Page 15 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Maid (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #6)

NINA

Dean's dark lashes cast shadows on his sleeping face, softening the sharp angles that usually made him look so intimidating. I traced a finger along the curve of his jaw, across the morning stubble on his cheeks, remembering how that same face had transformed into a fierce wolf just days ago to protect me. The memory should have frightened me, but instead, warmth bloomed in my chest.

This was my mate, both man and wolf, protector and partner. Even relaxed in sleep, he kept one protective arm draped across my waist, his predator's instincts never fully at rest.

"Your sister's car just entered the parking garage," Jenkins announced softly.

Dean's eyes flew open, instantly alert. His anxiety rippled through me, though he tried to mask it with a grumpy morning scowl.

"Breathe," I reminded him, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "They're going to love you."

"Maggie's very protective of you," he muttered, rolling out of bed with predatory grace. "And after everything that happened, I don’t blame her.“

"Hey." I caught his hand, tugging him back. "No more dwelling on that. We're safe. We're together. And you, Mr. Nightfang, are about to be ambushed by the world's most enthusiastic five-year-old."

A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "At least Max can't be scarier than my mother."

"Don't bet on it. He's fueled by sugary cereal and superhero cartoons."

Dean's nervous energy manifested in constant adjustments to his appearance. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him smoothing non-existent wrinkles and fixing his already perfect tie. For someone who regularly commanded boardrooms and faced down rival wolves, he was adorably flustered by the prospect of meeting my family.

The elevator chimed. My heart skipped as Dean's fingers tightened around mine.

"Last chance to run," I whispered, trying to lighten his mood.

The elevator doors whooshed open with a musical chime, and Max burst out like a tiny tornado of excitement, his Spider-Man sneakers lighting up with each bouncing step. His backpack, stuffed with what looked like every action figure he owned, rattled behind him as he spun in circles, mouth open in awe at the penthouse's soaring ceilings and gleaming surfaces.

My heart swelled at the sight of my nephew, his enthusiasm so pure and untainted by the darkness we'd faced. Through our bond, I felt Dean's wolf stir with protective instinct, but also curiosity. This was a side of my life he'd only heard about, and now it was bursting into his carefully controlled world with flashing sneakers and endless questions.

"Aunt Nina! Aunt Nina! Mom said your new house is in the sky and you have a robot butler."

"Jenkins, security protocols alpha-three," Dean started automatically.

I elbowed him. "He's five, not a corporate spy."

"Right. Sorry." Dean's cheeks actually flushed pink. "Force of habit."

"Aunt Nina!" Max barreled into me, and I caught him with only a slight wince. My ribs were mostly healed, the sharp stabbing pain reduced to a dull ache, thanks to Dr. Wu's careful monitoring and whatever supernatural healing boost I'd gotten from Dean's mating bite. The bruises had faded from violent purple to yellowish-green, but I still caught Dean watching me when I moved, his protective instincts warring with his respect for my independence. Dr. Wu had promised I'd be back to normal in another week, though she'd rolled her eyes when Dean demanded hourly daily check-ups on my progress.

His hands twitched forward before he forced them still, respecting my silent signal to let me handle my nephew. But his eyes tracked every movement, ready to intervene if needed.

"Max," I said when he finally paused for breath, "I want you to meet someone very special. This is Dean."

Max tilted his head back, way back, to take in Dean's full height. "Whoa. You're like a superhero! Are you as tall as Iron Man? Can you fly? Do you know Batman?"

Dean crouched down to Max's level, and I felt something in my heart melt at how carefully he controlled his usually intimidating presence.

The mighty CEO of Nightfang Securities, who could silence a boardroom with a glare, was practically holding his breath as he faced down a kindergartener. His usual dominance softened into something gentler, more cautious. I caught flickers of his thoughts. Memories of his own cold childhood, a desperate desire to be nothing like his own father, and fear of frightening this small, precious piece of my family.

"I can't fly," he admitted. "But I do know something about technology. Want to see something cool?"

Max's eyes widened as Dean gestured to Jenkins. The AI understood immediately, projecting a holographic superhero that soared around the room. Light and color danced through the air as the figure performed increasingly elaborate stunts.

"That's so awesome!" Max bounced on his toes. "Can you make more? Can they fight bad guys? Can they shoot lasers?"

"Easy there, buddy," Maggie laughed, finally catching up to her son. Her eyes met mine, communicating volumes in that sisterly way we'd perfected over years of shared secrets and silent support.

Dean's shoulders relaxed incrementally as Max chattered away, his rigid posture softening. His eyes, usually sharp with calculation, grew warm and crinkled at the corners when Max laughed. I caught Maggie watching him, noting how his large hands were infinitely gentle as he guided Max's smaller ones over the holographic controls.

"Nina." Maggie pulled me into the kitchen while Dean kept Max entertained. "Tell me the truth about the accident. Those weren't normal injuries. I saw how you winced when Max hugged you. I've been going crazy imagining what really happened."

I hesitated, weighing how much to reveal. "It's complicated."

"Complicated?" Her voice sharpened. "Nina, you disappeared for days. Your phone was off. I filed a police report! Then suddenly you call from a penthouse, engaged to one of the richest men in the city, with some vague story about a car accident?"

"Mags—"

"I'm your big sister. It's my job to protect you." Her eyes welled with tears. "After what happened with your ex, I promised myself I'd never let anyone hurt you again."

I caught her hands. "Dean isn't Travis. He's the one who saved me from something bad. He risked everything to protect me."

She raised a hand and brushed my hair aside. "Those bruises are awful."

"They're from the people he saved me from," I said firmly. "Dean would die before hurting me. What we have is real, Maggie. More real than anything I've ever known."

She studied my face for a long moment. Through the kitchen doorway, we could hear Max's delighted laughter as Dean's holographic creatures danced through the air.

"He's different with you," she finally said. "I've seen him in the news, the cold, ruthless CEO. But the way he looks at you, it's like you're his whole world. And he's so patient with Max." She shook her head, smiling. "Most men like him wouldn't give a child the time of day. But he's so gentle."

"That's who he really is," I said softly. "Under all the corporate armor. He builds his companies to protect people, Mags. Everything he does is about keeping others safe."

"Including you?"

"Especially me." I touched the mating mark on my neck unconsciously. "But not because he thinks I'm weak. He supports my dreams and helps me be stronger. That's what real love should do."

Maggie's expression softened as we watched Dean teach Max a simple coding sequence, his large hands carefully guiding my nephew's smaller ones. My nephew sat perched on a specially cleared workbench, face scrunched in concentration as he followed Dean's instructions. "Okay," she said finally. "He passes the big sister inspection. I haven't seen you this happy since, well, ever."

"He does make me happy," I whispered. "So incredibly happy."

"Then he's family now." She squeezed my hand. "But I still reserve the right to threaten him if necessary. It's in the big sister handbook." She turned back to me. "And what about your dreams? The wedding planning business you've talked about since we were kids?"

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Actually, Dean's helping me start my own company. He's developing specialized software for event planning and running the business."

"Of course he is." Maggie's knowing look said it all. "Because he loves you."

"Mom!" Max's excited voice interrupted our conversation. "Look what Dean taught me!"

A small, slightly wobbly holographic puppy materialized beside him, wagging its tail before dissolving into sparkles.

"Very impressive," Maggie praised. "But maybe we should take a lunch break? Growing programmers need fuel."

Dean's relief at the suggestion flowed through our bond. He'd been worried about entertaining Max, despite doing an amazing job. His stoic self still struggled with uncertainty around children. Max's childlike glee was so different from the cold, formal upbringing he'd endured.

Lunch became an interactive story session, with Dean using his tech to illustrate Max's increasingly wild tale about knights, dragons, and robot ninjas. Even Maggie got drawn in, suggesting plot twists that had Max giggling and Dean's eyes crinkling with genuine mirth.

"Mom!" Max turned to Maggie with his best pleading expression. "Can Dean come to my show and tell? Please? Everyone else's uncles are boring!"

The word uncle sent a cascade of emotions through our bond, surprise, joy, a touch of fear, but mostly acceptance. Dean beamed at being accepted into our family pack, even as his human side processed the magnitude of Max's casual inclusion.

"We'll see, buddy." Maggie's eyes twinkled. "Eat your lunch before the dragon steals it."

The holographic dragon immediately perked up, eyeing Max's sandwich hopefully.

Later, after Maggie and Max left with promises of weekly dinner visits, I found Dean in his office. He stood at the windows, looking at the city skyline.

"You're incredible with him," I said, sliding my arms around his waist.

"He makes it easy. Smart kid."

"Mmm. Gets that from his aunt."

"Modest too," he teased, then grew serious. "Nina, about your wedding planning business."

"Dean."

"Let me help." His thumb traced my cheekbone. "Not just financially, though that's part of it. But think about it, AI-powered planning systems, virtual reality venue tours, security protocols for high-profile events. We could revolutionize the industry together."

Hope bloomed in my chest, bright as sunrise. "You'd do that?"

"Of course," he murmured, "I'd do anything for you. Partners?"

I rose on tiptoe, kissing him softly. "Partners. In everything."

His chest rumbled as he deepened the kiss. The endless well of love he had for me still took my breath away. Dean's arms around me felt like home, his warmth seeping through my sweater.

Who would have thought a grumpy billionaire wolf would turn out to be my happily ever after?

But then again, sometimes the best love stories start with a mess that needs cleaning up.