Page 36 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

By the time evening rolls around, we’re sprawled out on the couch, Fiona asleep on Sonya’s chest, her tiny fingers still clutching onto Sonya like she’s afraid to let go. I watch them for a moment, the way Sonya absently strokes Fiona’s back, her gaze fixed on some distant point beyond the TV that’s softly buzzing in the background. She looks content, like she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be, and for the first time in a long time, I feel it, too.

But just as I’m about to reach out, to pull them both closer, Fiona stirs, her little face scrunching up as she lets out a sleepy whine. Sonya soothes her, her voice a gentle hum, and I can’t help but think about how right this all feels—how right we feel. But there’s this lingering question gnawing at the back of my mind, this nagging uncertainty that I can’t quite shake. I’ve never let myself want something like this, never let myself believe I could have it.

And as I watch Sonya shift Fiona in her arms, I realize I don’t just want this. I need it. I need them. And I don’t know how to say it, don’t know how to make Sonya see that she’s not just some temporary fix for this broken mess of a life I’ve been living. She’s the missing piece, the one thing I didn’t know I was looking for until she walked into my life.

But the words stick in my throat, heavy and unspoken, and as Sonya looks up, her eyes meeting mine, I’m hit with the sudden, gut-wrenching fear that maybe she doesn’t feel the same. That maybe this perfect, fleeting moment isn’t as solid as I want it to be.

And that thought terrifies me more than anything I’ve ever faced.

Chapter 19 - Sonya

We’re at the town’s annual fall festival, and the air is crisp with the scent of caramel apples and spiced cider. Booths line the streets, offering everything from homemade crafts to local baked goods, and families stroll around, enjoying the mild weather. It’s one of those perfect days that feels like it should be captured in a postcard—blue skies, golden leaves drifting down, and the distant sound of a band playing upbeat tunes near the gazebo.

Jack insisted we come, saying he wanted to take advantage of his time off and show Fiona all the things he loved about Green Lake. So here we are, weaving through the crowds with Fiona nestled comfortably in my arms. She’s wide-eyed, soaking up every bit of the bustling scene, her tiny fingers reaching for the swirling leaves that dance around us. Her laughter is contagious, and I can’t help but smile as she babbles at every new sight.

Jack walks beside us, his hand lightly brushing against my back every now and then, a constant, comforting presence. “I used to come here every year as a kid,” he says, his voice tinged with nostalgia. “My mom would always buy me one of those giant turkey legs, and I’d make a mess of myself. She pretended to be annoyed, but I knew she loved it.”

I glance at him, touched by the glimpse into his past. “You must have been a handful.”

He chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “You have no idea.”

We find a spot near the playground and lay out a blanket on the grass. Jack sets Fiona down with her toys, propping her up with a few pillows. She coos happily, batting at the plushanimals and crinkly book I brought along. Watching her play, the three of us surrounded by the festival activities, I feel a sense of contentment I haven’t known in a long time.

We’re not alone for long. Jack’s friends drop by, and I’m introduced to Liam and Sophie, a warm and friendly couple who welcome me like I’ve been part of their circle for years. They chat easily, asking me questions about Stardust Hollow and sharing stories about their own lives. It’s the kind of easy conversation that makes me feel included, like I finally belong somewhere.

Sophie glances at Fiona. “She’s adorable. You make a great little family.”

Jack grins, and his eyes meet mine briefly before he turns back to Sophie. “Thanks. She’s pretty amazing.”

Just as we’re settling into the relaxed atmosphere, laughter and chatter flowing around us, a sudden burst of shouting catches everyone’s attention. A couple from the pack is arguing near one of the food stalls, their voices rising above the din of the festival. The woman is visibly upset. Her face is flushed as she jabs a finger at the man, who looks equally furious with his fists clenched at his sides.

“Dammit, Carla, you’re not listening to me!” the man shouts. “I’m telling you, it wasn’t like that!”

“Oh, really, Marcus?” Carla fires back, her eyes blazing with anger. “Because from where I’m standing, it sure as hell looked like you were flirting with her. Right in front of me, no less! You think I’m just going to stand here and take that?”

People are starting to back away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire. Jack tenses beside me, clearly debating whether to step in.

“Let me handle this,” I offer, squeezing his arm gently before getting up. Jack hesitates, but he nods, his trust in me evident in the way he steps back.

I approach the arguing couple, keeping my movements calm and my voice steady. “Hey,” I say softly, positioning myself between them. “I know you’re upset, but this isn’t the place for this. You’re surrounded by people who are just trying to have a good time. Maybe take a step back, calm down, and talk this out away from the crowd.”

Carla’s glare shifts to me, her chest heaving as she struggles to rein in her emotions. “Do you have any idea what it’s like?” she snaps, tears brimming in her eyes. “He’s constantly doing this—pushing boundaries, acting like I’m supposed to just be okay with it.”

I meet her gaze, nodding empathetically. “I get it. Trust me, I do. But you’re not going to solve anything by yelling at each other in front of everyone. You deserve a real conversation, not this public spectacle.”

Marcus runs a hand through his hair, his expression softening as he looks at Carla. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to embarrass you. I just… I screwed up, okay? But I need you to believe me when I say it wasn’t intentional.”

Carla’s resolve falters. Her posture relaxes a bit as she takes in his words. She glances around, noticing the eyes on them, and her shoulders slump in resignation. “Fine,” she mutters, wiping at her eyes. “But we’re talking about this later. In private.”

“Yeah, we will. I promise.”

They move off together, still tense but no longer on the brink of exploding, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. As I turn back to Jack and the others, there’s a mixtureof admiration and surprise on their faces. Jack’s watching me with an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.

“That was impressive,” he comments, his voice low and filled with pride. “I’ve seen pack members handle fights before, but you… you handled that like you’ve been doing it all your life.”

Jack’s eyes are still on me, his admiration clear as day, and I can’t help the flush that creeps up my neck. It’s not like I did anything groundbreaking, just stepped in when things got heated. But the way he’s looking at me now, like I’m some kind of superhero, sends a warm flutter through my chest.

“Seriously, Sonya. Maybe we should make you an official adviser or something. We could use someone like you to whip these younger shifters into shape. You’ve got that whole peacemaker vibe down to an art.”

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