Page 40 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Nanny

Eventually, I’m going to have to choose. And I just hope that when the time comes, I’ll know what the right decision is.

A few hours later, I leave Piper’s cabin with Fiona in tow. As I drive back towards Jack’s house, the road stretches out before me, winding through the familiar trees of Green Lake, but my mind is miles away. The thought of Stardust Hollow, of Ram, of the life I’d almost forgotten, keeps circling back, wrapping tighter around my heart with every turn of the wheel.

When I finally pull up to Jack’s place, the sun is just starting to dip below the horizon, sending long shadows across the yard. The house looks quiet, like it’s holding its breath. Fiona is already dozing off in her car seat, her tiny breaths soft and even, and for a moment, I just sit there, staring at the front door, wondering how I’m going to bring any of this up with Jack.

I manage to get Fiona settled in her crib, and I find Jack sprawled out on the couch with his work clothes still on and the lines of exhaustion etched deep into his face. His eyes are half-closed, and he looks like he’s seconds away from drifting off completely.

For a second, I think about turning around and letting him sleep, pushing all this off until tomorrow, but I know I can’t. I need to talk to him now, before the weight of everything pulls me under.

“Hey,” I whisper, kneeling down beside him, my hand brushing lightly against his arm.

His eyes flutter open, and he gives me a tired smile, one that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hey,” he replies. “How was your day?”

I take a seat on the edge of the couch, leaning into him. “It was… a lot. I went to see Piper and her brothers. They’re in town from Stardust Hollow.”

His brow furrows slightly, but he nods, waiting for me to continue. I can see the questions in his eyes, the concern, but he’s too tired to ask. I wish I could just spill everything, tell him about Ram, about how conflicted I feel, but the words stick in my throat. Instead, I rest my head on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body seep into mine.

“You look exhausted,” I murmur, tracing gentle circles on his arm. “You’ve been working so hard.”

He lets out a heavy sigh, his body sinking further into the cushions. “It’s been one of those days. Reiner and I had to redo a whole section of the framework because someone messed up the measurements. We were out there until almost dark trying to fix it.”

I nod, feeling the tension in his muscles beneath my touch. “I’m sorry. That sounds rough.”

He turns his head, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. “It’s okay. It’s part of the job. Just wish I could catch a break sometimes, you know?”

I pull back slightly, meeting his gaze. His eyes are heavy with weariness, and something tugs at my heart. He’s always so strong, always the one holding everything together, but tonight, he looks worn down, like he’s been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for too long.

“Let’s just rest,” I suggest, pulling him back against the couch. “Let’s just… be here.”

He hesitates like he wants to argue, but then he nods, allowing himself to relax against me. I curl up beside him,resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. His arm wraps around me, pulling me closer, and we settle into the quiet, the kind of silence that feels like a balm on all the open wounds we’re both nursing.

Minutes stretch into something softer, the edges of the day blurring as we sink deeper into each other. His breathing evens out, and I can tell he’s on the brink of sleep, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion he’s been fighting. I close my eyes, letting the warmth of him lull me into the sense of security I’ve been craving.

But even as sleep starts to pull me under, the uncertainty still lingers at the back of my mind. I know I can’t ignore the conversation I need to have with Jack, the decision I need to make about where I belong. For now, though, with his arms around me and the steady rhythm of his breathing in my ears, I let myself forget about Stardust Hollow, about Ram, about everything that’s waiting for me outside this moment.

Because here, in this quiet space, wrapped up in Jack’s warmth, it feels like I’ve found the place I’m meant to be.

Chapter 22 - Jack

I’m halfway through my morning coffee when the call comes in. My phone buzzes on the counter, vibrating so hard it nearly tips over the mug beside it. Reiner’s name flashes on the screen, and I can already feel the tension creeping up my spine. We don’t get calls this early unless something’s gone sideways.

“Yeah?” I answer, cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear while I shrug on my jacket.

“Jack, we’ve got a situation,” Reiner declares. His voice is tight, all business. “Evan wants us at the clearing near the east border. Now.”

I’m already moving, snatching my keys off the table. “What’s going on?”

“Possible shifters in the vicinity. We need to figure out if they’re friendly or if we’ve got a problem on our hands.”

Dammit. Other shifters passing through Green Lake isn’t unusual, but unannounced visitors? That’s a whole different game. “On my way.”

I hang up and grab my boots, lacing them up as fast as I can. Sonya’s still asleep with Fiona nestled beside her. For a second, I hesitate. I want to wake her, tell her where I’m going, but she looks so peaceful, and I don’t want to drag her into this mess just yet.

I scribble a quick note instead, leaving it on the kitchen counter where I know she’ll see it:

Got called out. Be back soon. Stay inside and keep your phone close.

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