Chapter 5

Nova

The very next day, I got right to work searching for a job.

After yesterday’s experience, I decided to try nannying for human families instead. I sent my resume out to every middle and upper-class human family with children that I could find.

But most human families couldn’t afford to hire a nanny, since finding a job was already hard enough as humans. And even the wealthier human families ironically preferred hiring werewolves as nannies.

I couldn’t blame them, though. After all, werewolves weren’t just nannies—they could double as bodyguards with their increased strength, speed, and special gifts.

Who wouldn’t want more protection for their children?

By midday, my hopes had been dashed. I received yet another email in response to one of the cold calls I had made to an upper-class human family.

“Dear Miss Brooks,” the email read, “While we appreciate your application and agree that your resume is solid, we’ve already hired a werewolf au pair and don’t need another. Thank you for your email, but we must politely decline.”

I sighed, slamming my laptop shut with perhaps more force than necessary, and leaned back on my sofa. The springs creaked beneath my weight as I moved, one poking into my lower back.

I looked around at the small apartment I shared with my family; it wasn’t too shabby, but it wasn’t the best place to raise a little girl, either. It was located in one of the more run-down neighborhoods in Wintercrest—not necessarily dangerous, but certainly not the safest.

The apartment itself was small and cramped, with yellowing wallpaper and one particularly stubborn water stain on the ceiling by the front door. We had done our best to decorate the space; Lila had helped pick out various eclectic pieces of furniture and decor from the local thrift shops, and children’s school art pieces were hung across the walls.

When I had moved here with my family, I had hoped the place would only be temporary and that I could eventually earn enough to find a nicer, bigger apartment. But that was three years ago, and there was no end in sight.

At least the landlady was kind enough to let us stay even when we occasionally came up short on rent. But I knew the landlady’s patience was beginning to run thin, and it was only a matter of time before she stopped offering handouts.

I was just considering going out and applying to whatever clerk or barista position I could find in person when my phone rang.

I scrambled to answer it, hoping it was about one of the many applications I had filled out.

“Hello?”

A strangely familiar male voice on the other end replied: “Hello, Miss Nova Brooks?”

I sat up straighter. “That’s me.”

“This is Beta Adam from the Alpha House. I’m calling in regards to your application for the nanny position—the Alpha has decided to hire you after all. Can you come to the house right away to sign your contract and complete the process?”

My heart stuttered. I didn’t understand why the prejudiced Alpha had suddenly changed his mind, and wondered if this was some kind of trick.

But then I heard a small voice say on the other end, “Did she say yes? I hope she said yes!”

Aria. I couldn’t help but smile at the sound of the little girl’s voice. After hearing that, how could I say no?

“Of course,” I said, already standing. “I’ll be there within the hour.”

True to my word, I arrived at the Alpha House in less than an hour. I had just barely had enough time to change into a smart pencil skirt and button-down blouse, and had pulled my red hair back into a neat bun at the nape of my neck.

The same young man from yesterday greeted me at the door. “Right this way,” he said, hardly looking at me as he led me inside.

I pulled my shoulders back and smoothed down my skirt one last time before entering another door into what looked like the Alpha’s study. Tall bookshelves lined the walls, and an old but perfectly polished mahogany desk dominated the center space.

Alpha Dominic was sitting behind the desk, wearing another well-tailored suit. His black hair was fully pulled back today. He glanced briefly up at me, golden eyes assessing, then gestured to one of the chairs opposite his desk.

“Sit.”

It wasn’t a question.

I perched on the edge of a chair, and the Alpha handed me a contract and a fountain pen. “Initial there, then sign at the bottom with today’s date,” he said matter-of-factly.

I took the pen and read over the contract, which was almost identical to any other nanny contract I had signed before. But as I went to sign my name at the bottom, I hesitated.

“May I ask why you changed your mind?” I asked, glancing up at the Alpha.

Dominic paused as if carefully considering his words. Then: “Aria is wolfless. A human nanny is more suitable for a child like her.”

“Oh.” I felt a pang of sympathy for the little girl; I didn’t know much about the condition, but I knew it was considered to be a “defect” amongst werewolves, and now Aria would face all kinds of scrutiny and gossip throughout her life.

Dominic nodded. “I expect you to keep this information between us,” he said, and the stern look in his eyes brooked no argument. It was clear that he had no intention of anyone finding out, and likely for good reason.

If this got out, then people would talk even more.

“Of course,” I said, signing my name and handing the contract back to him.

Regardless of my new employer’s prejudices, the salary was good, the hours were stable, and it would be enough to provide a better life for Lila. That was all I ever wanted, but I couldn’t get yesterday’s events out of my head.

“About yesterday—” I began, but Dominic cut me off with a raised hand.

“I understand I hold some biases against humans,” he said, “but maybe you could prove me wrong.”

I was surprised by the admission, but nodded. “I’ll try my best.”

With that, Dominic dismissed me so I could go home and prepare. By the time I arrived back in town, Lila would be getting out of school soon. I did some grocery shopping, splurging a little on some nice meat and even a bottle of wine for tonight’s dinner, then texted my sister to let her know we were celebrating tonight.

Emma, Lila’s sister’s little girl, was one of the few relatives Lila had. Both my sister, Susie, and I were single mothers, and we had even given birth on the same day six years ago. Emma and Lila had been friends since they could remember.

We all lived together in our little apartment, which filled the space with love and laughter despite everything.

I couldn’t wait to see my family tonight.

…

Dominic

“I found the hospital records you asked for, Sir.” Adam handed Dominic a small envelope. “I kept everything discreet, just like you requested.”

Dominic took the envelope and opened it to find a list of names of the women who had given birth at the same hospital and on the same day Aria had been born.

His gaze flicked over the names before coming to rest on the final two on the list.

Susie and Nova.