Chapter 4: Compromise

Alpha Maddox POV

I slammed into the rogue, sending him sprawling. I snarled, whipping him with my tail and sending him crashing into the nearest tree trunk. I was beyond merciful, my rage so violent that all I could see was red.

This rogue had attacked my daughter and tried to kill her. He’d trespassed on my territory like he was welcome to.

He had some nerve. This was my territory, and nobody touched my daughter and got away with it. He'd just signed his own death warrant. 

I wrestled the rogue to the ground and pinned it. Without hesitation, I clamped my jaws around his neck and snapped it.

I listened to the violent crunching sound with deep satisfaction. The bastard was dead. I would have liked to have tortured him to death, but my focus was on Rosalie and making sure she was alright. 

I let the rogue drop lifelessly to the ground.

My anger subsided as concern took over. 

I shifted and turned, picked up the hazardous Miss Hart off the ground, and set her aside before kneeling in front of Rosalie.

“Are you hurt? What were you doing all the way out here?” I shouted, unable to hold back my anger. “You know the rules. You don’t go anywhere alone.”

I was so frightened that my words came out harsher than I wanted. 

She could have died out here. She had been so close to losing her life, just like her mother did. The thought made me terrified. I couldn't afford to lose her too.

Tears streamed down Rosalie's eyes.

My anger faded, and I felt nothing but regret.

This was not her fault. It was mine. I had failed to protect her and failed to take care of her properly. 

She was nothing more than an innocent child still grieving the loss of her mother. 

I had no right to blame her. 

I clutched Rosalie tightly to my chest and then turned my head to look at Ivy Hart. She looked a little worse for wear, her clothes covered in dirt, one shoe missing, hair reminiscent of a bird’s nest.

The woman was a walking disaster; there was no doubt about that, but she’d also put herself in harm’s way to save Rosalie.

She'd willingly sacrificed herself without a second thought. I didn't know whether she was brave or stupid.

Either way, I was eternally grateful.

Rosalie might not have survived if it weren't for her interference. I owed her a debt of gratitude. 

“You saved her.” My voice was hoarse. “You almost died for my daughter’s sake.”

She'd run headlong into danger to protect a little girl that was not her own. 

“I apologize for not listening to your instructions. Now that Rosalie is safe, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave. I’m glad she’s okay,” she said softly, trying to maintain her professionalism regardless of how dishevelled she was.

I stared at her incredulously. 

I was forced to admit that I had judged her unfairly back in the house. Clearly there was more to Ivy Hart than met the eye. 

Rosalie patted my arm, and I reluctantly let her go, standing up and turning to Ivy, who blushed and deliberately slid her gaze away from me, trying not to stare at my naked body.

At least she had some sense of decorum. Either that or she hadn't seen a naked body before,  but being an omega, I suspected that couldn't be true. 

“Where are you going?” My voice was dangerous.

Didn't she realize that circumstances had now changed? There was no way I was letting this woman walk out of here. Not now. 

She was the only woman I would ever trust with my daughter. The only nanny I was willing to make an exception for. 

She blinked at me, looking confused.

I tried not to react to how adorable she looked. 

“You told me to leave,” she reminded me softly. “Remember? I failed the interview.”

I couldn't forget. But now, the situation was different. 

Rosalie took hold of my hand and looked at Ivy with a frown.

It wasn't hard to read her mind. She didn't want Ivy to leave. Rosalie was already forming an attachment with Ivy, far quicker than she had with the other nannies.

Actually, she hadn't formed an attachment with any of them. None of the nannies had lasted longer than two weeks. 

Something told me that Ivy would be different. She might actually be able to break through to Rosalie and maybe even get her to speak.

It had been so long since I had heard my daughter's voice and her laughter. 

Her mother's death had taken a toll on her that no amount of professional help would ever bring back. 

“That was before you saved my daughter’s life. No other nanny would have dreamed of doing something so dangerous or selfless. You could have died protecting her."

“I did what anybody else would do,” she denied, shaking her head.

I almost laughed at how naive she was. 

Not anyone would have willingly walked into danger without guaranteeing they would walk away unscathed.

I had learned long ago that most people were inherently selfish. 

“You asked me to give you one day with Rosalie,” I said, glancing down at my daughter and swallowing hard. “I’m giving you one week.”

“If this is out of some sort of deep sense of gratitude, then don’t worry about it. I’m not going to use this as a way to pressure you.”

Even now, she protested. 

I stared at her, my expression turning dark. I wasn't used to being refused. I didn't like it. Why couldn't she simply be grateful and accept my generous offer? 

It wasn't like I wasn't aware of how desperate she was for this job. She was one step away from being homeless, and she still turned me down?

Was there something mentally wrong with her? 

“That’s precisely why I’m giving you this chance,” I said, fixing my eyes on her.

She could protest all she wanted. I always got what I wanted in the end, and right now I wanted her.

My gaze was so intent that she swallowed hard, unable to look away.

Ivy ran a hand through her midnight black hair and then nodded slowly at me.

“One week.”

She said it with reluctance and resignation, as though already determining that she would be dismissed as soon as the trial period was up.

“It’s a deal. But Miss Hart, make no mistake, you might have just saved my daughter's life, but if you harm her or cause her any injuries, you will still be instantly dismissed.”

I warned her, even though I doubted she would intentionally hurt Rosalie. Not after what I'd just personally witnessed.

Not to mention, something about Ivy Hart drew me to her. I fought it, but there was no denying that I felt a slight attraction towards her. 

She wasn't bad-looking, and that unusual hair with purple tips....

I swallowed hard and felt my groin suddenly tighten. 

I needed to get out of here before I made a fool of myself. I had no business being so attracted to her when I was engaged to another woman.

I picked Rosalie up and cradled her against my chest before storming out of the woods, wondering what kind of chaos I had just invited into my life and whether allowing Miss Hart to stay was going to do more harm than good.

But Rosalie liked her, and for my daughter's sake, I was willing to give this woman a chance. I just hoped I hadn't made the biggest mistake of my life.