Page 20

Chapter 20

Ollie

M y body hummed with adrenaline. I managed to walk out of the boardroom with my head high, and my mate had stood by me the entire time. Not for a single second did I feel alone. But the minute I was out of his sight, I leaned against the wall and let out a long breath.

Holy shit. That had been intense on a level I’d never expected. Looking back, I was impressed by past-me. There had been a time when I’d have cowered in the corner or worse, shifted and run away. But not today. Today, I stood with my head held high and fought back, in the only way I stood a chance of winning.

I hadn’t intended to give any such speech today, not even when I first began speaking. But it was either a speech or a “Fuck you, Elias, you bigoted piece of shit,” and speech seemed like a much safer route to go given my mate’s position.

It shouldn’t have been necessary, but a couple of times I saw a glimmer of recognition and understanding from one of the men who had initially been unimpressed by my little mouse. Maybe I broke through to him. And between that and my chat in the nursery earlier, it was a lot to take in. I was still trying to process the idea that people were looking to me for answers on anything at all. But this was the world of being the clan leader’s mate, and I would fulfill that role.

I had no desire to leave my job as the children’s nanny. Plus, I had children of my own that would be arriving. But I understood that as mate to the clan leader, I had a responsibility to the clan to help. It wasn’t like a typical job. I couldn’t simply decide to quit or even not accept it. Not while my mate was the clan leader.

Could I ask him to step down? Sure. Would he do so? He already offered. But I refused to be the kind of mate that asked their partner to give up their dreams for no better reason than my comfort. I was going to give this role my best effort, and if there came a time when I realized it was impossible, then we would have a conversation. But until then, I was going to give this 100%.

Turned out, I knew exactly how I could do both—delegation.

Delegation was not something I was going to only embrace myself. I was going to support my mate in doing so, as well. It was good for us and would be good for the clan. Everyone had gifts to bring, so why not use them all to the benefit of everyone.

I stopped at the bathroom to clean up and make sure I didn’t look too I-Just-Gave-a-Blowjob. In hindsight, I probably should’ve done that before walking into the boardroom. Oh well, they were more distracted by the little mouse inside me and my words than anything else. At least I hoped so.

Initially, I’d meant to go back to get the kids, but I felt this need to return to Mal’s office. Easier said than done, especially since I was returning to the office a different way. I took a few wrong turns, and eventually I had to ask someone how to get there.

“Jamie,” I said as I approached her desk.

She smiled broadly when she saw me. “Yes, how may I help you?”

“Can you set up a meeting for you and me—and perhaps Tavian and Kier as well—for next week? I want to start building out my team, if that makes sense.” Was I already mucking this up by not using the right lingo? I’d never worked in a corporate setting before. And that was very much what managing the clan was like—a business.

Her smile got huge, and her eyes lit up. “That makes perfect sense, Ollie. I’ll find some time. And if I may be so presumptuous, I can put together a few recommendations for assistants for you?”

Her support meant the world to me. It would’ve been easy for her to not want to bother with me. In many ways I was going to be a pain in her ass as I tried to learn everything, not out of lack of ability but out of cluelessness. Still, the end result would be the same.

“That would be absolutely perfect,” I said.

She opened her mouth like she wanted to say more, but then she pasted on a smile. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

I sensed that she would be an ally of mine, someone who could help me navigate this new world I found myself in. And I one hundred percent was going to take her up on it.

“Be honest with me. Always. I don’t know the rules of this world, and I’m learning as I go. So if there is something I should be doing or shouldn’t be doing, please let me know. I only want to help the clan, and help Mal. In whatever way I can.”

Whatever I said must’ve been the right thing, because her eyes lit up again. She leaned forward and looked around. Then she spoke quietly.

“I can also put together a list of things that a clan mate is typically expected to do. That doesn’t mean you have to do them, but they are the types of responsibilities other clan leader mates take on. And I can help to prioritize. I hear a lot around here. The advisors seem to think I’m invisible or something, because they speak freely when they’re waiting for Lord Malric. I often know about their complaints before he does.”

It was my turn to grin. “Before that meeting with Kier and Tavian, perhaps you and I could have dinner. We have a lot we could discuss.”

“Indeed. Lord Malric has a board meeting on Thursday evening. It’s here, and it’s a full catered dinner. I always work late in case they need anything. Perhaps we can use that time?”

“That sounds perfect. Thank you, Jamie.” I needed to remember to let Kier and Tavian know. There was nothing on the calendar yet, but that didn’t mean there might not be something in the works.

“Thank you, Ollie. I think you’re going to be just what this clan needs. And on a more personal note, I’m so happy to see Lord Malric smiling.”

I’d only known him the way he was now, but she wasn’t the first person who’d mentioned being happy he was smiling, and that saddened me. It meant he’d not been smiling before.

After we exchanged numbers, I returned to the baby room, where the triplets had joined the rest of the group for their afternoon nap. Alice was cleaning up the mess from lunch. How she managed to get that many children asleep at the same time had to have its roots in magic. I only had three on a daily basis, and if I got two down at a time for naps, I called it a victory.

“Looks like I have a few minutes,” I said. “Is now a good time to talk about what we were discussing before?”

Jamie might be helping me by putting together a list of clan needs, but I could still do some legwork. Childcare was one of my specialties and an area that very obviously needed attention.

She grinned. “Are you sure? I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

“I have as much time as what the twins will sleep, which isn’t much at all some days.” Once they fully dropped to one nap a day it would be better. This in-between time was rough for all kids.

“That’ll be enough time for me,” she said. “Let me grab the other teachers.”

“That’s perfect.”

While Alice gathered the other teachers, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. There were so many options and possibilities. It seemed insurmountable when I barely knew anything about the clan. Right now, all I had was my desire to help. I hoped to goddess it was enough.

“Ollie! I heard you were here.” Kier came over to where I sat at the table designed for children. “I also heard about your speech to the advisors.”

I balked at that. “What? That was like twenty minutes ago, max. How did you hear?”

“News travels fast.” He grinned. “And another thing, Jamie messaged me and put an appointment with you on my calendar. I’m so happy that you’re jumping in. I think it will really help.”

My cheeks heated. “I’m hoping so. But I promise I still plan on watching the kids. I’m not giving that up. That’s why I want—”

Kier held up a hand. “Hey, we’ll make it work either way, okay? You’re family now, Ollie. Tavian and I felt that even way before we found out you were Malric’s mate, but its solidified now. You are officially stuck with us.”

“I’m glad.” There was so much more to say, but I was already mentally drained from the super fun board meeting I’d attended.

“We’re just happy you’re here. And that our children will have the best grandpas ever.”

I grimaced. Grandpa. He was right. Technically, I was the kids’ step-grandfather. Yikes. “I think I’m younger than you.” Which didn’t make the grandfather thing less true but felt a tad better.

Kier laughed. “Doesn’t change the fact that you’re a grandpa now. That’s why you are Young Grandpa.” He was having far too much fun with this.

I smiled because he was right, and his amusement was spreading.

“Do you have time to talk with the teachers and me about what sort of needs the daycare has? I figured while I was here, I might as well start gathering information. As a new parent, your input will be fantastic.”

“Of course!”

The teachers were amazing. Throughout our discussion, I made a long list of things to bring up with my mate. We had a lot to do and little time to do it in. Once the clutch was laid, I was going to be pretty preoccupied, and I wanted to get things rolling before them.

What I knew for sure was that we would do it together—teachers, parents, my mate, and me. And when people come together for the benefit of children and families, great things happened.