Chapter 3 - Cassius

Cassius paced the length of his study, pausing to adjust a pillow on the couch for the third time. His eyes darted to the antique clock on the mantel. 9:47 AM. Thirteen minutes until Alysa's arrival.

Get a grip. She's here to help with Aurora, not to judge your interior decorating skills.

But the nagging voice in his head wouldn't shut up. This was Aleksander's sister. His best friend's little sister, for fuck's sake. And he was inviting her to live in his home, to care for his daughter.

He had spent the morning organizing his affairs, going through old documents, and checking in with his Pack's enforcers. It was a routine he had grown accustomed to, a structured life that left little room for distractions.

But today wasn’t routine. Alysa Volkov was arriving to help with Aurora. He knew he needed the help—hell, he’d been barely surviving as a single father—but the idea of having her in his home was… unsettling.

He shook his head, trying to push away the nagging feeling creeping at the edges of his mind. Boundaries. He’d have to set them.

Professional boundaries. That's the key.

He ran a hand through his hair, messing up the careful styling he'd spent an embarrassing amount of time on this morning.

It's not like you're trying to impress her. She's an employee. A nanny. Nothing more.

He had seen Alysa a handful of times over the past few years, always at Pack events or during his occasional visits to the Iron Fang territory. Although he hadn’t seen her for the past three years when she started studying and then he took on more duties before becoming Alpha.

He still did his best to keep up with her through Aleksander. They had known each other since childhood, but things were different now.

She wasn’t the young girl who trailed behind Aleksander, trying to keep up with their antics. She was a grown woman. Beautiful.

Stop.

She’s here to help with Aurora. That’s all that matters. Cassius ran a hand through his blonde hair again, the usual calm, collected demeanor he wore like armor wavering for a brief second.

You’ll keep things professional. For Aurora. For Aleksander.

The sound of tires on gravel snapped him out of his thoughts. Cassius moved to the window, watching as a grey cab pulled up the driveway.

Shit. She's early.

Cassius strode out onto the front porch, his face a mask of calm authority. The car door opened, and Alysa stepped out.

His breath caught in his throat.

Fuck me.

She was… different. She had fully blossomed into a woman since he last saw her. Her chestnut hair, streaked with caramel highlights, cascaded over her shoulders. Warm honey-brown eyes met his, a hint of nervousness in their depths.

Stop staring, you idiot.

"Alysa," he said, his voice gruffer than he intended. "Welcome."

She smiled, the gesture transforming her face. "Cassius. It's good to see you."

He moved to help with her bags, their hands brushing as they both reached for the same suitcase. A jolt of electricity shot up his arm.

Professional boundaries, remember?

"Let me get those," he said, stepping back. "I hope your drive wasn't too bad."

"It was fine," she replied, following him into the house. "The mountain views were beautiful."

She seemed poised, as if she was assessing her new surroundings, ready to settle in without hesitation. The air between them held a slight tension, a subtle shift that neither seemed willing to acknowledge.

Cassius nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Her scent filled his nostrils—vanilla and something wilder, uniquely Alysa.

Focus, dammit.

He led her to the living room, gesturing for her to sit. "Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?"

Alysa shook her head, her eyes roaming the room. "I'm fine, thank you. Is Aurora awake? I'd love to meet her."

Right. Aurora. The reason she's here.

"Of course," Cassius said. "She should be up from her morning nap. I’ll introduce you to her soon. But first—there’s someone else I’d like you to meet. Follow me."

“You’ve been busy,” Alysa remarked, gesturing to the neatness of the space. Her eyes flicked toward a large portrait of Cassius and Aurora that hung over the mantle. Her face softened, the sight of the little girl bringing down her guard for just a moment.

Cassius swallowed. “It helps to stay organized with a Pack to run and a toddler to raise.” He stepped back and gestured toward the living room.

As they walked toward the hallway, Abigail Holloway, the estate’s housekeeper, appeared, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. “Ah, Miss Volkov, you’ve arrived,” she said with a warm smile. “I’m Abigail, the housekeeper. I’ll be handling the cleaning, laundry, and meals, but if you need anything during the day, just let me know.”

“Thank you, Abigail,” Alysa said, nodding. “I’m sure I’ll need some guidance in the first few days.”

Cassius observed their brief exchange. He had to admit, having Alysa here might bring some semblance of balance back into his life.

As they approached the nursery, Aurora's happy gurgles reached their ears. Cassius pushed open the door, revealing his daughter sitting in her crib, chubby hands reaching for a dangling mobile.

"There's my little moon," he murmured, scooping her up.

Aurora's face lit up at the sight of him, tiny fingers grasping at his shirt. He turned to Alysa, suddenly nervous.

What if they don't get along? What if Aurora doesn't like her?

But his fears evaporated as Alysa stepped forward, her face softening. "Hello, Sweetheart," she cooed. "Aren't you just the prettiest little thing?"

Aurora's eyes widened, fixated on this new person. Then, to Cassius's surprise, she let out a delighted squeal, reaching for Alysa.

Well, I'll be damned.

Cassius hesitated for a moment before passing Aurora to Alysa. His daughter settled into her arms like she belonged there, tiny hands exploring Alysa's face.

"Oh, you're a curious one, aren't you?" Alysa laughed, bouncing Aurora gently.

Cassius watched, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. Relief that Aurora seemed to like Alysa. Gratitude for the way Alysa handled her so naturally. And something else, something he wasn't ready to name.

“She’s beautiful,” Alysa murmured, her voice full of wonder. She glanced back at Cassius, her smile widening. “She looks just like you.”

Cassius cleared his throat, his emotions tangled in a knot he couldn’t quite unravel. “She’s… everything.” It was all he could manage to say. Watching someone else care for Aurora stirred something deep inside him. Pride, yes—but also a twinge of discomfort.

This is good for her. For both of us.

He kept reminding himself of that, even as his gaze lingered on Alysa a moment longer than necessary.

They spent the next few minutes with Aurora, who babbled softly, her chubby hands reaching for Alysa’s face, and Cassius felt a pang of something unfamiliar.

After a few more moments, Cassius straightened. “Shall I show you to your quarters?” he asked, his voice more formal than he intended.

Alysa nodded, still holding Aurora in her arms as they followed him through the estate. Cassius led her through the grand hallways, pointing out various rooms, but his attention kept drifting to her.

The way her eyes brightened at certain details, the slight curve of her lips when she spotted the garden from the window. He felt an odd sense of satisfaction when he caught her admiring the estate.

Focus, Cassius. Boundaries, remember?

They reached the guest wing, and Cassius pushed open a door at the end of the hall. “This will be your room. You’ll have plenty of space here, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask Abigail or myself.”

Alysa stepped inside, her eyes widening. "Cassius, this is… it's too much." She shifted Aurora in her arms and gave him a small smile, one that sent a flicker of something unwelcome through his chest.

No. Keep it professional. She’s Aleksander’s sister.

He shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "It's just a guest room."

A guest room you spent three days redecorating.

The space was large and airy, with a plush queen-sized bed and a sitting area near the window. Soft gray and lavender tones dominated the decor, with pops of silver in the fixtures.

Alysa handed Aurora to him and then ran her hand over the dresser, her fingers tracing the intricate woodwork. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

Cassius cleared his throat, suddenly aware of how close they were standing. "The bathroom's through there," he said, gesturing to a door. "And you have a small balcony overlooking the garden."

She moved to the French doors, pushing them open. The scent of roses wafted in on the breeze. "It's perfect," she murmured.

Cassius watched her, struck by how at home she looked—like she belonged here, in his house, in his life.

Dangerous thoughts, Cassius.

He stepped back, putting some distance between them. "I'll let you get settled. When you're ready, we can go over your duties and the household routines."

Alysa turned, something flickering in her eyes before she nodded. "Of course. I'll be down in a few minutes."

***

Cassius sat at his desk, a stack of papers in front of him. Alysa perched on the edge of a chair, her posture straight, attentive.

She looks like she's at a job interview. Which, I guess, this kind of is.

"So," he began, all business. "Your primary responsibility will be caring for Aurora. Feedings, diaper changes, playtime, naps—the works."

Alysa nodded, her expression serious. "Of course. What's her current schedule like?"

Cassius handed her a printed sheet. "Here's her usual routine. It's flexible, but try to stick to it as much as possible."

Their fingers brushed as she took the paper. Cassius pulled back quickly, ignoring the spark of warmth that shot through him.

Professional. Keep it professional.

"You'll also be responsible for preparing Aurora's meals and keeping the nursery tidy," he continued. "Abigail handles the rest of the cleaning and laundry. She's here from early morning to late evening."

"I understand," Alysa said. "Is there anything else I should know?"

Cassius hesitated. "I… I work long hours. Sometimes, I have to leave at odd times for Pack business. I'll try to give you as much notice as possible, but…"

"But the life of an Alpha is unpredictable," Alysa finished for him, a small smile on her lips. "I grew up with Aleksander and my dad, remember? I know how it goes."

He nodded, grateful for her understanding. "Right. Of course."

She gets it. She gets you.

The thought was both comforting and terrifying. Cassius couldn’t ignore the fact that Alysa was more than just a caregiver for his daughter. She was someone who knew him—who had known him for years. And that made this situation infinitely more complicated.

As the day progressed, Cassius found himself constantly aware of Alysa's presence in the house—the sound of her laughter mixing with Aurora's happy squeals; the scent of her shampoo lingering in the hallway.

He tried to focus on his work, burying himself in reports and Pack business. But his eyes kept drifting to the security feed on his computer, watching as Alysa played with Aurora in the living room.

She's good with her. Really good.

The realization brought both a sense of relief and a strange pang of… something. Jealousy? Longing? He pushed the thought away.

When lunchtime rolled around, he emerged from his study to find Alysa in the kitchen with Aurora balanced on her hip as she prepared a bottle one-handed.

"Hey," he said, suddenly awkward in his own home. "Everything going okay?"

Alysa turned, a bright smile on her face. "Great! Aurora's been an angel. We were just about to have lunch, weren't we, Sweetheart?"

Aurora babbled happily, reaching for Cassius. He took her, inhaling her sweet baby scent.

"Thanks," he murmured. "For… you know. Everything."

Alysa's expression softened. "It's my pleasure, Cassius. Really."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken words.

Dangerous. This is dangerous.

He cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "I should get back to work. Let me know if you need anything."

As he retreated to his study, Aurora secure in Alysa's capable hands, Cassius couldn't shake the feeling that his carefully ordered world was shifting beneath his feet.

***

The clock on Cassius's desk read 11:23 PM. He rubbed his eyes, bleary from hours of staring at reports and emails.

Another glamorous night in the life of an Alpha.

But for once, the house didn't feel oppressively silent. He could hear the soft hum of the baby monitor, Aurora's gentle breathing a soothing rhythm.

And somewhere down the hall, Alysa slept. The thought sent a strange thrill through him.

She's here. In your home. Caring for your daughter.

Cassius leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath. The day had gone… well. Better than he'd expected. Alysa was competent, kind, and Aurora adored her already.

So why did he feel so unsettled?

Because she fits too well. Because having her here feels right in a way it shouldn't.

He stood, pacing the length of his study. This arrangement was supposed to make things easier, not more complicated. He was an Alpha, a single father. He didn't have time for… whatever this was.

You're overthinking it.

It's nothing. She's Aleksander's sister, Aurora's nanny. That's all. But even as he thought it, Cassius knew he was lying to himself.

The nursery was bathed in soft moonlight as Cassius crept in for one last check on Aurora. His daughter slept peacefully, tiny fists curled against her cheeks.

A floorboard creaked behind him. He turned to find Alysa in the doorway, wrapped in a soft robe.

"Sorry," she whispered. "I heard movement on the monitor. Wanted to make sure everything was okay."

Cassius nodded, suddenly aware of how close they were standing in the small room. "Just checking on her," he murmured. "Old habits."

Alysa smiled, the gesture soft in the dim light. "She's perfect," she said, gazing at Aurora. "You're doing a great job with her, Cassius."

The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard. "I… thank you," he managed. "For everything. Today was… good."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them seemed charged with possibility. Cassius found himself leaning in, drawn by some invisible force.

No. Stop.

He cleared his throat, taking a step back. "We should get some sleep. Early start tomorrow."

Alysa nodded, something flickering in her eyes before she smiled. "Of course. Goodnight, Cassius."

"Goodnight, Alysa."

As she disappeared down the hallway, Cassius leaned against the nursery doorframe, his heart pounding.

What the hell are you doing?

He didn't have an answer. But as he made his way to his own room, one thing was clear—having Alysa here was going to be far more complicated than he'd bargained for.