Chapter 9 #3
He made a soft, affirmative sound. “It’s nice.”
My heart skipped again. A warmth enveloped my chest, spreading throughout my body.
What was this feeling? And why did I like it so much?
I swallowed, trying to calm my gamboling pulse. This was about Poppy, not me. I could deal with my weird new emotions later.
After steady rinsing, Poppy’s hair was visibly clean. I leaned in for a final examination. As I held the bulk of his wet hair in my palm, the nape of his neck was free, and when I tilted forward, a sweet scent tickled my nose.
Poppy’s scent.
A shiver rolled down my spine.
He smelled... really good. I didn’t have the words to describe it. Silky and warm, reassuring and sweet. He smelled like comfort and hope. I didn’t know somebody could smell like a feeling, but he did.
I lingered for a few seconds too long. I wanted to remain, for time to stop so I could get my fill, but I didn’t want to make Poppy uncomfortable. Fighting against my every screaming instinct, I drew back and cleared my throat.
“There. Now you’re squeaky clean,” I said in a light tone.
He smiled gently back at me, his eyes warm and shy. “Thank you, Violet. I feel much better now.” He perked up. “Oh! You never showed me your surprise.”
I’d forgotten about my promise. The sight of naked Poppy would do that to anyone.
“You’re right,” I said, handing him my satchel. “Here. See for yourself.”
His brows rose. “Me? You trust me with your things?”
“Duh, you silly wolf.”
He flushed, then gingerly opened the latch. He took his time, being as careful as possible when he didn’t need to be, but I appreciated his gentle touch anyway.
“Go ahead and take him out,” I encouraged when the flap was fully open.
With the world’s most careful hands, Poppy lifted Wolfy from the satchel. His eyes went wide with wonder.
“Who is this?” he asked shyly, as if meeting a celebrity.
“That, my friend, is Wolfy,” I said with a grin. “He’s an arctic wolf, like you.”
Poppy smiled from ear to ear. “He’s adorable. I’ve never seen a... What do you call this?”
“A plushie?”
“Hmm... A plushie. It’s wonderful, Violet. His fur is soft, and his eyes are so kind...”
My heart soared to the fucking moon. Hearing Poppy talk about my prized possession like that filled me with supernatural affection. As if Poppy weren’t perfect enough already, it would be impossible for anyone to compete with him now.
“You can hug him, if you want,” I suggested. “Plushies are good for that.”
Poppy did hug Wolfy. And he looked pretty damn adorable doing so.
But then Poppy paused, and his smile faded. His aura of dread returned, floating over him like a haze. As his demeanor changed, so did the feeling in my chest. It transformed from hopeful warmth to unsettled despair.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
He lifted his unfocused gaze into the distance. “I... I don’t think I can go back,” he croaked, hugging Wolfy tighter to his chest. “Everyone hates me.”
There was no way in hell that was true. He must’ve been exaggerating.
“Why would anyone hate you? You’re like the nicest person ever,” I declared.
Poppy’s lip quirked, but didn’t fully form a smile.
“I did something I wasn’t supposed to. And it’s a small community. Everyone saw.” He rubbed his arm. “And then I ran away. I’m not supposed to do that, either...”
“What weren’t you supposed to do?” I asked, trying to make sense of it.
His gaze dropped. “I... spoke out against the clan alpha. I argued with him.”
Alarms rang in my mind. I didn’t like where this was going.
“What did you argue about?” I probed.
Poppy shook his head. “It’s not important. I just misunderstood.”
But I heard doubt in his statement. Like he didn’t fully believe that. He didn’t seem to want to elaborate, so I didn’t push him.
“Okay... So, why can’t you come and go whenever you want?” I asked.
“We must be granted permission to leave clan grounds at all times.” Poppy grimaced. “And I wasn’t.”
The more I heard about this clan, the higher it raised my hackles.
Something wasn’t right. I knew if I ran away from home without a word, my brothers would be worried sick.
But that wasn’t the vibe I got from Poppy’s clan.
It sounded like his clan alpha wouldn’t tolerate disobedience at even the smallest level. That worried me.
Yet I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. Despite my concerns, it was Poppy’s decision. His clan already took his choices away. I wasn’t going to do the same.
“It’s up to you, Poppy,” I said. “What do you want to do?”
His eyes were wet and rounded, like he’d never heard those words before. “What do I want to do? I don’t know. I...”
When Poppy trailed off, I held my tongue.
He needed time, so I gave him space to think it over, but I remained close for moral support.
I wanted Poppy to know I’d support him no matter what.
As he reflected on his choice, a thousand emotions flashed across his face before finally settling on determination.
“I can’t abandon Sorrel,” Poppy murmured. “I have to go back for him. He needs me.”
As much as the clan rubbed me the wrong way, I understood Poppy’s feelings. I could never abandon Thystle or the twins, especially not in such a strict place. It would crush their spirits.
“Besides, I’m not a pup anymore,” Poppy went on, handing Wolfy back to me with a grateful smile. “I’m an adult with responsibilities. I’m a hunter now, you know.”
I tucked Wolfy back in my satchel. “That’s great, Poppy, but... are you sure about this?”
“Yes. It’s bad enough I spent a week in a hole after my outburst. I have to make up for my failure. It’s the right thing to do.”
I hated when he talked like that, like he was some kind of disposable worker slaving away beneath a tyrant.
“All right,” I said, trying to ignore the growing discomfort in the pit of my stomach. “But I’m coming with you.”
Poppy gasped, hope lighting up his face. “Violet... You will?”
The way he said my name was an arrow to my heart.
“I’d do anything for you, Poppy,” I promised. And I meant it.