Page 40 of Dante's Circle Reborn

“Thank you very much, Alpha,” she whispered, feeling as though she’d walked into a dream.

“Call me Malik.”

“Sorry, I’m not really good at the rules of etiquette with other realms. I was never taught.”

“You have time to learn. You can always call me Malik. You’re Jonah’s, therefore, you’re family. Jonah, stay here as long as you need to. If you have to come to the realm to stay safe, do that, but I have a feeling that you’ll want to take care of it here.”

“I’m not leading the gorgons to the lions.”

“No, we can’t do that,” Poppy added quickly.

“I figured as much. Take care of it quickly, and then come home.” Malik looked at her. “If the lion realm is where you choose to stay.” She didn’t know if he was talking to her or Jonah, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

“We’ll help you however you need,” Malik said.

“It’s the queen though, she wants me dead.”

“Do you deserve death?”

Poppy opened her mouth, but Jonah was the one who answered. “No, they’re the ones that caused this, and now they want her head for their own mistakes.”

She swallowed hard. “That might technically be true, but it’s not the whole story.”

“It’s enough of it. So, we’re going to figure it out,” Jonah put in. “Thank you, Malik. You didn’t have to come here in person.”

“If I didn’t, a certain lion cub would have tried to scratch my face off with her tiny little claws. Fix this, the both of you. We will have your back if you need it. And you know Dante is already here to help.”

“Dante?” Poppy asked.

“That dragon considers you part of his hoard.” Malik rolled his eyes.

“Really?” Poppy asked.

“Yes, you’re one of us now,” Jonah said.

“Seriously, it’s like a cult.”

“It’s not that bad,” Malik said. “You won’t be alone in this. My men will be here for you, and any of the seven and their mates will be here, as well. There’s a lot of us here that can help. Protect yourselves, and then come home when you’re ready. But I have a feeling that you two have more to talk about than just a fight to the death.”

And with that, Malik nodded and walked out, his guards following. She could sense other lions near, but only just. She was learning that part of her powers.

Jonah had his hand on her hip as the others left, and she turned in his hold, swallowing hard.

“They’ll help you, no matter what. They don’t even know me.”

“They don’t have to know you. You have the chance to be mine, so of course, they’re going to help. That’s who they are. That’s whoweare. We protect those in our circle, we safeguard the innocents.”

“I already told you, I’m not innocent.”

“Youare, Poppy.” He kissed her again, and she swallowed her words, just wanting his taste, wantinghim.

“I should tell you more about me, and then this will make more sense,” he said as he pulled away.

“How?”

“Because Malik was there for me when no one else was, and I want it to make sense for you. Why I am how I am.”

And so, she let him lead her to the couch, and he squeezed her hand.

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