Val watched the floor numbers climb in the elevator on her way to the penthouse on the fortieth floor. She could not comprehend how a couple of toddlers that could not wipe their butts were supposed to teach her anything, but she would do what was needed to stay in the department. She had goals to achieve after all, she planned to be the youngest department head in the history of Hell.

The kids, Lily and AJ, could not possibly be harder than the Trail of Hot Coals or climbing the Waterfall of Broken Glass. Judging from the profiles, she expected they would likely be clingy since their mother had abandoned them a few years back. She felt bad for their father, watching his wife run off with another man shortly after he turned the company into a multimillion-dollar coffee empire, and then paid her millions in a divorce.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened into a marble entryway. She was impressed by the modern interpretation of classic aristocracy she could see present. As she rolled her suitcase off the elevator and stepped in, she saw a sweeping view of the Olympics behind the Puget Sound and Seattle skyline through floor to ceiling windows. She could get used to a view like that.

"You're late," came a deep masculine voice that sent a ripple of excitement down her spine.

Alexander had smelled her as soon as the doors had opened. She smelled of a spring morning as the sun warmed dew coated flowers. The scent overwhelmed his senses, and it took an immense amount of will power not to tear around the corner.

Leaving her bag in the entry, Val walked into the open living room with comfortable furniture. She saw the wall of windows curved and there was a piano in the round corner. The black piano was a stark contrast to the white and light colors of the rest of the room.

Behind the piano was a staircase leading up to a loft area. From this vantage, she could see shelves lined with books but not much beyond that. Everything appeared to be of premium quality from the marble floor to the intricately designed panels of the ceiling.

It was surprising to see so many details of wolves incorporated through the room. Even the legs of the chairs were carved to appear to be sitting wolves. So much white, so many wolves.

Not seeing anyone there, she turned in the other direction and gasped at the man in the kitchen. He looked good enough to lick up. He was wearing a white shirt, the top buttons still undone, tucked into black slacks. His brown hair was short but long enough to see the waves. His short cropped beard only accentuated kissable lips and a strong jaw. She could tell that he was well toned and was already imagining running her hands along his smooth skin. She was starting to like this assignment a little more.

He was pouring milk into a bowl of cereal for a small girl sitting on the other side of the white island. There was so much white in there it made her nauseous. The girl had a mass of knotted up brown hair and was wearing a bright pink dress. She had a thumb wedged firmly in her mouth as she stared at Val with big blue eyes.

The kitchen looked like it was something designed to be on a cooking show. This whole place gave the appearance of requiring a whole staff to maintain. It made Val more curious about what was going on here. She wished she had asked for a briefing before coming up here.

"You must be Lily," Val said with a smile as she leaned to the girl. "I'm Val."

"I said you're late," he growled.

Val straightened and met the hard glare of his blue eyes with her own. Alexander reminded himself harshly that he could not leap over the island and claim his goddess. Humans did not know the pull of a mate bond as lycans did.

"I heard you just fine Mr. Smith, I have exceptional hearing," Val said to him with a calm smile. "I thought Lily might appreciate knowing the name of who you are addressing."

Lily giggled around her thumb when Val sent her a wink. Alexander Smith may be used to being the big man on campus, but Val decided he could use some lessons in manners. Alexander looked at his daughter in some alarm, as if he was not acquainted with the sound of her laughter.

"And where is AJ Mr. Smith?" Val asked.

Alexander realized quickly that he needed to get out of the penthouse. Yes, he had matters to attend to, his duties as the king never ended. Right now, it was her causing his desperation. He was on fire, itching to touch her, but some logical function managed to remain.

"If you're late, then I'm late. I do not accept tardiness, is that understood?" Alexander said sternly.

He was buttoning up his shirt and throwing on a tie in a hurry. He left the kitchen and used the mirror in the hall to finish tying the knot before grabbing his suit jacket and throwing it on. He was going to leave his children with a veritable stranger, she realized.

"You'll have to forgive my tardiness this time Mr. Smith. I was en route to a different, eh, family when I was asked to turn around," Val said in a salty tone.

Alexander stopped long enough to nod at her before grabbing a briefcase and heading to the elevator. He needed to get away and take stock. This was an unexpected development in his life that would have far reaching consequences.

"Very well Ms. Star, this is your freebie," Alex said over his shoulder.

He was proud of himself for not smashing a hole through the wall while he pushed the button for the elevator. Her scent was filling the entryway, and he closed his eyes as he drew it in. His body was trying to betray him.

"Are you really going to abandon your children to a stranger?" Val asked in shock.

She is strong, Alexander thought with pride. He was going to have his work cut out for him, trying to claim her. There was something about her that was off for a human though. A shimmer that made her appear like a mirage.

"You're not a stranger, you came highly recommended from your firm, and I checked your background," he told her as he tapped his foot impatiently.

"I'm a stranger to them," Val said as she stalked up to him. "And if you leave them here with me without a proper introduction and walkthrough of routines and expectations then I'll be walking out right behind you."

"You wouldn't dare," he said in a lowered voice.

He turned to face her, and the doors opened behind him. Why was he paired with a human, fated mates were so rare these days. There had to be a reason, but his council would not like the news.

"I certainly would, it would be irresponsible of me to accept care for them without knowing basic information about them or introductions being completed," Val said.

Val grabbed the handle of her suitcase and walked into the elevator. She was remembering Lammia's advice about standing firm. She could do firm, even if this man was making her insides quiver.

Val had to choke back a smile at his look of befuddlement, this was going to be a lot more fun than she thought. This was a man not accustomed to people not following along with his program. She stood there placidly looking over his shoulder in expectation.

"Are we abandoning the children or not Mr. Smith?" Val asked in as pleasant a voice as she could muster.

The doors started to close, and he darted out a hand to stall them. Alexander latched on to the threads of control he still had. He was going to lose the battle quickly if he did not pull himself together.

"Are you mad?" Alexander asked her.

"No, I'm feeling rather pleasant at the moment, how about you?" Val responded.

"Get out of the elevator, now," Alexander demanded.

"Would you like to start over Mr. Smith," Val asked, finally looking him in the eye again.

He stepped back in shock as the doors slid closed. Oh, she was going to enjoy this a lot. She was starting to see the benefit as she waved goodbye. The doors opened back up almost immediately to him standing there with a clenched jaw.

"Mr. Smith, I presume," Val said chirpily.

She stepped out of the elevator directly in his path, so he was forced to retreat. Setting down her suitcase, she extended her hand and flashed a brilliant smile. The alphas were not going to stand a chance against her, he thought.

He was not sure he would stand a chance against her. He already felt like falling to his knees and worshipping at her feet. No, he had his dignity to maintain, he would not grovel.

"I'm Val from Nannys'R'Us. Please excuse my late arrival, I was just notified of the change this morning," Val said.