He’s My Alpha by Cassandra M (Jake & Clair)
Chapter 20
CLAIR
I closed the shower and pulled my towel from where it was hanging to dry off before wrapping it around my body. I only have twenty minutes left before my time starts at the daycare.
The daycare houses pups from two to five years old, from six o’clock in the morning up to five o’clock in the afternoon. It would be either their parents were warriors who were in training or had tasks to do, or parents that were working in and outside the territory.
I was just on a volunteer status with an allowance. The allowance was something I really don’t need since Dad and Aaron have been providing for all that I need while I stay here. This status would also allow me to quit at any time since I wasn’t sure yet if I wanted to stay here for good or not.
But I was truly excited to work there, especially after I saw how refreshing it was to be around the pups.
My first day was yesterday when they hired me on the spot, but technically today would be the first time I would go there at a scheduled time, and I wanted to give a good impression. But as much as I wanted to be early, I got so engaged in my sparring with Harrold this morning that I lost track of time.
It was a good thing Jenny passed by, and like the angel that she was, she reminded me of my agenda for today.
She was like a walking planner. She never missed or messed up anything. And I think that’s why we’re friends — opposites attract!
I shut my locker door closed and slung my gym bag in one arm before I hurriedly dashed off from the women’s locker. I passed by the warriors’ cafeteria and grabbed two energy bars from the counter. This will do for now.
I winked at the sweet lady manning the cafeteria before saying Aaron’s name in a whisper, just enough for her to hear. She knew from experience that I always put my food on Aaron’s tab, and today was no exception.
I reached the daycare with seven minutes to spare after I put my bag inside my designated locker. I went around and approached the daycare lady, and she pointed me to where Chloe was.
I strutted my way to where Chloe was and was soon swarmed by pups who wanted to hug and greet me first.
“Easy! Easy!” I raised my hand as I crouched down to their level, a big smile spreading on my lips.
“Everybody will get their turn at hugging Clair!” My heart warmed at the sight of the pups clapping their hands in excitement as I opened my arms to hug and greet them.
The day went by quickly. It was either I was having fun with the pups or I was too busy and tired from running after them to take notice of the time. Either way, I found it more productive than lounging somewhere and wishing for my Alpha to show up. At least I got a distraction. My mind could rest from thinking about him 24/7.
And aside from looking after the pups, I also had a productive day when I attended the meeting for the daycare renovation.
The former Beta Female was here today. If I remember correctly, her name was Marina, and she invited me to join them and share any ideas I could think of, which I surely did!
I suggested that since they were planning to paint the walls a new color, it would be more exciting for the pups to join in on the fun. After a certain room has been splashed with white or light-colored paint, we could have the lower part be abstract from the pups. They could color the bottom part however they wanted, using child-friendly paint.
This would bring creativity and more memories for them as they grow older. And I was over the moon when everyone agreed and was excited about the idea.
By four in the afternoon, the number of pups started to dwindle. Most of the parents had picked theirs. Chloe went home as well. She was here on an earlier schedule, and now I was just left with the daycare head, Melissa, and one girl who did the same thing as Chloe and I did.
I was currently in one room with two overly excited 4-year-old pups. I made a game out of the toys they scattered and made them pick them up and place them back in their designated boxes. Both were compet*itive and tried to outdo each other, which resulted in a faster way to clean up their mess. And to motivate them more, I mimicked a radio announcer’s voice to detail the events, which made them giggle along the way.
“And now, it seems that little Ashton is leading the race as he grabbed the last… lego piece on the floor! But wait! Little Cassandra will not raise a white flag yet as she picked up the white fluffy rabbit and… dunked it on the bunker!” I announced
exaggeratedly as little feet hurried to pick up their toys.
I was so into our little game that I didn’t notice the three figures behind me.
I clapped my hands happily as I announced both kids as winners. They beamed excitedly, their chests puffed out, as they gazed proudly at me.
After a while, they both scooted nearer and hugged each of my legs, fear visible in their irises as they stared at something behind me.
I frowned when I sensed their fear and slowly turned my head in the direction of their gazes. I swallowed hard when I realized that Melissa was standing behind me, and beside her were the Alpha and his Beta.
“Alpha.” I bowed to acknowledge his presence but avoided his eyes.
I picked up little Cassandra and held her in my arms while clutching little Ashton in my other hand.
It would look like I was holding them so they wouldn’t get scared, but in reality, I held on to them so my knees wouldn’t buckle in his presence. I wasn’t expecting to see him here.
“Alpha Jacob, this is Clair. She’s one of our newest volunteers. And she’s also the one Marina told you earlier suggested we let the pups paint the walls as decor.” Melissa smiled warmly as she introduced me to Jake.
If I was not rattled by the way he stared at me, I would have made some sa*s*sy remarks about knowing the Alpha, but I chose to keep my silence.
He didn’t say anything either. He just nodded at her words. “And how do you find it so far? Do you like working here?” He questioned me directly.
His deep, baritone voice was sending shivers down my spine.
“Yes, Alpha,” I answered in a low voice, forcing a smile to come out.
“Good.” He nodded before turning his attention to the little girl in my arms. “And what’s your name, little one?” He asked softly, a smile curving on his lips as he reached out to touch the back of her hand, which was resting on my arm.
Little Cassandra’s lips started to quiver in fear before she let out her small voice to speak. ” Princess Cassandra.”
Jake feigned a surprised gasp, which made me smile. He looked so adorable that I forgot we were around other people as I looked adoringly at him. But I immediately snapped myself out of it and gave out a regular smile, one that did not reach my eyes. “Ah, Princess! I didn’t know we had a princess around here!” He added, which made Little
Cassandra giggle and ease up on him.
She hid her face on my chest before answering shyly. “Clair said she’s a princess too, but we can’t tell anyone.”
I felt my cheeks start to burn and I let my eyes look elsewhere but at him.
“I’m sure she is.” He replied, and I knew he was staring at me again, which explained the burn I felt in my skin.
“And I’m Clair’s prince!” Little Ashton proudly added, which earned a giggle from me but somehow earned a scowl from Little Cassandra.
“No, you’re not! You’re my prince!” She glared at the little boy beneath her, her nose flaring.
Ashton cowered and hid behind my leg.
I chuckled before I replied, “Well, Princess Cassandra, we can share. Wouldn’t it be nice if Prince Ashton had two princesses?” I explained nicely.
“No! A princess doesn’t share her prince! Ashton is my prince!” She shook her head, a scowl still on her face, and crossed her arms over her chest, huffing. ” You can have him as your prince!” She pointed at the Alpha in front of us before her lips started to quiver again, a sign that she would cry soon. ” Ashton is mine!”
I refused to say another word as I stole a glance at Jake, who seemed rendered speechless by little Cassandra’s words.
Good Goddess, how did this little girl find out who my prince was?
It was a good thing that Melissa broke the awkwardness with her laugh. “Oh, aren’t pups the sweetest thing ever?”
She clasped her hands together before talking to the pups. “Now, I believe you both need to get ready because your moms are coming. I can smell them already!” She acted as if she was sniffing the air.
Both pups perked up at the mention of their moms and started sniffing the air. Then they both wriggled away from my arms and ran towards the pups’ hallway to pick up their things.
I smiled warmly before tilting my head down. ” Alpha, Beta, Miss Melissa, I’ll follow after the pups now and hand them to their parents. I should be going too.”
“Thank you, Clair. I’ll see you on Monday then.” Melissa stated.
I smiled at her and nodded before walking out, without throwing a glance at Jake or his Beta.
The daycare would be closed during the weekend. Which was a good thing because I have a whole day tomorrow before we head off to the bar at night.