Page 12 of Arion
He squeezed her hands. “Yes,Daddy.”
She licked her lips and tried it out. “Yes, Daddy. I feel your heart.”
“It beats for you, Bella.”
She started trembling. She felt overwhelmed but also so blessed that this man seemed so genuine and caring so far. Questions kept popping up in her head. She asked the next thing that came to mind. “Do you know who my friend Suzette will be mated to?”
He drew in a slow breath. “Yes, Bella, but I can’t discuss that. It’s not my place.”
She nodded understanding. “I guess you know whoeveryoneis matched with, huh?”
“Mostly. Yes. I’m not close to all the Alpha Protectors, but I do know most of their future matches. Some of us like to know and keep tabs. Some prefer to not think too much about it because it can be frustrating. The waiting. Some prefer to be surprised.”
Jezebel’s eyes widened. “That seems like it would be awful.”
He chuckled, making his body bounce beneath her. “I agree, Little mate. That’s why I sought you out and watched you. I hope that doesn’t seem creepy.” He lifted a brow.
She giggled. “Suzette used to say it was kind of creepy. I never thought that. I felt like you were my protector.”
He stroked her back, smiling. “That’s exactly how I saw myself. As your protector. While you were young, I wanted to know you were safe and happy.”
“How did you have the willpower to stay away?”
“Those are the rules. Unmated Alphas rarely go down into the valley. When we do, we go in groups that ensure we do not run into our future mates. Imagine how weird it would have been if you’d seen me in the grocery store when you were seven.”
She giggled. “That would have been strange I guess.”
His expression grew serious as he lifted her hands from his chest and kissed her fingers. “I love that sound. I want to hear it every day of my life.”
Her face heated again at the compliment. “I guess that’s up to you.” She shrugged, teasing him. “You’ll have to say funny things if you want me to laugh.”
His deep chuckle filled the room again, and she decided she loved his laugh too.
He drew in a breath. “There was only one time when I thought I might lose my mind and break pack rules.”
“When was that?”
“The day you fell on the playground when you were nine and broke your arm.” He shuddered.
She gasped, remembering the day.
“My heart beat out of my chest that day. I wanted to shift and tear down the mountain. I wanted to hold you and wipe your tears. Instead, I was stuck watching you cry, big tears running down your face as you heaved and held your arm out. It was the one and only time I thought it might have been better if I hadn’t been watching.”
“But you came back to your rock and watched me again,” she acknowledged.
“Thousands of times, Bella.”
She lifted her arms to his shoulders and leaned forward to press her body against his, circling his neck in a tight hug. Her heart beat against his, and as she held him, she was certain their hearts started beating in unison.
His large hands rubbed her back until one cupped the back of her neck.
She stayed like that for a long time, neither of them speaking. It felt right. It calmed her. It filled her heart.
When she leaned back finally, he smiled at her. “I already love you so much, Little mate.”
She swallowed hard. “I think I love you too, Daddy.”
He pulled her neck toward him and planted a kiss on her forehead.
