I snorted. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a fire-breathing dragon, remember? I can take care of myself.”
That reassured him. He nodded and loped off. I watched him leave, amused by the way his fluffy tail swished back and forth.
When Poppy was gone, I felt distinctly alone. His absence was tangible, like a weight in my chest. I put my head down against the snow and waited. If it weren’t for the ever-present fire deep in my chest, I would’ve frozen to death.
After about half an hour, my ear twitched at thechuff, chuff, chuffof racing paws, fast and determined. I raised my head and felt a burst of relief to see Poppy running towards me, the leather satchel strap hanging from his jaw.
“You found it!” I cried.
“I found it!” Poppy echoed, muffled from the strap. His tail wagged adorably as he set it down in front of me. He really was a cute omega.
My heart raced as I rifled through my satchel. The snacks were still present, but I had bigger concerns. When my paw brushed Wolfy’s familiar fake fur, I groaned in relief.
“Thank Holy Drake,” I mumbled, withdrawing my paw. “Everything’s here. Thanks, Poppy. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
His ears perked up, and the tip of his tail wagged. “Y-you’re welcome. I was happy to help.”
“What can I do for you in return? Anything,” I offered.
Poppy looked stunned, like it never once crossed his mind that I could do something nice for him, too. He was quiet for a long beat. I wondered what he was thinking. In the end, he didn’t tell me.
“No, I don’t think so,” he finally replied. “Thank you for offering.”
He smiled, but it looked sad.
I didn’t want him to be sad. I wanted him to be as happy as he’d just made me.
“Seriously, I can do anything,” I repeated. “Back home, I’ve got money and everything.”
The sad smile didn’t budge from Poppy’s face. “Ah, that’s okay. Our clan doesn’t use... money. I appreciate the offer, though.”
I wasn’t backing down so easily. “Come on, there has to besomethingyou want,” I pressed. “You can tell me.”
Poppy hesitated. The corners of his lips were drawn taut. He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.
“I... What I really want is—”
A piercing howl carried over the wind. Poppy jolted to his feet instantly, all his focus shifting to the sound.
“That’s Sorrel, my younger brother,” he said in a hurry. “He’s calling me. I have to go. I’m sorry.”
His timid demeanor changed in a heartbeat. After hearing his brother’s call, Poppy looked determined and resolved. Whatever he was going to say earlier died on his tongue.
I was suddenly worried he wouldn’t return.
“Will you come back?” I asked.
Poppy paused with his paw mid-air. “I’ll try. I really will,” he promised, giving me a weak smile. “Goodbye, Violet. I really hope I can see you again.”
Before I could ask what he meant by that, he’d run off.
I sighed and resigned myself to hours of loneliness. It shouldn’t have been a big deal. I had my lost satchel back, and everything in it. Even Wolfy, my most prized possession.
So, why did I feel oddly empty?
8
Poppy
