Page 48 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
Still…she glanced over her shoulder at him.
He had thrown a sweater on over his shirt, some ridiculous pink thing he’d muttered a curse to Nicolas about. But nothing could diminish his presence. He walked with the quiet dominance of someone who didn’t need to prove himself. She liked watching him move, liked the way he always looked like he belonged wherever he was.
Like he belonged with her.
That thought made her stomach turn over.
He caught her looking and arched an eyebrow.
“You’re frowning,” he said quietly.
“Just thinking,” she replied quickly, offering him a faint smile.
He studied her for a beat longer than necessary, then let it go. For now.
She hated how easy it was becoming for him to read her. It only made things more dangerous for her.
They were nearing the edge of town now. The trail narrowed between two pine-covered ridges before opening onto the back road that led to the far edge of the Silvermist suburbs. From here, the houses began to trickle back into view—modest, weathered places that all smelled faintly of pine smoke and damp earth.
Home. At least for now.
Cassie sucked in a breath and slowed her pace just slightly.
Felix adjusted to her pace, always attuned.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice low enough that only she could hear it.
Cassie nodded. Then paused.
“I just…I want to thank you. For what you said. Earlier, I mean.”
His expression softened. “You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do,” she said, voice stronger now, “you didn’t make me feel stupid. Or broken. Or like I owed you something. You just…saw me. And I don’t know the last time anyone’s done that.”
Felix exhaled slowly, stopping on the trail beside her. For a moment, he paused before speaking.
“You never owed me anything. And you’re not broken, Cassie. Not even close.”
Her eyes stung suddenly. She blinked fast. “We should get back to the boys,” she mumbled, stepping ahead.
But his hand brushed her arm as she passed. Just a touch. Just enough.
“I see you,” he murmured, so quiet she almost thought she imagined it.
Cassie swallowed hard, then nodded once, and kept walking.
Back at Felix’s house, Cassie was pleased to see Nicolas’s car parked out front. That meant the boys were waiting inside. She barely had time to drop her pack before the front door burst open and Danny launched himself at her.
“Cassie!” he shouted, arms wrapping tightly around her middle, “You’re back!”
She staggered slightly with the force of the hug, catching him under the arms as Logan bounded out after him, his grin missing a tooth. “Did you fight a bear? Daisy said you went off the main trails. That’s what people do when they want to fight bears.”
Cassie laughed, the tension in her chest easing slightly at the sight of them both. She crouched, pulling Logan into the hug with her free arm. “No bear-fighting, I promise. But I did get a bit lost. Felix helped me find my way back.”
“Did Dad fight a bear?” Danny asked, eyes wide.
“No,” Felix said from behind her, his voice dry, “not a bear, exactly.”
