The Alpha's Unclaimed Mate (Jason and Laila) by Caroline Above Story novel Chapter 11

Jason POV

"I am. How can I help you?"

"My toy is missing. Can you help me find it?"

Everything in me wanted to say yes. Had to say yes. The need was overwhelming. Instinctive.

"What toy?"

"My other rabbit. The little one." She held up the stuffed animal in her arms. Worn from years of love. "This is Big Bunny, but Little Bunny is gone, and Big Bunny gets lonely without him."

Something about the way she said it. There was a genuine concern in her voice. Made my wolf pace restlessly under my skin. Protective instincts firing.

"Can't have Big Bunny getting lonely," I said. Meant it too. "Let's find Little Bunny."

We searched the pediatric ward for twenty minutes. Ava talked the whole time. Her voice made the sterile corridors feel warmer somehow. More alive. Like she brought color to gray places.

Her hand slipped into mine when she got tired.

"You have big hands," she observed, comparing our palms. "Mama says people with big hands are good at fixing things."

"What kind of things does your mama need fixed?"

"Lots of things. Our sink makes weird noises. And the heater doesn't work very well." She paused. Thought about it seriously. "But mostly I think she needs someone to help her not be so tired all the time."

The casual way she said it. Like it was just a fact of life. Made something ache in my chest.

"Do you have children?" she asked while we checked behind a chair.

"No." The word felt strange. Wrong. Like it didn't belong in my mouth.

"Why not? You seem like you'd be a good daddy."

The comment nearly knocked the air right out of me. "How can you tell?"

"You're patient. And you helped me even though you're probably busy." She tilted her head. "Mama says the best daddies make time for little things."

My throat went tight. "Your mama sounds wise."

"She is. She takes care of everyone." Ava's face got serious. Too serious for a six-year-old. Like she carried burdens that shouldn't be hers. "But she's really busy because she has to take care of me all by herself. She gets very tired."

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