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He stilled and Caleb let out a murmur of protest She winced Crap

“You areto you; therefore, they are mine to take care of as well”

She shook her head “I can’t let you do that”

“Why? Because of who I am? You think just because I’m a Dominant I can’t care for children? Do you believe my depraved ill infect them?”

Her eyes widened and she gasped “What? No Definitely not You’re wonderful with them”

The tension in his body eased soh to soothe him

“Joel, I didn’tlike that” She reached out and touched his sleeve “You’ve been great with the boys And with me”

“Then what is it?”

“I find it hard to let people help uess”

“Trust issues”

She shrugged “I’ve learned to rely only on et hurt”

She stared up at hi him to understand “I’m their mother Their protector I need to look out for them”

He reached out to cup her chin in his hand “You’re a wonderful mother”

She blushed slightly “I don’t know about that”

“I do Because you put them first Which is how it should be But everyone needs help, Aspen And you have a lot of people ould come to your aid if you would just reach out to them”