CHAPTER 7 Under One Condition

　　Theo's POV

　　After the meeting with my brothers, I had excused myself from the dining table, and taken myself to the conservatory. The sun warmed this room like a greenhouse, and as I paced up and down, I felt myself begin to become clammy with the heat. I dabbed my sleeve at my forehead lightly before I perspired too much.

　　There was a reason for me being here, I knew I had a perfect view of the garden and could observe what Elsie was doing with my daughter. If I could get some insight into how she acted around Gracie, then I could decide whether my offer was adequate for Gracie.

　　Sure, Gracie appeared to be infatuated with Elsie, but were the feelings reciprocated? Or did Elsie have other intentions of being part of the Summer Pack? I needed to know everything about this stranger who had infiltrated my Pack.

　　As I paced, my movement slowed, my eyes fixed on the pair sitting beneath the Willow tree. They seemed as though they were in conversation, which was unusual in itself as Gracie didn't really speak to anyone, especially someone she wasn't that familiar with.

　　Gracie always kept to herself in the company she wasn't too familiar with, the only people she seemed to express herself with, was with myself and her Uncles.

　　What was it about this woman that Gracie was so fascinated with? I just couldn't put my finger on it, she was nothing special in my eyes. Especially coming from the Autumn Pack as well.

　　My attention was taken by the embrace that Gracie and Elsie shared, then standing on their feet, they began to make their way back to the house. Gracie leading her nanny by the hand.

　　I swiftly made my way out of the conservatory and back into the dining room, my brothers still remained sitting in the same spots, so I took my place back to my chair. My eyes fixed firmly onto the doorway, awaiting Elsie and Gracie.

　　 I felt my heart race, it pounded in my ear and I couldn't help but wonder why I was having this reaction. Something about the way Gracie admired Elsie, it sent me feeling some form of endearment. I had to rid myself of these feelings and focus on the matter in hand.

　　"Daddy! Guess what!" Gracie yelled as she entered the room, pulling Elsie by the hand "Elsie wants to tell you something,"

　　Gracie released Elsie's hand and ran to my side, she pulled herself up onto the chair she had sat on earlier, the pink padded cushion a comfortable aid that helped raise her so she could sit easily at the table with us.

　　I watched Elsie, she stood nervously and a weak smile shaped her pink lips "I have decided to accept your position as a nanny for the Summer Pack," she said.

　　A smile formed on my lips, not realising it would be that easy. Gracie was indeed a useful tool in her decision making "That's fantastic news," I replied.

　　"But on one condition," Elsie spoke, and I blinked through the surprise.

　　"Go on," I said, awaiting her next words, what condition would she suggest? Elsie should feel lucky to be offered any position within the Summer Pack at all.

　　"During my downtime on my nanny duties," Elsie paused to take a steady breath "I want to still continue warrior training with the Summer Pack,"

　　Kai, taking a sip of his soda, spat out the contents hearing Elsie's words. My eyes shifted to him slightly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

　　My gaze then shifted to Oris, who appeared taken aback, but remained calm. He pushed his glasses up on his nose, as he took his eyes back to his book. He must have known my reaction to this wouldn't be pleasant.

　　"I beg your pardon?" I asked Elsie, pushing the chair away as I stood to my feet. I walked toward her, my footsteps slow and intimidating "You don't come in here and demand any conditions,"

　　I stopped as I neared her, my face close to hers. I caught her scent in my senses, the floral smell from my garden seemed to cling to her. I couldn't help but notice, now I was so close to the redhead, how stunning her green eyes are. Blinking, I broke myself from the trance Elsie held me under, I couldn't become weak now.

　　"Do you not realise how privileged you are to be offered any sort of role within the Summer Pack? Especially you," My eyes studied her face "Luna of our biggest rival,"

　　"I am no longer part of that Pack!" Elsie spat her words at me, and I noticed the furrow of her brow "I am here, because I want to be here. Of course I appreciate your generous offer, but I don't want to fall off the wagon with my training," she paused "I'll do it when Gracie is asleep, when she doesn't need me,"

　　I grunted lowly as I exhaled, and I turned my face towards my brothers "Kai? Opinion?"

　　Kai smirked "Well I'm all for Red being allowed to continue her training," he smirked, and I saw his eyes study every inch of Elsie's body "I enjoyed watching her in the warrior selection, getting all sweaty and heated," his tongue lapped his bottom lip as his gaze remained on her.

　　As I took my gaze back to Elsie, I noticed her cheeks flush pink from Kai's gaze. We were getting too easily distracted and off track now. So I took my eyes back to Oris, surely he would have more helpful input "Oris?"

　　Oris peered up from his book "Well, I think it's mentally healthy to allow someone to enjoy their pastimes, especially between work," he smiled nervously "And giving Elsie the opportunity to carry on training would be good for her well being,"

　　Neither of these were the answers I was looking for, so I decided to ignore their words entirely. Gracie was my daughter, so I had the final decision on choosing her nanny.

　　"Gracie will always need you, even when she is asleep," I spoke, my eyes burning into Elsie's "If she wakes and needs someone, you will be there,"

　　"Theo…" Elsie began, but I struck down her sentence.

　　"You will not be allowed to continue warrior training within my Pack," I paused, feeling myself seethe, I attempted to remain calm "You will accept the role purely as Gracie's nanny, or you will leave,"

　　I knew how harsh my words were, and I admitted to myself that the slight guilt I felt was due to being so hard on Elsie. But I still had no idea who she was, just appearing from Rory's Pack. I was still in the dark about her intentions, so I had to remain firm with Elsie, until I felt like I could trust her.

　　"So Elsie," I spoke, drawing myself closer to her once more "What is your decision now?"