Page 49 of Rejected Nanny Mate
“She wants to,” I admitted. “But I'm still getting used to the idea of having a daughter. I don't know how I feel about having her as anything more than a packmate. And besides, she's been hurt by her old pack. They abused her. She needs time to heal and recover before I make any sort of decision like that.”
The other Alphas exchanged glances. “I guess that makes sense,” Jayce said. “Just...be careful with her. It sounds like she's had it pretty rough, but there are whispers among the magic users in my pack that Mia is pretty powerful herself.”
“That wouldn't surprise me,” I replied. “I have a lot of questions for her, and I intend to ask them once we get past the initial awkwardness.”
Scott cleared his throat, and we all turned to him. “I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but Gwen seems pretty attached to Rose. What are your plans there?”
I frowned. “I don't know yet, but as long as the surges are a danger, I want to keep her close,” I looked at Samson, who had frowned. “Not that I don't trust your pack. But she lives alone in your territory. If she's in mine, she's living with me, and that's safer.”
Samson didn't look happy with that, but he nodded. “That's true. It's fine with me. She can't stay away from the pack forever, though.”
Talking about Gwen was making me frustrated. I... missed her. Terribly. She'd been so distant, and repeating all the things she'd been through—the surge attack, her powers manifesting, and then Mia showing up—made me want to hold her close and tell her that everything was going to be okay. She was so quiet and reserved, but her ability to survive all of that and still have a smile on her face made her damned strong in my book.
I was tired of talking. We'd figured out what to do about the surges for the moment, and I didn't want to hash out my personal life. When there was a lull in the conversation between the other three, I suggested that the meeting be adjourned, and everyone accepted. I had an itch under my skin, and I was tired of pretending that I didn't know exactly what would relieve it.
I wanted to see Gwen, take her out, and reconnect with her.
Mia was at my house with Rose, but I checked the time and realized Gwen should have been on the way home from her shift at Scott's cafe.
“Thanks for coming,” I told the other Alphas as I walked them outside. “I'll call you if we need to meet again. Keep me updated if anything else happens, and I'll do the same.”
They nodded and started off in their respective directions, and after I jammed my motorcycle helmet on my head, I was off. I wanted to catch Gwen before she started to wind down for the night, and preferably ask her to go out with me for dinner without Mia eavesdropping and mucking things up.
When I got back to the house, though, Gwen's car wasn't there. The disappointment I felt was heavy. She must have offered to stay late like she'd been doing lately, probably to get home late enough to avoid seeing Mia. I headed inside and found Mia in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove with Rose on her hip. My daughter gurgled in greeting when she saw me, leaning in her mother's grasp and holding her hands out to me.
“Hi, Rose. How are you?” I asked softly, giving her a kiss on the cheek and taking her from Mia. The baby cooed in reply, patting my cheek with her little hand, and I couldn't help but smile. “Good girl.”
“I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of cooking some dinner,” Mia said. “I figured you were busy, and I needed something to do. I thought we could have dinner together, just the three of us.”
I cringed internally. That was not at all what I had in mind. “Where's Gwen?”
Mia's face shuttered. “She messaged me and told me she'd be late getting home. I guess her job is pretty busy or whatever. Listen, Joe, why are you still—-”
I knew what she was going to ask—why did I still have Gwen on the payroll when Mia could stay with our daughter instead—but I didn't want to talk about it either. “Hold thatthought. I'm going to take Rose to see Gwen and have some dinner at the cafe. You can head back to Malcolm's if you want.”
Mia, in disbelief, motioned to the pot she was stirring. “There's no need for that. I just told you that I was making dinner for us.”
“No thanks,” I replied, trying not to sound too rude. “I'm sure it's delicious, but I need to talk to Gwen. And I'd like some alone time with Rose.”
“You've been avoiding me,” she accused, crossing her arms and frowning. “Why? I'm here now. I want to be here for my daughter. I don't understand why you're pushing me away.”
“Because it's been less than two weeks since you showed up,” I replied. “It's not that I'm pushing you away. I'm just trying to get used to everything. It's been a lot to process. The surges, your magic, Gwen...” I trailed off, but Mia looked pissed.
“What about Gwen?” She snapped. “You can't be serious. She's just your babysitter.”
“She's more than that,” I protested, but Mia snorted.
“What, do you think she's your mate?”
“You have zero right to speak to me like that,” I layered Alpha power into my tone, and Mia's shoulders stiffened. “You're not pack yet, so you can keep your nose out of my business and accept all the kindnesses that you've been offered.”
Mia's lip curled, and for a moment, I thought she was going to snap at me. She didn't, though, and after a long moment, she looked away. “Fine,” she said, “have it your way. Go have dinner with your nanny. I'll see you tomorrow, Alpha.”
She stomped off and let the front door slam behind her, making Rose jump a little. “It's okay, sweetheart,” I told her,rubbing her back in slow circles as I turned off the stovetop. “Mommy's just upset.”
The baby cooed softly, but the tension left her little body, and she snuggled into my shoulder. I took Rose to the nursery, changed her diaper, and packed her diaper bag for an evening out. She was sleepy, and she dozed off on the ride over, which meant I had to wake her up when we arrived at the cafe. It might have been busy earlier, but the dining room had mostly cleared out when I entered, and it wasn't hard for me to spot Gwen.
It wasn't hard for me to spot the asshole she was chatting with, either. Gwen's sweet laugh rang out, and she smiled up at Jayce, who apparently had come up with the same idea I'd had. They were standing close, and his arm was resting against the counter, almost like he'd been flirting with her. I knew it was none of my business who she dated, but I couldn't stop the growl that rose in my throat.
