The Designated Mate novel Chapter 56

"Poppy! Poppy...your dad..." she huffed out, sounding like she'd just finished running a marathon.

"What about him?" I asked my voice strained. This can't be good.

"He's...he's here!" she hissed while staring me dead in the eyes. I gasped and my knees shook. Had it not been for Knox behind me, I would've fallen without a doubt.

"What?" I asked breathlessly, not wanting to believe what she'd just said. If my dad was here, that could only mean one thing...

"And so is Alpha Rhymes," she continued while grabbing my arm and latching on, "you have to come quick, Poppy!" She demanded while pulling me towards her. I jerked forward but stayed rooted in place due to Knox's arms around me.

"Come," Knox demanded while walking away into the house with me in tow. I had no idea what the heck he was doing, and it seemed Grace didn't either as she followed us into the cottage. Knox grabbed a pair of leggings before crouching in front of me to help me dress. I held onto his shoulders to steady myself as I slipped my feet in. After I was done, he shoved one of his thick sweatshirts over my head and pointed to my shoes. I nodded and slipped them on as he himself dressed in record time. Once ready, Knox gave Grace a single nod to lead the way.

Everything was a blur as my mind became muddled with scenario after scenario involving the two men I never wanted to see again being in my new pack at the same time. It'd been...wait, how long has it been since I'd run away?

"What day is it?" I asked monotonously, staring at nothing in particular ahead of me.

"What?" Grace asked from the front seat. I could feel Knox's penetrating gaze from beside me, obviously having no idea why I'd asked that question.

"What day is it?" I repeated, voice betraying none of the havoc that was going on inside my mind.

"The...the 14th. November 14th," She replied, confusion and worry lacing her tone. Her answer shocked me out of my comatose-like state. I floundered for something to say.

"You mean to tell me that within twelve days of leaving my old pack I managed to mate and be found by my father and ex-Alpha?" I deadpanned. There was no way that was freaking true. There's just no way. It's been five days - give or take a day, they all seem to kind of blend together a bit when you spend most of your time in the bedroom...preoccupied - since Knox marked me and we consummated our bond.

"Oh my God," I gasped in slight horror.

Poppy's POV

"Mom! Kiara!" I cried while throwing my car door open. My heart hurt as I watched my father tighten his hold on my mother as Alpha Rhymes tightened his hold on Kiara. My throat clenched with emotion as my gaze flitted to the knives held to their throats as they whimpered with fear.

Against my better judgment, I began to run for the two of them but was almost immediately stopped by Knox pulling me back.

"Wait a minute..." Knox whispered to himself. I glanced up and through my watery eyes, I saw his own flashing from their normal blue color to black as his nose lifted up in the air and he sniffed.

"You didn't fucking say she was already mated! And to a Goddamn Lycan!" Alpha Rhymes screamed while throwing a feral glare towards Corbin.

"You've illegally entered out pack lands, Alpha Rhymes! And with hostages to boot! If you don't let them go and leave we'll have to enforce the laws of The Council ourselves!" Alpha Aaron growled. I'd never seen him look so serious or so angry in the entire time I'd known him. That's when I realized what Alpha Rhymes had just said - but, more importantly, who he'd just said it to.