Page 12 of Hayes

She nodded.

“How do you feel, Little one?” He lifted a hand to her forehead. She was warm but not too hot yet.

“Fine. Tired.”

“Hungry?” She should be famished.

She bit her lip and looked away.

He reached for her chin and angled her face upward, frowning. “Starving?”

She shook her head and looked away. “I don’t eat much.”

His brow furrowed. Sure, she was small, but lots of mates were small. She wasn’t underweight or anything. What did she mean by that? “Look at Daddy, Baby girl.”

She inhaled slowly as she obeyed him.

“You have to be hungry. I bet you were a ball of nerves this morning, and I haven’t fed you a single bite since we got here.”

She swallowed as if she had something to say and was reluctant to do so.

“Rylee…”

“I’m…” Her voice lowered. “I’m picky.”

“A picky eater?”

She nodded, her cheeks turning red.

“So you eat plenty, but there are a lot of foods you don’t like, is that it?”

Another nod.

“Did you think that would upset me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He flinched. That was the first time she’d called himSir. Though he didn’t mind her doing so and would encourage her to be respectful and submissive, he didn’t like the context.

Hayes reached around her to turn off the water before cupping her face and meeting her gaze. “It is customary for Alpha Protectors to require their mates to follow many rules, Little one. Most of those rules will be for your safety. Life in the mountains has risks you’re not used to in the valley. You are precious to me, and I never want anything to happen to you. In addition, I will pamper you in ways that you do not yet understand. I will expect you to submit deeply to me and let me care for you. You’ll learn to do so because it’s in your nature. Fate chose you to be my mate, and She doesn’t make mistakes.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Rylee whispered.

“I appreciate your reverent tone and the way you called me Sir. It’s very respectful of you, and you may do so at any time, but it’s not required. Nor will I require you to eat food you do not like.”

Her breath hitched at the same time her eyes widened. “Really?”

He frowned. “Why would I make you eat things you don’t care for, Baby girl?”

She winced. “Because I don’t like most foods, Daddy.”

He stroked her cheek. “I don’t care if you never eatanyfoods, Little one. When we get out of this tub, I will feed you a bottle of formula. I’ve never heard of a single Little girl not liking theformula. I suspect you will be no different, and hopefully after you’ve tasted it, you can relax, knowing that it will always be my pleasure to feed you formula any time if that’s what you prefer.”

She stared at him. “Is it like protein shakes? My mother made them for me every morning.”

“Yes, Little one. Just like that. You’ll see.”

A smile lit up her face right before she threw her arms around his neck and held on tight. “Thank you, Daddy.”