Chapter 5

Natasha's POV

On my way home, I was riding a total high. Sophia had finally agreed to let me stay and care for her, which meant I finally had a job—one I'd snagged after beating out so many werewolf competitors.

Thinking about everything I'd been through, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride: I wasn't just some useless human after all.

The only thing was, I'd only met my tiny boss Sophia, and still had no idea who I was actually working for. But whatever—I'd find out soon enough.

At six in the morning, a sleek sedan was already waiting outside my apartment building. The door opened to reveal a male werewolf driver with a completely blank expression. He didn't say a word, just radiated cold indifference.

"Don't freak out, Natasha, you've already got the job," I whispered to myself as I opened the car door.

The car glided away from downtown, heading up toward the wealthy hillside district. Through the window, I watched Selene City slowly waking in the morning light. My fellow humans hurried to work, while the werewolves moved with unhurried confidence. Many wolves in custom-tailored suits were being chauffeured in private cars, carrying that born-with-it air of superiority.

Just yesterday, I was one of the masses, but today, I had a werewolf driving me. I clenched my fists, determined to make the most of this opportunity.

About thirty minutes later, the car turned into a long private driveway, finally stopping in front of a breathtaking mansion. White marble walls glowed softly in the morning light, with wide steps leading to a massive oak front door.

I had barely stepped out of the car when I spotted Grace the housekeeper already waiting at the entrance. She wore the same dress as when I first met her, her expression serious and sharp.

"You're punctual. Good," Grace said, her tone slightly warmer than yesterday. "The master is already waiting in his study to sign your contract. Miss Sophia is still asleep; we expect her to wake around eight."

I nodded and followed Grace through the spacious foyer and up to the second floor. The carpet was so plush I felt like I might sink into it. My heart hammered faster with each step, wondering who my new employer would be. Sophia's father? Another family member?

Grace stopped at a large door at the end of the hallway and knocked three times.

"Sir, Miss Sophia's new tutor has arrived," she announced, her voice carrying unmistakable respect.

"Send her in," a deep, familiar male voice called from inside.

The moment I heard it, my heart skipped a beat, then started racing wildly. That voice—that voice brought flashes of that night crashing into my mind: pain, darkness, the way he'd looked down at me... My stomach twisted with sudden panic.

Just as I considered bolting, Grace had already opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

I hesitantly stepped into the spacious study, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining all four walls and a marble fireplace in the corner. At a desk, a tall man stood with his back to the door, gazing out at the magnificent mountain view.

When he turned to face me, we both froze. His steel-blue eyes widened instantly, his cold expression transforming into shock and confusion.

"You!" he exclaimed, the authority in his voice vanishing. "What are you doing here?"

My cheeks burned hot, embarrassment and anger rushing through me simultaneously. "I... I'm Sophia's new tutor. I had no idea you were the employer."

"How could you not know?" he frowned, suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"Mrs. Grace didn't tell me the employer's name," I explained quickly. "If I'd known it was you, I definitely wouldn't have come."

The man was silent for a moment, his gaze traveling over me. "What a coincidence," he finally said, his voice dripping with suspicion. "Out of all the applicants, Sophia just happened to choose you."

"Maybe it's not a coincidence," I shot back, raising my voice despite my embarrassment. "Yesterday I told Sophia I was an orphan and that I genuinely wanted to care for her. I had no idea that had anything to do with you."

The man's expression returned to its cold mask. He walked to his desk, sat down, and motioned for me to take the chair opposite.

"So, Natasha Foster, do you really believe you're qualified to care for a werewolf cub?"

I straightened my spine and looked directly into his eyes. Even if he was an Alpha , even if he owned this mansion and had more money than I could imagine, I wasn't going to let him look down on me.

"I have a degree in early childhood education, I've volunteered at orphanages, and I've cared for many children, including werewolf cubs. More importantly, Sophia chose me. Don't you trust your daughter's judgment?"

The man's eyebrows ticked up slightly. "My daughter is five years old. I trust my own judgment more."

"Then why let Sophia participate in the selection process at all?" I challenged immediately, like we were in some kind of debate.

Silence blanketed the room. Point for me.

The man studied me, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Because the previous nannies couldn't connect with her. I hoped this time to find someone she would actually accept."

"And that person is me," I said confidently.

The man sighed and pulled out a thick contract from his drawer. "In that case, here's the employment contract. The salary is 30% above standard human wages, including room and board, with one day off per week. Your primary duties are caring for Sophia, keeping her company, and assisting with her education."

I quickly flipped through the contract, nearly choking when I saw the salary figure. It was way higher than I'd expected—enough to clear all my debts within a few months.

"There's an additional clause in the contract," his long fingers pressed against the document, his voice suddenly serious. "Absolute confidentiality regarding what happened that night... You can't tell anyone, especially Sophia."

I looked up at him, catching a flash of vulnerability in his eyes. Despite being a powerful Alpha , in this moment, he seemed like just a father who didn't want to disappoint his daughter.

"Why would I ever tell her? That would only hurt an innocent child."

The man exhaled in relief. "Good. So, do you accept the position?"

I hesitated. On one hand, working with this man who'd humiliated me so thoroughly was basically a nightmare; on the other hand, I genuinely liked Sophia, and the salary could change my life.

"I accept," I finally said, picking up the pen and signing my name. "But I have one condition."

The man raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"

"Basic respect," I said, looking directly into his eyes. "Yes, I'm just a human, but I'm not your servant or your plaything. Whether I'm Sophia's tutor or nanny, I deserve appropriate respect."

The man's mouth parted slightly, about to respond, when the door suddenly burst open. A sleepy-eyed Sophia rushed in wearing green pajamas, her blonde hair tumbling messily over her shoulders.

"Daddy, I heard Natasha's voice!" she cried excitedly, then spotting me sitting there, immediately launched herself toward me. "You came! You really came!"

I smiled as I caught the little girl, her innocent joy warming my heart. "Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?"

Sophia nodded happily, then looked toward her father. "Daddy, this is the special person I told you about! She's not scared of me like the others, and she said she came for me, not for you!"

The man looked at his daughter and me in surprise, seemingly realizing that this human woman might actually have a special understanding of his daughter.

"Sophia, you're up early today," he said, his voice much gentler. "You don't usually wake up at this hour."

"I smelled her scent," Sophia explained innocently. "It makes me feel safe."

I looked at the little girl in surprise, then at the man, and we exchanged confused glances.

It wasn't unusual for werewolves to smell humans, but for a human's scent to make a werewolf cub feel particularly safe was highly unusual.

The man cleared his throat and stood up. "Well, Natasha, you're officially hired. Grace will show you to your room and explain the house rules and daily schedule."

"Thank you, Mr. Morgan," I said.

"Around here, just call me Alexander," he replied, a certain softness in his voice. "Since you'll be caring for my most precious treasure, we should maintain a certain level of... familiarity."