Page 5 of Bad Wolf's Nanny

“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.”

“Heis 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 notbored. 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 thelibrarian.”

“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 awolf.

“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.