“Klaus, we all get busy. Don’t worry about it.”
Chapter Four
Poppy gripped her shoulders and tilted her head from left to right, then back again. She ached from all of the baking. What was more, her mother had asked for her to drop off some of the baked goods at the alpha’s main house, where Nicole was apparently waiting for them.
The large house came into view, and she saw Bethany in the front yard, bouncing a ball and then aiming it for the hoop.
She clapped her hands as soon as the young girl scored. “Well done.”
Bethany spun around. Her eyes were wide. “Poppy.”
“Hey, Bethany. Is your mom in?”
The young girl looked toward the house and then back at her. She nodded her head, but there was something about her that Poppy wasn’t sure about. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course. Everything is fine. You know, just out here dribbling my ball. Not making negotiations for alpha training or making deals with my brother.”
Poppy stopped and then smiled. “O-okay. Sure. Should I knock?”
“Right, you want to take those in because of the whole, pack visit. Yeah, I’ll get that.”
Bethany was acting oddly.
Poppy followed Bethany as she opened the door. “Mom, Poppy’s here with a delivery.”
She stepped into the house as Nicole came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. “You are a real lifesaver. Your mother, tell her I owe her one.”
Whenever the alpha and his mate needed some emergency cooking, they often asked her mother for help.
Nicole was gifted in many ways, just not in the kitchen, and there had nearly been a war with a different pack as they felt she had given them all food poisoning on purpose. They hadn’t. Nicole’s cooking wasn’t great, not even by a little.
So very gross.
The pack would still try her food if it was potlucks or festivals, but they would be sure to only try a little bit. Not to hurt her feelings.
Walking into the kitchen, Poppy was aware of Bethany sticking around.
“No problem. Mom said if there is anything else you need, just give her a call.” She unloaded the bags and then put her hands back to her neck and shoulders, easing out the tension.
This was Klaus’s house. She’d been here many times before. Dropping off food or gifts that Nicole had ordered. Each time, she had always been nervous about encountering Klaus.
This was different. She wasn’t worried about him potentially saying anything nasty.
They had been able to avoid being seen together closely by either of their parents. She didn’t know if the alpha, Klaus’s mother, or her own mother would be able to detect their … bond. Not that they were actually bonded.
Far from it. There was the potential for a bond. A bond she didn’t want.
“Are you looking forward to the pack arriving tomorrow?” Nicole asked.
“Come on, Mom, why would Poppy care about a pack arriving tomorrow?” Bethany asked.
“Don’t be rude, Bethany. It is exciting. Always the chance for a potential mate.”
Bethany started to cough. “Oh, please. Poppy’s not the kind of person to fall for just any guy. I mean, her mate is probably in this pack, and he’s just shy and doesn’t know how to approach her.”
Poppy looked at Bethany, who was growing redder by the second. “I better go. I hope you enjoy the food, Mrs. Demon.”
“Please, Poppy, call me Nicole.”