Chapter 9 #2
Kieran sighs, his eyes hardening. “I went to her room to invite her to dinner. She wasn’t wearing her scent blockers. That is all.”
I nod, warmth flooding my cheeks at the memory. “I understand. I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”
“Second, no one is to be alone with you. Not my brothers, not me. There will always be at least two people present when you’re in a room with one of us.”
Drake’s jaw tightens visibly, a muscle ticking in his cheek. He looks like he wants to say something, but he remains silent, his eyes fixed on his plate.
“Third, your focus is on Nora. Her care, her education, her well-being. Nothing else.”
“Of course,” I agree readily. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Is that all?” Rowan asks, his voice carrying a hint of challenge. “Or are there more arbitrary rules you’d like to impose?”
Kieran’s eyes narrow at his brother. “For now,” he says, the words clipped. “I reserve the right to add more as needed.”
The tension between them is palpable, like electricity crackling in the air. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, feeling caught between forces I don’t understand.
“These rules sound reasonable,” I say quickly, hoping to defuse the situation. “It’s my first time working overnight in a pack house, so I appreciate the clear boundaries.”
Kieran’s expression softens marginally, seemingly pleased with my acquiescence. “Good. I’m glad we agree.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Nora at the kitchen sink, dumping what’s left of her popsicle down the drain. She wipes her blue-stained hands on her shirt, then skips away, humming tunelessly to herself.
“What time does Nora need to be at school tomorrow?” I ask, changing the subject.
“The bus comes at nine,” Elias says, his hand still resting lightly on my elbow. “None of us will be home tomorrow, so we’re counting on you to make sure she gets on it.”
I nod, making a mental note. “Then she should probably be in bed soon. And she needs to eat some actual food before that.”
Kieran looks at me with what might be surprise, or possibly approval.
“You’re right,” he says after a moment. “We’ve been... lenient with her schedule lately.”
“I can handle it,” I assure him, feeling more confident in this area. Whatever complicated tension exists between me and these alphas, I know how to do my job. I know how to take care of children.
The rest of dinner passes in relative calm, with Elias asking me questions about my previous nanny positions and Rowan occasionally adding a comment or question of his own.
Kieran watches me closely but says little, while Drake remains almost completely silent, speaking only when directly addressed.
After dinner, I find Nora in the family room, watching cartoons.
It takes some persuasion, but with the promise of a story before bed, I manage to get her to eat a small bowl of pasta.
She chatters happily as I read to her, curled up in her princess-themed bedroom that’s easily the size of my entire apartment.
She falls asleep halfway through the second story, her breathing deep and even, her face peaceful in slumber.
I tiptoe out, closing her door softly behind me, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. One day down, many more to go.
Morning comes with the insistent beeping of my alarm at 8 AM. I blink awake, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling above me and the luxurious feel of the sheets against my skin. It takes a few seconds to remember where I am—the mansion, my new job, my new life.
I slip out of bed and pad to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and washing my face before applying a fresh layer of scent blocker lotion. My morning routine completed, I dress quickly in simple jeans and a green sweater, then head to Nora’s room next door.
She’s a lump under her princess duvet, only a tuft of brown curly hair visible at the top.
“Nora,” I call softly, crossing the room to open her curtains. Morning light spills in, illuminating the pink and purple décor. “Time to get up for school.”
The lump groans and burrows deeper under the covers. “No school,” comes the muffled reply. “I’m sick.”
I sit on the edge of her bed, gently pulling back the duvet. “Oh no. What’s wrong?”
One brown eye peeks at me suspiciously. “My... stomach hurts.”
“Hmm,” I say, pretending to consider this. “You know, I’ve heard that stomachaches often get better after a yummy breakfast and some fresh air. Let’s try that first, and if you still feel bad, we can talk about staying home.”
Nora sighs dramatically and sits up, her curls a wild tangle around her face. “Fine. But I’m not eating eggs. They’re gross.”
I smile, recognizing the small victory. “How about waffles instead?”
Her eyes light up, and I know I’ve found my leverage. Twenty minutes later, she’s dressed, her hair somewhat tamed, and she’s happily demolishing a plate of waffles in the kitchen while I pack her lunch.
At 8:55, we’re standing at the end of the driveway, waiting for the bus. Nora bounces on her toes, suddenly excited about school now that she’s fully awake and fed.
“Will you be here when I get back?” she asks, looking up at me with those big brown eyes.
“Of course,” I promise. “I’ll be waiting right here at three o’clock.”
The yellow school bus appears around the bend, and Nora adjusts her backpack straps. “Don’t forget!” she calls over her shoulder as she runs to meet it.
I watch until she’s safely aboard and the bus disappears from view, then head back to the house. The mansion is quiet now, all the brothers apparently gone for the day.
“Would you like breakfast?” the chef asks, rounding the dining room table to meet me.
“That would be nice. Thank you,” I say gratefully. This is a service that would be hard to get used to. I’m used to skipping breakfast or throwing a single slice of cheese on a piece of measly old bread.
I sit at the dining room table and unlock my phone. Seeing a text from Kieran- my heart jumps immediately at seeing his name.
“Did Nora make it onto the bus?”
“Yes. She ate breakfast and got on the bus, no problem.”
“How did you get her to eat breakfast without a fight? ”
“I’m not giving away all my nanny secrets. I’d be out of a job.”
“”
The simple laughing emoji shouldn’t make my stomach flutter, but it does. There’s something surprising about seeing the stern, serious Kieran using emojis.
It seems almost... endearing.
The chef sets a perfect omelet in front of me, along with a cup of fresh coffee.
I’m just taking my first sip when the front door opens and closes.
Footsteps echo across the marble entryway, and then Elias appears in the dining room doorway, still dressed in his suit from earlier, his amber eyes finding me immediately.
“Good morning, Francine,” he says, a small smile playing at his lips. “I see you’ve survived your first night in the wolf den.”