The Designated Mate novel Chapter 70

"Do you want to start squeezing the oranges for juice?" I asked while setting a large bag of the fruit next to me on the countertop. He nodded and came around to work beside me. After a few minutes of silence, I glanced over at him and saw that he was deep in thought.

"What's on your mind, baby?" I murmured while pouring my first few pancakes on the Griddler. I turned my attention away from the food and rested my hand on his forearm to catch his attention. He sighed deeply before slamming the half-squeezed orange in his hand onto the countertop.

"I don't fucking want you going, Poppy. I don't want to send you in there. I don't have a good feeling about this and my wolf and I are both having a hard time with this decision," he growled with anger as he looked to be at war with himself. "I'm scared..." he croaked out, sending a pang of hurt straight to my heart. I flipped the cooking pancakes quickly before setting the spatula down and wrapping both my arms around his own while leaning my head against his bicep.

"I know how scary this must feel, Knox. I've never encountered your uncle first hand, but I've heard the stories. I'm scared, too, but being alert and understanding my surroundings is going to give me an advantage as will the genes I've accrued from our mating. However, you're the smartest man I know and if you're having a bad gut feeling then maybe we should follow it and figure something else out. This is your call, Knox," I stated, wanting to ensure him that he truly was in control of the situation. He hated feeling out of control and I could certainly understand why, but, despite what I'd said, I wasn't sure what the something else I spoke of would even be.

I took the food off the heat before it could burn and began plating everything up as he mulled things over. I pushed him towards the table and placed a heaping plate of food in front of him before sitting next to him with my own.

I allowed Knox to be wrapped up in his own thoughts throughout the meal, content to just bask in his company while I still could. I was picking food off of Knox's plate, having already completely cleared my own, when Zane entered the kitchen and broke our bubble of peace.

"Sorry to disturb you guys, but we need to discuss our plans going forward. When you're finished, we'll all be waiting for the both of you in the office," he murmured before bowing his head slightly and backing out of the room.

"Anyway," Knox muttered with an eye roll, "Grace and Poppy are both going to have tracker devices implanted into their arms tonight just in case, God forbid, something were to happen and neither Jason or I could sense them through our bonds. Zane, you and your other men are going to be placed a mile out from the border at all times. If something happens, Poppy, you and Grace can run for the border. Call them through the mind-link and they'll meet you. A car will be placed a few miles out for a quick getaway if needed," he said while looking directly at me. I nodded in understanding.

"When will she be here? Tonight or tomorrow morning before we leave?" I asked.

"She's already here," Knox began causing me to perk up in surprise. "She's unpacking her and Jason's things as they will be staying with us permanently," Knox revealed. The smile that overtook my face was instantaneous. I shrieked happily and mouth thank you to Knox who was gazing happily at me, pleased with my reaction. Kiara and I hugged, jumping around a few times in excitement before Knox cleared his throat to get our attention once again.