Poppy's Alpha

Chapter10

***Rafe***

I was beyond pissed, but I had to tamp it down. I knew my aura would be rolling off me in waves. But seeing how she lived and what little she had made my rage build. I wanted to go back in there and strangle that woman. I mean, how could she call that care, not to mention that Poppy was the daughter of her late mate?

I could feel the sadness coming from Poppy, and I do not think it's about the people in the house. I do believe it's about the house itself; I'm assuming it's the place she grew up with her parents.

I wanted to pull her into my arms and comfort her, but I thought against it as she was still nervous around me. And seeing as she still does not feel the bond would really confuse her about my actions, so instead I reached out, taking her hand in mine, letting my touch help ease her pain. She didn't pull back, her head turned, her eyes looked down at our hands, then moved them back up to my face.

"I'm sorry about what you had to go through back there."

"It's okay, it wasn't that bad," She slowly pulls her hand from mine, folding them together, placing them on her lap. She turned her head, looking back out the window.

"Give her time, Raf." Reggie's voice comes into my head. "This is a huge change for her, and after seeing that house, the Alpha was right on how she has been taken care of."

I know he is right, and I have no plans to push her, but the sadness that she is carrying, I want to take it away. She should not have to carry all that with her.

"I know," I tell him.

Pulling up to the pack house, the Luna comes out smiling as we step out. She is a good Luna; you can see she cares for her members. She hurries over to Poppy but pulls up short when she sees we are only holding one bag.

"Um, Poppy, is that all you brought with you?"

"Yes. Luna,"

She looked from Poppy to the bag, then up to me. I gave a slight shake of my head, and she turned back to Poppy.

"Let's take your bag up to your room. We can pick up whatever else you need." She slips an arm around Poppy's shoulder shoot us a look over her shoulder.

With a tip of my chin, I turn to face Reggie, "I want to meet with the Alpha. Also, I want our own on this. I want everything about that woman and her daughters, the pack she came from, what happened to her first mate, Everything."

He nodded, "I will get right on it. What are you going to tell the Alpha?"

"Everything that happened while we were there, and the conditions she was living in. Yes, she had a roof and a dry place to sleep, that room was horrible even for a staff member to stay in, and she has been in there for God knows how long."

He nodded, "What about your parents? They are going to wonder why you are staying longer."

Rubbing my forehead, I know I have to tell them, and my mother is going to be over the moon and want me to bring her home right away. But I know Poppy isn't ready for that. I need to gain her trust before I take her home with me.

"I'm not sure I will figure it out and then call them, you know, my mother and I can't have Poppy being overwhelmed or my mother smothering her."

Reggie let out a chuckle. He knows my mother; she means well, but she can be a bit much when you are not used to her.

We walked into the pack house, heading towards the Alpha office, giving the door a quick rap. We heard him call out to come in.

Sitting behind the desk, his head down as he worked, when he heard the door open, he looked up, seeing it was us, he was up on his feet,

"Prince Rafe." He bows his head, "Is everything alright, my mate linked me saying that Poppy only came with one bag?"

I took the seat in front of his desk; Reggie was on the other side of the room, and he had his phone out as he made the calls and got what I asked for done.

"Yes, and you were not far off on how she was being treated, she was living in the attic of that house, the space was so small she had barley nothing in there, all her belongings fit in one duffle bag, and she took a photo album out of a drawer,"

Alpha shook his head, "I can't believe that woman. Greg was one of my warriors. He died protecting this pack, and that's how she treats his only daughter. I should have checked in more." The last part was more for himself, but I heard him,

As a Alpha it's his job to make sure his pack is running right and that his members are cared for and right now he is beating himself up feeling he let Poppy down by not make sure she was cared for, but like most you are only one person and being an Alpha is demand you miss things everyone does, so it's not his fault, thing can and will slip through the cracks,

"You have a lot going on, but she is out of that place. I would keep an eye on that woman; she wasn't too happy with Poppy leaving today. She tried to get her alone, claiming she wanted to say goodbye to her, but I didn't let that happen. I knew she was up to something."

He nodded, "I talked with Mary, our head chef, who says Poppy is always in the kitchen when we have big events or things going on, which is why I haven't seen a lot of her attending them. I will also put some guards on her for a while; do you have an idea how long you will be staying?"

Lifting my shoulders, "Not sure, it depends on Poppy, I do not want to push her, I know I will have to tell her about being mates, I just do not want to overwhelm her."

"I understand, but please know that if others see you are with her a lot, they will begin to talk, and words spread fast. I do not want her in any danger, and you know how the wolves can get."

I know what he means; it's the very reason I didn't claim her right when I saw her. I know others can be vicious and think they deserve a title that isn't theirs, but they want the power that comes with mating someone like me. But that title will be for no one but Poppy, my fated mate.

"I will makesure nothing happens to her, her safety is my main priority. I may have some royal guards come to help in case things get out of hand. I need to have her covered no matter what."

"I have no issue with you bringing in your own guards. I will go along with how you want to handle this. I only ask that Poppy doesn't get hurt. She is not like the others here, and I think you know that. I dropped the ball with making sure she was safe."

"No worries, Alpha, she will be safe with me once she accepts me and learns the truth of who she is to me, then I will take her back home with me."

He nodded. "Good, she deserves a good life. She is one of the sweetest members here, always helping wherever she can. I will be putting someone on Trinity and her daughters. I have a feeling she is hiding something."