The alpha of the Demon pack was never questioned or fought over. It was passed down to each generation. Just like his father stepped into the role after his father, and his father before that, and so on, until this line first existed.
The pack had grown big and strong by then, forming a community.
His father always put the community first. Even if it meant his mate had to wait on the sidelines, but when he asked his mother once if she liked that, she would smile and nod. Being the one every pack member looked up came with a certain responsibility, and she didn’t believe in turning her back on them.
His mother, Nicole, was a well-respected woman within the pack. She owned the main beauty parlor. Many women, from within the pack to even outsiders, came to his mother for her to do their hair. She was popular, and he believed it was another reason his father hadn’t been to war with too many packs.
Nicole had once told him the true leaders were the men’s mates. The females, as they always made sure they got what they wanted. Men wouldn’t make waves in case their women turned on them. Klaus had always found it hilarious at the time and a little unbelievable, but considering the past three days and nights, with his thoughts dominated by Poppy, he truly believed his mom.
Mates were … everything.
Poppy was the one he thought about as he fell asleep, and when he woke up. He’d also become a little … stalkery. It was only three days, so he didn’t believe he was full-on stalker. He just made sure she got home safely, would pace outside of her house, and hide when he thought someone would see him.
His life had gotten a little out of control, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Everything was just Poppy.
He’d even gone through his old boxes of memories and searched for every single photo he had of her. That was something he kept hidden from his father. He hadn’t told his dad that he had found the woman for him.
Once he did, Poppy’s life would be changed forever. She’d be expected to be with his mother, for her to learn her place within the pack. To understand her role as an alpha’s woman.
His father had asked him each full moon if he had found his mate. If he even detected her.
For seven months, that hadn’t happened. On the eighth month, Klaus detected the scent. He’d hunted her throughout the forest, and there she was.
Poppy Davenport. The woman destined to be his.
The only person he had bullied throughout high school.
Luck was not on his side. He had a feeling his family was laughing at him, mocking him. The one true mate, and she couldn’t even stand him.
Three nights ago, he’d at least gotten to kiss her. One passionate, lip-tingling kiss that made his dick so incredibly hard. He hadn’t been able to think straight. All he’d wanted to do was feel Poppy against him. Run his hands all over her body, to remember every single inch of her.
His wolf had been so fucking happy. So had he.
His mate was right under his nose this whole time.
Poppy. His soul mate. The girl he bullied. The mate who couldn’t stand him.
After that kiss, she’d shoved him away and told him to stay the hell away from her. That was where their conversation had begun. When he asked her what she’d do if he told his father.
The warning.
She had looked incredible.
Nakedness was natural within the pack. On the first transition, clothes always felt too restrictive and uncomfortable. He, himself, hated them.
There was nothing he could do about that though.
He’d gotten to see Poppy naked, and she may hate him, but not as much as he hated himself.
Klaus had been a jerk to her, and now he was paying the price.
She had realized during their argument that she was naked, and she tried to hide her body, but it was too late. He would remember the full tits, large nipples, slender waist, and full, rounded hips and thighs.
She was all curvy. All his.
And you decided to bully her about her weight for years.