The Nanny

Chapter 1

The rain had been falling for three hours when *Liana Vale* finally reached the gates of Blackthorn Pack.

She stared through the windshield at the enormous iron gates, her fingers tightening around the steering wheel.

Beyond them stood a castle-like mansion surrounded by dark pine trees. Lightning flashed behind the mountains, briefly illuminating the towering walls and the silver wolf engraved above the entrance.

Blackthorn.

The most powerful wolf pack in the northern territory.

And the home of *Alpha Kael Blackwood*.

Liana swallowed hard.

“This is just a job,” she whispered to herself.

A nanny job.

Nothing more.

She had repeated those words all morning, but somehow they felt less convincing now.

Her old car rolled forward as the gates slowly opened.

She drove inside.

The mansion grew larger with every second.

Liana had heard stories about Alpha Kael.

Everyone had.

He was young for an Alpha, but already feared by neighboring packs. Cold. Ruthless. Unforgiving.

They said he had never taken a Luna.

They said he trusted no one.

And most importantly, they said *his wolf had never accepted a mate*.

Liana had no intention of becoming involved in any of that.

She only needed the money.

Her younger brother was sick, and the salary offered by Blackthorn Pack was more than double what she could earn anywhere else.

She had to take the job.

Even if the employer terrified her.

Liana parked near the mansion and stepped out into the rain.

She pulled her coat tightly around herself and hurried toward the front doors.

Before she could knock, they opened.

A tall woman wearing a dark uniform stood there.

“You're Liana Vale?”

“Yes.”

“The nanny?”

Liana nodded.

The woman looked her up and down.

“Come in. Alpha Kael is waiting.”

Liana's heart skipped.

“Now?”

“He doesn't like waiting.”

Of course he didn't.

Liana stepped inside.

The moment she entered the mansion, something strange happened.

A sudden warmth rushed through her body.

Her breath caught.

She stopped walking.

For one brief second, she felt as if someone had wrapped an invisible hand around her heart.

*Thump.*

Her heartbeat became painfully loud.

“What is happening?” she whispered.

The woman glanced back.

“Are you all right?”

Liana quickly nodded.

“Yes. Just tired.”

She followed her through the enormous hallway.

Paintings covered the walls. Ancient portraits of former Alphas stared down at her with stern expressions.

At the end of the hallway stood a large set of double doors.

The woman stopped.

“His office.”

She knocked twice.

“Enter.”

That voice.

Deep.

Cold.

Commanding.

Liana's entire body froze.

The woman opened the door.

“Alpha, the nanny has arrived.”

Liana stepped inside.

And saw him.

*Kael Blackwood.*

He stood beside the enormous windows overlooking the forest.

He was dressed entirely in black, his broad shoulders emphasized by the perfectly fitted shirt. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as though he had been running his fingers through it.

But it was his eyes that made Liana forget how to breathe.

Silver.

Not gray.

Not blue.

*Silver.*

His gaze landed on her.

The room suddenly felt too small.

Kael stared at her.

He didn't speak.

Neither did Liana.

Then his expression changed.

Just slightly.

His jaw tightened.

His nostrils flared.

Something inside him seemed to awaken.

*Mate.*

The word echoed inside Kael's mind.

His wolf had been silent for years.

Yet now it was roaring.

*MATE.*

Kael's hands curled into fists.

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

His wolf couldn't be reacting to a stranger.

And yet the scent filling his office was intoxicating.

Warm rain.

Wildflowers.

Home.

His wolf pushed harder.

*She's ours.*

“No,” Kael muttered.

Liana blinked.

“Excuse me?”

Kael immediately regained control of himself.

“Nothing.”

His voice was colder now.

He walked toward her.

One step.

Then another.

Liana fought the urge to step backward.

When he stopped in front of her, she realized just how tall he was.

“Liana Vale.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You understand your responsibilities?”

“Yes. I'm here to care for your daughter.”

“My daughter comes first.”

“Of course.”

“You will follow the rules of this house.”

“I will.”

“You will not enter restricted areas.”

“I won't.”

“You will not question my decisions.”

Liana hesitated.

“I understand.”

“And you will never leave my daughter unattended.”

“I promise.”

Kael studied her face.

There was something about her.

Something he couldn't explain.

Then a small voice came from behind him.

“Daddy!”

Kael turned.

A little girl ran into the office.

“Emma.”

The coldness in his face disappeared instantly.

He crouched down and caught her in his arms.

Liana stared.

She hadn't expected that.

The feared Alpha looked completely different with his daughter.

Emma wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Is she my new nanny?”

Kael looked at Liana.

“Yes.”

Emma immediately smiled.

“She's pretty.”

Liana laughed softly.

“Thank you.”

Emma looked at her father.

“I like her.”

Kael's expression darkened.

“You just met her.”

“But I like her.”

Then Emma suddenly leaned toward Liana.

“Can you stay forever?”

Liana's smile faded slightly.

“I don't know, sweetheart.”

Kael's eyes narrowed.

Something inside him growled at the thought of her leaving.

He hated the feeling.

He hated how his wolf reacted whenever she spoke.

And most of all, he hated the possibility that the woman standing in front of him could be—

His mate.

No.

He wouldn't accept it.

Not after everything that had happened.

Not after losing his first love.

Not after promising himself that he would never allow another woman to become his weakness.

Kael stood.

“You start tomorrow.”

Liana nodded.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity, Alpha.”

She turned toward the door.

But before she could leave—

“Wait.”

Liana looked back.

Kael stared at her.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then his wolf whispered again.

*Mate.*

Kael's expression hardened.

“You will sleep in the east wing.”

“Okay.”

“And Liana?”

“Yes?”

His silver eyes locked onto hers.

“Stay away from me.”

Liana frowned.

“I wasn't planning to get close to you.”

Something almost resembling amusement crossed his face.

“Good.”

She left.

The door closed behind her.

Kael remained completely still.

Then his wolf erupted inside his mind.

*You found her.*

Kael closed his eyes.

“No.”

*Our mate.*

“I said no.”

His wolf growled.

*You can deny her. But you cannot deny what she is.*

Kael looked toward the closed door.

For the first time in years, his heart was beating like a man who had something to lose.

And somewhere down the hallway, Liana pressed a hand against her chest.

Her heartbeat was racing too.

She didn't know why.

She didn't know what had just happened.

But deep inside her soul, something had awakened.

Something ancient.

Something that had been waiting for him.

And neither of them knew the truth yet.

*The Alpha had just met his Luna.*