Page 18 of Bully Wolf's Nanny
He’d always protected her. Even at times she wouldn’t have known it.
The sun was close to setting as they walked towards the Pine Shadow Club at the heart of the town. The seat of power of the Iron Walkers. Daisy was holding Gracie, perhaps more for her own comfort than anything else, and Thea traipsed behind her mother, peppering them both with questions.
“How many people are going to be there? Are there going to be any games? What about kids my age? I want someone to play with!”
“There will be plenty of other children,” said Nicolas, glancing down at the determined little girl.
She huffed, pushing her hair out of her face in a move so much like her mother’s. “But how many children? And how old are they?”
Evidently, Thea was not quite as shy as Daisy had made out. In fact, she already seemed remarkably comfortable voicing her opinion. Although Daisy winced every time Thea spoke a little brazenly, Nicolas didn’t mind. He liked that she had spark.
“Enough questions now,” Daisy said as they reached the entrance. “Stay close to me, okay? Don’t go running off.”
Nicolas cast his eye back to Daisy, fully ready to defend the pack against her assumptions. He found the words died on his lips. Her face, although beautifully made up with elegant sweeps of mascara and a soft pink lip, was tense with nerves. Beneath her pale green dress, the skirts lacy and delicate, he could see her limbs shaking.
Any irritation he felt melted away at the blatant fear in her eyes.
“It’s not like it used to be,” he said, careful to keep his voice soft. Daisy’s eyes snapped to his, her hands cradling Gracie tighter against her breast. “Felix wants it to be a place of community. Families and friends coming together. There’s a bar, but…that’snot like it used to be.”
Daisy nodded, the movement jerky. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to be rude, I just remember…”
She didn’t need to finish the sentence. Nicolas remembered, too. Bar fights and whiskey and brawling and broken glass. Felix’s father sat above it all, a leering king on his throne, everyone else fighting for any scrap of power. Nicolas’s own father had done better than most, rising to the position of second.
There wasn’t a second anymore. Felix didn’t believe in ranking. He awarded titles and roles based on ability, strength, and integrity. He recognized Nicolas’s ferocious skill in business and so he was put in charge of the pack’s treasury. It was as simple as that.
“Come on,” he said, placing his hand at the small of her back to guide her through into the common area. He didn’t miss the way her breath hitched slightly at the touch.
As was becoming increasingly normal, the common area of the Pine Shadow Club was complete chaos. The gentle jazz playing in the background did nothing to disguise the shouting and laughter of the children running amok underfoot, chasing each other in whatever new game had caught their fancy. Thea gasped in delight and instantly hurled herself into the bedlam, ignoring the warning yelp of her mother.
“It’s okay,” Nicolas said, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth as she chewed her lip, “this is the heart of the pack. She’ll be completely safe. Everyone’s looking out for the kids here.”
Sure enough, various alpha males were leaning against the bar, their forms deceptively casual as their eyes roved over the crowded room. Each of them nodded as they saw Nicolas before returning to their casual conversations and their steady watch. It allowed the mothers, no doubt exhausted after a day of chasing after shifter children, to sit, gossip, and let off some steam.
“There are humans here,” Daisy said, looking over at the women, her eyebrows raising. “Since when were humans allowed in the Pine Shadow Club?”
“Another change,” Nicolas said, lowering his head to speak into her ear so that she could hear him above the din. Her perfume was light and floral, and he had to fight the urge to buryhis nose further into her neck. “Human partners of shifters are welcome, as are human children of shifters. Part of Felix’s plan to build community.”
Daisy nodded, her hand rubbing soothing circles on Gracie’s back. His daughter stirred slightly, blinking in irritation at the hubbub around her, before yawning loudly and snuggling back into Daisy’s warm embrace.
Nicolas’s jaw clenched.
“Nicolas!” The booming voice drew attention, and shifters parted to let Felix stride towards him, his arms open in welcome. “I was wondering when you’d finally show up!”
“Felix,” Nicolas nodded, nudging Daisy forward with the hand that still rested at the small of her back, “I’d like you to meet—"
“Daisy,” Felix finished for him, his brown eyes warm as he took her hand and shook it firmly. “You have grown into rather a fetching young thing.” A growl threatened to erupt from Nicolas’ throat, and Felix’s eyes jumped to his with amusement. “But I’m sure Nicolas here has told you that already.”
Bastard. Felix always did know how to wind him up.
“Fe—I mean, Alpha. It’s good to meet you—I mean, I know we’ve technically met, but…that is to say—" Daisy stuttered, half bobbing into an awkward curtsy, her eyes flying to Nicolas in panic.
Felix threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Please, none of that! It’s all very informal here. Just call me Felix.”
Daisy gulped. “Okay…Felix. Um, I’m ready to…swear in now. Is there…I mean, what should I do?”
Felix cracked a grin, and Nicolas shot him a warning glare. The idea of Daisy being any more uncomfortable than she already was made something unpleasant stir in his stomach.
Taking pity, Felix just crossed his arms and smiled. “No need for any pomp and circumstance. Do you swear loyalty and fidelity to the pack as long as you remain in our territory?”
