Page 59 of Arranged Wolf's Nanny
“Why don’t you go find Eva,” she said, brushing a hand up his arm. “I’ll go and greet John.”
His eyes widened with slight surprise at her use of his name before quickly narrowing. “We can greet him together.”
“If we do that,” she said gently, “he’ll just spend the rest of the party trying to corner me. I’d prefer to get it over and done with now.”
Rick searched her face, his jaw tight. “I don’t like how he speaks to you. How he treats you.”
Rosalia sucked in a breath, a small shiver running down her spine, “Neither do I.” His expression softened at her small smile, and she patted his chest. “I’ll be just over there. He’s not going to say anything in front of all these people. He wouldn’t dare.”
Rick’s eye flicked back up to John’s slight figure, “He better not.”
She quickly reached up on her tiptoes, brushing a kiss against his jaw. “I won’t be long.”
Reluctantly, he let her go, and she steeled herself with a deep breath before turning and plastering a smile on her face as she walked towards John and his men.
“Father,” she said as she approached, “it’s so lovely to see you.”
John barely looked at her, his eyes trained on the center of the crowd, where Dane had Lola tucked into his side, both of their children in their arms. Felix had approached them, an easy smile on his face.
She shifted, resisting the urge to chew her lip. “How was your journey?”
“Stupid boy,” John muttered, looking straight at Felix, “there’s a war brewing, and he’s throwing agarden party.”
Rosalia cleared her throat, mustering all the dignity she could. “I’d ask that you not insult my alpha at his own gathering.”
If she had grown wings and flown away, she didn’t think her father would have been so shocked. “What did you just say to me?”
She raised an eyebrow, schooling her features into haughty disdain, “You’ve been invited to a gathering by theAlpha of the Iron Walkers. I’d ask that you show him the respect he deserves.”
John was fully facing her now, his face thunderous, “Youdaretell me how I should speak—”
“How was your journey, Father?” she interrupted, giving him a small, wan smile. “Can I get you anything?”
The other alphas around John shuffled, glancing nervously between themselves as John’s scent spiked in fury.
Rosalia did not back down. Did not look away.
She was done making herself smaller. Allowing herself to be weak.
She was an Iron Walker. She had her pack behind her, her husband at her side, and nobody, not even John Heath, could make her feel weak without her consent.
The air behind her shifted, and she didn’t need to turn to know that Rick had approached to stand behind her. She couldn’t help the spark of amusement. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to resist.
But he didn’t interrupt, didn’t barge in front of her. Just stood with her, there if she needed him, but otherwise offering nothing more than silent support.
John’s fury was still palpable, but he was cautious now, his eyes flicking between her and her husband.
“There are refreshments laid out in the pavilion,” she said, gesturing to the far side of the lawn, “please do make yourselves at home. I believe the celebrations will continue well into the night.”
He swallowed, his eyes ablaze, his fists trembling at his sides. But she did not flinch.
She didn’t care if it made him angry. She was done caring.
“Thank you,” he spat out. “That’s very…graciousof you.”
He didn’t wait for her response before striding past her, his alphas in his wake, thundering towards the drinks table.
Rosalia released a breath and turned to Rick, a smile on her face.
