Page 10 of Arion
She blushed adorably and turned away, embarrassed by his insinuation.
He moved into the master bathroom next, taking it in through her eyes. The shower was big enough for two people, but he would be giving Jezebel baths most of the time. He’d already stocked the edges of the huge tub with bubbles, girly shampoo and conditioner, and bins of bath toys.
She stared at the tub. “All that is for me?”
He couldn’t tell if she was excited or confused.
“Yes, Little mate. All of it is for you. I’ve known you were mine for twenty years, Bella. I’ve been preparing.”
“Oh.” She squirmed. “You don’t have to carry me. I think I can walk now.”
He held her tighter. “I enjoy carrying you. Humor me?”
She met his gaze and stopped wiggling.
“Good girl.” He moved out of the bathroom and through to the great room. “And this is the rest of the cabin.” He held her against his chest, spanning the room so she could look around, taking in what she was seeing.
This living space was large. Sometimes several members of his family came over. He had an enormous sectional with seating in and around it for a dozen men. The kitchen table also had a dozen chairs.
Three adult-sized highchairs were tucked in the corner. None of them had been used yet since no one in his immediate family nor his closest friends had claimed a mate. Soon they would start dropping like flies, and they would bring their Little girls over, and they would need to sit at the table.
“Do you have nieces and nephews?” Jezebel asked in a barely audible voice.
Arion headed toward the giant playpen that nestled in one corner of the room. “Not yet, Bella. Everything you see is for you to enjoy, and soon my brothers and cousins and friends will start claiming mates. The Alpha Protectors are a close group. We visit each other’s homes frequently. You’ll make friends with the other mates.”
“And play with toys?” she asked incredulously.
“Yep.” He strode to one of the giant armchairs and sat, arranging her sideways on his lap. He kept his arms around her protectively or perhaps to encourage her to stay put.
He knew he couldn’t hold her forever. Eventually he would need to let her down so she could wander around and explore on her own, but he hated the idea of releasing her.
Arion gently threaded his fingers in her hair. “So soft. I knew it would be.”
She stared at him with wide eyes. The blue depths would bring him to his knees. She even tipped her head slightly into his palm though he doubted she was aware.
Sliding his hand to her cheek, he stroked her nose and across the soft flesh. “I couldn’t see these pretty little freckles from such a distance,” he commented.
She blushed. “I hate them.”
His eyes shot wide. “Bella, why? They’re adorable. And don’t use such harsh words, especially not in reference to yourself.” He lifted a brow. It was his first reprimand.
She lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, lingering there for several seconds, inhaling her scent. Vanilla and cherry. Sweet and feminine.
“Why do you call me Bella?” she asked, still looking at her lap.
He lifted her chin. “Has no one ever called you that before?”
She shook her head.
Good. It was his then. “I think it’s a sweet nickname for Jezebel. Jezebel means pure and virtuous. Bella means beautiful. Both are fitting. Do you mind if I call you Bella?”
She shook her head, giving him a small smile. “I like it. Should I call you Arion, Sir?”
Ah. Another important moment. He slid his hand to the side of her face and stroked the soft skin of her cheek. “Arion is my name, but Little girls who are claimed by the Alpha Protectors usually refer to their mates as Daddy.”
Arion waited a beat while she processed before continuing. “Daddy is an endearing term of submission. As your Daddy, my job is to protect and nurture you. Guide you. Teach you the ways of our people. As your Daddy, I will have rules you must follow. Rules for your safety and wellbeing. I will also discipline you when you break those rules to help you learn.”
