3. Daisy
Chapter 3
I stare at the mountain of boxes and suitcases stacked in my tiny room, now my former tiny room. I sigh and run a hand through my hair, which promptly comes loose from its messy ponytail.
It's not going to get done if I don't start. I pick up the suitcases first. Bit by bit, I take everything downstairs. As I pass the living room, Brent is sprawled in my armchair, feet up on the coffee table, laptop balanced on his knees. He doesn’t offer to help, just keeps typing. Freda’s at work. There’s no way my favorite armchair will fit into a rideshare, not even the large one I asked for. I'm not asking Brent for help, not even if he has a pickup truck and could make my life easier. I'm sure that would be asking far too much of him. Even though he asked me to get out and I did it two days. Good riddance. It’s just a chair anyway. I’ll get another one someday.
By the time I get everything to the curb, I’m sweating. The rideshare pulls up just in time. An older Alpha, judging by his size, doesn’t look thrilled as he eyes the boxes and then me. "You said 'extra luggage.'"
I offer a sheepish smile. "It is extra luggage. Technically, if you squint. I'll offer a nice tip." Please don't let him ditch me.
He grunts but pops the trunk. I start loading everything in the back, ignoring his impatient sighs. He doesn’t get out to help, just watches from the rearview mirror. When I finally cram everything in, I slam the trunk shut and nod to him as I get in the back seat.
When we pull away, I glance back at the house, my chest tightens. Things shouldn’t have ended so badly between Freda and me, but Brent can fuck off for all I care. The thought of proving I can do better than him fuels me. This is for the best. A fresh start.
Settling into the worn leather seat of the SUV, I pull out my phone. The email from Peter is still open on the contract I signed this morning. I guess he handles all the business for the pack. We’ve only communicated through email, and he comes across as efficient but cold. Maybe that’s just his writing style.
My eyes linger on the salary as I scroll through again. Triple what the Millers paid me, and that's without negotiation. With that kind of money and no rent or utilities to worry about, I can actually save. Maybe even buy a condo in a few years when they might not need me anymore. A small one, but it would be mine. A place where no one can kick me out. The thought sends a thrill of hope through me.
My mind drifts back to yesterday, the interview with Nate, William. Such a tiny, precious little thing, already carrying such a heavy loss. My heart aches for him and Nate. He’d looked so lost, so overwhelmed, standing in that nursery when I decided to see if I could help.
A shiver racks my shoulders as last night’s dream resurfaces.
I'd been touching myself, something I rarely do, when my door opened. Nate stood in the doorway of my room at Freda’s, shirtless. The moonlight hit his muscular, broad chest, highlighting the muscles of his shoulders and defined biceps. His dark blond hair curled into a ducktail at the nape of his neck. His green eyes locked onto mine. "You look like you're in need of some help, Daisy."
The rumble in his tone still makes me shiver. I shake my head. I can’t be thinking of him that way. He’s an Alpha, and I’m a Beta. We’re anatomically incompatible. It’s for the best. Keeps things simple.
I still can’t get over that whole "What's your presentation?" conversation. He couldn’t smell me? I didn’t even know Betas had scents. I thought that was just an Alpha and Omega thing. Is it possible to be a super late presenter? I’m twenty-six, for crying out loud. That’s ridiculous. Isn’t it? I shake my head again. I’m not going to think about it now.
I pull up the address and double-check it against the GPS. We’re headed in the right direction. Yesterday, the house seemed huge, practically one step below a mansion, but I’d been too nervous to take it in. Now, knowing I’ll actually be living there, it’s overwhelming to think about.
After a while, the car turns onto a long, tree-lined driveway. The house is even bigger than I remember, all modern angles and glass, with some windows so large they seem to replace the entire wall. The driver pulls up and glances back at me with a grunt. "End of the line."
"Thanks for being understanding about my extra luggage. You'll be getting a hundred dollar tip on top of the fare. I’ll be quick to unload." I offer an apologetic smile.
He grunts.
Hopping out, I head to the back as the trunk pops open. I grab a box and turn to walk further up the drive, only to find Nate standing at the entrance. Another man stands behind him, his short, curly red hair bursts out from under an old, navy blue baseball cap. A smattering of freckles dusts his cheeks and the bridge of his round nose. Warm brown eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins and meets my gaze.
Nate’s lips quirk up in a grin. He steps forward, reaching for the box in my arms. "Need a hand?"
Relief washes over me. "That’d be great."
He takes the box from my grasp. "Don’t worry about the rest, Daisy. Calvin and I have it. Why don’t you head inside?" He gestures to the man behind him. "Daisy, this is Calvin James. Calvin, Daisy. Johnson."
Calvin continues to smile and extends his hand. "Nice to meet you."
"You, too." I take his hand, his grip warm and firm, and a surprising jolt of heat travels up my arm, settling as warmth in my center. Heat floods my cheeks, and I release his hand, hoping they won’t notice.
Nate and Calvin head toward the car while I follow Nate’s suggestion and step inside. I linger in the entryway, watching them handle the heavier boxes with ease. The Alpha driver stays put until they finish, and he does a U-turn to head out.
Together, Nate and Calvin bring everything in. I feel bad letting them do all the work, but they make it look effortless. I step aside, giving them space. Once the last box is inside, Calvin shuts the door.
Nate turns to me. "Just leave everything in the hall for now. William is napping, so it’s the perfect time for a tour."
I follow Nate as he turns to walk down the hall, toward the living room. Calvin trails behind us. The polished, dark-stained hardwood floors reflect the light streaming in through the massive windows. The walls are painted a cool, neutral gray, accented with bold, colorful artwork. Everything is clean lines and sharp angles with high ceilings.
"So," Nate gestures to the open-concept living area. "This is the main living space." He points to a large, comfortable-looking black sectional sofa facing a massive flat-screen TV. I hadn’t taken much of the room in yesterday, too focused on getting to the dining area and not fucking up my interview. But I remember the long wooden table we sat at, just off to the side.
Calvin grins and nods toward the TV. "Game nights get pretty intense."
We move on. "Peter’s study and bedroom are down this hall," Nate says, pointing. "He’s away on business right now. Dealing with one of his investments."
Calvin snorts. "He’ll be back in a day or two. Don’t mind him if he seems grumpy. He’s not a morning person. Or an afternoon person. Or an evening person." He winks. "He just needs a minute to warm up."
I nod.
Nate pushes open a set of double gray French doors, revealing a kitchen larger than any I’ve ever seen. It has gleaming stainless steel appliances, dark granite countertops, and a massive island. A smaller, round gray table sits near a window, clearly meant for less formal meals. The cabinets are sleek, dark wood, and the backsplash is a mosaic of gray and white tiles.
"Wow." I take it all in. "This is amazing."
Nate and Calvin exchange a look before laughing.
"You guys must make a lot of money as hockey players." Warmth creeps up my neck and into my cheeks, I had no idea hockey players could do so well for themselves.
Nate tilts his head from side to side. "I'm Captain on the Vipers. We're kind of a big deal. Get a lot of brand deals. Always go to the Alpha Cup every year. Though," he grimaces, "we lost to the Iron Wolves last season. They are normally shit. We underestimated them. It won't happen again."
Calvin claps him on the shoulder. "And I'm their goalie. One of the best in the league." He winks.
I smile. "I don't really follow hockey."
Nate shrugs. "Doesn't matter. We'll convert you." He grins, and for a moment, I forget about everything except the way his green eyes sparkle.
He gestures towards a set of sliding glass doors. "Anyway, let's show you the backyard."
I step out onto a large patio. The backyard is breathtaking. It's beautifully landscaped, with rolling green lawns, vibrant flower beds, and carefully placed trees. A crystal-clear pool shimmers in the sunlight, and further back, I can see a small, serene koi pond with smooth, gray stones bordering it. There's even a small, well-tended vegetable garden tucked away in one corner.
"Wow. This is incredible." I take a slow turn, taking it all in.
"It's nice to have some outdoor space. Especially in the city."A hint of pride enters Nate's voice.
"We have barbecues out here sometimes. And, you know, 'training' with all the swimming." Calvin grins, flexing a bicep.
I smile. "You won't have to worry about it for a bit, but you'll probably want to invest in a fence. For the pond and the pool, once William starts walking. But I think it will be great for him, getting outside to crawl around in the grass and get some sun."
Nate nods, looking thoughtful. "Good point. We hadn't really thought about that."
Calvin claps a hand on Nate's back. "Let's head back inside. Show Daisy the upstairs."
We head back inside toward the modern, slatted stairs.
Nate gestures to a door on the left. "My room's here." He points to the opposite door. "Calvin's is across the hall."
We continue down the hallway, stopping in front of another door. Nate pushes it open. "And this is the nursery, as you know, but might as well do a full tour and check on Will."
I step inside. The room is just as I saw it yesterday. William sleeps in the crib, his tiny chest rising and falling.
I turn to Nate. "I was thinking, would it be alright if I decorated a bit? Made it more… stimulating for him? Things to look at, interact with, when he's awake in his crib? Colors and textures. They can be very calming for babies."
Nate gives a small, grateful smile. "That would be great, actually. We just haven't really gotten around to it."
I continue, "And, if you have any of his things from his old home, familiar toys, blankets, anything with his mother's scent, it might help him adjust. Even at this age, they recognize those things."
A shadow crosses Nate's face, a flicker of pain. His voice is tight. "We haven't… I haven't been able to go through their things yet. The funeral is next week. After that… I'll start sorting through the house."
Calvin steps forward, placing a hand on Nate's shoulder. "I can go, Nate. Daisy and I can go, get some of William's things. It might be good for him, like she said. To have some familiar things around."
Nate hesitates, then nods slowly. "Okay. Okay, yeah. That would be good. You two can plan what time works for you to go. I just don't think I'm ready to see his stuff yet."
Calvin turns to me. "Right then. Let's show you your new room, Daisy." He glances at Nate.
Nate leads the way out of the nursery and back down the hallway, stopping across the hall from the nursery. "Here we are." He pushes the door open.
The room is large. Sunlight streams in from a window above the bed. The bed, as promised, is a simple frame with a white duvet. Relief washes over me. It's close to William. I'd half-expected a fully decorated nest. Plush fabrics, soft lighting, prepared for a potential Omega mate. It doesn't matter, since I'm a Beta, but the reality of this simple room is comforting.
Nate points to a door. "You've got your own bathroom, too. Feel free to decorate, paint, whatever. Just keep the receipts, and Peter will take care of it." He pauses. "We have a housekeeper three times a week. She can clean your room and bathroom, or you can do it yourself."
I step into the room. "This is wonderful. Thank you, Nate, Calvin. For everything. I feel bad that I'm taking your nest room. What if you find an omega while I'm working for you?"
Nate and Calvin exchange a quick glance. Nate shakes his head. "We are career driven. It's unlikely, and if it happens, we'll get a bigger house. Don't worry."
I take a deep breath and smile. "I can't wait to help with William."
Nate smiles back. "We're just relieved we found you, Daisy. I didn't know what I was going to do. I hope you'll be happy here. For a long time. And if there's anything you need, just let us know."
I nod. "I will."
He clears his throat. "We'll order some pizza tonight. We can talk more about expectations and meals over dinner."
I nod again. "Sounds good. We'll figure it out."
Calvin gives a thumbs-up. "Right. We'll go grab your stuff, Daisy. You just relax."
They both turn to leave, and I take a step. "I can help—"
Nate stops at the door. "We've got it. It'll just take a few minutes."
Then they're gone. I take another deep breath. Living with a pack of alphas is a little intimidating. But, I remind myself, I'm a Beta. They'll have zero interest in me. I’ve heard of some Betas throwing themselves at Alphas. It’s never pretty. The Alphas can’t fully get off, and unless they have a thing for pain, neither do the Betas. I'm in the clear living here.