Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 242

We got out of the car. The air smelled like pine and sunshine, and Aspen was

practically dragging us toward the enclosures before we'd even paid the entrance f*e.

"Looook!" she squealed. "That one's got a funny tail!"

"That's a lemur," Alec said, keeping pace with her tiny footsteps. "They live in Madagascar."

Aspen frowned up at him. "Where's that?"

"A magical land very far away," he teased, tickling her side.

I couldn't help but laugh. "He means it's an island off the coast of Africa."

Aspen's eyes widened. "Is that where giraffes live?"

Alec and I exchanged a glance before he said, "Close enough."

Alec then lifted her up and put her on his shoulder so that she could have a better view of all the animals. Her eyes were wide with excitement. She pressed herself forward on Alec's shoulders, peering over the fences and into each exhibit like she was hunting for treasure.

"Look, Mommy! An elephant!" she gasped, pointing dramatically.

Alec looked at me and grinned. "Wanna tell her about elephants or should I?"

"Go ahead," I said, already amused.

He adjusted Aspen slightly so she could see better. "Okay, little butterfly, elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. They can weigh over six tons, and they're really smart-kind of like Uncle Jason when he's not talking."

Aspen giggled. "Do they have wings?"

"Nope," I said, coming to walk beside them. "But they flap their ears like wings to cool off."

"Whaaat?" Her jaw dropped in disbelief.

elephants to the lions, where Alec pointed to the large male resting beneath a

laughed softly as those around us smiled

I guess you already know that." Alec

me watch lion king all the time." Aspen answered without taking her eyes from the lion. "But where are

somewhere." I answered, "Maybe they are shy

"Oh, okay."

passed flamingos, tigers, wolves—even a small reptile house where Aspen made us all jump by

candy and stuffed animals.

try it?

first. "Mind if I spoil her

rolled my eyes. "You're

soon Aspen was holding a giant puff of sugar, licking

magical thing

cloudyyy," she murmured, eyes

wipe some sugar from her cheek with a gentleness that made my

wall of stuffed animals. She gasped again. "Mommy! Look! A monkey! And

one do you want?" Alec asked,

monkey! But... can you win

"Challenge accepted," he smirked.

crossed my arms and watched he handed the man

tickets. It

to play, nearly

"Good luck," I teased.

threw the first

Second. Missed again.

your little Butterfly, Alpha?" I said, arching an

and huffed, "Do I get

adoration, said girl jumped in. "You'll get kisses

said immediately as determination set in. He

again. "You

over the plush monkey