Page 50 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
Cassie blinked. “That was…unexpectedly profound.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Daisy called over her shoulder, disappearing into the hallway.
Cassie huffed a laugh, pulling her hiking gear off her body and slipping into the comfortable pajamas. She could really use a shower, but she wasn’t about to make the boys wait any longer. She felt bad enough as it was.
Scraping her hair back into a ponytail, she jogged lightly down the stairs, passing Daisy and Nicolas, who were seemingly on their way out.
Daisy pulled her into a hug, the swell of her pregnant belly warm against Cassie’s side. “Get some sleep,” she said. “Let’s go grab coffee tomorrow!”
“That sounds nice,” Cassie said with a smile.
Nicolas gave her a friendly wave, helping Daisy down the steps and into the car. Cassie still wasn’t quite used to the sight of the young billionaire in such normal, domestic situations, but she was getting there. He was intense, mercurial even, but fiercely devoted to Daisy and their two daughters.
As she turned toward the den, she found Felix standing just inside the doorway, watching her with a look that made her feel…steady. Seen. Maybe even safe.
“They missed you,” he said.
“I missed them, too,” she admitted.
He hesitated, then said, “Feel free to order in food. You must be starving. I’ve got to head out to the Pine Shadow Club for a while, I’m afraid. I don’t know what time I’ll be back.”
“Okay,” she said, fiddling with her fingers, unsure what to do.
Felix watched her for a while, then sighed and stepped forward to pull her into a hug. Instantly, she relaxed into the warm steadiness of his muscled chest, allowing the heat from his body to soothe her.
“I’ll try and be as quick as possible,” he murmured. “I don’t want to leave you alone.”
“It’s okay,” she said with a smile, “I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”
The look he gave her, fierce adoration and pure intense protectiveness…it made her knees go weak.
“Go,” she whispered, pushing him towards the door.
He obeyed, shutting the door quietly behind him. Cassie let out a breath, raising one hand to her forehead.
Truth be told, she had absolutely no idea where they now stood. Were they together? Did he expect professionalism? Should she wait for him to clarify? The questions swirled around her brain, threatening to give her a headache, and she decided that the only thing she needed to worry about right now was spending time with the boys.
The rest would unfold in whatever way it was meant to.
Chapter 16 - Felix
With Cassie safely home, snuggled up in front of a movie with the boys, Felix knew he had to sort things out with the pack sooner rather than later. Truth be told, all he wanted was a hot shower and to spend some time with his family, but being alpha, he rarely got to indulge in such fantasies. So with a heavy sigh, he set out for the Pine Shadow Club.
When he entered, all conversation fell silent. Pack members who had been sprawled over couches, sitting at the bar, playing pool in the corner, slowly began to stand, to straighten, their eyes following him as he walked through the room.
The skin at the back of his neck prickled, and not for the first time, Felix had to squash down his self-doubt. He had made the right call, sparing Cassie. He had made the right call, reaffirming his beliefs to the pack. He had done as he believed best, which was all he could do.
Still, the wolves surrounded him, their faces guarded, the air tense and thick.
Felix came to a halt, his fists clenching at his sides.
He was no fool. He knew that there were those in the pack who would have him treat the humans with much greater aggression. There were also those who believed the only way to peace was through greater integration of humans and shifters. Balancing the different beliefs, the different desires, of his pack had long been his burden.
Wherever he was in any doubt, he just reminded himself of his core beliefs. His ultimate mission.
Protect the pack.
Killing Cassie, any fondness he might have for her aside, would not have protected the pack.
