Chapter 103
Chapter 103
Iris
Arthur swings open the front door to reveal an older woman with graying hair standing in the hallway.
“Mrs. White,” he says, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter. “Please, come in.”
The woman shuffles into the foyer, clutching a small duffle bag to her chest. She stops in the center of the room and looks around with a discerning eye before her gaze lands on me. Something seems to harden her weathered features, and she presses her lips into a thin line.
“Iris, this is Mrs. White, our new nanny,” Arthur says, gesturing between us. “Mrs. White, this is my mate, Iris.”
The use of that word–mate–sends an unwanted thrill through me. I can’t help but wish he’d chosen a different word, because although we are technically still mates, we’re not… together. And yet, at the same time, hearing him say it sets my pulse racing in ways I don’t want to admit.
Especially when he looks as handsome as he does right now, the top button of his shirt undone, hair ever so slightly mussed, and his sharp jaw dotted with overnight stubble.
The woman looks me up and down, causing me to draw my robe a little tighter around myself.
“Pleasure,” she says, then looks at Arthur, “Where is the child?”
“He’s sleeping,” Arthur replies. He begins moving toward the kitchen. “Tea? Coffee? Anything to eat?”
Mrs. White narrows her eyes, but follows Arthur into the kitchen. I hesitate, debating running upstairs to get changed, but ultimately follow them.
“Sleeping this late?” she asks as she settles onto a stool at the counter. “A boy his age should be up already, preparing for the day.”
I glance at the clock on the microwave and frown. It’s not even seven o’clock, and it’s a Saturday.
Arthur pours three cups of coffee and sets on in front of each of us. “Mrs. White is the reason why I was out all day yesterday. The interview process was extensive.” His eyes sparkle with humor. “On both ends, might I add.”
“I don’t agree to work for any family until I have the proper understanding of their household,” she says. “Even if it’s the Alpha President.”
I can’t help but bristle slightly at that. It explains where he was yesterday, but Arthur should have told me he was going to hire a nanny.
Just then, Miles comes into the room, rubbing his sleepy eyes. “Mommy, can we have waffles for-” He stops short when he sees the strange woman sitting in our kitchen. She turns to him, her lips tugging downward when she sees his rumpled dinosaur pajamas and messy hair.
Miles‘ face pales, and then he abruptly turns on his heel and runs off. The hallway echoes with the sound of his footsteps pounding up the stairs, followed by the sound of the guest room door slamming shut.
I flinch. Arthur blinks, clearly confused, and I realize this is the first time he’s ever seen Miles have a meltdown
over a new person.
“Why, I never,” Mrs. White huffs, clutching her pearl necklace.
Arthur looks a little dazed. “He’s not normally like that,” he says. “Usually, he’s quite adventurous.” He glances at me, a silent question behind his green eyes.
Chapter 103
+25 BONUS
My stomach sinks slightly. I still haven’t had the opportunity to explain the reason behind Miles‘ mannerisms, and frankly, I’ve been hesitant to do it. Arthur is an Alpha; there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll take issue with the fact that his son is on the spectrum.
Thankfully, Arthur quickly changes the subject, getting Mrs. White settled and showing her around the apartment.
He sets her up in the secondary spare bedroom on the second floor, a room that neither of us has ever used. I’ve been preferring to sleep with Miles since we got here, and even when I lived here with Arthur five years ago, the room never got used for anything other than storage. It seems Arthur has cleaned out the boxes and other things at some point without my knowledge, but hasn’t done a deep clean.
I can’t help but notice the nanny’s mild look of distaste at the thin layer of dust on the top of the dresser and windowsill. She turns to Arthur as she sets her bag down on the twin–sized bed. “Don’t you have a housekeeper?” she asks, then glances at me as if it’s my job to ensure the entire place is spotless.
Arthur smiles slightly. “Not yet,” he admits.
The nanny looks taken aback, probably because she expects the Alpha President to have a full staff or at least a housewife. But she doesn’t mention it again, and we leave her to get settled.
Once Arthur and I are alone again, I turn to him. “Why didn’t you warn me?” I whisper. “Or Miles?”
“I told you I wanted to hire a nanny,” he says simply.
“Yes, but I told you that Miles and I are getting our own place soon. Besides, isn’t it a bit risky to hire someone to be here, what with the whole… situation between you and Selina?”
