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)
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.”
She smiled, waved, and glanced at Bethany before heading out.
Poppy hadn’t gone far before Bethany was hot on her tail.
“I’m sorry, but you’ve got to tell my parents that you and Klaus are like … you know.”
She folded her arms and turned to the young girl. “I know what?”
“Come on, Poppy. I know that you and my brother are … mates.” Bethany shrugged.
“How did you know?”
“I … know things. The pack doesn’t see what is right in front of them. They’re always dealing with their own problems, but you and my brother, you kind of have to come clean.”
“Bethany, I appreciate the advice.”
She groaned. “You’re not going to take it. Come on, Klaus isn’t a bad guy. Sure, he smells and he’s a boy, but I’ve been told many times girls get over that stuff.” She scrunched up her face. “You’ve got to … have feelings for him, don’t you?”
“Klaus and I are a little more complicated than him just being a guy.”
“If this because he bullied you?” Bethany asked.
Her brows rose.
“Yeah, I kind of got that memo too. He was a poopy brain to you, and all of that.”
Poppy chuckled. “Has Klaus put you up to this?”
“No!” Bethany snorted but wouldn’t look at her.
“Okay, I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t worry about me and Klaus.”
The young girl sighed and then turned to her. Gone were the playful tone and teasing glint in her eye. “How can I not?”
“What?”
“Klaus is going to be the next alpha. A whole bunch of pack men are coming here. People think you’re single. Even my mom was looking at you as if you’re a target for one of them. If Klaus sees another boy near you, he might do something he regrets.”
“You’re worried for your brother.”
“Yeah, he’s a poopy brain, but I do love him. He’s my stupid brother.”
“I’m not going to hurt your brother, Bethany. I don’t … hate him. I just don’t like him.”
Bethany pursed her lips and nodded. “Will you take care of him?”
“I will.”
Poppy was even more surprised as the young girl rushed toward her and wrapped her arms around her waist. She held Bethany.
“I like you, Poppy. I think you and my brother are a good fit.”
Poppy rubbed her back. “I better head back.”
Bethany let her go, and Poppy waited until she saw her back in her yard, playing with a ball.
She walked back to her mom’s place, only to come to a stop as she saw Klaus and her mother standing outside the shop, laughing.
He was everywhere. When was she going to be able to catch a freaking break?
Rushing toward them, she looked at her mother and kept her distance, in case she scented anything … unusual.
“Mom, hey,” she said.
“Oh, honey. Klaus is here, and I sent you up to the house with all those packages.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m here now, and Nicole says thank you.”
Anna chuckled. “I’ve invited Klaus to have dinner with us.”
“Right, yes, of course. Klaus. Er, yeah, can I steal him away? I need to talk to him about something.”
“Yes, of course. I hear my phone ringing.” Anna disappeared into the shop, and Poppy had no choice but to grab his arm and march him toward the small alley, away from prying eyes.
There were so many pack members. Getting a moment’s peace was not realistic.
“What did you want to talk to me about?”
She stopped touching him and turned a glare right on him. “Seriously? Your sister?”
“You talked with Bethany?”
“Yeah, she was acting strangely, and then I figured out why. You asked your sister to put in a good word with me.”
“Well, I didn’t … those weren’t the actual words.”
“Damn it, Klaus! Why did you even involve her? We weren’t going to tell anyone about this!”