The Designated Mate novel Chapter 59

"Well, he's a hell of a lot bigger than I ever expected your chosen to be," she joked before attempting to shake Knox's hand. He dodged her attempt and instead went in for a hug, catching both my mom and me off guard. My cheeks burned brightly in embarrassment as I processed what she'd said causing both her and Knox to laugh at my expense.

"Yeah, well, he didn't really give me much of a choice," I grumbled with a playful glare Knox's way to which he smirked and winked in reply.

"What do you mean, Poppy?" My mother asked as she and Kiara gave me simultaneous looks of worry.

Wow, way to go Poppy. You said the absolute last thing you should've ever said. You're finally reunited with the people you had to flee from because of a forced mating in the first place, and you go ahead and hint that your current mating happened under similar conditions. No wonder they're worried.

"It's not like that at all!" I insisted defensively as my hands shot out in front of me, knowing I needed to calm their nerves. "I first met him when he was in wolf form the day after I arrived - though I didn't know it was him. I was trying to cut some wood for my fireplace to keep me warm when I heard some noises and started running. I was almost out of the forest when Kiara finally called and distracted me. I ended up falling and hurting my ankle. He carried me on his back to the pack house so I could get some help. I guess I'd never had anyone of the opposite sex take care of me before, so it stuck with me and my wolf. Ever since then, both my wolf and I have enjoyed being around him because we feel safe knowing someone is watching over us.

"That feeling of safety - and Knox's intense pursuit of me - made things happen incredibly quickly. Not to mention, we're each other's match," I murmured dreamily while glancing up at Knox as an intense surge of love overwhelmed my body and mind.

"Each other's true match," Knox added in confidently as he cast his eyes cast downward so he could look into my own. I smiled happily before nuzzling my nose against his chest and taking in his calming scent.

"I'm so happy for you, honey," my mother wept before pulling Knox and me into a hug. Knox moved his arms so he was enveloping the both of us in a tight squeeze.

"I just wanted to forewarn you that things might get ugly when we arrive at your old pack. Now that it's under my rule, I will have to make sure my authority isn't going to ever be questioned. That means that I could potentially have to deal with people you've known your entire life," he murmured with an apprehensive look. It was sweet that he was, in a way, getting my permission to "deal with" people I could potentially have a bond with. What he didn't know was that the only people I cared about in that pack were all here with me - minus Tansy. Oh God, Tansy!

"Tansy!" I gasped, catching Knox off guard.

"She's fine. I sent her to hide with Grandma and grandpa when I caught wind of what your father's plans were. I could sense the change in his attitude towards me and knew something big was going to happen," my mother explained from the other room, only somewhat calming my nerves.

"I feel bad saying this, but I don't really have a connection to anyone back there. I was never allowed much freedom, so having friends my age was out of the question. As for everyone else, they stood back and didn't do anything when my father unrightfully whipped me. There's no love lost there," I muttered only feeling slightly guilty by the statement.