Bewitching the Beast

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Ainsley

I all but run into the kitchen and I can feel my heart break at what just happen. I am thankful that Nathan defended me, but still the thought of them together makes me nauseous. I calm myself with my magic and I mental yell at myself for feeling like this. Yes, I have a crush on Nathan, but he is my employer at the end of the day and the kids come first.   

I begin preparing dinner and I decide chili will be prefect for tonight since of the freezing weather. Taking out the ground beef I begin cooking it when Nathan walks in.

“Ainsley, I’m so sorry for her behavior…” Nathans begins before I cut him off.

“Nathan, it’s not your fault and whatever is between you and her is none of my business; I’m just the nanny.” I answer and I put on the mask I am use to.

Nathan goes to say something before we hear Farrah yell, “Nate honey, are you coming?”

“You better go talk to her; I think there is a lot that needs to be settled. Dinner will be ready in about three hours.” I say and I go back to what I am doing.

I hear Nathan sigh sadly and I want to hug him, but it wouldn’t be appropriate.

Sophie comes running in after I finish putting the chili together with How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Washing my hands, I take her into the living room and I sit in a chair next to the tree.

Settling her in my lap, I open the book and begin reading, “Every Who Down In Who-Ville Like Christmas a lot... But The Grinch, Who lived just North of Who-ville, Did NOT!”

I look up when Alexander and Payton come in and settle in front of me on the floor so I continue reading. As I read, Emma and Shawn came in followed by the twins and lastly Donnie and Jonah who stood in the doorway with smiles hovering on their faces.

As I read, I sense Farrah leaving with anger boiling out of her, but I focus on the book. A few minutes later, I felt another pair of eyes on me and I knew it was Nathan so I continue reading. After I finished reading, I shut the book and Alexander asks if I could read A Christmas Coral on Christmas Eve. I could sense a change in the room and everyone becomes somber.

“We’ll see; now who wants so good hot chocolate?” I ask to change the subject.

I laugh as all the kids and Asher run into the kitchen. I brush past Nathan and I could feel my stomach flutter at the touch, but as usual, I push down the feelings. Walking into the kitchen, I take out Hersey’s Cocoa powder, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Mixing the cocoa, salt, and sugar with hot water in a saucepan; I stir until it begins to boil and I continue to stir for two minutes. Once that is finished, I add the milk and take it off the heat so it won’t over boil.  Adding the vanilla, I then begin whipping it with a whisk until it was foamy. Getting eleven mugs out, I pour the drinks out before adding marshmallows and whip cream.

Giving everyone a glass, the all take a sip and I swear they all let out a purr.

“Did y’all just purr?” I ask with a small smile.

Asher who has a perfect chocolate mustache, answers, “Yeah, it was our inner wolf. Now this is delicious hot chocolate; can I have more?”

Laughing, I nod my head and I begin making more. Suddenly I notice Nathan, Jonah, and Donnie get tense. They zone out and I know that they are talking on the pack link. I tell the kids to go into the den and I’ll bring them the hot chocolate when it’s finished.

When they are no longer in the kitchen, I quietly ask, “Is everything alright?”

“We have to go to the boarder in the northwest of the territory; there are rogue tracks up there.” Nathan says quietly.