
Dropping the clipboard, she lost her vision and grasped the edge of the nearest counter. Tension built along her spine, and she felt her bones start to merge. This couldn’t be happening. No full moon.
She tried to think of her mother.
Out!
Run.
Free.
Klaus.
Her wolf wanted freedom, and this was why their alpha insisted that newly turned wolves take a minimum of one year to work at different places throughout the pack. He believed every single person had a part to play in helping bring the wolf under control. To bring stability.
Poppy needed it. She was desperate for it. She wanted to scream for her mom. To beg for help.
In the background, she heard the sound of the doorbell.
Arms surrounded her, and she waited as she was moved. Within seconds, the pain started to evaporate. Opening her eyes, her vision returned, and she was shocked to see Klaus standing right in front of her.
He held her face in his hands. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m … I was … I … you’re welcome. I was being responsible here for you, and yeah, I was making sure that everything was working all right.”
She frowned. There was no reason for Klaus to be here.
He didn’t let go of her face, and she quickly became very aware their bodies were flush together.
“I’ve got you.”
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Poppy, you can be pissed at me all you want to be, but we both know what would have happened if I hadn’t been here. You needed me. Stop being so freaking stubborn.”
“My mom?”
“She’ll be back soon, and I’ll leave out of the back, or wherever you need me to go. I will never hurt you.”
“You … she is asking about a mate. Do you know Lionel’s pack is supposed to be coming here?” she asked.
She watched as his jaw clenched.
“Yes, I’m aware of it.”
“Should I be worried?” she asked.
“Don’t allow any of the men to get too close.”
“Why not?”
“Damn it, Poppy. Why the fuck do you think?” he asked.
She glared at him.
“We haven’t told anyone that we’re mates. I … want you. There, I’ve said it. I fucking crave you, and there is this desperation I feel for you. Do you think I’m going to be able to have so much control if a dick comes sniffing around you? Hell no. I will cause problems. Trust me when I say we don’t want that to happen.”