She giggled as she picked it up. “A sippy cup?”
He chuckled.
“Let me guess. It’s another one of your odd customs.”
“Yep.”
“And all the mates of Alpha Protectors have highchairs and sippy cups?”
“They do.”
“Cribs? Changing tables? And don’t think for a minute I haven’t noticed the playpen filled with toys in the living room.”
“Nothing gets by you, does it?” he teased.
She sighed as she took a drink, but she didn’t balk or throw the cup at him. That had been a possibility. She was perplexed but good-natured about everything he was tossing at her.
He sat at the table and angled her chair so she was facing him.
She leaned forward on her elbows. “You’re seriously going to feed me, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” He dipped the spoon into the stew, gathered the perfect bite, and blew on it before offering it to her. “Careful, it’s hot.”
Watching her open her mouth to accept this first bite made his chest tighten. He took a mental picture. It was impossible for her to understand the overprotective nature of an Alpha Protector. It was ingrained in him. The need to care for her in every way was in his blood.
Every Alpha went through this transition period with their mate. It was unavoidable. No newly claimed mate was prepared for the level of dominance she would encounter. Some accepted it easier than others.
Molly was taking things in stride. He suspected she was so relieved to find out she wouldn’t be expected to cook for him that she would accept just about anything.
He needed to prepare himself for the fact that she would eventually balk. Every Little girl did. Be it today or tomorrow or another day in the near future, something would cause her to hesitate and push back. Considering how adorable she was, he was almost looking forward to meeting a disagreeable Molly.
She purred around the bite.
Purred.
His Little wolf shifter had a soft, delicate feline purr that endeared him to her even further.
“That’s so good,” she said, reaching out with one hand. “You know…you could put some in my own bowl and hand me a spoon. I promise not to choke.”
“You know…” he echoed, “I could restrain your wrists to your sides for every meal and make you squirm as you wait for each bite, sassy girl.”
She quickly tucked her hands under the tray, her cheeks turning pink. Her expression sobered, and she lowered her gaze. “Sorry, Sir.”
He frowned as he set the bowl down on the table and fully faced her before lifting her chin. “What are you apologizing for, Little one?” He didn’t like this timid retreat.
She swallowed. “I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”
“Molly, I didn’t take it that way at all. I teased you. You teased me. I like your sassy side.”
“I don’t have a sassy side.”
He smiled. “Sure you do. Maybe it just hasn’t had a chance to fully come out yet.”
She searched his eyes with her pretty blue ones. “My mother?—”
He shook his head. “Your mother meant well when she gave you advice about all kinds of things. She shared what she thought best. But she isn’t here. It’s you and me now. Forever. We’ll forge our own path. I will be bossy and dominant with you because it’s my way, but I do so from a place of affection. I will have rules that exist to keep you safe. I will have other rules that exist because they will make you squirm.”
Her brow furrowed, and she pursed her lips.
