Page 23 of The Alpha Wolf’s Secret Baby Boy

What does she need so badly in Fort Smit?

Why is she so desperate to go back?

“I did what you wanted, Damian. Now let me return to my home.”

“This is your home,” I say, pointing at the door. “You’re going to have to accept that, Poppy.”

“I’ve already accepted this ridiculous mate bond,” she scoffs. “The deal was that if I went through with it, I’d be free to return to Fort Smit.”

I nod slowly. “You’re not doing it without me. I will take you back personally.”

“Then let’s go,” she says, brows raised.

I chuckle lightly, running a hand through my hair. “Right now? Don’t be ridiculous, Poppy. It’s late.”

“Ridiculous? I’m ridiculous?!” She rolls her eyes and laughs sarcastically. “You’re the one who kidnapped me and forced me into this. Now, you need to keep your end of the deal.”

My nostrils flare as I huff, pushing the door open and pointing inside.

“Get inside, Poppy. We’re not doing this right now.”

Poppy shakes her head, eyes blazing with fury as she remains cemented on the spot.

That’s when my wolf snaps, and I grab her wrist, pulling her closer until my head is bent to stare into her eyes.

I want to be angry because of her defiance, but it’s hard to think clearly when she’s so close, and I can feel her chest pressed up against my arm. The heaving rise and fall of her chest allows me to feel where her mounds are, and I’m so close to her face that I can conquer her lips if—

“What kind of alpha are you if you can’t keep your word?” she grates through gritted teeth, and my heart sinks.

The words land with surgical precision.

My grip on her wrist slackens for half a heartbeat before the pain curdles into anger. A surge of rage explodes from deep within, from where the pain extending to my brother resides inside me.

“What did you just say…?” I ask measuredly, a flicker of pain tightening my chest.

She’s questioning my honor as an alpha, and it hurts more than it infuriates me.

“I—”

“Damian! There you are!” My mother’s voice cuts through the palpable tension between Poppy and me like a cool blade.

“Mother,” I say as my gaze snaps to her, and I immediately release the tight grip on Poppy’s wrist. “You’re back already?”

My mother’s gaze flits between me and Poppy, then stops on me. “We didn’t see you at the celebration last night, so I decided to come home earlier than expected. I thought I’d find you here.”

Mother steps down to the porch, studying Poppy, who now has her head lowered. She spots the fresh mark on her neck, then gasps.

“Who—”

“Mother, this is—”

“Poppy Barnes…?”

When my mother says her name, Poppy looks up hesitantly. “Luna Diane,” she bows, but my mother steps forward and places her hands on Poppy’s shoulders.

“My Goddess…you have grown so beautifully, child.”

“You remember Poppy?” I ask with a frown, and Mother nods.