Page 7 of Bully Wolf’s Nanny (Silvermist Wolves #1)

Daisy’s hands had not stopped shaking since they left the house. It was beginning to set Nicolas’s teeth on edge.

Sure, he remembered what it was like when they were young. The pack operated very differently in those days. Strength was rewarded, and perceived weakness was punished. He knew that better than anyone. But things were different now. Felix had made things different. They all had.

Daisy had nothing to fear.

Though given her history with the pack, he also wasn’t sure he could blame her. But still, he had no words to say, nothing that he could think of to even try and make a difference.

She would see. She would meet them all, see how things were run these days, and she would know that they were all different people. Better people. The pack was strong but just, powerful but protective. And whether she liked it or not, Daisy would receive that protection.

He’d always protected her. Even at times she wouldn’t have known it.

The sun was close to setting as they walked towards the Pine Shadow Club at the heart of the town. The seat of power of the Iron Walkers. Daisy was holding Gracie, perhaps more for her own comfort than anything else, and Thea traipsed behind her mother, peppering them both with questions.

“How many people are going to be there? Are there going to be any games? What about kids my age? I want someone to play with!”

“There will be plenty of other children,” said Nicolas, glancing down at the determined little girl.

She huffed, pushing her hair out of her face in a move so much like her mother’s. “But how many children? And how old are they?”

Evidently, Thea was not quite as shy as Daisy had made out. In fact, she already seemed remarkably comfortable voicing her opinion. Although Daisy winced every time Thea spoke a little brazenly, Nicolas didn’t mind. He liked that she had spark.

“Enough questions now,” Daisy said as they reached the entrance. “Stay close to me, okay? Don’t go running off.”

Nicolas cast his eye back to Daisy, fully ready to defend the pack against her assumptions.

He found the words died on his lips. Her face, although beautifully made up with elegant sweeps of mascara and a soft pink lip, was tense with nerves.

Beneath her pale green dress, the skirts lacy and delicate, he could see her limbs shaking.

Any irritation he felt melted away at the blatant fear in her eyes.

“It’s not like it used to be,” he said, careful to keep his voice soft. Daisy’s eyes snapped to his, her hands cradling Gracie tighter against her breast. “Felix wants it to be a place of community. Families and friends coming together. There’s a bar, but… that’s not like it used to be.”

Daisy nodded, the movement jerky. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to be rude, I just remember…”

She didn’t need to finish the sentence. Nicolas remembered, too.

Bar fights and whiskey and brawling and broken glass.

Felix’s father sat above it all, a leering king on his throne, everyone else fighting for any scrap of power.

Nicolas’s own father had done better than most, rising to the position of second.

There wasn’t a second anymore. Felix didn’t believe in ranking. He awarded titles and roles based on ability, strength, and integrity. He recognized Nicolas’s ferocious skill in business and so he was put in charge of the pack’s treasury. It was as simple as that.

“Come on,” he said, placing his hand at the small of her back to guide her through into the common area. He didn’t miss the way her breath hitched slightly at the touch.

As was becoming increasingly normal, the common area of the Pine Shadow Club was complete chaos.

The gentle jazz playing in the background did nothing to disguise the shouting and laughter of the children running amok underfoot, chasing each other in whatever new game had caught their fancy.

Thea gasped in delight and instantly hurled herself into the bedlam, ignoring the warning yelp of her mother.

“It’s okay,” Nicolas said, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth as she chewed her lip, “this is the heart of the pack. She’ll be completely safe. Everyone’s looking out for the kids here.”

Sure enough, various alpha males were leaning against the bar, their forms deceptively casual as their eyes roved over the crowded room.

Each of them nodded as they saw Nicolas before returning to their casual conversations and their steady watch.

It allowed the mothers, no doubt exhausted after a day of chasing after shifter children, to sit, gossip, and let off some steam.

“There are humans here,” Daisy said, looking over at the women, her eyebrows raising. “Since when were humans allowed in the Pine Shadow Club?”

“Another change,” Nicolas said, lowering his head to speak into her ear so that she could hear him above the din.

Her perfume was light and floral, and he had to fight the urge to bury his nose further into her neck.

“Human partners of shifters are welcome, as are human children of shifters. Part of Felix’s plan to build community. ”

Daisy nodded, her hand rubbing soothing circles on Gracie’s back. His daughter stirred slightly, blinking in irritation at the hubbub around her, before yawning loudly and snuggling back into Daisy’s warm embrace.

Nicolas’s jaw clenched.

“Nicolas!” The booming voice drew attention, and shifters parted to let Felix stride towards him, his arms open in welcome. “I was wondering when you’d finally show up!”

“Felix,” Nicolas nodded, nudging Daisy forward with the hand that still rested at the small of her back, “I’d like you to meet—"

“Daisy,” Felix finished for him, his brown eyes warm as he took her hand and shook it firmly. “You have grown into rather a fetching young thing.” A growl threatened to erupt from Nicolas’ throat, and Felix’s eyes jumped to his with amusement. “But I’m sure Nicolas here has told you that already.”

Bastard. Felix always did know how to wind him up.

“Fe—I mean, Alpha. It’s good to meet you—I mean, I know we’ve technically met, but…that is to say—" Daisy stuttered, half bobbing into an awkward curtsy, her eyes flying to Nicolas in panic.

Felix threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Please, none of that! It’s all very informal here. Just call me Felix.”

Daisy gulped. “Okay…Felix. Um, I’m ready to…swear in now. Is there…I mean, what should I do?”

Felix cracked a grin, and Nicolas shot him a warning glare. The idea of Daisy being any more uncomfortable than she already was made something unpleasant stir in his stomach.

Taking pity, Felix just crossed his arms and smiled. “No need for any pomp and circumstance. Do you swear loyalty and fidelity to the pack as long as you remain in our territory?”

Daisy shifted slightly, pausing before answering, “…Yes?”

“Excellent!” Felix clapped her on the shoulder.

“You and your daughter are welcome in our hearth and home! I’m afraid I’ve got to steal your boss for a moment, but please make yourself comfortable.

The bar is open, and I believe the women are having a lively debate about the best route for a hike next weekend!

I’m sure they’d appreciate fresh input.”

She nodded, her eyes wide. Before he let Felix drag him away, he stooped down to talk in her ear again. “I’m sure we won’t be long. Will you be okay?”

Her shoulders stiffened slightly as his breath caressed the bare skin, but then she gave him a nervous smile. “Of course. Take as long as you need. I’ll watch the girls.”

“Thank you,” he said, before straightening to his full height and following Felix to his table at the back of the room.

Ever since Felix had taken over, he’d always loved the Pine Shadow Club.

Nothing was new or shiny or sleek, but it was undeniable how cozy the place was.

From the warm rich cedar beams to the well-loved rugs littering the floorboards, every inch of it was a testament to what Felix was building. And Nicolas wouldn’t change any of it.

Well, perhaps the computer system, but that was an argument he’d lost many times over.

“So,” Felix said, pushing a pint of beer towards him as they sat, his eyebrows waggling. “I’m glad to see you take my suggestion after all. And Daisy Copperfield of all people. What a turn of fate that is.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nicolas replied, his voice clipped. “She was the most qualified for the job. And you were right. It’ll be good to get back into the thick of things again.”

It was undeniable that Daisy was already proving herself very capable in her care of Gracie.

He watched as she hesitantly approached a group of mothers, smiled as they welcomed her with open arms and cooed with her over Gracie.

In the low, warm lighting of the room, her golden hair shone like a beacon, her green eyes sparkled.

“Hmm.” Felix swirled his beer around his glass. “Is that why you can’t take your eyes off of her?”

Nicolas’s gaze snapped back to Felix. “I’m watching my daughter.”

“Of course you are.”

“Look, what happened in the past with Daisy is in the past. We have a professional working relationship. Nothing untoward is happening or will happen.”

Felix shrugged. “Whatever you say. But I have to ask,” he leaned forward, lowering his voice, “you haven’t told her the truth, have you?”

Nicolas swallowed, his throat suddenly tight.

“No. I haven’t.”

“Nicolas, it’s been so long, surely now, after all this time, you can be honest—"

“I can’t,” Nicolas said, baring his teeth, “it’s in the past. It’s finished. None of it matters now.”

He didn’t look at Felix as his friend took a long drink from his glass, placing it down with slightly more force than was necessary. “I just want you to be happy, Nicolas. You put up with so much bullshit from the Old Guard. We all did, but your father…what he did…”