Page 31 of The Alpha Wolf’s Secret Baby Boy

I take a deep breath as I turn to face my mother, unable to bring myself to meet her eyes, because I’m suddenly ashamed of how I behaved earlier.

“Have you decided—”

Before she can continue, I lift my head and meet my mother’s blue eyes with a nod. “Yes, I have decided. I will be attending the meeting in Fort Smit with my luna,” I declare, and Mother’s chest swells as if with pride.

I have no idea what it is that’s so important to Poppy that she’d want to return to Fort Smit to retrieve it, but if I ever want to gain her trust back and make amends for the past, I’ll have to start by listening to her.

Doing what she asks of me, instead of treating her like a prisoner, like an enemy.

She’s my mate.

Mother nods. “Good.” She walks over, carrying a tray that she passes to me. “Take this up for Poppy. She didn’t come down for dinner, and she must be hungry.”

I look down at the tray with covered dishes as a nervous smile tugs at my lips. “Thanks, Mother.”

As I’m about to walk off, Mother places a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever is going on, I hope that the two of you can resolve your issues, Damian. She was once very important to you. Don’t forget that.”

Meeting my mother’s eyes again, I can see that there’s a weight of truth in them that she doesn’t need to say outright. She knew.

She knew about Poppy and me, and she never said a word about it.

What matters is that she knew how important Poppy was to me.

It’s something I’m beginning to remember again.

I nod slowly. “Yes, Mother. Nothing has changed. She is still the most important thing to me.”

“Then perhaps you need to show her that.”

I nod thoughtfully, this time saying nothing as I leave toward the staircase.

Mother is right.

I won’t win Poppy over by trying to fight her.

I can only win her over by reminding her that ten years between us makes no difference. My wolf wants her, and there’s no denying what fate has dealt us.

Chapter 8 - Poppy

Chewing on the inside of my bottom lip, I stare at the closed door, contemplating my next move.

I could probably just walk out of here unnoticed, slip past stealthily like a trained spy, and avoid Damian’s mother. Unless he’s already left for Fort Smit without me…

Unable to face either of them, I’ve stayed in my room ever since I woke up. I found dinner on the coffee table in front of the couch in the room, but I have yet to find the appetite to eat. It’s a miracle that I fell asleep at all last night.

All I can think about is Daniel, and how I can protect him from whatever lurks in the shadows of the Nightclaw border, and from his own father, who has lost his mind.

Of course, Damian doesn’t seem to care about what’s going on in his brother’s pack, simply because he doesn’t know about his son’s existence. And I’d like to keep it that way.

That’s why I have to go back, even if it means running away from Cedar Valley.

With that thought, I’m about to get to my feet when there’s a knock on the door.

“Poppy…? Are you awake?” comes Damian’s voice, softer than it has been since the day I woke up to find that he kidnapped me.

It’s not monstrous anymore.

For one dangerous moment, my guard slips. I almost forget he’s the enemy.