Page 9 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

Alysa stared at her brother, both comforted and frustrated by his unwavering optimism. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just not meant for anything big. Maybe I should just… settle."

"That’s not who you are. You’ve always been the one to aim high, to dream big. Just because it hasn’t clicked yet doesn’t mean it won’t."

Alysa’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Easy for you to say."

Aleksander's brow furrowed in concern. "Come on, Lysa. You're being too hard on yourself."

"Am I?" She laughed bitterly. "Look at you, Mr. Alpha. And look at me. I can't even hold down a bartending job."

"Hey." Aleksander's voice was sharp but not unkind. "You're not me. You don't have to be. You'll find your path."

Very easy for you to say.

But she bit back the retort this time, not wanting to start an argument.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, nursing their beers. The soft clinking of bottles and the distant hum of the city outside created a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Finally, Aleksander spoke.

"You know… I might have an opportunity for you."

Alysa raised an eyebrow. "I'm not working for the Pack, Alek. I can't handle the pity."

"It's not with the Pack," he said quickly. "It's… well, it's with Cassius."

Alysa's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cassius's name. "What are you talking about?"

Aleksander took a deep breath. "Cassius needs help—with Aurora. He's drowning, Lysa. Trying to be an Alpha and a single dad… it's killing him."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"He needs a nanny. A live-in nanny, to be precise. Someone he can trust. I thought… well, I thought you might be perfect for the job. I mentioned it to him, and he called me not long ago agreeing to the idea."

Alysa's mind reeled. Living with Cassius? Taking care of his daughter? It was like a dream and a nightmare rolled into one.

"I don't know, Alek," she said hesitantly. "Me and kids? I'm not exactly Mary Poppins."

"You're great with kids," Aleksander insisted. "You did train to be a teacher in college, even if only for a year. And remember how you used to babysit for the Pack? I know it’s not ideal, but it could be a way to get back on your feet and earn some income."

Yeah, and I managed not to kill any of them. Stellar qualifications.

But a small part of her was thrilled at the idea. To be close to Cassius, to be needed by him.

"He doesn't want me," she said softly. "He's never wanted me."

Aleksander's eyes softened with understanding. "Lysa… is that what this is about? Your crush on Cass?"

Alysa flushed. "It's not a crush. I'm not some lovesick teenager."

"No, you're not," Aleksander agreed. "But you've been carrying a torch for him for years. Maybe this is your chance to… I don't know, get some closure?"

Or get my heart broken all over again.

But she couldn't deny the temptation. "I'll think about it," she said finally.

"That's all I ask. Sleep on it, okay?" Aleksander nodded, looking relieved. “Cassius needs help, and you need a fresh start. This could be a way to prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.”

But could she handle being so close to Cassius?

After Aleksander left, the silence in her apartment felt like a living thing, creeping into every corner and weighing down on her. Alysa tossed and turned in her bed, her mind unable to settle.

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