Page 78 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

“It’s more than a title, Mi. It’s a dynamic. Something with boundaries and rules. It’s about protection and providing and relinquishing.”

My brow furrowed. “Isn’t that what good alphas do for their omegas already? What Apex alphas do for their pack? Relinquishing what?”

Jason’s hands caressed the curves of my waist, his touch leaving sparks in its wake.

“Relinquishing control. Trusting me to take care of you. Letting me lead. Letting me shoulder your burdens so you don’t have to.”

I’d spent so long convinced I had to do it all on my own after my parents died. That choice had been exhausting. It had been one I made out of fear. One I made in an effort to protect myself from hurting like that again.

If I didn’t love anyone, if I didn’t depend on anyone, I wouldn’t experience the excruciating agony of losing someone I loved and relied on again.

In all my seventeen-year-old wisdom, I might have caused myself more pain than I soothed. Jason’s lips feathered over mine in the shadow of kissing, bringing my attention back to him. He smiled along my lips, pulling away enough for me to see the unwavering devotion in his eyes.

“While being a daddy is similar to being our pack’s Apex, it’s more. It brings me pleasure to take care of my mates, to lead them. And in return I want them to submit to me, willingly give me control. And I think deep down, Mia, you really want someone to carry the load for you. You’ve been doing it all by yourself for so long. Too long.”

I tried to look away, but Jason held me steady, refusing to allow me to hide. Too many emotions vied for dominance, and my body swayed. My mouth opened and closed as I struggled to convey my feelings until a jumbled mess of words tumbled out of me.

“I like it. When you carry or feed me or tell me what to do. Everything quiets when you do that. I feel lighter. But…”

“But what, baby girl?”

“But I feel guilty.”

“Guilty for what?”

He tucked a loose curl behind my ear.

“Guilty for enjoying it. Needy for wanting it. I’m supposed to be independent and strong and not rely on a pack or an alpha for everything.”

“You can be both. We can figure out what works best for us. Like maybe you only want me to be Daddy in the bedroom, or only on your days off. It doesn’t have to be all the time.”

“Is it all the time with you and Ty?”

“Yes and no. We ebb and flow out of it as needed. Sometimes it’s all the time. Other times it’s only when we are intimate. We’ve been together a long time, so it’s easier for us to adapt based on each other’s needs.”

“I like the sound of that.” My head fell onto his chest, and Jason cradled the back of it.

“It may take us a while to get there. It should be more structured in the interim.”

“Structured how?”

A smile grew along my temple. Jason’s lips pressed to the spot in a tender kiss.

“That you do what I say without fighting it, baby girl. If I tell you to eat. You eat. If I tell you to go to bed, you do. If I tell you to warm my cock while we watch a movie,”—I moaned, my pussy dripping wet at the image—“you do it. And if you disobey me, you get punished. If you’re my good girl, you get rewarded.”

Warmth spread through my limbs. It felt glorious. Now I understood why Ty gave Jason a hard time; he must have enjoyed getting punished. I was intrigued, although much more enticed by whatever rewards I would get.

“I’d like to try,” I whispered.

“I’d love that, baby girl. How about we start with me being your daddy on your days off and whenever I make you come?”

I squeaked, nodding as my face burned.

“Words, Mia.”

The gentleness in his tone faded. Fingers curled around my throat, his thumb pushing under my chin.

“Yes, Daddy.”