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Alaric said, “I made sure it has stars and a wolf night-light. I couldn’t have my wild cub getting scared on her first day.”

And when Lina planted a big kiss on his cheek, calling him the best, I saw it.

The way his eyes softened. The way he seemed proud to impress her.

That was two days ago.

Now, in the middle of the day, Alaric is still in the house. Still hasn’t gone back to work. Not once. He’s postponed meetings, ignored calls, and every time I bring it up?

He just shrugs and says, “But I’m having fun spending time with my girls, wild one.”

My girls.

And right now, he’s shirtless in the kitchen with Lina sitting on his shoulders like she’s queen of the castle while they try (and fail) to make cupcakes.

They’ve been at it for nearly an hour. So far, they’ve only managed to burn flour and coat half the counter in sugar.

I should help. I really should.

But standing in the doorway, watching this scene unfold?

Watching Alaric grin up at Lina while she tugs on his hair and scolds him like he’s her little kitchen intern?

I don’t move a muscle.

“Like this, princess?” Alaric asks, pouring flour into the bowl with exaggerated focus.

“No!” Lina giggles. “You added too much. Mommy always adds butter first!”

“I thought you said it was sugar?”

“We put sugar in already,” she says proudly, her tiny fists still tangled in his hair.

“I’m sorry, princess. I’m still getting the hang of this.” He pretends to pout. “Tell me Mommy’s secret cupcake ingredient again—I keep forgetting.”

Liar.

Alaric Hells doesn’t forget anything.

But he plays dumb, just to make her laugh.

Lina leans down dramatically, her face near his. “It’s a secret, okay? Don’t tell Mommy.”

Raising his flour-coated hand, he crosses his heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die. Your mommy’s secret recipe stays between us. I won’t tell a living soul.”

She narrows her eyes. “Promise?”

“Promise, princess.”

And when she flicks her eyes around to make sure no one’s listening, I step back from the doorway, letting them have that moment. Because it’s theirs.

And because it’s…breathtaking.

I’ve seen men fake things before. I’ve seen charm and manipulation and shallow father-figure acts in movies and in real life.

But this?

This is real.