Page 26 of Lycan Prey
The tension in the air is palpable as the King and his guard Damian stand before me, their intense gazes on me. I shift uncomfortably under their scrutiny.
“Have you got a better idea?” King Soren snaps at Damian, his voice laced with frustration. “Exactly how safe is my son when he not only escapes the nanny, but all my guards?”
Damian nods once, his face stoic and unreadable. The King turns his piercing gaze back to me, and I can’t help but feel small under his intense stare.
“Well?” he prompts, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. This was not the way I had imagined today's run in with the King would go.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I stammer out. “I don’t think I’m qualified to be Max’s nanny.”
The King raises an eyebrow at me, clearly not impressed by my answer.
“And why is that?” he asks, his voice holding a hint of irritation.
“Well…I don’t have any experience taking care of children,” I admit sheepishly.
King Soren’s expression softens slightly as he considers this. He rubs a hand over his tired face before staring back at me with a determined glint in his blue eyes.
“I understand your hesitation,” he says calmly. “However, my son seems to really like you and that’s what matters most to me right now.”
I glance over at Max who is tugging excitedly on Damian’s arm, begging him for something. The sight brings a smile to my face despite the tense situation.
“Plus,” the King continues. “We have plenty of staff who can assist you and give you training if needed.”
I’m surprised by the offer, also intrigued. It would certainly be a change from cleaning tables at the café every day. Could I really handle being a nanny for the King’s son?
I realize I never answered his question. To be honest, I didn’t think he was being serious because, as Damian said, I am a stranger. “I… I can’t. My grandmother, she’s not well, and I need to be there for her.”
He nods, peering over at Max when Marianne sets a plate of pancakes in front of him and chocolate chip cookies. “Anyone would think I don’t feed you,” he scolds his son, who smiles brightly back at him.
“Blair never makes pancakes,” Max pouts.
“Blair is now on probation because of your antics,” he tells his son before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet. He takes out some cash
I shake my head. “No, it is fine,” I tell him.
“It wasn’t a choice. Marianne told me you’ve been covering his bill; you should have told me he had been running up a tab.” He glares at his son.
“Really, he is no trouble and I make plenty of tips here,” I say, trying to refuse his money. He steps closer and my breath lodges in my throat when he slips his hand into my jeans pocket. I gasp and the King smirks.
“Take it, I don’t like owing anyone, and for the past week you’ve been working two jobs.”
“I would hardly call feeding your son, and letting him follow me at work an extra job.”
The King chuckles. “I have over a hundred staff at the castle, and he escapes everyone, except you,” King Soren whispers, his hand still in my pocket as I’m pressed against him.
Damian clears his throat, snapping us out of the little bubble we are stuck in. We both peer around to find everyone has stopped to stare. The King clears his throat, letting me go, but I see the hint of a smirk on his lips.
I hesitate before pulling the considerable stack of cash from my back pocket, and my eyes widen. “Your Highness, he has not cost this much,” I panic, and I try to hand it back. He refuses, and I turn to Damian. He steps back with his hands up in the air. Reluctantly, I take it, surprised by the gesture even though he was so stern moments before.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” It is difficult to mask my shock at how generous he is being with someone he hardly knows. This is going to make a huge difference to my grandmother.
He nods in acknowledgment before turning to Max, who has been watching us silently from where he sits at the table. He grumbles something under his breath before obediently standing and coming over to his father, who picks him up, heading out of the café, with Damian following closely behind.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Brielle,” Max calls out, and his father growls, pulling back to look at him.
“You will be staying with me tomorrow, young man,” the King tells him. Max rolls his eyes before peering over his father’s shoulder and mouthing, ‘I will see you tomorrow.’
