Page 12 of Bad Wolf's Nanny
Dane rolled his shoulders. He wasn’t about to put up with Nicolas and his damn, prideful attitude without at leastsomepushback.
“Enough,” Felix said. “Dane, we need the new security measuresthoroughlytested. Do I make myself clear? I willnothave a repeat of the…camping incident.”
Of course, Rick didn’t even have the good grace to shuffle in his seat, or cast his eyes downwards, or show anyremorse at all for nearly killing Felix’s now-mate. He just sat, smugly unruffled, cocking his head to one side as if considering something academic.
Dane snorted. Rick was damn lucky that Cassie didn’t hold a grudge against him for attacking her when she had innocently stumbled into forbidden territory for a bit of stargazing. If she did, Dane had no doubt whatsoever that Felix would have done something about it by now. And as much as Rick liked to posture, none of them were on their own strong enough to go up against the alpha.
Well. Dane probably would be, if he were really trying. But that was what made him such a good enforcer. Andbecausehe was such a good enforcer, he was more than certain that he didn’t need to run a bunch of extra shifts testing something he already knew was working.
Still. Alpha’s bidding was his to obey.
“You got it, boss,” Dane said, throwing a wink at Nicolas. “If they’re a load of shit, I’ll let ya know Accardi’s been slacking.”
“Dane, for the last time,” Nicolas snarled, “this isn’t some joke—”
“It’s okay, Nicolas,” Felix said, eyebrows knitting together as he turned towards Dane. “I’m sure Dane is taking the security of the packveryseriously.”
Dane scowled. “Course I am. I just know that we’re all good, yeah?”
“Weren’t you the one who found Red Teeth’s massacre site just beyond our border?” Nicolas asked. “How in the world does that demonstrate us beingall good?”
Dane’s teeth clicked shut as the images of the bodies, mangled and broken in the mud, flashed behind his eyelids. Hiswolf stirred, growling low in his chest at the memory, bristling protectively at the threat. But he shook his head, forcing his anger down.
“If there’s one thing Red Teeth ain’t, it’s subtle,” Dane said. “If he were trying to break through the border, we’d know by now. Besides, I thought it was your surveillance that caught up his trail way up north, a thousand miles from here? Clearly, the bastard chanced it, got spooked, and ran off with his tail between his legs.”
“We don’t know it’s him,” Nicolas said darkly, a hint of rage flashing across his face.
“But we know he ain’t here right now,” Dane said. “And if he does come, then we’ll deal with that at the time.Myjob is to fight off threats to the pack as I see ‘em, so point me towards a threat, and I’ll deal with it.”
“There’s always the Black Claws,” said Rick, inspecting his nails. “They’ve been acting up again. Maybe you should go deal with them. I’ll even come with you if you like.”
“You’re just itching for a fight, Rick,” Dane said. “The Black Claws ain’t threatening shit.”
Rick sighed. “Pity. They’ve been a thorn in our sides for far too long now. It would be wonderful if they finally gave us a reason to exterminate them once and for all.”
“They’re fellow shifters,” Felix said, his voice rumbling with warning. “They’re to be talked about with respect.”
“Well,with respect,” Dane said, leaning forward, “they’re a bunch of worthless cu—”
“Dane!” Felix snapped, even as Rick hid a laugh behind his hand.
Dane flashed a grin. “I think we’re done here, boss. I’ll run a couple extra border patrols, get some of the boys testing the perimeter. If there are any holes, we’ll find ‘em. But I can assure you, there ain’t any.”
Felix looked at him hard for a minute, testing to find any hint of sarcasm, and when he was content that Dane was actually telling the truth and would do as he said, gave one stiff nod.
Dane stood, stretching his arms over his head with relish. “Alpha, a pleasure as always. Rick, find something to do besides plotting open war with another pack. And Nicky…” he grinned, “try not to get too upset about any more fences, yeah?”
Nicolas’s snarl followed him as he strode out of the office, a smile wide on his face.
***
The night air was crisp as Dane walked home, heavy boots thudding softly against the cracked pavement. Silvermist was peaceful at this time, the way he liked it, though his sensitive ears still picked up on the low thrum of his community. Someone listening to jazz, someone singing to themselves in a garden, some children chasing each other through the streets. As much as he liked to wind his pack brothers up, the truth was that nothing gave him as much satisfaction as the safety and happiness of his people. Protecting them was his job, and he might not always show it, but he was damn proud of that job.
A gentle breeze blew by, carrying with it the scent of evening jasmine and somebody’s cup of Earl Grey tea. And instantly his thoughts turned to her.
Lola Devereaux.
The image of her wouldn’t leave him alone. That pouty mouth, those wide eyes behind her prim little lashes, the way her cheeks flushed like she'd been caught doing something scandalous whenever he teased her. It should’ve been funny. Hell, it was extremely funny, winding her up. But it also scratched at something in him he didn’t quite know how to name.
