19. Poppy #2
The reaction was immediate and varied—gasps, widened eyes, a few low whistles of surprise.
But it was Helias's response that caught her attention.
The older man's face had gone ashen, his knuckles white where they gripped his chair.
For a moment, she thought he might actually leap from his seat and charge the platform.
Keiro continued without missing a beat, his Alpha authority filling the room like a physical presence.
"Poppy is also my business partner, and together we're building something revolutionary—a retreat where wolves and lions can come together for relaxation and cooperation.
Tomorrow morning at nine, we're hosting the groundbreaking ceremony, and you're all invited. "
The silence stretched, but no one interrupted or voiced opposition. Poppy could feel the complex mix of emotions radiating from the crowd—surprise, curiosity, uncertainty, but also something that might have been hope.
"I hope to see you all there," Keiro continued, his tone warming slightly. "The address and details will be sent out within the hour. Please feel free to bring food and drinks to share. Let's make this the best community event this region has ever seen."
Without waiting for questions or comments, he placed his hand on her lower back again and began guiding her toward the exit. The gesture was smooth, confident, designed to end the meeting on their terms rather than allowing it to devolve into debate.
They'd almost reached the doors when Helias's voice cut through the air like a whip crack. "Keiro."
The single word carried decades of authority and disappointment. Keiro's jaw tightened, but he turned to face the older man who was now standing, his pale eyes burning with barely contained fury.
"Helias, I don't have time for any discussions right now. We're on a tight schedule today."
The elder's weathered face twisted with something that looked like grief. "What exactly have you done?"
Keiro's response was immediate and unyielding, his Alpha presence expanding until it filled the room like a storm front. "What I've done is finally claimed my mate and started building our future together."
Without another word, Keiro turned and guided Poppy out of the building, his hand never leaving her back.
She could feel the tension radiating from him, the way his protective instincts had flared in response to the challenge.
But she could also sense his determination and his absolute certainty that he'd made the right choice.
The afternoon air felt cool against her heated skin as they stepped outside. She wanted to ask about Helias, about the pain she'd seen in the older man's eyes, but there wasn't time. They had another gauntlet to run, and this one would be even more challenging.
An hour later, they stood outside her own town hall, the familiar stone building that had hosted pride meetings for generations. Through the windows, she could see the room was packed—not just with pride members, but with the five elders including Leon, and unfortunately, Sander.
Her cousin stood near the back, his designer clothes immaculate as always and his expression carrying that familiar mixture of charm and calculation that had always set her on edge. Today, though, there was something else in his eyes—a barely contained rage that made her lioness pace restlessly.
"Ready?" Keiro asked, his fingers finding hers again.
She squeezed his hand, drawing strength from the completed mate bond. "Ready."
This time, she took the lead, guiding him through doors that had welcomed her family for centuries.
The conversations died just as quickly as they had in the wolf pack hall, but these faces were familiar.
These people had watched her grow up, had seen her step into leadership when the world fell apart, and had witnessed eleven years of her proving herself worthy.
That familiarity should have made this easier, but somehow it felt more daunting. These people knew her weaknesses, her struggles, and her failures. They would judge this choice through the lens of everything she'd been, not just who she was becoming.
She led Keiro to the front of the room, hyperaware of every gaze tracking their movement. When she turned to face her pride, she let every ounce of her Alpha authority shine through.
"Thank you for coming," she began, her voice carrying clearly through the space. "I've called this meeting today to share news that will change our pride's future."
She felt Keiro's presence beside her like an anchor, his unwavering support flowing through their bond. "I have completed the sacred mate bond with my fated mate, Keiro Izell, Alpha of the Izell pack."
The gasps were louder here, the shock more visceral.
These were lions who had grown up hearing stories of wolf treachery, who had been raised to view the other species with suspicion.
But thankfully, most faces quickly changed expression to one of curiosity rather than hostility, hope rather than fear.
Before Sander could push forward—she could see him moving through the crowd, his face twisted with fury—she continued quickly.
"We would like to invite you all to tomorrow's groundbreaking ceremony at nine AM. We're building a retreat where lions and wolves can come together for relaxation and collaboration—a place where our kinds can finally bridge the gaps that have divided us for too long."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, but they carried more excitement than opposition. Her pride had watched her struggle alone for eleven years. Perhaps they were ready to see her find partnership, even if it came in an unexpected form.
"We hope you'll bring food and drinks to share," she added, warming to the theme. "Let's make this the best celebration this region has seen in decades."
She was already turning to leave when Sander's voice boomed across the room. "You two can't do this!"
Every head turned toward her cousin, whose careful composure had finally cracked. His face was flushed with rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. The charming facade he usually wore had completely dissolved, revealing the bitter, entitled man beneath.
Poppy turned to face him fully, letting her lioness's dangerous grace show in every movement. "We very much are doing this, Sander." Her voice carried the kind of quiet authority that made grown lions step back. "And for your information, I have my eye on you. You'd best watch yourself."
The threat hit its mark. Sander actually stumbled backward, his face going pale as something that looked suspiciously like panic flashed across his features.
Without another word, he turned and pushed through the crowd toward the exit, practically fleeing the building.
The reaction told Poppy everything she needed to know about her cousin's guilt, but she filed that information away for later.
Today was about celebration, about the future she and Keiro were building together.
As they exited the building, Keiro's frustration bled through their bond. "Why don't we interrogate him now? About his possible involvement in the rogue attack, your father's murder—"
"Not today." Poppy's voice was firm. "Today we focus on us and our future."
She could feel his Alpha instincts chafing against the decision, his need to eliminate threats warring with his respect for her wishes. But after a moment, his tension eased.
"You're right," he said, bringing her hand to his lips again. "There will be time for justice soon enough. Let's just enjoy each other today."
She squeezed his hand tighter and smiled bright. "Yes, let's go enjoy every inch of each other."
Today, she was finally embracing the vision of love and partnership that had once seemed impossible. Sander and his schemes could wait for a few more days.