Page 54 of Howl About That

They walked past the section of forest where Sander's fire had left its mark—blackened tree trunks standing like silent sentinels among the new growth already pushing up from the scorched earth. Thanks to Dax and Neve's quick thinking, along with the fire department's rapid response, the damage hadbeen contained to a relatively small area. Nature was already beginning the healing process, green shoots emerging from what had seemed like total devastation.

"It's remarkable how quickly things can recover," Poppy observed, running her free hand along the bark of a partially burned oak that was already sprouting new leaves.

"Resilience," Keiro agreed, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand. "Something you know quite a bit about."

She felt heat bloom in her cheeks at the quiet admiration in his voice. Even after everything they'd been through, he still had the power to make her feel like the most extraordinary woman in the world with just a few carefully chosen words.

They continued deeper into the property, following paths that would soon become hiking trails for their guests. The morning sun filtered through the trees, dappling the forest floor with golden light that made everything seem touched by magic. Poppy could already envision families walking these same paths, children laughing as they discovered hidden clearings, and couples finding quiet moments away from the world's chaos.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked as Keiro led her toward a part of the property they'd explored together in their animal forms weeks ago.

"You'll see," he said, but there was something in his voice—a tension that made her lioness prick up with attention.

When they finally emerged into the clearing where the waterfall cascaded down moss-covered rocks into a crystalline pool, Poppy felt her heart skip. This was where they'd stood in their shifted forms, where she'd looked at their reflection in the water and seen not just what they were, but what they could become together.

The waterfall sang its eternal song, unchanged by all the chaos that had erupted around it. Sunlight caught the spray, creating tiny rainbows that danced in the mist. It was beautifuland peaceful and perfect—exactly the kind of place where dreams took root and grew into something real.

But Keiro seemed unusually tense as they stood there, his Alpha composure showing hairline cracks she'd learned to recognize. His jaw was tight, his breathing slightly elevated, and through their bond she could feel something that might've been nervousness.

"Are you excited about the retreat?" he asked, his voice carrying an odd formality that made her study his profile more carefully.

"Of course. You already know that," she replied, though her attention was more focused on his strange mood than the question itself. "Just like you already know that I'm excited about the house designs you showed me. I can't wait to have a home on both territories."

The architectural plans he'd presented had been nothing short of breathtaking—two residences that would allow them to split their time equally between pack and pride lands. Each design perfectly captured their respective natures while creating spaces where they could build their life together.

"I'm more than excited about everything," she continued, stepping closer until she could feel the heat radiating from him. "But mostly, I'm excited that I get to share it all with you."

Something flickered in his molten brown eyes—relief mixed with determination and something deeper that made her pulse quicken with anticipation. Whatever surprise he had planned, whatever was making her unflappable Alpha mate nervous, she had the distinct feeling her world was about to change in the most wonderful way possible.

"I'm excited too," he said, his deep voice carrying an unfamiliar tremor. "So excited that I can't wait another moment to do this."

Before she could ask what he meant, Keiro dropped to one knee beside the crystalline pool.

Poppy's breath caught in her throat as he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, his large hands surprisingly steady despite the emotion she could feel pulsing through their bond. When he opened it, sunlight struck the massive diamond inside, sending rainbows dancing across the water's surface.

"Poppy Mintz," he began, his voice dropping to that quiet intensity that made her knees weak. "From the moment I saw you at that auction, you've been turning my world upside down in the most beautiful way possible. You've challenged everything I thought I knew about myself, about leadership, about what it means to be truly strong."

Tears began gathering in her eyes as his words washed over her. This was really happening. Her powerful, controlled Alpha was on his knee in front of a waterfall, offering her everything.

"You've shown me that I don't have to carry the world alone," he continued, his brown eyes never leaving hers. "You've taught me that real strength isn't about control—it's about partnership. It's about finding someone who makes you better, stronger, more complete than you ever imagined you could be."

A tear slipped down her cheek as she watched this incredible man bare his soul to her. Through their completed bond, she could feel his love, his hope, his absolute certainty that this was right—that they were right.

"You are my mate, my equal, my perfect match in every way," Keiro said, his voice growing stronger with each word. "You're brilliant and fierce and beautiful, and you make me want to be the man I was meant to be instead of just the man I thought I had to become. I want to build a life with you, Poppy. I want to live together, raise our children together, lead our people together. I want to wake up every morning for the rest of my lifeknowing that whatever challenges we face, we'll face them as a team."

More tears spilled over as his words hit her directly in the heart. This was everything she'd never allowed herself—partnership without sacrifice, love without conditions, a future built on choice rather than duty.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice breaking slightly on the question. "Will you be my wife, my partner, my everything for the rest of our lives?"

Joy exploded through her chest like wildfire, so intense she could barely breathe. "Yes," she whispered, then louder, "Yes, of course yes!"

Keiro's face transformed with relief and happiness as he slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been made specifically for her hand. The moment he stood, Poppy launched herself into his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist as he caught her effortlessly.

"I love you," she said against his lips before crashing her mouth into his.

The kiss was consuming, eleven years of walls and fear dissolving in the face of this overwhelming certainty. She was no longer afraid of partnership, no longer terrified that accepting help made her weak. With Keiro, she felt more alive and purposeful than she ever had.

Thirty minutes later, Poppy stared out the passenger window of Keiro's Bentley as they pulled into her estate's driveway. Dozens of cars were parked along the drive—vehicles she recognized as belonging to both pride and pack members.