15
Viol
As the world awakened outside,early dawn light spilled into our private nook. Milky rays of pink and orange sprawled across the stone floor, and a gentle note from the first songbird carried in the distance on the still wind. But none of it was as beautiful as Poppy’s slumbering form in my arms.
It was the morning after our first intimacy. I gazed at him—the omega I knew to be my fated mate—and felt a surge of love. I leaned down to kiss his forehead, still warm from sleep.
Poppy was safe. That was the most important thing.
But now, in the face of a fresh day, there were other things to be done, too. Sorrel was still stuck back there in that horrible clan with Konrad breathing down his neck. I shuddered thinking about it. If I hadn’t seen Sorrel walk away with Rorik, I doubted I’d have been able to sleep that night.
He won’t have to live like that anymore. And neither will Poppy.
I wanted to save the whole clan, but I doubted they’d let me. They were too caught up in the lies Konrad fed them. If I tried to help, I’d just be an untrustworthy outsider trying to ruin theirway of life. After all, I was whatever label Konrad put on me. The enemy. A monster. An evil dragon.
But Icouldsave these two omega wolves—my fated mate, and his younger brother.
My chest expanded with pride as understanding dawned on me. That was the true duty of an alpha. Supporting your loved ones, shielding them from harm, and doing every damned thing in your power to protect them.
I won’t let you down, Poppy.
As if hearing my silent promise, my mate mumbled and blearily opened his eyes. The first thing he did when he saw my face was smile. My heart swelled. I curled around him, pressing a flurry of kisses to his sleepy face as he giggled.
“Good morning,” he greeted when my attack was over.
I stroked his face. “Morning to you, too, my little wolf.”
He smiled wider. He liked that.
But as much as I wanted to stay and cuddle with him forever, it was time to get serious. Forcing myself away from Poppy, I sat upright and let my resolve wash over me.
“I’m going back for Sorrel today,” I explained. “I don’t know how long it’s going to take, so I want you to stay here and keep as quiet as a mouse.”
Poppy frowned, a mix of disappointment and worry. “You’re going alone?”
“It’s easier to move. That way, I can fly if I have to.”
His eyes widened in relief. “Your wings are better now?”
I rolled my shoulders a couple times, sensing the situation back there. For the most part, the ache had faded. “Pretty sure. Healed enough, anyway.”
“If you say so,” Poppy murmured. He grasped both my hands, holding them like a precious item. Then he furrowed his brow. “But... how will you convince Sorrel to leave? He’s as stubborn as a bull walrus.”
I chuckled at the affection in his voice. It was the rudest thing I’d ever heard him say, and even still, it was incredibly fond.
“I’ll figure something out,” I said. “Worst-case scenario, I’ll snatch him and fly away.”
I was mostly joking, but Poppy pulled a face. “He won’t like that.”
As I recalled the troubling things I’d seen, I dropped the humor. I decided not to bring it up to Poppy—I didn’t want to upset him, or worse, make him panic.
I put my hand firmly on Poppy’s shoulder and met his gaze. “There’s no way I’m leaving Sorrel.”
That eased Poppy’s nerves. His face relaxed around the edges as he let out a sigh. “All right.” Then, pouting, he added, “But the next time there’s a big adventure, I’m not staying behind.”
I grinned. “Okay, okay. I promise.”
“Wait.”
