Aria’s POV
Alpha Rowland’s barrage of questions made bristle. Right, of course. Rich wolves, they think nannies sprout from trees.
I pressed my lips together before my wolf snapped at him.
“I can’t afford a nanny.”
This was an upscale neighborhood. No wonder these two slled like old money.
“And her dad...We’re... almost divorced,” I said casually.
The second the words left my mouth, Alpha Rowland lunged forward, unable to contain himself.
“When?”
I froze.
What is wrong with him?! Why does he care so much? Why does he look relieved? Excited? Seriously?
“I’m not talking about my past,” I muttered. “It’s none of your business.”
He didn’t push further. But the glint in his eyes said enough.
He looked like he would dig and find out.
Let him try, my wolf snorted.
“Ma-ma...” ca a tiny voice from the stroller.
My heart lted instantly, all thoughts scattering like leaves in a storm.
Lana started getting fidgety in the stroller, her tiny face scrunched up, her fists flailing in every direction.
The change hit instantly. My wolf pricked her ears, unease tightening through my chest.
She was fine earlier... what’s wrong now?
“Hey, sweetheart... what’s up?” I murmured, bending down.
I lifted her into my arms, bouncing her gently, the way she usually loved. She would usually giggles whenever I did that and it always ward more than sunshine. But today, she only whined, her breath hitching, her eyes glassy with the start of tears.
My heart clenched.
The young lady leaned in, sniffed lightly, and peeked at Lana’s diaper. “Is she wet?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I changed her right before we left.”
But worry gnawed at .
It has not been long since she had a fever. It was just the other night. What if she was getting down with another bout of that?.
I touched her forehead, praying I wouldn’t feel heat.
It was warm... Still, my wolf howled with warning.
Take her ho, now.
I straightened and turned toward the apartnt complex.
The young lady quickly dragged Alpha Rowland closer.
“Hey,” she said with that too-bright smile, “carrying a baby is tough. My cousin here can give you a hand. Or push the stroller.”
Alpha Rowland nodded quickly, too quickly. “Yeah—yeah. You hold the baby. I’ll take the stroller. Or I can even take both!”
Despite everything; his weird energy, his too-intense staring, I hesitated only a second.
“Thanks,” I breathed. “That’d be a huge help.”
Lana settled a little in my arms.
But the stroller was bulky and annoying, and honestly, my arms were burning from juggling both baby and worry.
Alpha Rowland stepped behind the stroller and placed his hand exactly where mine had been and I saw a smile creep to his face, his eyes coming alive with his wolf for a millisecond.
What is with him? I thought, shifting Lana to my other hip. He’s acting like he found a missing limb.
We walked toward the far end of the park.
I was just about to adjust Lana’s blanket when—
An ear-splitting bark ripped through the air.
Lana jerked violently in my arms, her little heartbeat thudding like a terrified rabbit’s.
My wolf’s hackles shot up instantly.
“What was that?” I muttered, scanning the park.
A prickle of dread crawled down my spine.
Lana’s cheeks were flushed, not sickly pale like before. Fear registered on her face, the kind a pup feels when danger is close.
“Grenade!” soone scread.
My whole body jolted, adrenaline flooding my veins.
The barking grew louder, closer and wild.
A golden retriever burst out from behind a bench, charging straight toward us, foam at its mouth, eyes bloodshot.
“Oh Moon...” I whispered.
Alpha Rowland snapped out of whatever world he’d been in and moved with Alpha reflexes. He was quick and decisive, planting himself in front of and Lana, his body tense, his aura flaring like a shield.
The dog barreled straight at him—
“WOOMPH! Woof! Woof!”
but then veered sharply, its claws tearing the grass.
It was not aiming for him, it looked like it was aiming for us, Lana and .
Its rabid eyes locked on Lana, its lips peeling back to reveal its teeth.
I froze.
My breath caught in my chest, cold as winter, as a chilling gust seed to rise from my feet and rush up my spine.
Lana whimpered against my chest.
My wolf snarled awake inside .
Protect. Protect her now.
“Arf! Arf!”
Before I could even react, before my muscles could unstick from terror, a strong arm flashed past .
Then there was a sharp yank. The golden retriever was lifted clean off the ground by its scruff, its legs kicking wildly.
A heart-wrenching yelp split the air before the dog crashed onto the grass several feet away.
My chest heaved.
It felt like I hadn’t taken a breath in years.
Only then did I snap out of it, stumbling backward with Lana held tight in my arms.
Alpha Rowland had thrown the dog away and moved instantly, stepping in front of , his shoulders broad, his stance protective, his wolf aura flaring so intensely it made the hairs on my arms rise. Staring at his glowing eyes, the dog cowered in fear.
Alpha Rowland burned with anger.
He had protected us, instinctively. Like a wolf guarding his mate and pup.
“Sorry! Sorry!” a frantic voice shouted.
A man jogged toward us, sweat beading on his forehead.
He looked like he was the owner of the retriever.
He plastered on an apologetic smile, though sothing about his scent was... evasive and uneasy.
“I swear, I don’t know what happened,” he babbled. “Grenade has never acted like this before. He’s always been well-behaved.”
Alpha Rowland wasn’t impressed.
“Why wasn’t it on a leash?” he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. “This is a residential area.”
The sheer Alpha edge in his tone made even my wolf straighten.
The man went pale.
“Grenade’s a retired enforcers dog,” he said quickly. “Everyone knows him. He’s trained. Really well-behaved!”
Alpha Rowland scoffed. “I’m calling the enforcers. You can explain it to them.”
He took out his cellphone.
I blinked.
He’s serious...He’s really serious.
“What?!” The man yelped, outrage flaring. “No one’s hurt! Why call the cops?”
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