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)
Since they had sex, she did in fact want him, even more than before.
Poppy stepped toward the phone and picked it up. She didn’t know Klaus’s number. She put the phone back into the cradle and stepped away from the counter.
“You’re up early,” Anna said, entering the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom. Yeah, there are a few errands I need to run. Can we talk later?” she asked, already heading toward the door.
“Honey, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
“I know, we’ll talk later, bye.” She left her home and wrapped the cardigan she wore around her body.
It was only six o’clock.
Klaus often went for a run. She hated that she knew that. Heading into the town, she knew he crossed town to take the quick, scenic route into the forest.
Poppy frowned as she realized not people many were up. Usually, the town was thriving. Many wolves were morning people.
Arriving in the town, she came to a stop when she realized there were people, but not many people.
Greg was there.
So was Lionel.
George and Anna.
Bethany and her sister.
There was no sign of Klaus.
The pack was also there. There was a reason they were not milling around. They were close to the town square, watching.
Poppy turned as she heard her mother approaching.
“Mom, what is going on?” Poppy asked.
“That is what I wanted to tell you about,” Anna said. “I’ve talked with Lionel and with Greg, and I think this will be a perfect opportunity for you. A chance to be happy.”
“Mom, I am happy.” She didn’t like this.
Where the fuck was Klaus?
Why wasn’t he here?
She glanced through the crowd. Shouldn’t he be standing with his family?
Poppy was aware of what was happening, and she didn’t like it.
Anna took her hands. “Trust me, sweetheart. I know this is … daunting, but I want you to give Greg a chance.”
“No, Mom, you don’t understand. I can’t give Greg a chance.”
“That’s the nerves talking. I get it. We all get it.” She was being pulled toward Greg.
Where the fuck was Klaus when she needed him? Did he want her to leave? Was that why he wasn’t here? After they had sex, did he not like it? Did he hate it? Was this his way of letting her go?
Pain sliced through her.
Panic.
Disbelief.
Everything was happening inside her so fast.
Years of keeping everything inside, the practice, built to this point, and she looked at Greg. He stood so happy and so proud with his father.
No. This couldn’t be happening.
Klaus had said he loved her. She loved him. Her feelings were confused when it came to him, but not about this. She wanted to be with Klaus more than she wanted to be mated to a guy she didn’t … like.
Well, it wasn’t that she didn’t like Greg. He was a nice guy. A great alpha. He would make some woman a great mate someday, but that person wasn’t her. It was never going to be her.
Not at all.
The pack all looked happy.
What the hell was going on?
Greg and Lionel approached.
She felt sick to her stomach.
She and Klaus hadn’t used protection. They were mates. She didn’t know if there was a higher chance of them getting pregnant.
Poppy wanted to see Klaus.
“She is a little shy,” Anna said.
Lionel held out his hand to Anna. “Let’s allow them to talk.”
They stepped away, and Poppy looked toward her mother. No, this couldn’t be happening. She didn’t want to be with Greg.
“Poppy, I am so sorry it had to be this way. I had hoped yesterday to ask your thoughts on our possible union. I like you. I like you a lot. You’re a kind, sweet woman. I know you will make an amazing mate,” Greg said.
“You don’t know me. We’ve known each other for a handful of hours. I’ve barely spent any time with you.”
“I know, but I have heard a great deal about you.” He smiled.
Everything he had heard had come from the pack. They would say good things about her. They were her pack. She was loyal to them. She would give her life for them. Always.
Where the fuck was Klaus?
“I hope that you can one day come to love me and feel for me as I know how I feel for you. I will cherish you, Poppy. You will want for nothing.”
“Greg, you seem like a really sweet guy, and I get it, but there is something you need to know.” She slicked her suddenly dry lips.
“What?” Greg asked.
“I’m the girl,” Poppy said.
“Pardon?”
“Klaus is the friend, and I’m the girl that he bullied,” Poppy said.
Greg’s lips fell open.
“Klaus is my mate,” she said, and she couldn’t believe how good it felt to actually say those words out loud.
“Step the hell away from my mate,” Klaus said, coming out of the forest.
Poppy whirled around and saw her mate with only a pair of pants on. Klaus looked pissed as he stepped toward her.