Thorn glanced around the circle. “Thank you. All of you. I know you’re feeling impatient with several of our people. We understand. I promise the majority are not so mistrustful. Our elders are fully in favor of this alliance. It’s just a few outlying folks who want to pump their chests and think they know better.”
Molly cleared her throat. “Your elders may be in agreement about aligning with us with regard to the lions, but they’re split fifty-fifty about what to do about Drow.”
Surge nodded. “Yes. I’m aware. It’s a difficult situation. I’d say I’ll let you know when a decision is made, but you’ll probably know before me.”
Thorn gave a wave. “Thank you for your time and your help.” The two of them took off, shifting midair.
Isaac turned as he felt a hand on his back. Brock had carried a chair outside and set it behind him. “Sit,” he whispered.
Isaac lowered to the seat, adjusting Amber on his lap. She didn’t take her eyes off the forest. He couldn’t blame her. She’d been given a huge job, and he was certain she would feel awful if she lost those two men.
Molly wiggled free of Gavin’s arms and stepped closer to Isaac. “So far they’re grumbling at each other, but they’ve lost the fury they came here with. Mostly they’re blowing hot air.”
“My sense of fear has eased,” Rylee added. “Those two were hotheaded, but I didn’t sense danger or intention from them. I think they will calm down.”
Several Alphas and their mates went back into the house. Isaac said nothing for a long time, letting his mate focus. He wanted her to know that he trusted her, that he wouldn’t interrupt her when she was doing an important task for the good of everyone.
Eventually she sighed heavily and twisted in his arms. “They went to a cabin. I can show you where it is on a map. They immediately fixed something to eat and parked in the living room. Now that I know where they are, I can keep tabs on them.”
He kissed her cheek. “Good girl. You don’t need to watch them anymore for now. I’ll let Surge and Thorn know where they are. Let’s go home.”
Chapter Fourteen
Amber was exhausted by the time she and her Daddy had eaten dinner, taken a bath together, and climbed into bed. “Should I look one more time, Daddy?” she asked.
“No, Baby girl. You’ve done enough for tonight. You saw the two men were asleep. You can’t stay up nights watching people.” He pulled her into his arms and brushed a lock of curls from her face.
She loved the way he held her, the way he touched her so gently. He’d been amazing all afternoon and evening, letting her make decisions, giving her some freedom she’d never expected to have.
The truth was she felt important. That wasn’t a sensation she’d been raised to experience. Women in the valley were so submissive that they had no important jobs or assignments. After being here one week, Amber felt like she mattered.
She couldn’t keep from smiling as her normally firm Daddy stared down at her. He dipped his face to her neck and bit her playfully. “I’m so proud of you, Baby girl.”
Her chest expanded.
“So very proud. You’re strong and smart, and you fit in so perfectly with the rest of the Alphas and their mates. You’re an asset to the team. My heart was so full today.”
She beamed. His pride wasn’t something she’d been raised to expect. She’d been taught to cook and clean for him. Listen to him. Service him. That was not the life she’d fallen into. Quite the opposite. It was jarring. She was still getting used to it. But she was happy.
She settled into the mattress, letting the stress seep out of her. “I love you, Isaac.”
“I love you, Amber. So much. More than I thought possible.”
“Now…” She gave him a devious grin. “What naughty stunt do I need to pull for you to flip me over and fuck me so hard that even the lions hear me?”
Daddy chuckled. “You don’t have to do anything naughty for me to claim your hot body, Little one. All you have to do is ask. Or you can just look at me like you are, with fire in your eyes.” He slid a hand down to cup her naked pussy. “Plus there’s this. I can smell your arousal. It’s so strong that it’s impossible to ignore. It calls to me. It makes me want to flatten my wrist to yours so that you orgasm from nothing but that contact alone.”
He bent to nuzzle her neck. His voice was lower when he added, “It also makes me want to bite you.”
She tipped her head to the side to give him better access. “I’m pretty sure you’re the only Alpha Protector regularly biting his mate.”
He licked the spot on her neck. “Did you discuss it with the other Little girls?”
“No, Daddy, I just looked into each of their eyes as they studied the mark on my neck. I could…see something in their eyes. I think I can see more right in front of me than other people see. It’s like I see deeper. I can’t quite explain it, but when I look someone in the eyes, they can’t lie to me. I can see indecision,curiosity, and even a hint of jealousy. They were all so kind to me. They even acted like maybe they had marks on their bodies somewhere I couldn’t see. But I think half of them went home wondering why their Daddy doesn’t bite them.”
Isaac smiled down at her. “Such a smart Little girl. So insightful.”
She shrugged. “Are you going to bite me or what?”
