Chapter 2 - Declan
I walked into the living room, glancing over some papers. “Thanks for meeting here, guys,” I said. “I—”
I glanced up and raised an eyebrow as I regarded the scene in front of me. Most of the Gold Wolves were lounging on chairs or sofas. But their attention was directed at Nolan, who stood, crouching as he searched for something.
“What the hell are you doing?” I asked.
Nolan held his finger to his mouth, giving an overdramatic shush . “I’m on the hunt,” he said in a stage whisper.
I raised my eyebrow. “The hunt for what? A remote? Not exactly difficult prey.”
“A tiny wolf cub. About this big.” He held his hand to just below his hip. “Wild as all get out. Looks a bit like you. Only, I have no idea where she could be.” He raised his voice at the last sentence. “She must be a master hider.”
Giggling echoed from behind the couch.
Nolan’s eyes glittered with mischief, and he crept around. Just as he was almost around the couch, he jumped. A delighted scream shattered my eardrums as a young girl with my hair ran out from her hiding place. Nolan chased after her, clearing the distance between them in three large strides before grabbing her shoulders.
Dani squealed as Nolan began tickling her, collapsing to the ground in peals of laughter. “Dani, you’ve gotta be sneakier,” Nolan said, a wide grin on his face. “Next time, you’ll want to sneak around to the side of the couch when they look over there. Then go back after they’ve looked. Also, the giggling gave you away, so maybe don’t do that next time.”
“Nolan,” I warned, raising one eyebrow. “Don’t give her any ideas. I don’t need her knowing how to creep around better. She’s already good enough at it as is.”
“Aw, come on, Dec.” Nolan winked at me as he scooped Dani into his arms. “She’s got the prankster’s spirit already. It’s not going anywhere. She’s gotta have someone train her how to handle it to avoid utter chaos.”
Dani giggled.
“Sure, but you’re definitely not the one I want teaching her how to avoid chaos,” I retorted.
“Why on earth not?” Nolan asked, eyes widening with fake innocence.
“You have to ask that after that one mission where you wanted us all to dress as women to get into an exclusive club?” Will asked, his eyebrow raised.
“Or the time you tried to convince us all to set fire to a building?” Chris added.
“That one was to flush out the bad guys!” Nolan argued. “I don’t know what you guys are smoking. I’m a great role model.”
“Yeah!” Dani agreed, nodding fervently. “The best.”
“Trust me, kid, he’s not,” Chris said, ruffling Dani’s hair.
“I am the most fun fake-uncle, though,” Nolan countered.
“Well, I hope Rose will find a new nanny soon,” I said. “And hopefully, Dani won’t scare this one off as easily.”
Dani grimaced, folding her arms and giving a dramatic pout. “I don’t need a nanny,” she said.
“Yes, you do,” I said.
“I’m seven!”
“And you have a wild streak to you,” I said, raising my eyebrow at her. “So those right there are two reasons for you to need a nanny.”
Again, Dani pouted, giving a look I used to give when I was her age. The similarity was so stark that I nearly started to laugh. That, coupled with her black hair and her stubborn streak, made her irrefutably my kid.
“Why can’t you just stay home all day?” she asked. “We could have so much fun.”
I sighed. “I would if I could, kiddo,” I said, and I meant it. “But I’ve got to deal with pack business, especially since I’m a new alpha. People are still getting used to me, and I need to show them I’m here to help them and lead them. Unfortunately, I can’t do that from the house.” The only reason I was here today was because Rose was still doing nanny interviews, and I couldn’t leave Dani alone all day.
Dani sulked. “I like it when you’re home. It’s more fun.”
“I’m sure it is,” I said, picking her up. “But I’m not able to get as much work done.” I gestured at Nolan. “Case in point, I brought these guys here for a town briefing, and it turned into a game of hide-and-seek.”
“Sorry,” Nolan said, not sounding a bit sorry.
The phone rang. I extracted myself from Dani’s grip, plopping her on the ground before pulling out my phone and checking the ID.
“Hey, Rose,” I answered as I put the phone to my ear. “How’s the hunt going?”
“Over,” Rose said triumphantly. “I found someone. I think she’s going to be a really good fit. Her name is Lacey, and she’s able to start immediately. I told her to head over here as soon as she can. She said she could be here tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” I said, looking over at Dani. She must have guessed what we were talking about because she made a face and scurried off.
“Thanks again for helping out,” I said to Rose. “I know it was a lot to ask, but it really helped.”
“That’s what you pay me for,” Rose quipped, and I could hear the wry amusement in her voice. “I would be a pretty lousy secretary-slash-assistant if I didn’t do my job.”
“I definitely would never use the word lousy to describe you,” I said. “Smart? Yes. Competent? Absolutely.”
“Damn straight, and don’t you forget it. I’m just glad I was able to find someone for you,” Rose said. “I think she’s going to be a great nanny.”
“I’m sure she will be.”
Even as I said it, a pang jolted through me, settling in my stomach. Having a nanny was great, and it was something that both Dani and I needed. That said, I would rather have a mate. I didn’t talk about it with the others, but a mate was the only thing that was missing from my life.
“At the very least, she definitely strikes me as the type of person who isn’t going to flee once Dani starts trying her antics,” Rose said, breaking through my thoughts.
“One can only hope,” I said with a sigh. “Thanks again.”
I hung up and pushed the thought of mates from my mind. That part of my life was long behind me. I hadn’t seen Mira in years. I didn’t even know where she was anymore. Dwelling on it—on her—wouldn’t do anyone any good.
Shoving those thoughts away into the deepest corners of my head, I turned back to the Gold Wolves and started the meeting.