Klaus took another step in her direction. When he stepped on a twig and it snapped, she stopped, tensing up, and he expected her to attack and yell.
She didn’t. Poppy kept on walking, and Klaus followed, keeping his distance, watching her back. He was a dick. He knew that.
There was nothing he could do to change the shit he’d done, and he hated himself for that. He didn’t even know why he said the shit that he did or shoved her. At least he knew why he’d pulled her hair. He loved her blonde locks. She had them pulled back, even now, and it was so annoying that she did that.
They kept on walking, moving through the forest.
Klaus took several deep inhales, smelling to see if she needed his help, but the wolf wasn’t coming out. It would seem she finally had some semblance of control over it.
He followed close to her, taking deep breaths, waiting, and breathing. They did this for a couple of hours until it was time for her to head back. This time, she wasn’t slow as she walked, but she picked up speed. Within twenty minutes, Poppy was back at home with her mother.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at Poppy’s home. She had a nice place.
“Are you okay?”
Klaus looked at Bethany, his little sister.
“What are you doing here?”
“Easy. Proving to our dear old dad that I could totally take your ass in a fight.”
Klaus rolled his eyes. Bethany was his youngest sister at ten years old, but she was close to thirty mentally. She hated that the alpha went to a male. A tomboy from a young age, she had always been a pain. Climbing trees, badly. Bethany had broken a whole load of bones as she tried to prove that she was better than any boy.
“You’re sneaking out of the house again?” Klaus asked.
“That depends,” Bethany said. “Are we telling Dad that you have a mate, and it’s the girl you bullied for years?”
Klaus tensed up. “Kid, I mean it. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You’ve got to learn to hide your stuff together. Does Poppy know you have a shrine?” Bethany asked. “Kind of creepy. A whole file of pictures.”
“You’ve been through my room?”
“Like I said, I’m the best alpha there is.”
Klaus glared at his sister. “Tell me what you want.”
“For you to tell Dad that I should be respected.”
“Beth, you’re ten years old. You will earn that respect when you start doing as you’re told.” He glared at her. “Come on, before Dad orders a search party.”
Chapter Three
The pack was humming with excitement. Lionel’s pack was due to arrive tomorrow. From what Poppy knew, their alpha had already been informed that everything was on schedule. Lionel’s pack would arrive. Hotels and spare rooms were all ready and available. It was very common for packs to open their homes to each other.
Especially as this wasn’t a hostile trip, but a friendly one.
Her mother had a spare room as well, so they were going to be housing someone. Poppy didn’t know who. Even her mother was excited as well. Festivities were being planned. Their orders had been cleared as well. All of the purchases packaged up and sent to the necessary addresses.
That had been her job to do, to stand in line at the post office and send the last of the items on their merry way. Now, she was at home, and like so many times before, cooking up a storm with her mother.
Her mother’s famous chili was in the oven. Lots of beans and spice. It was a treat and often the first chili to go. With her hair pinned back, Poppy worked on the brownies that were also a hit, while her mother baked several pastry cases. Anna’s custard strawberry cream pie was a hit. A beautifully tender pastry case, a thick custard, left to go cold and spread onto the base, slices of strawberry, and a squirt of whipped cream. Divine.
One of the best desserts her mother made. The brownies were also well liked. Mainly with kids.
After pouring the batter into the large baking tray, Poppy spread it out evenly, picked it up, and carried it to the oven.
“This is always so fun. I love a big cook-off.”