* * *
The tearson Casey’s face dried, but her eyes were still rimmed red and puffy. Flint told me she hadn’t cried on the way back home, but that she must have been trying her hardest notto.
Back home at the cabin, he placed her gently down on the leather couch. Her hands were balled into fists and a frown contorted herexpression.
“Are you feeling better?” I asked, sitting next toher.
She nodded slightly. “Alittle.”
Flint came back from the kitchen and wordlessly handed her a tall glass of chocolate milk. Her eyes glittered and she took it eagerly. He watched her down the drink with a relievedsmile.
Mattie’s words rang in my mind. Could she actually be right? I watched Flint’s face as he sat down on Casey’s other side and put a gentle comforting hand on her shoulder. Alphas didn’t justdothings like that to other omega’s pups. Why did he seem so invested in her health and happiness? Was it really just a culturalphenomenon?
Flint must have noticed the thoughtful expression on my face. “What’sup?”
“It’s nothing.” I shook my head, then mouthedI’ll tell youlater.
He frowned curiously but didn’t press the topic. Instead he asked Casey, “Do you want to watch amovie?”
Her expression brightened like the sun. “Yes! Can Ipick?”
“Of course.” Flint turned on the TV and media console before handing Casey the remote. She pressed the button - with more force than she needed to - until it reached her favorite movie,PupPatrol.
Flint gasped playfully. “You like this movie,too?”
Casey bounced in her seat, her pain completely forgotten now. “Yes!”
“Who is your favorite character?” Flintasked.
“Jake!” Casey exclaimed, referencing the German shepherd dog character from the film. Her eyes glittered with joy. I was suddenly endeared beyond belief towards Flint. He managed to bond with Casey on a level I never expected from an alpha, especially one that wasn’t even related to her byblood.
A tender feeling bloomed in my chest. Did I really have a chance for a relationship withFlint?
* * *
After a whole evening of movies,winter weariness descended upon us. Casey slumped on my arm, half-asleep, and mumbled something about not wanting to go to bed yet. But I knew she was beyond tired and it would be best for her to go tosleep.
“I’ll help tuck her in,” Flint said, rising from the couch as I carried her to the guestbedroom.
My heart fluttered as Flint followed us. I’d managed to keep him - and any concept of a relationship - out of my mind as we mellowed on the couch and watched movies, but now the tsunami of thoughts had returned with fullforce.
I laid Casey down on the mattress and Flint moved her long hair out of the way so it didn’t get stuck underneath her. I pulled the covers over her while Flint made sure she was tucked in nice and warm. Our hands brushed each other’s while pulling away from the comforter and our eyes met. Thankfully it was dark so Flint couldn’t see the blush on mycheeks.
“Goodnight, Casey,” I saidsoftly.
“‘Night, daddy,” Caseymumbled.
“Sleep well,” Flint added. “Goodnight.”
“G’night,daddy…”
Flint and I both froze. We both heard it. But Casey was already asleep, snoring quietly, and there was no way to ask forclarification.
She’d just called Flintdaddy- the same term she used for me, her actualfather.
Wordlessly, we exited the room and quietly closed the door behind us. As soon as we were away from her room, Flint turned to me. “Did shejust- “
“She did,” Iconfirmed.
