Page 49 of Alpha Wolf's Nanny
Cassie glanced at him, biting her lip. She still didn’t know exactly how much the boys were aware of the pack dynamics. The fighting. She did know that Felix was fiercely protective of guarding their innocence against such things. Then again, children always saw a lot more than adults often realized.
She pressed a kiss to each boy’s forehead, ruffling their hair as she stood. Daisy was leaning in the doorway, looking more put-together than someone who’d shifted twice in the last twenty-four hours should be. Her expression was one part relief, one part something more knowing.
“Nice to see you made it back in one piece,” Daisy said.
“Sorry for the drama,” Cassie said sheepishly.
“Please. This was nothing. Remind me to tell you about the time Dane declared war on a raccoon that was terrorizing him. Talk about dramatic. He still managed to get one of the girls down the bar to ‘look after him’ after a supposed vicious attack.”
Cassie snorted, and Felix, beside her, muttered, “That raccoon did actually draw blood.”
“It was a scratch,” Nicolas said from inside the kitchen, “and Dane was being an idiot.”
Cassie stepped into the house, warmth settling around her shoulders like a comforting embrace. She didn’t belong here. Not really. But right now, it felt like she did. For a little while longer, at least.
Logan was still tugging at her hand. “Did you really sleep in the woods?”
“I did. We made a fire, and I had some tea, and Daisy came to keep me company for a bit, too.”
Danny looked up at her, expression suddenly serious. “Were you scared?”
She smiled at him. “Of course not! I go camping all the time. Besides, I knew that if anything happened, someone would come for me.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Felix glance away.
Nicolas stepped into the living room with a tray of cut-up fruit. “Boys, take this to the den. Movie’s queued. Let us talk to your father for a bit.”
“Can Cassie watch with us?” Logan asked.
Cassie opened her mouth to protest; she needed a shower, and she wanted a moment to decompress, but Danny’s hopeful eyes made her falter.
“Just for a little bit,” she agreed, and both boys raced off, shouting triumphantly.
Daisy folded her arms with a sigh, turning to Felix, her voice pitched low. “They were both worried sick when theyrealized you hadn’t come back last night. Logan cried. Danny pretended he didn’t care but kept checking the porch.”
Cassie’s throat tightened as Felix ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll talk to them,” he said, “they’ll understand. This isn’t like the times I’ve had to go on raids.”
“I’m sure they will, they love you,” Daisy said gently. “Now, come on, Cassie, let’s get you cleaned up a bit. I’m sure the boys can wait a few moments more for you to at least get changed.”
Without giving her time to protest, Daisy led her up the stairs, leaving Nicolas and Felix to talk about whatever it was that had Nicolas so tense. Cassie began to ask, but Daisy gave her a look.
“Best to just leave them to it,” she said, “pack business. Politics. From what I gather, Felix said some things last night that he might not have meant. And Rick’s on edge as well. And when Rick’s on edge…well…nobody’s very happy.”
“Again, I am really sorry,” Cassie said. “I truly didn’t mean to cause any issues.”
Daisy laughed, the sound bright. “Trust me, this is an issue that’s been going on a lot longer than you realize. Don’t take it too personally, okay?”
“Okay,” said Cassie. They reached her room, and Daisy pulled out some warm clothes as Cassie began to sort through her pack, throwing her laundry in the hamper to sort out later.
“So,” Daisy said, her tone deceptively light, “about Felix—”
“Don’t,” Cassie said quickly, but Daisy only gave her a look that was far too perceptive.
“I’m just saying…he’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”
Cassie shook her head, “It’s…complicated.”
“Of course it is,” Daisy replied, stepping back. “He’s alpha, you’re human. Both of you have…baggage. But still, love never bothers being easy.”
