Page 111 of The Alpha's Cursed Queen

“I told you to go back inside.”

“And I don’t have to listen to you,” she retorts. “Now, eat.”

Staring at her, I take a bite.

She’s eating her own hot dog, looking straight ahead.

“I don’t like smokers,” she says, finally.

I don’t say anything.

Her eyes narrow in my direction. “So, stop smoking.”

I don’t respond. After a few moments of silence, she says, “Why don’t you come see Mira next week? There is a carnival in town.” She reaches into her coat pocket and brings out a pamphlet, which she hands to me. “They have some rides and food and those kinds of things. I was going to take her myself, but maybe you can come along.”

“Really?”

She shrugs. “It’ll be good for the two of you.”

“You mean for Mira?”

She shrugs once again.

I look down at the hot dog in my hand and ask, “Why are you trying to look after me?”

“Because it seems that you don’t look after yourself.” As soon as the words leave her lips, her head whips around to face me, and she glowers at me. “But don’t read anything into it. I’m just—I just wanted to make sure you got something to eat, okay?”

“Sure.” A small smile forms on my lips. “That makes sense.”

“It does,” she agrees loudly.

I wonder who she’s trying to convince, me or herself.

Chapter 22

Darian

When I show up at the carnival holding a bag, Alice looks confused. “You don’t have to bring her a new toy every time you see her.”

“It’s not a toy,” I say as my daughter leaps into my arms. “I wanted to get her something to wear.”

“She has clothes.”

I look down at the emerald scarf my daughter is wearing, and I touch it gently. “I was sure you would have thrown this away.”

Alice opens her mouth and then shrugs one shoulder. “Mira likes it.”

From the way she doesn’t meet my eyes, I wonder if it’s only Mira who likes it. Or is Alice holding onto something from the past because of the memory attached to it? All I know is, she’s not going to give me a straight answer if I ask.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to buy her things. Clothing and other necessities, I mean. And I can’t exactly go shopping for baby clothes now, can I? So, I got her a jacket. Do you want to see it, Mira?”

The little girl jumps in excitement. “Is it purple?”

“Well, no. Why don’t you open it and see?” She digs into the bag and brings out a faux fur jacket, the exact shade of green as the scarf wrapped around her neck. “I thought you would like it to match.”

Her eyes widen. “How did you know I was going to wear this scarf?”

I grin, putting a finger on my lips. “It’s a secret. Do you like it?”

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