The Designated Mate novel Chapter 35

"Knox, let go! I need to get that!" I pleaded while trying to jerk away, desperate to answer the call before she thought I wasn't there.

"Why?" Knox demanded skeptically. I just didn't have time to explain it all to him.

"Let go!" I screamed as tears clouded my eyes and I shoved at his chest. His expression grew angry as he dropped my arm. I dashed for the phone and answered within seconds, praying she was still on the line.

"Kiara!?" I called over the receiver.

"Thank God you're there, I thought you were about to send me to voicemail," Kiara semi-joked, but I could tell she was serious.

"Never. What's been going on?"

"Well, The Council pulled the investigation yesterday like we thought they would. They also told your father and Alpha Williams that the reason they were pulling it was because they'd received the paperwork from you filing persecution status elsewhere..." she trailed off.

"Oh my gosh, that means they know I've joined a new pack. They could start calling around to try and hunt me down," I worried, knowing my father and previous Alpha weren't past doing such a thing to find me.

"The Council knows what they did and told them they wouldn't like the consequences if they tried to find you or start a war over this, but you know how they are. They've always thought they were above our laws," Kiara hissed with anger. I sighed as my forehead wrinkled with worry.

"How about you, mom, and Tansy? Have they backed off? Are you all okay?" I asked hopefully.

She chuckled, "God no. They haven't backed off of me or your mother, but Tansy is fine. They stopped trying to use her against us because they know we're not going to budge and the council is already keeping an eye on our pack and how they treat the members now," she sighed out. I felt a huge weight lift off my chest knowing they were all at least safe. For now, that is.

"So, how are you liking your new pack?" she asked. I was relieved that I was finally able to talk to my best friend like we used to.

"I love it for the most part," I answered truthfully.

"For the most part?" she asked with confusion lacing her tone.

"Yeah. It'd be perfect if you guys were here," I responded with a wistful smile. She chuckled lightly before sighing.

Nothing.

"Knox?" I called once more, louder than before.

Again, nothing.

I stepped down another step only to have my foot break through the wood plank, cutting my skin open and causing me to bleed while also leaving me rooted in place. I screamed out in pain as the sensation surged up through the rest of my leg.

Only one problem; no one can hear me...

Poppy's POV

I couldn't stop myself from pathetically crying at the situation I'd gotten myself into. I was trapped as my leg had gotten stuck in the hole that had broken open on the stairs and I also had a few larger chunks of the broken lumber spearing my leg. Every time I moved, they dug deeper into my leg and caused more blood to gush out. The pain was horrible, though I tried my best to block it out.