Chapter 35

Poppy.

Gabriel and I walk toward the borderline of the pack territory. It surprises me that we haven’t run into any warriors yet. Where are they? Aren’t they supposed to be protecting our borders from intruders?

You mean like the one you are standing next to and constantly fraternizing with. My wolf voices out in my head. Fair point.

I brush my hair behind my ear before looking up at Gabriel and into his icy blue eyes.

“Thank you for what you did back there, but I can take care of myself,” I tell him.

Gabriel flashes me his pearly white teeth as he chuckles at me before nodding his head. “I know, but you have had to use your magic on them, and not everyone is fond of magical people or mages with the packs at the moment. Were those fellow pack members?” Gabriel inquires.

I shake my head.

Gabriel pulls his lip into a thin line. “Your Alpha needs to be careful. Rogues showing up on other’s pack lands shows there’s a weakness within the pack. Someone might come and challenge him for his place if he’s not careful. An ambush could happen at any time, and the land be taken right from under him.” Gabriel explains. “I’m going through a similar situation myself,” he confides.

I look at him with curiosity, hoping he will open up and tell me more.

“You see, Poppy, I have yet to find my mate and am worried that she’s already dead. I don’t want to find just anyone to be my mate. I want to find someone special. Someone who has the strength to do things no other Luna or mate could do for their pack. Once I find this worthy partner, we will then establish the bond to ourselves and do the pack land. No one would be able to challenge our pack any further because we would have the ultimate power to protect ourselves from any threats.”

Gabriel begins to circle me as he continues to talk.

“Just imagine having a pack that supports your magical abilities and respects you as the mage of their pack. No more hiding your powers, no more feeling like an outcast. They would all love you and do anything for you,” he whispers in my ear.

I step back to look him in the eye. “What are you asking of me?”

Gabriel smirks at me.

“I want you to leave this pack. They don’t have any respect for you and don’t treat you nicely. You hide your true self from them so they don’t judge you. That’s no way for a wolf, especially a special one, should live. Packs are supposed to feel like a family, not a prison. What’s still keeping you tied to this pack? Do you have any family left within the pack? I don’t think you do, or else why would you be out here talking with me?”

I stay quiet as Gabriel continues to lure me with his idea of leaving the pack. What is keeping me here? All I have left is my shop, which I can set up anywhere, and a house full of memories of people that I’ve lost. A curse that would no longer be in effect if I just gave up on the fable of having a true mate and falling in love. I could have a chance at being a mother and not having to worry about the curse taking my life or theirs.

“If you join my pack, we will treat you with respect. Love you for who you are and treasure how special you are. Do you want that for yourself?”

Of course, I want that. I want all of that, but why do I have to leave my pack in order to have all that with another pack? Why can’t my pack see me the way Gabriel sees me? It isn’t fair.

Before I’m able to answer, I get a cold shiver racing up my spine. My eyes widen when my senses tell me who is on their way.

Adrian.

Gabriel smirks as he watches me. He lifts his head, and his eyes narrow when he senses the same thing. “Looks like we’ve got company.”

I shake my head.

“You have to leave before he sees you,” I tell him.

Gabriel laughs at the amount of concern I’m showing.

“Alright, this time I’ll go. But do me a favor; just think about what I said. It’s a good offer, Poppy, one I’m sure will make you truly happy. I will come and visit you again soon. I hope you have an answer for me the next time I see you,” he says to me as he runs his hand down my cheek.

My wolf growls at his touch, not liking the fact that he’s trying to flirt with us.

I nod my head as I watch him shift into his wolf and run away.

My heart is racing as I begin to panic, knowing how much trouble I’m about to be in for being out here alone at night. I look down at the single sheet once again and internally kick myself. Why did I think it was a good idea to step out of my cave with nothing more than a sheet to cover me? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Adrian comes storming out of the woods toward me, his eyes burning with fury and rage. He looks me up and down before his eyes settle on mine.

“Poppy, what are you doing out here late at night? I specifically told you not to come out here by yourself. You could have been kidnapped or, worse, killed. Was someone else out here with you?” Adrian presses. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What possessed you to think it was safe for you to come all the way out here?”

My eyes shift back and forth between his demanding eyes, unsure which question I should answer first.

I lick my lips before I begin to answer some of the questions that he’s asking me. “I needed to get some air and wanted to get away from everything. Nothing happened. I’m fine, and as you can see, I wasn’t with anyone.” I lie.

Adrian glares at me as he stands with his legs apart and crosses his arms over his chest. “Really?” He asks me in a challenging tone.

My defensive walls go up as I press my hands against my hips.

“You don’t believe me.”

He leans down so that he’s closer to my eye level and stares at me dead in the eye.

Jerk, yeah, I know I’m short. You don’t have to remind me.

“Well, Poppy, it’s kind of hard to believe you when I just ran into three wolves who said they saw you go off with a man with platinum blonde hair. So, you tell me, Poppy. Who am I supposed to believe?”