Page 106 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“It takes a lot to stand up to your parents. I’m proud of you for speaking up for yourself. For protecting Grif and Dean.That’swhat I need from you.” Getting some more oil, I worked up her ankle and over her calf in long, smooth strokes.
“I want to try.” She nodded.
“Good. If I scared you the other night in the kitchen, I’m sorry. But I’m not sorry for pushing you.” I kneaded her calf muscles. Fuck, she had muscles. What were they like when she was in peak physical condition?
One dark, perfectly groomed eyebrow rose. “An alpha apologizing? Is the world ending?”
“An alphashouldapologize when it’s due. But notneedlessly.I don’t want to hear you apologizing for no reason, understood?” I met her gaze as I kept squeezing her leg muscles. When she did that, it reminded me too much of my omega pop, flinching and apologizing to appease my overbearing alpha mother.
“Yes, Alpha Jonas.” Her voice was quiet, but steady.
That’s my girl.But I didn’t have the right to call her that. Yet.
“Good. I also know that contrary to the bullshit our parents told us, alphas do cry. But I don’t want you to waste your tears on people that don’t deserve them. I need you to be strong,confident. To stop giving away your power when you shouldn’t. To hold your head high and not back down. After tonight, it’s clear that you belong to Dean and Grif. You might as well tattoo their names on your ass because you’re not going anywhere. I need to know that you're willing to grow into someone who willprotectthem. That you will fight for them and this pack.Is that clear?” I growled.
“Of course. I... I’ll protect them and fight for them.” Her head looked to one side, and she sighed. “That feels good. Isn’t Dean the physical therapist?”
“He is. Did you skip the massage classes in alpha school?” Getting more oil, I paid special attention to her knee.
She laughed derisively. “Do you think they let me go to anything like that?”
That was a power play. Attending classes wouldn’t have harmed her if she never awakened. No. They wanted her weak and pliant. Clearly, they worked hard to keep her down, even after she came into her alpha.
“You only ever purred for your little siblings, didn’t you?” I put her leg on my lap so I could rub it better.
“How did you know?” She peered at me.
“Alpha purrs have different settings. They also take practice. There’s nothing wrong with your purr. You’ve only ever used what I think of asbaby mode.It’s considered the hardest, to purr without making much sound so you don’t scare or wake the baby.” An alpha purr was comfort, something they did for their mates–and theirchildren.
She probably hadn’t been purred for since she was little.
“Oh. I... I didn’t know. That makes so much sense. Yeah, I spent a lot of time caring for the littles–my three littlest siblings. Two of them are twins, so we always needed extra arms. Then Hopey came.” She laughed. “For a solid year, Hope only wantedto sleep on a purring chest while in the rocker. I’ll practice more.”
“Deanlovesto be purred for after sex. Grif likes it after a hard day. They’ll let you practice all you want.” It was powerful but understated. Like her.
Also, who wouldn’t want to fall asleep in her purring arms?
A smile played on her lips. “I’m sure they will.”
“If you’d like, I can work with you on barks.” I didn’t want her to feel powerless against her alpha parents ever again. Being able to bark–and resist barks–would go far in boosting her confidence.
It also benefited my pack for her to hone her alpha skills.
“Really? I wouldn’t want to be an inconvenience.” Her look went incredulous, like she didn’t expect my help.
I moved up toward that golden, muscular thigh. “It wouldn’t be hard to spend a few moments every morning when we’re both at the rink.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.” Her smile lit up her entire face.
“Don’t defer to me out of fear or habit. Only give it to me if I deserve it. I want to earn your trust,” I added.Your submission.I wanted to teach my little alpha, help her grow into the woman her parents were terrified of her becoming.
An alpha who led withlove. With care. Not fear or force.
While I needed AJ at my side, with his shrewdness and forward thinking, I think I needed her, too.
To remind me to love. And that I deserved to be loved in return.
“We’re pro hockey players. Things could go to shit fast. Injuries, bad press, trades. I need to know that youwon’t leavewhen things get hard.” My hands caressed her thigh, rubbing out the tired muscles. She was also naked under that thin T-shirt of Grif’s.
