Chapter 2 - Dane
Dane leaned back against the bar and cracked open a cold beer.
Life was pretty good at the moment.
Sure, Felix had him running the border more often, but that was fine. He liked the exercise, the adrenaline, the feel of the earth under his paws as he thundered through the forest.
The Black Claws were acting up again, but when weren’t they fucking on one about something or other?
The odd ‘diplomatic’ mission he had to go on often ended in a scrap, but Dane reckoned that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Let both packs blow off some steam; no harm done.
It kept the line secure and the expectations clear.
There was the small fact that he was currently being ignored by roughly three-quarters of the pack females after blowing off Jessie—she really hadn’t handled it well—but a guy needed some peace and quiet every now and again.
So yeah, life was good. So, of course, some mopey bastard had to come along and ruin it.
Rick swirled a glass of amber liquid listlessly in his hand next to him, the ice tinkling against the crystal, and heaved a sigh.
Dane glanced over. “Problem, Reinhardt?”
Rick tilted his head, his eyes flashing as he surveyed the assembled pack members, the rec room of the Pine Shadow Club thrumming with life and energy. “When will Nicolas finally tire of domesticity and show his face? He was supposed to be here hours ago.”
“What, my company not good enough for ya?”
Rick huffed. “I merely want to catch up with him regarding some rather…sensitive politics to do with Congress.”
Dane knocked back a large swig of his drink. “Didn’t realize Nicky had an interest in politics.”
“Please,” Rick muttered, “he’s CEO of one of the largest corporations in the country. He can’t afford not to have an interest in politics.”
“Give him a break, Rick, the baby’s barely a month old!”
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’t sulk,” 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 you do do?”
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.
“If I were a betting man,” Rick said, looking Felix up and down, “my money would be on Thea as the one who will eventually usurp you.”
Felix snorted. “There won’t be any usurping involved. I’ll be old and tired and will gladly hand over my title to her.”
“Your sons might have something to say about that,” Nicolas said, his gaze landing on the two unruly boys.
“It’s interesting,” Rick said, deceptively mild despite the sly undertone, “I don’t think there’s been a peaceful transfer of power in the Iron Walkers for some eighty years. What makes you think that’ll change for you?”
“Ignore him,” Dane grinned, slapping Rick on the back and ignoring his choke of surprise. “He’s bored cause you haven’t given him enough political intrigue to keep him happy, Felix. He’d march down to hell and start an argument with the devil if it kept him entertained.”
“He is right here,” Rick said, but he didn’t deny it.
“You only finished destroying that bloody debtor's ring a week ago,” said Nicolas, his eyebrows rising, “and Eva’s home to take care of. How are you bored already?”
Rick’s jaw ticked. “I’m not bored. I’m just…seeking further stimulation.”
“Why didn’t you bring Eva tonight?” Felix asked.
Rick glared at him. “She has her language tutoring followed by piano lessons on Saturday evenings.”
Dane and Nicolas exchanged a look, and Dane couldn’t resist mouthing ‘pretentious asshole.’ The corners of Nicolas’s mouth quirked upwards.
“Hang on,” said Felix, glancing over to the door, his brows furrowing, “is that Ethel Peabody?”
Nicolas’s head whipped over. “Yeah, I think it is.”
“Christ, what’s she doing here?” Dane asked. “I thought she avoided any pack gatherings with, how did she phrase it? Too many idiotic alpha males.”
“She’s coming over here,” Nicolas said, a note of panic in his voice. “Quick, look like we’re talking about something important.”
Rick raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the librarian.”
“Have you ever had your balls handed to you by her?”
“I rather think not.”
“Then keep your opinions to yourself, and for God’s sake, don’t look at her, you’ll only encourage her over.” Nicolas hunched over the bar, one hand raised slightly to shield his face. Dane hid a snort in his beer can.
“Who’s that with her?” Felix asked, brows drawing together in curiosity.
Dane looked over, and his wolf stirred in his chest.
The first thing he noticed was the hair.
Long and thick, the color of melted chocolate, swept into an elegant mess of curls by a silver clip.
She had one of those figures that reminded Dane of an old Hollywood star.
All supple curves and pale flesh, somehow both small and delicate but also ripe and feminine.
Her dark eyes were wide with something nervous and delicious, like some sort of doe stumbling into a new meadow.
He couldn’t help but scent the air. Through the thick clouds of familiar pack members and the sharp tang of alcohol, he suddenly found her. Beneath an expensive-smelling rose perfume, she was there. Wild and earthy. Dane realized with a start that she wasn’t a doe at all. She was a wolf.
“That must be the student Ethel told me was coming,” Felix said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I didn’t realize she was a shifter.”
“Student?” Rick asked. “What sort of student?”
“PhD, I think. Yale.”
Rick hummed. “Well, I mean, it’s no Harvard, but—”
“Will you shut it?” Dane growled, craning to try and get a better look at her. Ethel had her by the arms, murmuring what seemed to be words of encouragement, as she nodded vigorously with a hint of panic. Ethel gestured, and the mystery girl glanced over.
Their eyes met.
God, but she was a gorgeous creature. A grin crept over his face. He was gonna have fun with this one.