Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 36

Dylan

But I swore I’d only do so once so that she allowed Fern to accept the gifts.

Meeting the woman’s gaze, I used my preternatural stare. “It’s fine, honestly. I’m a good friend of Cherry’s. Let Fern take the gifts, and I’ll leave and call Cherry to arrange a better time to visit.”

Lara released Fern’s shoulder, and as she met Fern’s upturned hopeful eyes, the nanny sighed. “Okay, go on, Fern, open one.”

I gave the young woman my warmest smile, and she blushed.

I crouched down and handed Fern one of the packages. Soon she had ripped it open. She turned to Lara, “Look! It’s an Elsa and Anna set!” She beamed at me and threw her little arms around my shoulders since I was still crouched down at her level.

My chest felt tight as I heard Lara opening the door and calling Fern in. I was about to be shut out, away from my daughter. Nuu-Chah’s insight stirred again, and I felt keenly that Fern was my daughter.

As I stood up, I tried my warmest smile, without any use of my shifter powers as I suggested, “Like I said, I’m an old friend of Cherry’s, and I’ve just moved into the house opposite. Perhaps, you and Fern would keep me company, and she can play there for the afternoon?”

The woman’s cheeks flushed, and I could tell she thought me charming and attractive as her heartbeat raced. But she still answered, “I’m afraid we can’t. Not until I chat about it and have okayed it with Cherry.”

I had to content myself with the last smile I received from Fern before the nanny shut the door on me. Feeling as hollow as when Cherry had walked away from me, I descended the stairs.

**********

Cherry

As I hung up my coat in the hall, I frowned. Everything was too quiet: no feet hurried to greet me as I arrived home. Where was Fern? Unease crawled over my skin. I’d been on edge since Dylan’s appearance outside my flat yesterday. Earlier, I’d been sorely tempted to call Lara to check everything was okay. But I’d fought back the tide of worry and abstained. After all, Dylan had asked whether Fern was his showing he had suspicions, but when I’d denied it, he’d shown only patience and tenderness toward me.

I shook away the soft feelings that surfaced at only the thought of him. I’d been firm with him I reminded myself. And rightly so. He wasn’t part of my life.

Just then, Fern’s voice sounded happily from the living room. She was playing. Everything was fine. She probably hadn’t heard me come in, that was all.

Slipping off my heels, I tracked into the living room and stopped. Fern and Lara sat amidst a treasure trove of toys. A dance mat was unboxed near the TV, pieces of Lego scattered the floor, and a doll’s head with hair the color of a rainbow caught my eye.

“What’s this?” I exclaimed. It looked like Father Christmas had visited half a year early.

Fern looked up from the Lego castle she was building, “Mom! The man who moved in across the way gave me them!” She grinned. “He’s so handsome and kind.”

I blanched, knowing exactly who she meant, even though the fact that he’d moved in across the way was a shock. Dylan was now living opposite me. My mouth went dry, and my stomach fluttered.

I did my best to hide the weird mix of feelings churning through me. Instead, I focused on educating my daughter. “I thought you knew better than to talk to strangers, Fern.”

I caught sight of our nanny Lara’s guilty and confused expression. I knew Dylan must have used his Alpha powers on her, just like Bert had. Anger simmered beneath my skin, and I knew I’d have to lay down the law more with him tomorrow.

But my daughter responded delightedly to my telling-off. “He’s not a stranger, Mom. He knew my name, and he said he was your friend. Isn’t it great that your friend moved here?” She got up to give me a hug before returning to her toys. “Maybe Bert will move here too, and then all your friends will be here like mine.”

Something about my daughter’s innocent comment had me choking up, and I excused myself, going to put the kettle on. It was then that our nanny, Lara traipsed into the kitchen and finally got her words out. “I’m sorry, Cherry. Fern ran ahead of me when we came back earlier, and by the time I got to the door, it was too late to intercept all the toys your friend had given her.” The poor young woman wrung her hands, and I knew it wasn’t her fault. It was Dylan’s.

“It’s okay, Lara. I saw Dylan yesterday. I should have mentioned he was in town. I guess it just slipped my mind after getting back from Seattle.”

Our nanny clasped her hands. “Oh, thank God! I’ve been kicking myself the last few hours and thinking you’d be angry.”

I shook my head and offered her a cup of tea, but she had dinner plans. After saying bye to Fern for the day, she headed off. That evening, I knew by how engrossed Fern was with all her new toys that there was nothing to be done with the gifts Dylan had foisted on her this time.

But, tomorrow, I intended to give Dylan a piece of my mind. I hadn't been firm enough with him. That night, I fell asleep, practicing the things I fully intended to tell him when I went over to his tomorrow.

The next day found me up early. Still in my dressing gown, I set to brewing a strong pot of coffee. A knock sounded on the door.

Opening it, I was dumbfounded by the sight of Dylan, his arms filled with a breakfast tray and flowers.

“I figured you’re probably the continental breakfast sort of person these days,” he joked.