The Alpha Wolf's Secret Baby (Wolves of Anchorage 3)

"Arabella's loving camp," he said, to make conversation.

“Yes. Thank you again for making sure she could go.”

“There's no need to thank me. I'm just glad she's having fun.”

“She wants to go to school here in the fall,” Violet said.

His heart skipped a beat. Would she actually stay long enough to allow that to happen? He'd been assuming he would have to make a lot of flights around the world to keep up with them. And maybe eventually he might get summers with his daughter.

He’d even had the wild thought that he could join their pack. But even though he wanted to be with his daughter, he wasn't sure he could handle the constant rejection from his mate. But he might travel with them for a few weeks at a time. He could handle that.

“I think she’ll love it,” he said. “We have several pups in the pack that attend the elementary school closest to the pack land. And for the ones who don't want to leave the pack, we have a class on site. Arabella's welcome to join our pack students as well.”

“I'll keep that in mind,” she said.

Once they were done with dinner, he drove her home. He wasn't going to try to come in. But he did brush her hair back from her face, and he pressed his lips to her forehead. “Thank you for going out with me again.”

“I had a good time,” she said.

“You look beautiful.” He just had to say it again.

“Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed.

“My beautiful mate.” He hadn’t meant to say it; the words just slipped out.

She flushed again. But she didn't argue with him. He had to hope he was making progress.

It was a balancing act between showing her that he cared about her and not pushing too hard.

No one had ever prepared him for the fact that his mate might just not jump into his arms and be ready to live happily ever after. But he was committed. She'd gone on a date with him. She was letting him come see Arabella every day, without complaint. So he was a happy male.

He was ready to make love again, but he could wait. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She let her head rest on his shoulder.

“I'd like to see you again this weekend. Are you free?” he asked.

“Yes. I am.”

“Maybe you and Arabella can come over and meet some of my family.”

He felt her stiffen ever so slightly.

“They'd love to see you. And they can't wait to meet Arabella. But we can wait.” He was doing his best not to push.

She nodded. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent. She always smelled so good.

I love you. He didn’t say the words aloud, of course.

“Goodnight,” he said.