Chapter 29: Uncalled For Questions.

Bella’s pov.

“How are you feeling now?” I asked Megan, brushing my hand over her hair.

“I’m okay, mommy,” she said, smiling up at me, “where’s John?”

I smiled at her question, getting up from her bed.

“He’s helping mommy catch up on pack work, my love. So that I can be here, with you,” I said softly, opening her bedroom door, “he’ll come by later. I promise… now, what do you want for dinner?”

“Can we have steak and tatoes?” She asked while looking at me with her best puppy eyes.

I smiled to myself, knowing that’s her favourite meal.

“Of course! I’ll go make it up now!” I said before walking out of her room, leaving her door open behind me.

My mind raced as I seared the steak in a pan, idly cooking for Megan.

She spoke to a therapist today. About all of what she went through when her father kidnapped her…

The therapist said she couldn’t tell me everything they spoke about, ‘patient confidentiality’, even if she’s only five.

I didn’t mind, as long as my daughter got a piece of mind. Someone she can talk to openly, without worrying about what she said.

John was right, Garret did mess her up that day when he ripped her away from the only place she ever knew.

She had nightmares every night, so bad that she’d wake up screaming in fear, her entire body covered in sweat.

It’s been a week since the day we brought her home, since then, she hasn’t been the same.

“Mommy?” Her timid voice said quietly behind me, startling me out of my spiral.

I turned around quickly, met with the sad face of my daughter, her usual look lately…

“Hunny, what’s wrong? What are you doing out here?” I asked as I bent down to her level, grabbing her hands while I waited for her answer.

“I wanted to say I’m not hungry anymore for tatos and steak,” she mumbled, not looking at my face.

“What?!” I said shocked, “you aren’t hungry? You’ve barely eaten all day…”

Instead of answering my question she ripped her hands away from mine and pouted, “I want John! I want John! I want John!”

She repeated, stomping her feet angrily.

My eyes widened in shock, not recognizing the girl in front of me.

I opened and closed my mouth, not sure what to say.

With one last huff, Megan ran towards her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

I sighed to myself, grabbing my head.

‘John?’ I said quietly down our link, waiting for his reply.

‘Yes, Bella?’ He answered quickly.

A smile made its way onto my face despite myself, “can you come to my alpha suite? Megan’s been asking for you… she said she’s not even hungry anymore after I spent the last hour cooking the food she asked for! I’m hoping she’ll eat when you get here… I made you some food.”

The link was silent except for his lingering presence.

The link between us closed down. Making me feel confused and… curious?

Why wouldn’t he answer me?

Before I could spiral any further a knock sounded on the door.

My head turned in that direction slowly, I get off of the ground, walking towards the door, wondering who it could be…

As I opened the door I was hit with John’s scent, taking a deep inhale of it before looking up at his face, my cheeks heating up at the smirk sitting there.

“I’m sorry I didn’t respond down our link… I was actually busy when you linked me, but I was on my way here anyway to check up on Megan,” he said with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head.

I stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.

“She’s in her room… she’s not happy. Like ever, I feel like she’s a completely different kid. I’m at a loss on what to do…” I mumbled as I stared towards her door, wondering how I could help her.

“I see…” he mumbled back, walking towards her room.

“What are you doing? I don’t think you should go in there… she’s been mean lately,” I warned him, not sure if it’s a good idea to go talk to her right now when she’s so upset.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly, stopping in his steps to look back at me, a reassuring look on his face.

I smiled back despite myself… my body relaxing at the look on his face.

I didn’t say anything else.

I just watched as he knocked on her door, opening it slowly before walking in with a smile on his face.

He closed the door behind me, making my curiosity spike.

I tiptoed to the door, putting my ear against it to hear them clearly.

“That’s really been bothering you lately hasn't it?” I heard John ask Megan.

The sounds of shuffling and sniffles on the other side, making my heart clench.

I went to open the door but my hand paused on the handle.

“It has…” Megan’s small voice said, “I don’t understand why my daddy did that to me… I thought he cared about me. My mommy says I’m perfect and that it’s not my fault but isn’t it? Why else did he do that to me?”

She cried as she talked to John.

My girl, so smart, too smart for her own good…

“I understand, Megan,” John said softly, “you’re so smart. So strong. Your dad… he’s not himself right now. You have your mom, who loves you so much. She’d do anything for you.”

“Really?” She asked quietly, the hint of a smile in her voice.

“Oh really. She’s so strong, like you! She’s an amazing mommy, I’m so glad you have her to take care of you,” he answered her while chuckling softly.

“John?” She asked suddenly, “Can you be my daddy?”

My heartbeat picked up as I stepped away from the door, backing up into the wall.

Why would she ask that!?!

I walked away quickly, back to the kitchen to put their dinner on plates.

To distract myself from her question.

Not knowing if I wanted to know John's answer.

How was he even supposed to answer a question like that?

They’ve only just started to get closer.

Garret wouldn't allow any men near me or Megan. John was an exception since he was the beta but he never actually talked to Megan or me. We’d speak about pack business or things he needed me to get across to Garret, but for some reason I never paid too much attention to him until recently.

John always seemed… unimprochable. His eyes always seemed dark while a small frown crossed his lips.

Before I could have gotten into my head any farther, the sound of John’s footsteps sounded out from behind me.

“So,” I said without turning around, continuing to plate their food, “how did it go?”

“It was… good? I don’t really know… she was sad. And she asked me something…” he said quietly, stepping right up behind me, his heat seeping into my back.

“And what was that…” I whispered breathlessly, already knowing the answer.