Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Finally, he ended the call, but instead of turning to come back inside immediately, he leaned against the railing of the deck, his head hanging while he took several deep breaths.
When he finally stepped back inside, she flinched. She’d been staring at him for so long she hadn’t finished her lunch. “Daddy?” There was a tremble in her voice.
“Yeah, Little one?” He came to her, kissed the top of her head, and pointed at her plate. “You need to finish eating.”
“Not hungry, Daddy.”
“Would you rather have a bottle?”
She shook her head. She’d rather he shared his problems with her. Would he ever? She was his mate. They were closer than she ever knew two beings could be. He was her everything. But she was starting to wonder if she was supposed to spend her entire life blissfully ignorant and unaware of anything around her.
On the first day, he’d said there were threats outside. She hadn’t thought much about it, but she was starting to think there were indeed some serious threats that were keeping her inside.
She felt kind of sad. Her Daddy was wonderful and amazing and adored her to pieces. She knew he had her on a pedestal and would protect and nurture and guide her until their dying breaths.
But would he share his life? His problems? His concerns?
“Finish your lunch, Little one,” he insisted as he cleaned the kitchen.
She did as she was told, though every bite was like sandpaper, and she couldn’t meet his gaze. When she was done, he lifted her out of the seat and held her close, shuffling through to the nursery where he dropped into the rocking chair.
“Is everything okay, Daddy?”
“Yes, Little mate. Nothing for you to worry about.” He tucked her head against his chest under his chin, not letting her see his face.
Her shoulders drooped. She didn’t like that answer. She felt shut out and lonely. Even though her mind was racing, her eyes eventually grew heavy. Daddy popped a pacifier in her mouth and carried her over to the crib. He tucked Lambie in her arms, kissed her forehead, and covered her with a light blanket.
She fought sleep for a few more minutes before succumbing.
Chapter Eighteen
“She’s mad at me,” Arion admitted to Brock two days later when his best friend called to update him on the status of the Grelian pack. They knew at least four members of the pack were hovering in the area, weaving in and out of Drydus territory, breaking the treaty.
Brock chuckled. “Surely she can’t stay mad long. Have you tried distracting her with your, uh…”
Arion growled. “Don’t go there, Brock. I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”
“Who said anything about sex? I was going to ask about your singing.”
“Sure, you were.” Arion snorted. His singing. It wasn’t a thing.
“Do you know why she’s mad?” Brock asked.
“Yes. I have no doubt. I can’t even blame her. We’re in our honeymoon period, and I keep taking private phone calls out on the deck. She probably thinks I have a lover or something.”
“Why don’t you just tell her who you’re talking to?”
Arion shook his head even though his friend couldn’t see him. “Because we’re in our honeymoon phase. I don’t want her worrying about pack business. Hell, I don’t want her worrying about pack issues ever.”
“You’ve told me for years that she was a bright girl who made perfect marks in school and always had her head in a book. Think about things through her lens. You came down to the valley like a knight in shining armor. A stranger to her. You took her from the only life she’s ever known to a remote cabin in the mountains. She’s used to being surrounded by people, and now she’s isolated and alone, and the only person she has for company keeps stepping outside to have secret private business calls.”
Arion winced. Brock was right. But what was he supposed to do about it? He’d vowed to protect and nurture her. He didn’t want her worrying about things that were out of her control.
“You can’t keep all aspects of Alpha business from her forever,” Brock pointed out.
“Why not?” Arion challenged even though he knew he was being a prick.
“Because it wouldn’t be safe. She has a right to know who and what her enemies are so she’ll be prepared in the event she ever comes face to face with one.”
“Or I could just keep her inside the cabin for the next hundred years and fortify the outside so she lives in a bubble.” Arion knew he sounded absurd.
Brock chuckled. “I bet that will go over well. She needs friends and human contact other than you, Arion. I know you’re in your honeymoon phase, but you might need to lighten up, talk to her, invite your parents over so she can meet them and not feel so lonely.”