Page 40 of Orion

I sigh. “I’m not sure yet, Little doll. Brea goes to the logging site with Navin. She works in the office doing paperwork and managing appointments. She’s a godsend, but I’m not sure how many of our mates we can sequester in that tiny trailer while the rest of us run the logging business. We’ll need to have a pride meeting to discuss our options. I understand why Navin brings Brea with him. That way he doesn’t have to worry about her home alone all day. There’s no way in hell I could leave you here while I left for ten hours. I’d end up cutting my arm off from not paying close attention to the saw.”

Cora gasps. “Daddy. Don’t say things like that. I’ll be fine here. I can take care of the cabin and cook for you.”

I frown. “Never, Little doll. I take care of you. Not the other way around.”

She looks down, drawing lines on my chest absently with her fingers.

“Cora…” I don’t like her demeanor or the scent in the cabin. Fear? No. Embarrassment. What is she embarrassed about?

She lifts her gaze. “I couldn’t help you in the trailer if I wanted to. I don’t even have a high school diploma.”

I grind my teeth together, livid all over again with that fucker and what he did to my girl. When I’m able to rein in my temper, I say, “Is that something you’d like, Little doll?”

She shrugs. “Doesn’t matter. It’s too late.”

“It’s never too late. You could take online courses and finish high school.”

Her body jerks at the suggestion. “Really?”

“Of course. Say the word, and I’ll set you up with my computer. I bet you’d be able to pass your exams in no time at all.”

She beams. Tears come to her eyes and roll down her cheeks. She throws her arms around my neck. “I love you.”

I hold her so tightly I worry I’m hurting her. Keeping one hand under her bottom, I slide the other up between her shoulder blades. “I love you, too, Cora. More than anything in the world. You make me so very happy.”

She giggles as she looks at me. “We’ve only known each other one day.”

I shrug. “Yeah, but it was an eventful day, and that’s just how things are with lion shifters. We meet the right person, and we just know. There’s never any doubt. I’ve known I’m in love with you from the moment I set eyes on you, Little doll.”

She’s smiling so broadly her cheeks are going to be sore. “I want to get my degree, Daddy.”

“Okay, but first you need to take a bottle. You didn’t eat enough for breakfast, Little doll. Don’t think Daddy didn’t notice.”

She wraps her arms around my neck again and squeezes. Her lips come to my ear, and she whispers, “Wanna know a secret?”

I chuckle. “Sure.”

“I’m too upset to eat, and I like it better when you feed me.”

My face spreads in a smile that rivals the expression she was just wearing. “I like it better when I feed you, too, Little doll. It allows me to hold you, nurture you, and bond with you. Let’s get some formula in you, then you can take a nap. While you rest, I’ll look into how to get you started on your GED.”

“A nap?” she whines.

I smirk. “Yes, naughty girl. You’re exhausted. You haven’t slept well in years. You’re in a safe place now. You never have to worry about what will happen when you wake up. I’ll always be here to take care of you. Don’t argue with Daddy. When I say it’s time to nap, I mean it.”

She sighs dramatically. “Yes, Daddy.”

Spinning her so she’s propped on one of my hips, I head for the refrigerator to take out a premade bottle. After heating it, I screw the nipple on and turn toward the couch.

We’ve come so far in such a short time. Already my girl is not just accepting her bottles but has indicated she enjoys them. I can’t argue with that. There’s very little in this world that’s more satisfying than feeding my girl.

When I sit, Cora settles on my thighs and leans back in the crook of my arm. She doesn’t balk a single moment as I bring the nipple to her lips.

Fuck, she’s sweet. She’s here. She’s mine.

Chapter Fifteen

Cora