Page 40 of Nanny for the Wolf Daddy

Kelli felt her eyes widen with excitement, then nodded dutifully while picking up the bucket of chum.

“I will do just that, sir.”

He went back to pressing his phone against his sweaty ear and screaming at whoever was on the other end, his twang echoing through the mines.

Kelli went to Elise and Nevel, who were still wearing the mask of downtrodden prisoners. But whenever Archie disappeared, there was a glint in their eyes, something that said they knew what was going on.

Kelli gazed around every now and then during their training to assess the position of the guards. They had increased the presence to four men, all with assault gun-style weapons pointing in their direction. They didn’t always pay attention as the training often went on for an hour or two without a break.

Their lack of attention was something Kelli knew she could take advantage of, but the issue remained. Their guns were powerful, and Elise and Nevel weren’t exactly in fighting shape.

She trained them and contemplated at the same time, blending in tactics that involved communication with the wolves without the bystanders getting suspicious. She would teach them tricks like backflips, bowing, howling, and silly circle spins, give them their reward of raw meat and give them a hug.

It was during the hug that she tried to reassure them that Nox and the Gray Tip pack were on their way. She did it to both Elise and Nevel, telling them that they needed to figure out how to get rid of the guards.

Archie constantly kept the wolves in their animal forms, so communication was one-sided. She knew by the look in their eyes and the change in demeanor when she spoke that they were hearing her. She just wished they could offer some insight.

When Kelli returned to the cabin that night, she informed Nox that Archie had given her the full power to iron out the details of the show. He seemed satisfied by the revelation but still unsure about the exact way to go about it.

“How many guards?” Nox asked.

“Four now,” Kelli replied. “They’ve got those big ass guns too, something insane like an AK, something, bullshit.”

They were sitting at the table in the cabin, eating food Archie had started providing her with, which was mostly anything canned. That night they dined on Spam and lentils.

He had been bringing the fork to his mouth when he grinned at her. He made her body blush so easily.

“You mean an assault rifle?” he said.

“I suppose so,” Kelli said, moving the food around on her plate. “I can’t see it being easy to get around four of those.”

Nox nodded, scarfing down his meal like he hadn’t eaten in weeks.

“No, you’re right. We would have to get Nevel and Elise’s help if we want to take them all down at once and avoid any injuries at the same time.”

They ate their meal, both of their minds swirling with ideas. Kelli wanted to help as much as she could, but she wasn’t a shifter. She thought she could somehow get her hand on one of the weapons and use it against the guards, cutting down on the offensive numbers.

But Nox didn’t like that idea at all.

“You’ve already done so much work, babe,” he said, leaning back in the chair. “Intel gathering is just as important as the battle itself.”

Kelli grunted, and Nox leaned forward, cupping his big hands over hers.

“I don’t want you in harm’s way,” he said, assuring her. “Shifters can heal faster than humans and are also more likely to survive several bullets to the body. Humans just lack the strength in their biology.”

She pursed her lips, then subtly rolled her eyes.

“You’re going to use the biology argument on me now, huh?”

Nox smirked to one side of his handsome face. It melted her resolve and replaced it with warm adoration.

“I hate it when you’re right,” she said.

Nox gave her a subtle growl, then went to his knees on the floor. She chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her, pressing his face into her belly. His forest-like pine needle scent rushed up her nostrils, relaxing her.

“I love you so much, it physically aches. I would hate it if anything happened to you. I don’t know what I would do.”

She ran her hands through his hair, tangling her fingers in his curls.

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