Page 16 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
She chuckled, but there was a pause, and then she said, carefully, “You must be proud of them. They listen to you.”
“Only when I’m glaring at them,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Otherwise, they’re like tiny tornadoes. I appreciate that you didn’t panic when they started going on about the Sharp Fangs.”
“I’ve been involved in worse,” she said. “Besides, it’s sweet. And very serious business, clearly.”
Felix tilted his head, watching her as she opened the fridge and began sorting out ingredients for a simple salad. Her movements were relaxed, but he could see the telltale tightness around her shoulders.
She was waiting for the conversation to shift. Waiting for the real reason he’d stayed behind.
“There are a few things we should go over,” he said.
Cassie froze for a half-second before she closed the fridge door and turned to face him. “Sure. Of course.”
“Weekends. They’re for me and the boys. You’ll be off-duty then unless something comes up. They need time with me, and I need time with them. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Understood,” she nodded. “That’s totally fair.”
“Second, their curfew. The boys go to bed at eight, lights out by nine. Unless there’s a pack event or school holiday. You’re responsible for getting them ready in the morning, getting them to school, and picking them up if needed. They take the bus most days, but someone needs to be here when they get home. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“You’ll have a car. The silver SUV in the garage is yours while you’re here. Don’t crash it.”
Cassie blinked, her mouth falling open. “That’s…generous.”
“It’s practical,” he replied. “You need to be mobile.”
She nodded, her face still awash with amazement. “I’ve got a question, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course not.”
“What’s the deal with the security system? Is it an alarm, or one of those modern camera system things? Will I need house keys?”
Felix couldn’t help but bark out a laugh. “Security system? I don’t need a security system. I can scent a trespasser from two miles away. And the territory is under constant patrol. You’re safer here than anywhere else in Maine.”
Cassie didn’t respond right away. She ran a hand through her hair, tucking it behind one ear, nibbling her lip. Felix could scent the anxiety washing over her. “So people can just…come in when they like?”
“Within reason,” Felix said. “Nobody’s going to burst into your bedroom in the middle of the night. But yes, my friends stop by for a drink. Shifter kids come over to play with the boys. That’s just how it is.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, “I’m just…not used to that. My hometown was a bit…rougher. I guess I like to know who’s coming and going.”
Felix’s expression softened, just a fraction. “I know it’ll be an adjustment. You’re used to pack life. Yet.”
Her eyes snapped to his, wide and wary. “Yet?”
“You’ll get there,” Felix said, a wave of protectiveness washing over him.
He shoved the thought away.
“It might help if you came to a gathering this weekend,” he said. “It’s being hosted by one of my friends. Nothing formal,” he said quickly, seeing the panic on her face. “Just food, drinks, music. The whole pack’ll be there. You can meet the others, see how we do things. Might put your mind at ease.”
She hesitated, her tongue darting out to wet her bottom lip. “Do they…do they know I’m human?”
“They will. And they won’t care. Plenty of pack members have human mates. You won’t be the only one.”
Cassie’s eyes widened slightly at that, but she nodded. “Alright. Yeah. Okay.”
“They’ll like you,” Felix said. “Eventually.”
