Viol flipped him off and said, “Thanks for inviting Poppy to the island, even though I didn’t want to deal with the bullshit Dragonfate Games. You asshole. There. Happy now?”
The vulgar gesture and words didn’t affect Jade. He looked pleased as ever, and I could tell it was genuine because his smile reached his eyes.
“Very much so,” he said politely. “Now, I’m going to stop Saffron from waking up the entire household with the wonderful news.”
Just as Jade finished his sentence, we heard Aurum shout so loud it echoed downstairs: “VIOL AND POPPY AREWHAT?”
Jade sighed. “Oh dear. I was too late.”
Viol quickly shuffledme outside before the rest of the family smothered us in their congratulations. He knew they meant well, but he could only take so much spotlight at once. Thankfully, Jade promised to hold everybody off so we could take a breather together.
We strolled down from the castle to the secluded beach for some private time. Still buoyed with happiness, I remained in my wolf form. My tail hadn’t stopped wagging since I woke up, and the warm sand felt nice beneath my paws. In fact, everything from the sun to the breeze to the salty air felt incredible. The world seemed brand-new and wonderful.
Viol grinned as he watched me prance along the beach. “You’re too cute, Poppy.”
“You’re cute,” I shot back.
“Nope. You.”
I slapped my front paws against the sand. “You are, too!”
He chuckled. “No. You’re the cutest one. Way cuter than me. What are you gonna do about it, huh?”
Huffing, I headbutted his leg. “Don’t say you’re not cute because it’s not true.”
Viol kept laughing, unaffected. “What, you think that dinky headbutt’s gonna stop me? I said you’re the cutest, and that’s final, little wolf.”
I let out a sound halfway between a growl and a whimper. Finally, when I couldn’t take it anymore, I leapt up at Viol, pawing at his chest. He playfully pretended to fall, but then lost his balance and fell on his bum for real.
“Oof,” he said, landing against the sand.
Feeling guilty for knocking him down, I rushed over. “Are you okay?”
Viol cackled before throwing his arms around me and pulling me into a hug. I yelped in surprise before it transformed into laughter. He rolled around in the sand, pressing me against his chest the whole time.
“I got you now,” Viol teased. “There’s no escape.”
“Eek!”
I cracked up as Viol wriggled in the sand like a worm, carrying me with him. He pressed his forehead against mine and growled in a playful, wolfish way. I would’ve growled back at him, but I was giggling too hard.
Finally, Viol rolled onto his back so I was lying on top of him. I took a second to catch my breath in between straggling laughs.
“Sorry there’s sand in my fur,” I said.
“Don’t care. Worth it.” Viol beamed up at me. “Besides, I’m the one that put it there.”
I rested my chin on his chest, then crept forward so I could lick his face. Just like my tail wagging, once I started, I couldn’t stop. Soft whimpers escaped me as I covered Viol’s jaw in wolf kisses. He didn’t complain once, even though his face was now slobbery and wet.
“Sorry,” I cried once I’d finally pulled back. “I couldn’t stop!”
He just flashed a grin. “It’s fine, Poppy. What, you think I’ll get bent out of shape because my mate kissed me?”
My fur fluffed up in surprise. It sent a ribbon of bliss through me every time he called me that.
“Mate,” I whined quietly.
Viol stroked my fur, staring deep into my eyes. His gaze was gentle and overflowing with love. “That’s right. We’re fated mates. You and me.”
