PEONIES AT DAWN

by sunrisewren

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SYNOPSIS

As delicate as the flower she is named after, Peony Opara's isolation to the world caused her innocence and intense skill in bakery and gardening as they have been the only activities she has been allowed to partake in. With her family living in a small cottage on the outskirts of a minor pack, her mother and father never expected their dainty daughter to be found by her mate.

So imagine the shock and tears that fell when vicious Alpha Leander Hargreaves storms into their home, demanding his mate.

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EXCERPT

Peony was freezing but she didn't know what that meant. She looked around and all she could distinguish was a white layer that smothered everything on the ground, including the mighty fern trees that seemed to be paralysed against this obscurity. This area was a far cry from her sun doused land and Peony was suffering. Silence enveloped the entirety of the forest and she attempted to step forward but felt pain rush through her leg as it was littered with unknown shards of transparency. Crying out, blood seeped through the peculiar substance as it was stained with red. Perhaps she should have took the glowing red as a warning.

Abruptly, a noise overflowing with ferocity threatened the forest and Peony felt the unknown emotion of terror as it plunged through her veins. Her hazel eyes darted around the forest in panic as her sundress was no longer any providing any warmth to her. Startled, her eyes locked onto a shadow as she heard the agressive crunches of the ground. She continued to stare in justified curiosity until she made out the thing approaching her.

It was a Beast.

Its fur was absent of any light and prowled towards her. Yellow eyes glowed like the sun yet instead of the comfort Peony normally felt, she felt like they were burning in fury. Star struck, Peony was numbed to fear, her face turning white from its usual sun-glazed tone. Without hesitation, the beast approached her like the predator it was and as it appeared in front of her, its jaw dripping with blood, it snarled and sank its teeth into—

Screaming, Peony woke up with terror etched onto her face.

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Read the rest of Peonies at Dawn here!

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