Page 40 of Knot So Damaged

It becomes perfectly clear to me the kind of parent Valentina is.

Everywhere I look, there seems to be some kind of toy or girly item that Amity fusses over, the sweet little three-year-old over the moon to show me her treasures.

It's clear to me that Valley would prefer to forego luxuries for herself and instead ensure her daughter has everything she could possibly want and more.

Fuck, if that doesn’t make me want her even more. What is it about a parent being a good parent that is just so attractive?

It does also make me think about when my girl allows herself to receive luxuries. When does she take the time to spoil herself?

The lack of male energy lets me know the father clearly isn’t in the picture. She obviously has someone watching Amity while she is at work but based on what I know, I can’t see her taking the time out for her.

I write another mental note to organize a spa day for her. I need my girl to know that I will look after her and Amity. That these two women are now the most important people in my life, along with my own flesh and blood.

Time slips away from me as I play dolls with Amity. Hearing her laughter as I changed up voices for each of the characters was like a cleansing balm to the soul.

Valley watched us closely for a while. After a pointed look from me, she eventually backed off and disappeared into the apartment.

Although, with the feeling of eyes on me every so often, I know that she doesn’t go far. I don’t blame her. I am a strange Alpha. One that has been adopted by her daughter. She has every right to be cautious.

I just hope that one day it could eventually turn into trust.

The clearing of a throat has me turning towards Valley who is leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed.

“It's time to get ready for dinner, Amity. It's also time forCal,”she says, putting emphasis on the name I introduced myself as, “to go home.”

“No, Mom! I want Cal to stay! Don’t go home!”

The breath is knocked out of me as Firefly jumps into my arms, her little limbs wrapping around me in a grip that is impressive for someone so small.

“Amity…” Valley says, a hint of exhaustion and something else I can’t quite pin point in her tone.

“No! Cal stay for dinner!”

There is an edge of a bark that startles me as I look down at the little girl that is now glaring at her mother.

Valley’s eyes widen, looking down at her daughter. Her arms have dropped from where they were held across her body. One hand now grips the door frame, almost as if it is anchoring her to her spot, the other hangs beside her, tensed.

No words escape her, instead she looks up at me for some kind of guidance. She’s a mixture of emotions, none of them positive. She needs me.

Reaching up, I turn Amity so she is looking back at me. I give her a gentle smile so as to not startle her.

“It's okay, Firefly. If you want me to stay for dinner, I don’t mind staying. I want you to know something though…” I trail off as I wait to make sure I have her full attention. She nods and I continue.

“That bark that you just used?” I raise my eyebrow as I wait for her next nod, “You need to promise me that you won’t use that on your momma.”

She nods her head almost dramatically, darting back around to her mom. Running to Valley, Amity jumps in her arms and apologizes, peppering her mother’s face with kisses.

Val looks up at me, a strange look in her eyes as she nods her head towards the kitchen. “Come on, your presence at dinner has been demanded.”

I chuckle but follow my girl anyways. There is no way that my answer was ever going to be no.

Not only was I demanded to stay but I now have more questions than I originally did.

Like how could a Beta have possibly birthed an incredibly rare Alpha female? And why am I more certain than ever that my little devil is hiding more than I could have thought.

It takes everything in me to not groan at just how delicious the bolognese Valley made is. I know that it would come with one hell of an ass whopping but I would stand in front of my nonna and tell her that my girls recipe is better.

It may be a death wish but it's one that I would suffer.