Chapter 6:Conflict

Maddox POV

"Honestly, Maddox, don't you think that Rosalie needs more," Celeste, my fiancée, frowned, her voice filled with concern, "professional help? Or a different environment?" she pressed, her perfectly manicured fingernails tapping lightly on the dining table.

Rosalie sat, her head bowed down, eating slowly, her expression blank as though she couldn't hear a word that Celeste was saying. 

"Celeste," I turned and kept my composure, "this isn't the time or place to have this discussion. Rosalie is sitting right here," I warned.

"I just think that getting yet another nanny who will simply walk away like all the others isn't the responsible thing to do," she protested, eyes wide with innocence. "I mean, let's face it, Maddox, what's going to make this woman, this Ivy," she sneered, "any different? You're just setting Rosalie up to have her heart broken again."

"Ivy Hart saved Rosalie's life, Celeste. That alone earns her my respect."

"Saving somebody's life does not automatically mean she deserves to stay. There were other ways you could have compensated her, Maddox," she protested. "I mean, look at the woman's resume and her credentials. She's not exactly safe around Rosalie."

I slowly turned my head and eyed her with misgiving.

"Why are you acting so concerned about my daughter?"

She stiffened at the hardness in my voice.

"I care about Rosalie Maddox. I always have. But I'm not blind like you are. I can see how badly she needs help. It's been two years since she talked; don't you think that's a sign she might never get better?"

"Stop, Celeste," I hissed, looking at my daughter, who gave no indication she was hearing us. "We might be engaged, but do not overstep your boundaries. Rosalie's my daughter, and I make the decisions."

She pulled her hand away, her expression wounded.

"I'm just concerned. I'm not trying to upset you," she huffed.

My anger deflated.

Celeste was a caring woman. Naturally, she wanted to help Rosalie. I was merely overprotective when it came to my daughter. I needed to remember that soon Celeste would be Rosalie's stepmother and give her a bit more of a say in her life.

But we weren't married yet.

Rosalie was still entirely my responsibility. 

"Just think about it, Maddox. I found a boarding school that offers personalized counselling and the sort of structure that could be perfect for her. I looked into it extensively," she said quietly. 

I exhaled and forced myself to calm down.

"I have hopes that Ivy Hart will be able to bring Rosalie out of her shell."

Celeste snorted.

"That woman? She's more likely to harm your daughter than help her. Even her own agency warned you about her."

It wasn't a lie. 

Rosalie looked up, her fork hitting the table. 

"Rosalie, honey, put your fork down quietly," Celeste said warmly. "Is there something you need?" she added, tilting her head and waiting patiently. 

Rosalie just stared at her.

I had never seen that kind of expression on my daughter's face before. Not aimed at Celeste. It was almost... furious. Like Celeste had made her angry. 

I coughed, feeling uneasy.

Ivy appeared at the top of the stairs and leisurely made her way down, her eyes sparkling bright. 

Rosalie's head slowly turned as she heard her.

Ivy reached the table, and for a moment there was silence.

I stared at her outfit, blinking hard and wondering if I was seeing things. Another glance confirmed that I was not.

Jeans, a long oversize green shirt, and fuzzy duck slippers?

Duck slippers? 

Celeste let out a harsh laugh as Ivy slid into the chair beside Rosalie.

"This is exactly what I mean, Maddox. Look at the way she's dressed? Inappropriatel!."

Ivy looked at her calmly. 

Rosalie was still.

"Fashion is overrated," Ivy said bluntly, "and, quite frankly, how I dress shouldn't concern you unless I sit here naked; then you can complain."

Celeste immediately tensed. 

"How dare you speak to me like that!" she barked. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

Ivy grabbed a piece of toast and bit into it, ignoring Celeste completely. 

Rosalie began to sit up straighter, a small smile curved on her lips. 

"Did you hear me?" Celeste screeched. 

"I don't know who you are, and I don't care. The only person I'm interested in is Rosalie." Ivy was unbothered by Celeste's tone. "Oh, and Alpha Maddox, but only because he pays me," she added cheerfully. 

Stunned silence.

Celeste stared at Ivy as though she was an alien species.

Rosalie happily bit into a muffin, her appetite clearly restored once more.

"I...you...." Celeste spluttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize that you had an intellectual disability."

Ivy was enjoying herself now. 

Celeste was so angry that her face was turning beetroot red. I quickly intervened before she lost the plot completely. 

"Ivy, this is my fiancée, Celeste," I introduced. "Celeste, this is Rosalie's new nanny, Ivy."

"Maddox," Celeste was fuming now, "are you really going to let Ivy continue to be employed after she disrespected me, your fiancée?"

"Enough, Celeste. You started this. Ivy," I looked at her, and she blinked her eyes at me, her expression feigning innocence, "don't forget your place. I might not be married yet, but Celeste does deserve respect."

"I respect those who earn it." Ivy was unapologetic.

"Ivy," my voice went dark, "did you forget that you're on probation?"

"Nope."

The woman was infuriating and disobedient. 

Yet somehow, her personality appealed to me more than it should have. 

"I'm leaving," Celeste announced angrily, shoving her chair back and getting to her feet. "I no longer have an appetite."

She stormed from the room. 

Ivy waved goodbye to her with enthusiasm. 

I swear Rosalie's shoulders were heaving with silent laughter.

I got up.

"Miss Hart, this is not a good start. I meant what I said. You have one week to make progress with Rosalie or you are out of here. If you continue to provoke Celeste," I warned, "I will have no choice but to dismiss you. I suggest that you change your attitude if you want to continue working here."

"Don't worry, I won't provoke Celeste," she told me, her expression earnest.

My words had clearly got through to her. 

I exhaled, feeling somewhat relaxed.

Rosalie looked disappointed now, shoving her half-eaten muffin onto her plate.

"I have work and pack business to take care of. I'll see you at dinner," I growled, turning around. 

"Alpha Maddox, are you forgetting something?"

Ivy's voice stopped me in my tracks.

I turned around, my expression questioning.

She nodded at my daughter.

"You didn't say goodbye," she reminded me sweetly. 

I frowned. 

"Goodbye, Rosalie."

I turned again. 

"Alpha Maddox."

I inhaled and fought back my simmering anger, turning back around with what I thought was remarkable patience.

"What now, Miss Ivy?"

I swear she was trying to rile me up intentionally.

"You have to give Rosalie a hug before you go," she said disapprovingly. "You're going to be gone all day. Aren't you going to miss her? Where's the fatherly affection?"

I hesitated.

I couldn't remember the last time I had hugged Rosalie or told her goodbye. 

I swallowed hard, guilt threatening to overwhelm me. 

Without another word, I walked to Rosalie.

She looked at me unblinking. 

I placed my arms around her, feeling out of my depth.

My mate had always been the overly affectionate one. She'd been the one to lavish love on Rosalie, while I retained a slight distance, always putting the pack first.

But my mate was gone now. 

I breathed in Rosalie's scent, my arms slightly stiff. 

She tensed and then leaned into me. 

"Goodbye, Rosalie," I murmured, kissing the top of her head almost automatically. 

Ivy looked at me approvingly as I stepped back and smoothed down my shirt.

"Good job. I rate that three out of five. You can do better next time," she advised me, and my jaw dropped open. 

"What was wrong with it?" I growled. 

"You were stiff. You acted as though I'd ordered you to walk the plank."

This woman, she was going to be the death of me.

I glared at her and then turned to walk away, half expecting her to call my name again. 

To my surprise and my disappointment, this time she remained silent, and I forced myself to keep moving, trying to determine exactly why Ivy was getting under my skin so much. 

She was just the help. The nanny. 

So why did I feel like she was a threat to my normal, peaceful existence?

I refused to give Ivy another thought and swiftly made my way outside. 

Today would determine exactly what Ivy was made of and whether she would be able to succeed where the other nannies failed. 

I smiled at the thought. 

Ivy's arrogance would not last long. Soon she would be forced to apologize and admit her mistakes.

Maybe then, this restlessness, this anger, and this heated feeling would dissipate.