Page 4 of Bad Wolf's Nanny
Rick’s eyes narrowed. “That’s no excuse.”
Dane chuckled, rolling his shoulders as he joined Rick in watching the pack from the relative peace of their usual corner. A few of the females sneered and looked away as he briefly made eye contact with them, but even more let the connection linger, a familiar sparkle in their eyes and a curve to their lips.
He grinned. Seems like he was finally being let out of the doghouse. So to speak.
Rick shifted, a furrow etched in his brow, his lips pressed together in a thin line. He shuffled again, clearing his throat, his eyes moving in restless, irritable circles over the pack.
“Christ,” Dane said, elbowing him. “If you’re so bored, why don’t ya go to Europe or something? Keep yourself busy?”
“There aren’t any Accord meetings scheduled until the winter,” Rick replied, something distinctly moody in his voice, “and Felix wants to work on some pack legislation before I can present it to the Central Committee.”
“So why don’t you go work on that?”
Rick scowled. “I have. I need to get Felix’s input before I can continue.”
A ghost of a pout shadowed Rick’s face, and Dane had to choke back a laugh. That would be the fastest way to earn himself an ass kicking. As high and mighty as Rick liked to act, he could be incredibly childish when he didn’t get his way.
“Then just relax, would ya? You’re making me all jumpy, sulking away in the corner.”
“I don’tsulk,” Rick bit out, baring his teeth.
“Fine, let’s call it brooding, then.”
“I don’t brood, either.”
Dane groaned, letting his head fall back. “Christ, you’re no fun. Have a drink, loosen up, maybe talk to one of the girls. I think Anna’s got her eye on you.”
“I don’t fraternize with pack females,” Rick said, not even deigning to look over to where Anna and some of her friends were glancing over at him with decidedly hopeful eyes.
“Jesus, is there anything youdodo?”
Rick threw back the rest of his drink, raising it towards the bartender and tapping it with one long finger. “Make it a triple this time.”
“Fair play,” Dane said, shrugging.
The door swung open, and Dane craned his neck to see who it was. Felix and Nicolas strode in, greeting pack members as they went, moving through the assembled crowd like predators. Well, predators who had got themselves in the family way. Nicolas was cradling his newborn, Max, while Felix had Nicolas’s daughter, Gracie, over his shoulder. A loud commotion and series of yells announced that Thea and the twins were also in attendance, and they chased each other towards the sofas where the other older kids were playing. Finally, Cassie and Daisy walked in, arm in arm, chatting away.
“Finally,” Rick said, pushing off the bar.
Dane just rolled his eyes, grinning at his friends as they approached. “Greetings, oh high and mighty Alpha, Lord of all of us mere mortals.”
“Shut it, Dane,” Felix said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Sorry, we’re late, took forever to get the kids in the cars.”
Daisy took Gracie from Felix, patting her on the back as she burbled happily away. “At least we can just strap the younger ones into their car seats. Thea and the boys have to go to war every time someone mentions the front seat.”
“It amazes me that anyone would ever choose to disobey you,” said Dane, winking salaciously at Daisy and pointedly ignoring Nicolas’ growl. “You wouldn’t have that problem with me, sweetheart.”
Daisy scoffed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Guilty as charged,” Dane grinned, offering Cassie a wave. “Lovely to see my favorite partner in crime here as well. How’s the tree fort going with the boys? Cause Thea and I have cooked up a rather fun invention for when you next decide to try to invade.”
Cassie laughed. “Don’t tell me—you’ve finally given in to her demand for a moat?”
“Trade secrets, I’m afraid, can’t share anything without directives from Alpha Thea.”
“Come on,” Daisy said, tugging Cassie’s arm. “I want to say hi to Poppy and the others before you give Dane any more ideas to put into Thea’s head. She’s bad enough as it is!”
Cassie gave Felix a brief kiss before taking Max from Nicolas, and the two women wandered over to where their friends were chatting by the bar, leaving the four males alone.
