Chapter 4 - Alysa

The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze that drifted in through the open kitchen window. Alysa's fingers curled around her mug, savoring the warmth seeping into her palms.

One week down, and I still feel like I'm walking on eggshells.

She took a sip, relishing the bitter taste on her tongue. Alysa set down her mug and moved quietly through the kitchen, her hands busy with preparing Aurora's morning bottle.

The house was larger than she was used to, yet it carried an undeniable warmth—likely due to the presence of the baby. Alysa was adjusting to the routine, though it felt strange to be living under Cassius's roof.

There was a weight that came with sharing space, especially with him.

It's temporary. I'm just here to help him and Aurora.

The sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. Alysa's heart rate picked up, her body tensing involuntarily.

Cassius strode into the kitchen, his presence filling the room. "Morning," he grunted, making a beeline for the coffee pot.

"Morning," Alysa echoed, her voice softer than she intended. She watched as he poured himself a cup, his muscular back flexing beneath his thin t-shirt.

Stop staring, you idiot.

She averted her gaze, focusing intently on the steam rising from her mug. "Aurora should be up soon. I decided to try that new puree recipe today."

Cassius nodded, leaning against the counter. "Sounds good. I've got a Pack meeting this afternoon, so I'll be out for a few hours."

"No problem. We'll be fine." Alysa offered a small smile, which Cassius returned before disappearing back into the hallway.

The soft click of the front door signaled Abigail's arrival. The housekeeper bustled in, her arms laden with grocery bags. "Morning, Dear," she chirped, setting the bags on the counter. “You settling in alright?”

Alysa jumped up to help, grateful for the distraction. “As well as I can,” she replied, her gaze flickering toward the stairs. Every morning felt like a delicate dance around Cassius—trying to keep her feelings hidden.

As they unpacked the groceries, Abigail chattered away about her plans for the day. "Thought I'd get an early start today. Lots to do!"

Alysa half-listened, her mind drifting to the way Cassius's eyes had lingered on her for just a moment too long.

You're imagining things. He sees you as his best friend's little sister, nothing more.

She focused back on the bottle, shaking it gently.

Don’t overthink it

“Cassius is lucky to have you helping out with the baby,” Abigail remarked, not knowing how her words stirred something deep in Alysa. She wasn’t sure if she was helping or just making things more complicated for herself.

The little routines, the shared meals, and the moments she spent caring for Aurora were creating something fragile between her and Cassius—something that wasn’t going to last.

The baby monitor crackled to life, Aurora's soft coos filling the kitchen. Alysa's heart swelled at the sound. "That's my cue," she said, excusing herself from Abigail's company.

As she made her way to the nursery, Alysa couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking a tightrope. One wrong move and everything would come crashing down. The house was beginning to feel too small, and her emotions were taking up too much space.

Aurora's face lit up as Alysa entered. "Good morning, Sweetheart," she cooed, scooping up the baby. As she changed Aurora's diaper, Alysa marveled at how quickly she'd fallen into this routine.

Footsteps in the hallway made Alysa's pulse quicken. Cassius appeared in the doorway, looking unfairly handsome in a crisp white shirt.

His eyes softened as they landed on Aurora. "How's my little moon?"

"She's perfect," Alysa replied, passing the baby to him. Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt through her.

Get it together, Alysa.

Cassius cradled Aurora, pressing a kiss to her forehead. The tenderness of the gesture made Alysa's heart ache. Watching him be an amazing father was taking a lot of getting used to.

"I'll be leaving now," Cassius said, reluctantly handing Aurora back. “Reach out to me on my cell if you need anything.”

Alysa nodded, forcing a smile. "Of course. We'll be fine, won't we, Aurora?"

As Cassius left, Alysa tried to ignore the lingering scent of his cologne. She focused on Aurora, channeling her energy into caring for the baby.

Alysa sat cross-legged on the floor, Aurora giggling in her lap as they played with a set of colorful blocks.

"That's it, Sweetie," Alysa cooed, helping Aurora stack one block on top of another. "You're getting so good at this!"

The sound of the front door opening made Alysa's head snap up. Cassius walked in, his brow furrowed and his jaw set in a hard line. The tension radiating off him was palpable.

"Everything okay?" Alysa asked, her voice laced with concern.

Cassius's expression softened as his eyes landed on her and Aurora. "Just Pack politics," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing for you to worry about."

He crossed the room, crouching down beside them. Aurora squealed with delight, reaching for her father. Cassius scooped her up, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Alysa's heart clenched at the sight.

They're so perfect together.

"How's my little moon?" Cassius murmured, bouncing Aurora gently.

"She's been an angel," Alysa replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "We've been working on her stacking skills."

Cassius's eyes met hers, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, Alysa. I don't know what we'd do without you."

The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. She tried to force herself not to read too much into it.

He's just being nice.

"It's my pleasure," she managed, forcing a smile. "Really."

Their gazes held for a moment too long, the air between them charged with unspoken words. Alysa broke first, looking away as heat crept up her neck.

Throughout the day, Alysa found herself hyper-aware of Cassius's presence. The sound of his voice on a phone call made her stomach flutter. Glimpses of him through open doorways sent her heart racing.

During Aurora's afternoon nap, Alysa tidied the nursery. She was reaching to place a toy on a high shelf when a warm presence appeared behind her.

"Let me get that," Cassius said, his chest brushing against her back as he easily placed the stuffed animal on the shelf.

Alysa's breath caught in her throat. She turned, finding herself trapped between Cassius and the bookshelf. His scent enveloped her, a heady mix of pine and musk.

"Thanks," she managed, her voice barely a whisper.

Cassius's eyes locked with hers, something flickering in their depths. For a heartbeat, Alysa thought he might…

No. Stop it. He doesn't see you that way.

The moment shattered as Aurora's cries filled the air, signaling she was awake. Cassius stepped back, clearing his throat.

"I should get back to work," he mumbled, retreating from the nursery.

"I will soon get started on dinner," Alysa called out lifting the baby up, her heart pounding.

Cassius’s voice drifted to her from the doorway. "Sounds great. I'll be in my study if you need me."

She took a sit in the rocking chair needing to calm Aurora and her still pounding heart.

This is going to be harder than I thought.

As evening approached, Alysa made her way to the kitchen to start preparing dinner.

The knife moved rhythmically against the cutting board as she sliced through vegetables with practiced ease. Alysa lost herself in the repetitive motion, trying to quiet her racing thoughts.

You can't keep doing this to yourself. He's your boss, for crying out loud.

But even as she thought it, memories of their earlier interaction flooded her mind. The way his eyes had softened when he looked at her, the genuine gratitude in his voice.

Stop it. You're here for Aurora, nothing more.

The sound of footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Cassius appeared in the doorway; Aurora balanced on his hip.

"Something smells good," he said, inhaling deeply.

Alysa's heart skipped a beat. "Thanks. It's almost ready."

Cassius stepped closer, peering over her shoulder at the simmering pot on the stove. His scent enveloped her—a heady mix of pine and something uniquely him.

Get a grip, Alysa.

"Can I help with anything?" he asked, his breath warm against her ear.

Alysa suppressed a shiver. "I've got it under control. Why don't you go and relax? I'll let you know when it's ready."

Cassius hesitated for a moment before nodding. "If you're sure. Come on, little moon. Let's go read a story."

As they left the kitchen, Alysa let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She turned back to the stove, willing her racing heart to calm down.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of domesticity. They had a quiet dinner and before she knew it, the nursery was bathed in soft lamplight as she rocked Aurora to sleep. The baby's eyes fluttered closed, her tiny fists curled against Alysa's chest.

She's so perfect.

Abigail had left for the day, leaving her alone with her thoughts—and the ever-present awareness of Cassius's proximity.

A floorboard creaked in the hallway. Alysa looked up to find Cassius leaning against the doorframe, watching them with an unreadable expression.

"She asleep?" he whispered.

Alysa nodded, carefully rising from the rocking chair. She placed Aurora in her crib, tucking the blanket around her tiny form.

Cassius moved to stand beside her, their arms brushing. Alysa's skin tingled at the contact.

"You're amazing with her," he murmured, his eyes fixed on his sleeping daughter.

Alysa's chest tightened at the compliment. "She makes it easy. She's such a good baby."

They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound Aurora's soft breathing. Alysa was acutely aware of Cassius's presence beside her, of the heat radiating from his body.

This is torture.

"We should let her sleep," Alysa whispered, stepping back from the crib.

Cassius nodded, following her out of the nursery. In the hallway, they paused, the air between them thick with unspoken words.

"Alysa, I—" Cassius started, then stopped, running a hand through his hair.

Her heart raced. "Yes?"

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "Nothing. Just… thank you. For everything. I used to barely have any time to rest. Now, it feels like I can’t rest enough, and I can come to check on her often."

Alysa swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Of course. You’re welcome, Cassius."

As she retreated to her room, Alysa's mind whirled. What had he been about to say?

It doesn't matter. Nothing can happen between us.

After her shower, she returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes they’d used for dinner. The kitchen was quiet save for the soft clinking of dishes

She scrubbed a particularly stubborn spot on a pan, her mind drifting to the events of the day. The way Cassius's eyes had lingered on her after helping her with the toy. The brush of his arm against hers as they passed in the hallway. The softness in his voice when he thanked her for caring for Aurora.

You're reading too much into things. He's just being nice.

The sound of footsteps approaching made her tense. Cassius appeared in the doorway, his presence filling the room.

"Need a hand?" he asked, already rolling up his sleeves.

Alysa's mouth went dry at the sight of his muscular forearms. "Oh, um, sure. Thanks."

He moved to stand beside her at the sink, their elbows brushing as he reached for a dish. Alysa's skin tingled at the contact.

They worked in silence for a few moments, the only sound the gentle splashing of water. Alysa was hyper-aware of every movement, every breath.

"You've been a godsend, you know," Cassius said suddenly, his voice low. "I don't know how I managed before you came."

Alysa's heart stuttered. She kept her eyes fixed on the dish in her hands, afraid of what he might see if she looked at him. "I'm happy to help," she murmured. "Aurora's a joy."

"It's not just Aurora," he continued. "It's… everything. Thanks for dinner, I didn’t mention."

She risked a glance at him then, her breath catching at the intensity in his gaze. "Cassius, I—"

The words died in her throat as he took a step closer, closing the already small distance between them. Time seemed to slow, the air heavy with possibility.

This can't be happening.

Cassius's hand moved to her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. Alysa's eyes fluttered closed at the touch, her body leaning into him instinctively.

For a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like to close that final distance, to feel his lips against hers.

The shrill cry of the baby monitor shattered the moment.

They sprang apart, reality crashing back in. Alysa's cheeks burned as she fumbled for a dish towel. "I should… I should go check on her," she stammered.

Cassius nodded, his expression unreadable. "Right. Of course."

As Alysa fled the kitchen, her heart pounding, she couldn't shake the feeling that everything had just changed.

Later that night, long after Aurora had been soothed and put back to sleep, Alysa lay in bed, wide awake despite the late hour. The soft whir of the ceiling fan was the only sound in the otherwise silent room, but her mind was anything but quiet. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, replaying the events of the evening on an endless loop.

What were you thinking?

She rolled onto her side, punching her pillow in frustration. The memory of Cassius's touch lingered on her skin, a phantom caress that refused to fade.

What was HE thinking?!

The way he had looked at her, the softness in his voice… it had felt like more than just gratitude.

He was just caught up in the moment.

But even as she thought it, doubt crept in. There had been an undeniable tension between them, something raw and unspoken.

Stop it. You're here to take care of Aurora, not fall for her father.

Alysa squeezed her eyes shut, willing sleep to come. But every time she drifted off, she saw Cassius's face, felt the heat of his body so close to hers.

With a sigh, she threw back the covers and padded to the window. The moon hung low in the sky, bathing the garden in silvery light. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.

What am I doing here?

The question echoed in her mind, unanswered. She had come to help Cassius, to be there for Aurora. But with each passing day, it was becoming harder to ignore her feelings for him.

It's impossible. He's your brother's best friend. Your boss. Aurora's father.

The list of reasons why nothing could happen between them was long and logical. But logic did little to quell the ache in her chest, the longing for something she couldn't have.

Alysa rested her forehead against the cool glass, watching her breath fog the window. In the quiet of the night, she allowed herself to imagine a different reality, one where she wasn't just the nanny; where Cassius looked at her and saw a partner, not just a helper. But that was ridiculous.

Get it together.

With a heavy sigh, she turned away from the window and crawled back into bed. As she lay there, staring at the ceiling, Alysa made a silent vow to herself.

She would keep her feelings in check. She would be the best nanny Aurora could ask for, the most efficient helper Cassius could want. And she would ignore the way her heart raced every time he walked into a room.

It's the right thing to do. For everyone.

But as sleep finally claimed her, Alysa couldn't shake the nagging feeling that her heart had other plans.