Poisonous Desires by Selena Illyria

them load bags of flour into the van. If he began to wonder why they needed so much flour, he could stumble upon more of their setup. Poppy couldn’t afford that. Besides that, the werewolf packs couldn’t afford to have their finances looked at too closely, or more questions would be asked as to where the money was going or where it was coming from. The plan was so close to coming into fruition, they couldn’t afford hiccups now.
    Poppy narrowed her eyes. “You gave him the map to the mushroom greenhouse, yes?”
    Caro better not have flaked out on her. Bad enough that Zelly had had to leave them, but if Caro fucked this up, there’d be one more body left behind in this godforsaken town. Poppy hated all the bodies that were piling up around her; it was so messy. All this for her grand plan to restructure the pack and the female place in it.
    “Y-y-yes.”
    Poppy accepted that answer and gave Caroline’s shoulder a squeeze. “No worries; I’ll handle it all. And neither of us will be implicated. Torger and his buffoon of a brother won’t be able to rule it murder. Now let’s start mixing the batter for the cakes.”
    Hours later, exhausted and coated in sweat, they were done with the first batch of cakes and pies. Their bake stand would be open in time and they already had customers waiting for their goods, including some feline-shifters who’d asked for special cakes, pies, and cookies. Caroline left for the hotel for their planned spa days. Now was as good a time as any to see Stan. He’d told everyone that he would be staying home to make his infamous cream of mushroom soup with local herbs and that Caro would be doing some spa stuff with the girls. The other alphas had told him he was lucky because at least his wife was leaving him alone. Yes, lucky, Poppy thought as she knocked on the door.
    Stan answered the door and grinned, his smile so wide it looked fake . Poppy almost felt bad. Almost. He continued to beam at her. “Hey, Poppy! Good to see ya . Caro isn’t here at the moment.”
    Poppy pouted. “Drat it. Caro left this at my cabin.” She held up Caroline’s purse. “I’ll leave it here.” Poppy darted around Stan before he could stop her or question why she didn’t bring it to the hotel. She spotted the kitchen. “ Mmm , something smells divine! Are you making that yummy cream of mushroom soup? I’m starving; all this work on our bake sale, you know. Mind if I have a bowl? A small one, please; I’m watching my waist.” She rubbed her tummy. Not that she was overweight. Because of Michael’s attention to appearance, she couldn’t gain a single pound; lose it, yes, but gain, no. But she wouldn’t be eating that calorie-laden soup.
    Stan gave her a winning smile. “Of course. And you look fine, but don’t let Michael hear me say that.” With an awkward chuckle, he turned and strode into the kitchen. As he went through the cabinets pulling out bowls and spoons and other utensils, she moved to the stove, where she stood over the pot. Poppy fidgeted with the large cocktail ring on her forefinger, then she went to the table. Her phone buzzed, and she checked the caller ID.
    “Drat it; I’m so sorry, I have to get back to my cabin. Michael is waiting.” She kissed him on the cheek before she rushed out of the cabin; things would right themselves. With a little help from her, of course. In a few hours, the problem of Stan would be solved. Now if only subtracting Michael from the equation were so easy. She left the camp grounds to go meet with her lion-shifter.
     
    * * * *
    Seven o’clock was too damn early to meet anyone for anything, even breakfast. Especially when Nadia had spent a sleepless night tossing and turning before finding the Sandman at around two thirty. Her dreams had been plagued with Urban and her father. One minute she’d be safe, and the next she’d find herself running and hiding. She woke up with soaked sheets and her heart trying to thud its way out of her chest.