Chapter 2 - Poppy #2
“Coming!” I call out, a smile growing on my face despite my distress, and as soon as I unlock the door, Daniel rushes inside.
“Hey, Ma!” he greets cheerfully, wrapping his arms around my neck like he’s been gone for ages.
Behind him, Beta Connor steps onto the porch. “Hey, Poppy.” He holds out a brown bag toward me. “Ingrid sent this over, said you’re not feeling well.”
“Gee, thanks, Connor,” I smile as I take a peek into the bag, seeing a tub of soup and some herbal medication inside. “That’s very kind of her.”
“Kind is her middle name,” he smirks proudly as he crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe. “She said you might not be attending the bonfire tonight…?”
“Ma!” Daniel groans from the side, pouting when I turn to him. “Does this mean I can’t go, either? All my friends are gonna be there!” he wails, and I sigh.
“I’m really not feeling well, Danny.”
“He could come with us,” Connor offers, and Daniel’s eyes widen with wonder.
“Can I go with Uncle Connor?” he asks, and I glance between the two of them.
On one side is my son, who’s adamant about going.
And on the other side is the pack’s beta, who, along with his wife, has been taking good care of us ever since we arrived seeking refuge.
They helped us clean out the empty cabin, fed us for a whole week before I found my feet as a volunteer, and helped Daniel make friends at the local school.
“Fine,” I agree with a sigh, deciding that it’s not a bad idea if Daniel accompanies them to the bonfire. I won’t be there, so Damian won’t see me, and there’ll be no indication that Daniel is mine.
That’s how I dodged him before. Two months ago, I didn’t even attend the alpha and luna’s wedding, too afraid that the one officiating the marriage would see me.
“Are you serious, Ma?!” Daniel exclaims, and when I nod, he flings his arms around me.
“Thanks, Ma. You’re the best!”
I chuckle and press a kiss to his forehead. “Be safe out there, okay?”
Daniel nods.
“Danny can stay over with us if it gets too late,” Connor offers, and this time, I feel guilty for lying about feeling sick just to avoid the festivities and being in public.
“That’s really not necessary—”
“Please, Ma! Can I? I’ll even babysit Cindy if I can.”
My lips curl into a smile, and despite all my inhibitions, there’s no denying that Connor and Ingrid have been good to us. Too good. Their daughter, who was born just after we arrived in Fort Smit, adores my son. And he loves babysitting her in his free time.
“Well, only if it’s fine with Ingrid,” I say as I look up at Connor.
He huffs and waves a dismissive hand through the air. “Oh, you know what she’s gonna say.”
“I’m being ridiculous for having any doubts,” I grumble, and Connor chuckles.
“Come on, young man. Grab your things, and let’s get going.”
Daniel races to his bedroom, and I step out onto the porch with Connor, crossing my arms as I stare out into the woods.
“You and Ingrid have been awfully kind to us, Connor. I don’t even know how to thank you.”
Just then, Daniel races back out with his overnight bag flung over his shoulder, and he throws out a “Love you, Ma! See you tomorrow!” as he charges forward.
“Hey! Be careful out there!” I yell out, but Daniel simply glances over his shoulder, wearing that mischievous smile that always serves as a reminder of someone I’d rather not think about. And when he winks, he looks exactly like him, and it pains me to think he doesn’t even know who he is.
Sighing, I lean my arms on the rail, and Connor steps off the porch, eyes narrowed at me.
“Why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye, Poppy?” he asks as he crosses his arms.
I let out a short laugh. “Goodbye? I’m not—”
“I don’t know what makes you think you and Daniel don’t belong here, but you must know that you’re wrong.”
I shake my head slowly. “It’s not that I don’t feel like we belong. Daniel has made friends here, and so have I.”
“Then what’s bothering you?” he frowns, and I shiver.
“I can’t…”
“You don’t need to tell me,” Connor says when my voice tapers off with hesitation, and he steps forward and places a hand on my arm. “But at least speak to Ingrid about what’s bothering you. She cares about you a lot. You and Daniel both.”
I nod slowly, trying to pull my lips into a smile, but only managing half. “Thanks, Connor.”
“And don’t worry about Daniel. He’ll be safe. I will make sure of it.” Connor steps away, turning toward the forest. “And do me a favor, will you?”
“What’s that?”
“Stay out of the woods for a while. They’re not exactly…safe right now.”
I frown. “Is something going on, Connor?”
“Just trust me, okay? We’ll know for sure in a few days, but for now, we’re asking everyone not to leave.”
A shiver runs through me. “I’m not going anywhere.”
As Connor leaves, I mull over his warning, wondering why he would give me a warning at all. A part of me thinks he just said that because he suspects that I’m thinking of leaving. But another part wonders if there really is something out there that we should be afraid of.
Maybe that’s why I suddenly feel anxious, like someone is watching me. I shudder, trying to shake off the feeling of unease, but it remains.
I know Daniel will be safe with the beta and his wife. Perhaps I feel this way because Damian is still in Fort Smit, breathing the same air as me, and threatening to disrupt my whole life with his mere existence.
For now, I won’t leave. It’s not like he knows I’m here, so Daniel and I are still safe. Hopefully, by tomorrow, he’ll be gone, and I’ll be able to breathe easy again.