Page 51 of Howl About That

"This retreat vision is incredible," Neve added. "This will surely change things for the better. The collaboration opportunities alone..."

Keiro felt heat rise in his neck at the compliments, but he was quick to redirect the credit where it belonged. "It was mostly Poppy's vision. I just contributed my architectural skills and number-crunching talents to the project. Poppy gave it its soul."

Through the mate bond, he felt Poppy's surge of affection at his words, her emotions wrapping around him like a sweet caress. She squeezed his hand again, a silent thank you that meant more than any verbal acknowledgment.

"Either way, this place is going to be extraordinary," Neve said, her sharp gaze moving between them with obvious satisfaction. "And this proves you two are a powerful team. I've been telling Poppy for years that she needed a proper partner, and now she finally has one."

Dax clapped him on the shoulder with enough force to make a lesser man stumble. "Looks like your impulsive decision turned into something pretty remarkable after all. Though I still say, you could have handled the initial approach better."

"Yes, most definitely. The initial approach nearly gave me a heart attack," Poppy interjected with dry humor. "Ten million dollars for a piece of land I was trying to buy for one million. I thought he was either insane or playing some elaborate game."

"Both, probably," Dax replied with characteristic bluntness, earning a sharp look from Keiro.

Before Keiro could formulate a suitable retort, movement near the construction area caught his attention. Two men in hard hats and high-visibility vests were walking toward them with purposeful strides—the contractors they'd hired to bring their vision to life.

"Mr. Izell, Ms. Mintz," the taller of the two called out as they approached. "We're ready for the groundbreaking ceremony whenever you are. The press is positioned and it looks like most of your guests have arrived."

Keiro glanced toward the tent and felt his chest swell with satisfaction. The space was nearly full now, wolves and lions seated together at the round tables in a display of unity that would have been unthinkable just weeks ago. Photographers from several shifter publications moved discreetly through the crowd, capturing candid moments of interaction between the two communities.

"Perfect," Keiro said, his Alpha authority naturally taking charge of the situation. "Shall we make history, Poppy?"

Poppy's answering smile was fierce with anticipation. "Let's do this."

He kept their hands joined as they walked toward the designated ceremony area, where a ceremonial ribbon had been strung between two posts. The symbolic barrier would soon be broken, marking the official beginning of construction on their shared dream. Members of the press clustered nearby with cameras ready, while hundreds of pack and pride members gathered in a loose semicircle to witness the moment.

The weight of expectation settled around them like a mantle, but Keiro found himself energized rather than burdened by it. This wasn't just about breaking ground on a building project—this was about breaking down barriers that had existed for generations.

"Welcome, everyone, to the future site of the Havenwood Retreat," he called out, his voice carrying easily across the assembled crowd. The name had come to him during one of their planning sessions, perfectly capturing the safe haven they intended to create.

The contractors stepped forward with matching ceremonial shovels, their handles polished to gleaming perfection for the photographs that would commemorate this moment. Keiro accepted his shovel with one hand while keeping Poppy's fingers firmly entwined with his other.

"Together?" he murmured, meeting her gaze.

"Together," she confirmed.

They positioned their shovels against the earth simultaneously, the metal biting into soil that would soon support the foundation of something extraordinary. The crowd held its collective breath as they pressed down, breaking through the surface in perfect synchronization.

The moment the earth gave way, cheers erupted from the assembled wolves and lions. Applause thundered across the clearing while camera flashes captured their triumph for posterity. But Keiro barely noticed the noise or the attention—his focus was entirely on the woman beside him, and on the radiant joy flowing through their bond like liquid sunshine.

He met her gaze, unable to suppress his grin. She was beaming back at him with such pure happiness that his wolf howled with satisfaction beneath his skin. Through their completed bond, he felt her love, excitement, and hope for their future flooding his consciousness just as surely as she could feel his own emotions pouring back to her.

This was only the beginning of their bright future.

Hours later, the celebration had reached that perfect crescendo where wolves and lions mingled freely around the buffet tables, their laughter carrying across the clearing like music. Keiro was savoring the sight of his pack members sharing stories with Poppy's pride when his wolf suddenly stilled, every instinct screaming danger.

The ground beneath his feet carried a tremor that felt wrong—not the natural vibration of construction equipment or heavy footsteps, but something deeper. Something dangerous.

Poppy's head snapped toward him, her blue eyes sharp with the same alarm he felt. "You feel that?" she murmured, her voice pitched low enough that only he could hear.

Before he could respond, the wind shifted, and the acrid scent of smoke hit his nostrils. This wasn't the pleasant aroma of a campfire or barbecue—this was the sharp, consuming smell of destruction.

Poppy's arm shot out, pointing toward the eastern edge of their property where orange flames licked hungrily at the treeline. The fire was spreading with unnatural speed, consuming the forest they'd planned to preserve as hiking trails for their retreat guests.

"Sander," Poppy said, her voice carrying a cold certainty.

Keiro's jaw clenched as fury surged through him. The timing was too convenient. This wasn't some random wildfire—this was sabotage designed to destroy everything they were trying to build.

"Dax!" he barked, his Alpha authority cutting through the festive chatter.