The Designated Mate novel Chapter 1

Poppy's POV

I kept my head lowered as I tried my best to tune out of the conversation my father was having with our Alpha. It was considered highly disrespectful to eavesdrop on confidential conversations, an offense punishable by ten silver-laced whip lashes.

My father was a highly respected man amongst our pack as he was the head warrior in charge of all training and combat - a position necessary in our war-happy society.

He wouldn't be if they all knew the real him.

Swallowing deeply, I forced the thoughts to the back of my mind. I could still feel the phantom burn of the flesh covering my back from the last time I got too lippy with my father. Those five lashes were the slowest-healing wounds I'd ever received in my life. I've had six months to mull over the memory, and though my marred skin had finally morphed into thick, pink scars, the memory was still fresh as ever in my mind.

"Poppy, go wake Tansy from her nap." My father said, pausing his conversation to give me the order after taking a quick glance at his watch.

"Just a minute, please. I have to get this chicken out and ready to go or it won't be done in time for dinner." I murmured politely as I wound my hands behind my back and stared at my feet, assuming a respectful position.

"I said, go wake your sister up from her nap." He growled, the noise sent a small rumble through the floor of the kitchen. I gulped before nodding quickly and making a mad dash for my room.

I'd protested profusely when my father had moved my baby sister's sizeable crib into my living quarters. He claimed he wasn't getting enough sleep with her constantly waking up in her own room screaming for someone in the middle of the night and didn't want to be jostled awake by my mother being that person to soothe her. That was just one of the many arguments that had led up to me mouthing off to him. Two years later and we still share a room.

Pushing the door to my room open, I quietly nudged Tansy's small frame before brushing her crazy curls out of her face. A fond smile pulled at the edges of my lips as she sleepily stirred awake.

"Poppy?" She whispered out in a daze.

By the time I was done, the oil was popping and ready to go. I dipped my chicken in the flower a couple times before dropping them into the pan. I flipped them and waited until they had the perfect golden color before taking them out and placing them on a paper towel covered plate. By the time I was done, the oven timer was beeping. Pulling everything out, I was amazed at how quickly time flew by when I was cooking. My father and the Alpha had finished up whatever they needed to discuss and were just sitting and talking about various pack-related things. It hadn't occurred to me to ask why our Alpha was still here, or why my father had specifically requested this exact dinner tonight.

"May I set the table, please?" I asked, catching both of their attention immediately. My father just nodded tersely before going back to his conversation. I yelped when the pan of mac n' cheese slipped from my grasp onto the table and burned the tips of my middle and pointer finger. My father sent me a scathing glare, a warning almost. I cleared my throat and returned to the fridge to pull out the salad I'd made earlier before finally running my fingers under some cold sink water. I released a sigh of relief as the intense burning sensation began to dull.

"Sorry I'm late!" My mother called when she finally entered the house. Thanks for throwing me to the wolves with preparing dinner tonight - literally and figuratively I thought to myself. I watched her bow to our Alpha from my peripheral before the doorbell rang. What I didn't see was the brief look my father and Alpha shared.

"Poppy, get the door." My dad said. I nodded my head that I heard him before shutting the water off and drying my hands. I tried my best to avoid touching the handle with the tips of my burned fingers before pulling the door open.

"Alpha Williams?" I questioned, confusion lacing my tone. I quickly realized my mistake before sucking in a breath and lowering my head. "H-hello. Please, come in. It's a pleasure." I insisted before stepping out of the way to allow him entrance. He chuckled slyly, the noise grating against my skin and causing goosebumps of discomfort to rise all over my body.