The Alpha's Playmate

Coffee and waffles? Poppy's eyes fluttered open due to the tantalizing aroma tickling her nose. Groaning, she untangled her hand from the warmth of the blankets and pressed down on the power button on the fan resting on her nightstand. The fan blades ground to a halt causing the cool autumn air to cease caressing her face. She sat up in her bed and shivered, letting her once warm body adjust to the temperature drop of escaping her warm comforter. She turned and swung her feet over the bed onto the soft carpet of her bedroom floor while yawning. Poppy groggily began to make her way downstairs as her stomach audibly announced its hunger with each The kitchen was a small room at the back of the house. It was often very bright due to the large window over the sink and the cream-coloured walls. The outer wall is lined with white cabinets and cupboards while a black countertop contrasted the colours nicely. a stove sat towards the right of the wall while the fridge was on the left for late-night snacking access. A small dining table pressed against the inside wall, opposite the large window. The small table left enough room for a person to walk past. As usual, poppy scanned the kitchen and discovered a mess of flour and batter splattered across the walls and counter. She noticed her father working diligently at the stove. She quietly stepped into the tiled floor of the kitchen, eager to scare him. Her father stopped abruptly. Even amongst all the chaos he created, his wolf could still sense her. "Good morning sunshine! How's my birthday girl?" Her father spun around and grinned at his daughter while adorned in a pink apron. At least, she believed it was pink. She was unable to truly pinpoint the colour of the apron due to the mess of flour and batter on his clothes. Then, she noticed it. Her father was holding a plate with a couple of slightly burnt waffles and a mountain of whipped cream. "Dad." Poppy groaned, yet she could not stop the wide grin from appearing on her face. The man placed the plate in front of her and grinned while pouring himself a coffee.   The scent of fresh coffee invaded the home, making it truly feel like a Saturday in the Tenner household. Poppy took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of her home. "Your mom wanted you to have this today." Harry reached behind him and slid a small white box with a black ribbon toward Poppy. He smiled assuringly at his daughter as she hesitated, her eyes were wide with surprise. "Thank you" Poppy smiled and carefully undid the black ribbon, sliding it out from the incredibly expensive-looking box. With her fingers holding the lid she paused and thought of her mother. It had now been ten years since she lost her mother, and yet she still felt the grief. Poppy smiled to herself with tears brimming her eyes as she lifted the lid. Atop a soft cream-coloured silk pillow was a golden armband. The armband was dainty with two bands to hold a large emerald gem in place between them. it was dainty yet elegant. the lower band had a thin golden chain that hung slightly down. Poppy felt a small tear fall down her cheek as she held the small band between her fingers. Her fingers brushed across the inscription that was inside the upper band, inscribed mom loves you. "Thank you for this, dad. I love you so much." Poppy got up and hugged her father from behind him. She pressed against her father She sat back in her chair and carefully laid the armband back into the box. Poppy made a mental note to wear the armband tonight at the ceremony. "My little pops is all grown up now. Your mother would be so proud." Harry smiled at his daughter with sad eyes, planting a kiss on her forehead. His rambunctious little girl was now a fully grown woman. Harry hoped that his now-adult daughter would find a mate and make a life for herself. The thought made his heart swell with pride. Harry greatly hoped that his daughter would find a kind and sensitive mate as he had found within Poppy's mother. "Thanks, dad." Poppy smiled sheepishly and carefully cut the waffles in front of her. she took extra care to keep the mountain of whipped cream from falling over her pyjamas. The birthday waffle tradition began years ago when Poppy's parents were dating. Harry tried to do everything he could to keep his wife's traditions alive. It was the least he could do for his mate. "So, has she come out yet?" Harry studied his daughter's face carefully while her face remained blank. "I've only been eighteen for a couple of hours, it can take months for people to get in touch with their wolves." Harry nodded his head and watched as she enjoyed her breakfast. The silence between the father and daughter was comfortable. they had often felt content with one another without the need to communicate during their nightly routine. The silence was familiar and made Poppy smile to herself. Sometimes things never change. "Your coming of age ceremony is tonight, did you get your gown?" Harry c****d an eyebrow at his daughter. He knew if it was up to her, she would show up in leggings and some kind of oversized shirt. "Don't worry, Danny helped me pick a dress out. I got it." Poppy grinned at her father while hiding her nerves. She knew dressing was part of belonging in a pack. However, she detested it. The etiquette, the heavy gowns, and the impossible heels did not spell a good time to her. Tonight, however, maybe the night she finds her mate. Poppy's stomach fluttered at the thought. With a final large bite, Poppy cleaned her plate and stood to place her dishes in the sink. Harry cradled a coffee in his hand while watching poppy clean the kitchen. Images of a much younger girl standing on the dining chair while helping his mate cook. The thought made Harry realize just how much time had passed since his mate died. The sadness in his heart, however, was blanketed by pride for his daughter. "But Poppy. You HAVE to!" Daniella whined at her best friend while holding an incredibly tall pair of sparkling silver heels. Poppy sat at the vanity in her room while scowling at her best friend in the mirror. "Everyone wears heels on their coming of age ceremony!" "Why? my sneakers are perfectly capable of taking me anywhere I need to go." Poppy shook her head at her best friend. She already felt incredibly uncomfortable being so done up. She at least wanted to be able to walk comfortably throughout the night. Danielle let out an exasperated sigh and dropped the heels in defeat. Danielle began to undo Poppy's hair curlers causing her dark chocolate hair to cascade down her mid-back. As Danielle worked on her best friend's hair she rattled on about the latest gossip. Poppy applied a bright red lipstick to her plump lips while Danielle worked. Tonight will be the best night of my life. Poppy thought to herself, determined not to let her nerves ruin it. Poppy slid the armband up her left side with a deep breath, causing it to rest slightly above her elbow. "Ou! that's so pretty!" Danielle paused to touch the chain between her fingers. "Thanks. Mom got it for me." Poppy smiled at her best friend and they locked eyes for a few moments as if to have a conversation without the need to speak. With Poppy's hair and makeup done, it was time for her reveal dress. Poppy smiled and pulled the dress out of the closet. Danielle helped poppy pull the velvet green ballgown onto her curvy figure. Poppy shifted the sleeves so they rested slightly beneath her shoulders. The dark green velvet worked perfectly against the gold armband and her milky white skin. Danielle quickly zipped up Poppys back, causing her to inhale sharply due to how tightly the dress's top pressed against her. "So pretty!" Danielle grinned at her best friend while poppy slid on her worn white sneakers. They smiled at each other. Understanding the importance tonight will hold for not just poppy, but for both of them.