His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,16

him,” Kash said. scurrying out of the kitchen, leaving Morgan with Ava.

The most time they’d spent together was in the car while Morgan had battled staying alive. It was insane to think it was only a few days ago. Parts of Morgan still ached, but they were tolerable. Morgan ate the homemade cheese ravioli and blackened chicken. It tasted amazing; flavors exploded on his tongue as he ate as if his life depended on it. Missing any meals Kash cooked should be against the rules. The man was practically a god in the kitchen. Morgan groaned, lost in the delicious food. Ava snorted a laugh, though she tried to hide it by shoveling sherbet into her mouth. Their eyes met, and there was an awkward moment before they both burst with laughter.

Morgan wiped his mouth. “Sorry about that.”

Ava shook her head. “I did the same earlier,” she confessed. Ava stirred her sherbet, and Morgan thought maybe the conversation was over already. How in the world was he supposed to keep the ball rolling? Interacting with others wasn’t his strong suit. Rhy kind of pushed for it, and Dillan… well, it just came naturally with him. Kash was super nice; Logan didn’t too much care and would talk, anyway. Dezi was the alpha, but he had done everything possible to make Morgan feel welcomed and comfortable, when he hadn’t needed to. Cole was just so happy, it was infectious, and Clyde… well, Morgan hadn’t really spoken to him all that much, but he was more of a jokester than anyone in the house. Morgan interacting with Kenny was a given since they were fated mates.

“How are you liking your room?” Morgan asked.

Ava smiled. “It’s huge, a lot bigger than the one I had—” Ava’s eyes went distant for a second before she shook it off.

“If you want, we can go into town and go shopping to decorate. I’m sure if I ask Dezi, he won’t mind if we paint.”

Ava’s face seemed to brighten with that. “Can I do a starry night theme?”

“I don’t see why not.”

Morgan had a little money saved up from his bartending job. Hopefully they would be able to budget it properly. Now that he wasn’t paying for the motel room, he had a little bit more than before.

“We can string up actual lights, so it truly shines.”

Morgan couldn’t help but smile as he listened to Ava’s ideas about decorating her room. He wanted her to always be this happy. Morgan didn’t mind if he had to go back out and find another job to fund the room makeover; he’d do anything to make his niece happy. He wanted her to feel comfortable.

“I’m glad you like it here. I told you they’re great,” Morgan said.

Ava smiled brightly at him. “Yeah, they’re nothing like at home.” At the mention of their pack, Ava’s smile dimmed.

Now was a better time than ever. Morgan inhaled and sat up. “Ava, if you would like, you can stay with me.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I mean, here, once Kenny and I um—” Cough “Mate.” Cough. “Plus, Dezi and Kash both said you can stay.”

Morgan hadn’t known what to expect, but it wasn’t a frowning Ava. Did she truly not want to stay there with them?

“I know it’s sudden, and I’d prefer if you didn’t return to the pack. They…” Morgan blew out a harsh breath. “Regardless if you are the alpha’s daughter—” He wanted to spare her all of it if he could. “What I’m trying to say is you deserve a loving home; will you stay with me?”

That was good, right? He’d never been a parent before, and he’d heard teens were difficult, but Ava was a good girl, so there might be less rebellious actions. Maybe he could get a job at the sports bar again so he could take her clothes shopping. She probably needed to go to school, too. This was for the best—if she went back, Morgan wouldn’t be able to stomach the idea of her going through the abuse he’d gone through.

“I’m sorry,” Ava blurted out, shocking Morgan and pulling him from his thoughts.

“Huh?”

Tense silence stretched between them.

“Are you okay, Ava?” Morgan asked worriedly.

Ava refused to look at him, as she stirred her sherbet until it was practically soup. Morgan was at a loss as to what to do. He wanted to get back to the excited Ava, the one who had a whole plan for her bedroom. Morgan wanted Ava to be able