Chapter 10

Nan’s POV

My sister's studio apartment was small, but it was cozy. She kept it warm and it always smelled nice. Now the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled my nose.

She had a picture of us and Patti from a trip to a theme park a year or two ago, framed on her coffee table. The picture normally made me smile, now it just made me sad.

"Thanks Kay." I shook myself out of my thoughts and smiled as my sister placed a coffee in front of me. "It's just all been so hectic lately."

"It sounds like it." Kay responded with a nod. "You finally find Patti's birth father and of course it's this gorgeous, powerful Alpha-"

"I didn't say he was gorgeous." I mumbled, my face flushing.

"You didn't have to." Kay snorted out a laugh. "He's famous. I've seen his picture in magazines."

She shrugged her shoulders, before picking up her coffee. "Also when you talk about him you get heart eyes." She teased lightly.

"No I don't!" I scolded, swatting at her arm.

Kay loved teasing me about my abysmal love life. Which I guess was her right as my older sister, but the years didn't make it any less annoying.

Kay snorted loudly, filling her quiet, cozy apartment with the sound of her laughter. It was nice and comforting. Especially when everything had been so crazy.

"And so I'm her nanny for the next six months." I sighed, getting us back onto the correct topic.

"And then after that?" Kay asked, raising her brows pointedly. She saw right through me, she always had.

"I'm not supposed to see her again after that." I admitted quietly, staring deeply into my coffee. It was the same color as Patti- and Lionel's- eyes.

I hated that even now I was thinking about him. And about his eyes, no less. I shook my head, slightly, trying to shake off the thought.

"That can't happen." Kay shook her head with a frown. "It can't- it's not fair for him to take my niece."

I almost felt like breaking down and crying again. She was right.For him to take my daughter. But despite everything I had a hard time being angry at him. I felt defeated.

"I know, I don't like it either, but what can I do?" I asked, shaking my head with a heavy sigh.

“We could come up with something.” Kay said thoughtfully, taking a sip of her coffee. She hummed for a moment, before finally a smirk came onto her face.

That look was trouble. I knew it. “Whatever you’re thinking, no.”

“But what if it’s a great idea?” She exclaimed with a laugh. Her ability to laugh at a hard situation was always inspiring, but I don't know if I was in the mood for it.

“Okay, fine. What’s your idea?” I sighed, rolling my eyes at her fondly.

“Okay, okay hear me out.” She took a long sip of her coffee. “You could… try to seduce him.”

My face went bright red. “Seduce him?” I started laughing until tears started forming in my eyes.

“You think I should seduce an Alpha?” I continued laughing until I couldn’t breathe. “That’s insane.”

“Think about it! It could work.” Kay responded defensively.

“It’s the only way you’d get to stay with Patti!” She insisted as I finally started to calm down. “Besides it would vastly improve your life to marry a rich guy and you could get back at your ex.”

I made a face at the mention of my terrible last relationship. “I don’t know, Kay-”

“Find a way to make him fall in love with you! I’ve got some romance novels I could let you borrow, they might give you some ideas.” Kay offered with a smile.

“I hate to interrupt your little fantasy, but Lionel’s wife was his Fated Mate.” I reminded her. It was all over tabloids when they first got together.

"Their Bond's influence isn't going to disappear easily." Werewolves, especially alphas, were affectionate and extremely attached to their mates once they were bonded.

Especially if was a Fated bond.

Besides, I was wolf-less. I'd been abandoned by the goddess. Who in their right mind would want to be attached to someone like me.

I smiled bitterly, looking down and stirring my coffee before taking a long sip.

Kay let out a defeated sigh. "Alright, maybe you're right. But what do you have to lose by trying?"

"He could kick me out before the six months are up." I responded bluntly.

"You signed a contract right?" Kay reminded me.

"Yeah, I guess." I responded.

"Alright, well." Kay looked around, almost as if she was trying to see if anyone was watching. Finally she stood up, walking over to her closet.

Kay rummaged around in her closet for a moment before she grabbed something and returned to the couch. "Here. Try this."

I looked at the plastic packaging. My face immediately went red.

Inside of the packaging was a sheer, lacy set of red lingerie. The top was a short dress that was entirely lace and mostly see through. The bottoms were a matching set of lace underwear.

"No." I said quickly. It wasn't my style.

I didn't have the confidence to pull something like this off. And even if I did, there was no way I'd wear something like this in front of my boss.

"Come on, give it a try!" Kay huffed. "I love Patti too and I don't want to only see her whenever she's on TV."

I took in a deep breath, hoping it would steady me. The plan was insane. But I couldn't say no to her.

I begrudgingly accepted the lingerie, shoving it into the bottom of my bag as if hoping that if I buried it deep enough, I would just be able to pretend it wasn't there.

Shortly afterwards, I made my way back to the mansion, the lingerie hidden in the bottom of my bag. I was embarrassed just by having it in my bag.

I tried to distract myself once I got back to my room. I tidied up the few belongings I had brought to the mansion. I put up some personal pictures of friends and family on the wall.

I sighed as I sat down on my bed. I flinched as my bag fell off of the bed onto the floor. And of course, the lingerie fell out of the bag.

I was glad I was alone, since I was sure that my face must've been as red as the lace of the garment. I shook my head. No I couldn't do this.

I didn't even want anyone to see it in my room. I took a moment to center myself and then I grabbed the packaging. I had to return it to Kay.

I grabbed the packaging, trying to put it back into my bag as I slipped out into the hallway. I walked through the house towards the exit from the servant's quarters.

I bumped into someone, swearing as my bag slipped from my hand and the lingerie fell out of it onto the ground between us. I bent down to pick it up.

"Nan?" Lionel's deep voice shocked me out of the motion.

I froze, looking up at Lionel. My face certainly must have betrayed my embarrassment and I wondered if there was a record for the number of times someone had blushed in a day. I grabbed the lingerie, but I knew it was too late.

He had seen everything.

I cleared my throat as I tucked the garments back into my bag. I tried to avoid Lionel's gaze, but I couldn't help it. I didn't want to care about what he thought of me, but I couldn't help it.

I glanced up at his face, expecting to see some level of disgust.

He quirked a brow at me, not saying a word.

I felt dizzy. I felt sick. I felt like I was about to pass out.

How on earth was I going to explain this to him?