Page 48 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate

I didn’t think the members of this pack understood how much I could relate to their current struggle. Just back home, we had been going through some progressive updates initiated by Hector. The same would happen here under my guidance. Things would be rocky until the benefits of such changes became more obvious.

I just wished that would happen sooner so I didn’t have to see my mate frowning whenever someone whispered in her ear about me.

It was all I could think about as I sat snugly on the rug in the living room with my daughter. I read through another round of updates Larry had just emailed to me. He filled two pages with bullet points from his neighbors about concerns. Sonya had a long list as well. If we were going to get anything done, I had to meet with the entire pack.

Today.

“I’ve just been busy.”

Sydney held up one of her fancy dolls. “Daddy, that’s not it.”

“Oh, sorry.” I reached for the doll she had assigned me—also a fancy doll—and sat it in the doll chair next to Sydney’s doll. “I mean, I would love some more tea, Princess Sydney.”

She squeaked and kicked her little legs while reaching for the plastic teapot painted with lilac cherry blossoms on a white background. “Okay, tea for Daddy.”

I smiled at her dedicated movements, noticing how steady they were for a child her age. “What a lovely tea party you’ve hosted, Princess Sydney.”

“Thank you, Daddy!”

I snickered at her enthusiasm and reached for my teacup. As I lifted it, I noticed my daughter’s disparaging look.

I sighed while reluctantly lifting my pinky. “Sorry, Princess Sydney.”

“Sorry is right.” Shehmphedconfidently with a sharp nod and returned her attention to the rest of the teacups.

“Sure are like your mother,” I complimented. “You look a lot like her, too.”

Except for her hair, of course. She had a lovely mixture of auburn and blonde with a splash of red that shimmered whenever she turned her head. She was short for her age but tenacious and proud. Her skin was beige with that hint of a golden tan and complex olive tones that softened her small face. Bright yellow-brown eyes like drops of honey stared up at me, glistening with curiosity.

“Daddy?”

I hummed contentedly in response.

“Why are you my daddy now and not my daddy when I was a baby?”

Crap—that was a hard question for something I hadn’t yet discussed with Robyn. We hadn’t had much time with the entire pack celebrating a victory while averting a crisis all at once. Adult problems were infinitely more complicated than the most complex chemical equations.

My mouth dried up. I licked my lips, swallowed my pride, and sighed. “Listen, Princess Sydney, I’m sorry to report that I’m just not the best dad in the world.”

She blinked at me. “Huh?”

“You see, sometimes, Daddies need to…” I trailed off at the sound of footsteps overhead. “Sounds like Mommy is up from her nap.”

“I’ll get Mommy some tea,” Sydney announced. She proceeded to set up a fresh teacup and saucer as I breathed through a series of panic attacks.

WhatwasI supposed to say to Sydney about that? I didn’t think Robyn had spoken to her without me around, and when would she have had the time, anyway? We were both up to our necks in pack emergencies, frantic emails, and piles of gratitude baskets.

The footsteps paused near the top of the stairs. I focused on Sydney, who was patiently staring at me.

I blew air out of my nose. “I can’t lie to you. I just had other things to do at the time. I didn’t know you were here yet.”

“Mommy says you were on the road.”

“Yes, I was on the road.” I snapped my fingers victoriously. “That’s it, Sydney. I was on the road.”

She glared at me with a deep pout. “I’m aPrincess Sydney, mister.”

I chuckled as I bowed my head. “My apologies, Your Highness.”

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