Page 18 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
Rick hummed, his gaze lifting back to Felix, his brow raised in silent question. Cassie’s cheeks heated, and she fought the urge to scowl. Who did he think he was? What, just because she was a human, she was automatically untrustworthy? What a load of—
“Felix,” a woman skipped over, pulling him into a hug, a difficult feat given her swollen belly, “so lovely to see you, I didn’t realize you were coming!”
“Of course I’m here,” he grinned, and Cassie chewed her lip. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“And you must be Cassie,” the woman said, surprising her by pulling her into a hug. “I’ve heard all about you!”
Felix stiffened, and Cassie glanced at him, but he studiously avoided her gaze.
Had he told some of the pack about their night together? God, that would be so humiliating. She could imagine the rumors swirling now, the disapproving looks, the judgment. She appreciated that Felix was free to tell whoever he wanted, but still…at least give her some sort of fighting chance. Embarrassment stung, and she forced a smile on her face as she realized they were all looking at her. She cleared her throat.
“Yeah, I’m Cassie. N-nice to meet you.”
“I’m Daisy,” the woman said with a warm smile, tucking her fluffy blonde curls behind her ears. “Come on, let’s leave the guys to their beers, I want to introduce you to everyone!”
As she was dragged away, Cassie threw a desperate look over her shoulder at Felix. He grinned back, raising his beer, and she rolled her eyes. So much for him being there to help.
Daisy’s smile, however, was gentle as she glanced back, her round face open and inviting, like she’d known Cassie all her life. It was disarming, that much was certain, and unfamiliar. Cassie swallowed down the anxiety rolling in her gut. Cassie had never really had any proper female friends, though it wasn’t for lack of trying, and she found herself suddenly terrified that she was going to do or say something wrong.
A few people looked over with mild curiosity as Daisy weaved them through various groups towards a shaded area at the bottom of the garden, smiling and greeting people as she went. Cassie realized with a start that they must mostly be shifters. Apart from a few males and the odd female who looked like they’d stepped straight out of some powerlifting competition, they all looked…fairly normal.
“I hope Rick didn’t scare you,” Daisy said as they dodged two small kids chasing each other with wooden swords. “He can be kind of intense. Very intense. But he means well, most of the time.”
“He was definitely…a lot,” Cassie said carefully. The last thing she wanted to do was insult the host of this particular gathering.
Daisy giggled. “That’s his default setting. Just wait until someone brings up politics. Once, over dinner, I suggested that shifters should work more closely with human police. The look he gave me. I’m amazed I didn’t turn to ice.”
Cassie laughed hesitantly, relaxing into Daisy’s sunny presence. “I’ll be sure to keep my political opinions to myself then.”
“Oh, no, don’t do that,” Daisy said with a wink, “he needs challenging every now and then. A reminder that just because he’s ridiculously over-educated, it doesn’t mean he’s always right.”
Cassie smiled as they moved toward a quieter patch of lawn near a pergola strung with fairy lights. Several women were already gathered there, sipping lemonade, their voices rising and falling in easy rhythm. Children darted between chairs and legs, sticky fingers reaching for cookies, shouting and yelling at each other.
Daisy cleared her throat. “Everyone, this is Cassie, Felix’s new nanny.”
Cassie raised an awkward hand in greeting, and the group made space instantly with lively introductions. A drink landed in Cassie’s hand, a buttery-yellow lemonade that smelled slightly spicy.
“Margarita,” Daisy whispered conspiratorially. “Sophie’s secret recipe. They’re lethal.”
“Nonsense,” a woman—Sophie, presumably—said with a roll of her eyes. “You just can’t hold your drink.”
Daisy gestured to the pregnant swell of her belly with mock outrage. “And how am I supposed to defend myself in this state?”
“Maybe Cassie can do it for you,” another woman purred, leaning forward, dark eyes flashing slightly, “so we can see what she’s made of.”
“Oh, I don’t really drink that much,” Cassie said, heat flooding her cheeks. “I mean, Ido, just not…a lot.”
The woman arched a brow, and Daisy tutted.
“Trust you to play dirty, Marsha. She’s a human. You know their tolerance works differently.”
Marsha gave a catlike smile. “Then why doesn’t she go up against Poppy?”
“BecausePoppy,” a redhead balancing a blubbering toddler said, “has her hands full.”
“You’re a human?” Cassie asked, wincing at how eager she seemed. With a steadying breath, she raised the margarita to her lips, hoping to hide the flush on her cheeks.
“Yep,” said Poppy with a smile, “have been all my life.”
