Chapter 2 - Alysa

Alysa’s eyes darted across the crowded bar, watching as patrons laughed, clinked glasses, and filled the room with energy she couldn’t connect to. Her heart raced, though not in excitement.

Instead, it was the familiar edge of anxiety creeping in. It was as though the walls of The Howling Moon were closing in on her, suffocating with the weight of expectations.

Why does everything feel heavier today?

She gripped the edge of the bar to steady herself. She'd been trying so hard to focus, to keep up with the drink orders and the small talk.

But each new request felt like a countdown to another mistake. Her fingers tightened around the glass she was drying, her mind wandering. The glass slipped from Alysa's hand, shattering against the polished bar top.

"Shit," she muttered, already reaching for the broom. It was her third broken glass this week. Each clink of the shards felt like a judgment, a reflection of her mounting mistakes.

"Everything okay over there, Lysa?" Jake, her fellow bartender, called from the other end of the bar, his voice a mix of concern and mild amusement.

"Just peachy," Alysa replied, forcing a smile. Her cheeks burned as she swept up the mess, and she struggled to maintain her composure.

Great job, klutz. Way to prove you belong here.

Jake came over with a sympathetic grin as Alysa swept the shards into a dustpan.

"You know, if you keep this up, we're going to run out of glasses." He said, chuckling.

"Yeah, well, maybe you should start handing out drinks in plastic cups when I’m on shift," Alysa muttered, trying to mask her embarrassment.

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "Seriously, though. You alright? You’ve seemed a little off lately."

Alysa shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "Just tired. You know how it gets."

Jake gave her a lingering look before straightening up. "If you need to talk, you know I’m here. But hey, no more broken glasses, alright?"

The Howling Moon was the hottest werewolf bar in town, and Alysa had fought tooth and claw for this job. But lately, it felt like she was fighting a losing battle against her own incompetence.

She dumped the glass shards in the trash, wincing as her manager's voice cut through the din of the Saturday night crowd.

"Alysa. My office. Now."

Fuck.

Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing her dread. She followed Sarah into the cramped back office, where the manager's face was grim, her posture rigid.

"Look, Alysa," Sarah began, her voice tight. "You're a sweet girl, but this isn't working out. The broken glasses, the mixed-up orders… we can't afford these mistakes."

The words hit Alysa like a physical blow. "I-I can do better. Please, just give me another chance."

Sarah shook her head, her expression unyielding. "I'm sorry, but we're letting you go. You can collect your final paycheck next week."

Alysa stumbled out of the office in a daze.

Fired. Again.

The reality of her dismissal sank like lead in her stomach. She barely remembered gathering her things and saying goodbye to Jake. The cool night air hit her face as she stepped outside, and she sucked in a shaky breath.

What am I going to do now?

The familiar sense of failure was like a second skin clinging to her every move. She stood outside the bar for a moment, watching as life inside continued without her. Jake was already back at it, laughing and serving drinks as if she had never existed.

The idea that the world moved on so effortlessly, even when she stumbled, made her feel invisible.

But wasn’t that how it always was? Every time she thought she was making progress, life yanked her back, reminding her that maybe she didn’t belong here—or anywhere.

The ride home was a blur, her mind lost in a spiral of anxiety and self-recrimination. She could already hear her brother Aleksander’s voice, the well-intentioned but often overbearing tone that accompanied his solutions to every problem.

The thought of sharing her job loss with him only heightened her sense of dread. Aleksander had always been her rock, but his practical solutions sometimes felt like a harsh spotlight on her shortcomings.

Arriving at her small apartment, Alysa was greeted by the familiar scent of vanilla and cedar, the comforting aroma doing little to soothe her frayed nerves.

She flicked on the lights, illuminating the shabby furniture and peeling wallpaper. It wasn't much, but it was hers. Or it had been until she'd blown her chance at keeping it.

She sank onto the worn couch, burying her face in her hands. The familiar weight of hopelessness settled over her.

Why can't I get anything right?

Her gaze fell on a framed photo on the coffee table—her and Aleksander at his Alpha ceremony. Her brother stood tall and proud in his ceremonial robes while Alysa beamed at his side.

Look at us. The Alpha and the fuckup.

It hadn't always been that way. Growing up, Alysa had been the golden child—outgoing, popular, and always at the center of attention. Aleksander was the quiet one, more comfortable with books than people.

But somewhere along the way, things had shifted. Aleksander grew into his role as future Alpha, exuding a quiet confidence that drew people to him. And Alysa… Alysa floundered.

She'd tried going to college to train as a teacher but dropped out after a year. She jumped from job to job, never quite finding her place. And all the while, her brother's star continued to rise.

The only constant in her life had been her crush on her brother’s best friend, Cassius White. She'd fallen for him the moment Aleksander brought him home, all golden hair and piercing blue eyes. But Cassius had never seen her as anything more than his best friend's little sister.

Alysa's fingers traced the curves of her body, resting on the soft swell of her stomach.

No wonder he's never looked twice at you.

She'd always been curvy, but lately, it felt like her body was betraying her. No matter how much she worked out or dieted, she couldn't seem to shed the extra pounds.

You're not good enough for him , a traitorous voice whispered.

You're not good enough for anyone.

Alysa's phone buzzed, jarring her from her spiral of self-pity. Aleksander's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Bro," she answered, forcing cheer into her voice despite her mood.

"Lysa? What's wrong?" Damn her brother's intuition.

"Nothing's wrong. Why would you think something's wrong?"

"Because it's Saturday night, and you're answering your phone instead of working."

Alysa's facade crumbled. "I got fired," she whispered.

Silence stretched between them for a long moment, a heavy weight pressing down. Then, "I'm coming over."

"Alek, you don't have to—”

"I'll be there in ten."

True to his word, Aleksander arrived exactly ten minutes later, a six-pack of beer in hand. He took one look at Alysa's tear-stained face and pulled her into a hug. His strength was a comforting presence, grounding her in the midst of her turmoil.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked, cracking open two beers and handing one to her.

Alysa took a long swig before answering. "There's not much to tell. I fucked up again. Story of my life."

Alysa took a long swig of beer, her head spinning from the events of the night. "I can't keep doing this, Alek. I’m tired of feeling like a failure."

Aleksander leaned back in the chair, his gaze soft but piercing. "You’re not a failure, Lysa. You’ve just hit some rough patches, that’s all."

"Rough patches? I’ve been stumbling over rough patches my entire life. College, jobs. It’s like everything I touch falls apart."

He frowned, leaning forward. "I know it feels that way now, but you’re stronger than you think. You just haven’t found your place yet."

Alysa stared at her brother, both comforted and frustrated by his unwavering optimism. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just not meant for anything big. Maybe I should just… settle."

"That’s not who you are. You’ve always been the one to aim high, to dream big. Just because it hasn’t clicked yet doesn’t mean it won’t."

Alysa’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Easy for you to say."

Aleksander's brow furrowed in concern. "Come on, Lysa. You're being too hard on yourself."

"Am I?" She laughed bitterly. "Look at you, Mr. Alpha. And look at me. I can't even hold down a bartending job."

"Hey." Aleksander's voice was sharp but not unkind. "You're not me. You don't have to be. You'll find your path."

Very easy for you to say.

But she bit back the retort this time, not wanting to start an argument.

They sat in companionable silence for a while, nursing their beers. The soft clinking of bottles and the distant hum of the city outside created a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Finally, Aleksander spoke.

"You know… I might have an opportunity for you."

Alysa raised an eyebrow. "I'm not working for the Pack, Alek. I can't handle the pity."

"It's not with the Pack," he said quickly. "It's… well, it's with Cassius."

Alysa's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Cassius's name. "What are you talking about?"

Aleksander took a deep breath. "Cassius needs help—with Aurora. He's drowning, Lysa. Trying to be an Alpha and a single dad… it's killing him."

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"He needs a nanny. A live-in nanny, to be precise. Someone he can trust. I thought… well, I thought you might be perfect for the job. I mentioned it to him, and he called me not long ago agreeing to the idea."

Alysa's mind reeled. Living with Cassius? Taking care of his daughter? It was like a dream and a nightmare rolled into one.

"I don't know, Alek," she said hesitantly. "Me and kids? I'm not exactly Mary Poppins."

"You're great with kids," Aleksander insisted. "You did train to be a teacher in college, even if only for a year. And remember how you used to babysit for the Pack? I know it’s not ideal, but it could be a way to get back on your feet and earn some income."

Yeah, and I managed not to kill any of them. Stellar qualifications.

But a small part of her was thrilled at the idea. To be close to Cassius, to be needed by him.

"He doesn't want me," she said softly. "He's never wanted me."

Aleksander's eyes softened with understanding. "Lysa… is that what this is about? Your crush on Cass?"

Alysa flushed. "It's not a crush. I'm not some lovesick teenager."

"No, you're not," Aleksander agreed. "But you've been carrying a torch for him for years. Maybe this is your chance to… I don't know, get some closure?"

Or get my heart broken all over again.

But she couldn't deny the temptation. "I'll think about it," she said finally.

"That's all I ask. Sleep on it, okay?" Aleksander nodded, looking relieved. “Cassius needs help, and you need a fresh start. This could be a way to prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.”

But could she handle being so close to Cassius?

After Aleksander left, the silence in her apartment felt like a living thing, creeping into every corner and weighing down on her. Alysa tossed and turned in her bed, her mind unable to settle.

Images of Cassius flooded her thoughts—his laugh, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the quiet strength he carried even in the hardest moments.

She lay awake for hours, memories playing through her mind like a bittersweet movie.

The first time she saw him, standing in her family's living room. He'd been all awkward limbs and shy smiles then, so different from the confident Alpha he'd become.

Her eighteenth birthday party, when he'd danced with her out of obligation. She'd been floating on cloud nine while he'd looked like he couldn't wait for the song to end.

Cassius at Aleksander's Alpha ceremony, his eyes shining with pride for his best friend. He'd barely spared a glance for Alysa.

How can I do this? Live with him, see him every day, knowing he’ll never feel the same way?

Each memory was a dagger to her heart, reminding her of all the ways she'd fallen short in his eyes.

He doesn't see you, that inner voice taunted. He'll never see you as anything but Aleksander's clumsy little sister.

But maybe… maybe this was her chance to change that. To show Cassius the woman she'd become.

Or to torture yourself by being so close and still so far, the voice countered.

Alysa groaned, burying her face in her pillow. This was insanity. Living with the man she'd been in love with for years, helping to raise his child… it was a recipe for heartbreak.

But what other choice did she have? Her savings were dwindling, and good jobs for wolves were hard to come by. She could swallow her pride and work for the Pack, but the thought made her skin crawl.

At least with Cassius, she'd have a purpose. And maybe, just maybe, she could prove to herself that she was worth something.

You're setting yourself up for failure, the voice warned.

Maybe. But at least I'll have tried.

At least this job offered a chance, even if it meant being close to the one person who had always felt just out of reach.

"I can handle this," she whispered into the darkness, as if saying it aloud would make it true.

Decision made, she reached for her phone and shot a text to her brother.

"I'll do it."

The next few days passed by in a whirlwind of preparation. Alysa threw herself into research, reading every childcare book she could get her hands on. She scoured her closet for clothes that were both practical and flattering—no easy task when dealing with a teething toddler.

As the day of her move approached, Alysa's nerves frayed. She stood in front of her mirror, scrutinizing her reflection.

You can do this.

She told herself firmly. She would do her best to make sure Cassius saw that she was smart, capable, and good with kids.

But doubt crept in, as it always did.

He'll see right through you. He'll realize what a mistake he's made.

Alysa shook her head, banishing the negative thoughts. She couldn't afford to second-guess herself now.

With one last deep breath, she grabbed her bags and headed out the door.