Page 29 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
Because no matter how many times he told himself that Cassie was just his nanny, just the woman he hired to look after his sons, it didn’t make it true. Not when his wolf reacted like that. Not when her scent lingered in the hallway long after she’d passed through. Not when he couldn’t get her beautiful, low laugh out of his damn head.
And now she was off on her own. Alone in the woods.
He clenched his jaw, pushing the image away. It wasn’t his place. It couldn’t be his place. But that didn’t stop the instinctive surge of protectiveness that had flooded him when she mentioned her hike. Or the cold, possessive burn in his gut when she’d hesitated, when she’d avoided telling him where she was going.
No. He wasn’t going there. He couldn’t afford to.
“Come on,” he said gruffly, standing up and ruffling Logan’s hair, “Pine Shadow Club’s waiting.”
The boys cheered and scrambled out of the booth, shoving at each other to get to the coveted front seat. Felix followed them out to the truck, the autumn air biting cooler now as the sun dipped lower on the horizon.
As they buckled up, Danny leaned over from the back seat, face bright with anticipation.
“Can I do the announcements tonight?”
“Announcements?” Felix asked, adjusting the rearview mirror.
“Yeah! You know, at the start of movie night? Daisy said someone has to stand up and welcome everyone and tell them the snacks are at the back table and remind them not to leave popcorn in the couch cushions again.”
“You volunteering for public service now?” Felix asked, raising a brow.
“It’s important!” Danny insisted. “I wrote a whole speech.”
Felix smirked, shifting the truck into gear. “Just don’t throw in any digs about Thea’s pack. We’re trying to keep things friendly.”
“I’ll be very professional,” Danny promised solemnly, “but if Ihappento mention thatcertainpeople are banned from suggesting a movie, that’s not my fault.”
Felix chuckled. As if Thea would let Danny dictate any rules to him whatsoever. “Whatever you say. I’ll let you fight that one out amongst yourselves.”
The truck rumbled down the familiar road toward the Pine Shadow Club. Nestled among tall pines and old-growth oaks, the lodge was already aglow, the windows spilling warm light into the twilight. From this distance, he could hear the faint thrum of music, laughter drifting through the trees, the steady beat of a community gathering in full swing.
As always, it grounded him. Anchored him.
And yet tonight, it also made him feel vaguely uneasy.
Because she wasn’t here.
He parked, cutting the engine just as Logan scrambled to get his seatbelt off, racing his brother towards the doors.
Felix followed, slower, his shoulders squared against the chill in the air, and the weight in his chest that still hadn’t gone away.
Cassie was out there somewhere, and he had no idea why that bothered him so damn much.
He shook his head. The pack was running tonight, and he needed to keep his wits about him. Cassie had assured him that she was a sensible, experienced hiker. She wouldn’t diverge from the marked hiking trails, which meant he wouldn’t be crossingpaths with her tonight. But still, the anticipation, thepotential, thrummed in his veins like electricity.
“Hey, Felix,” said Daisy, smiling as she waddled over to greet him.
“Hey, Daisy,” he smiled, looping an arm around her shoulders. “You joining us tonight, or staying here with the kids?”
“Oh, I’m running,” Daisy grinned, her eyes twinkling as she rested a hand over her belly. “At this point in the pregnancy, it’s actually far more comfortable to be in my wolf. Besides, the exercise is good for me.”
Felix huffed a laugh. “You sure you’re up for it?”
“Oh, don’t you start,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Nicolas has gone all moody and protective. He thinks if I run too fast that I’ll injure myself. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell him that that’s not how it works; he’s hanging over me like a shadow! Do me a favor and distract him a bit, would you? Convince him to get into a race, that always works.”
Felix chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
Daisy gave him a grateful smile. “I’m just going to make sure Poppy’s all settled with Gracie and the other babies. Who is it staying guard tonight?”
