“The results are inconclusive, I’m afraid,” she answered, lovely eyes glinting wickedly. “Further testing needed.”
Daniel laughed, surprised by her playfulness. She looked more relaxed and content than he’d ever seen her. A beast roared in his chest. His pack had done this. They’d given this omega—theiromega—exactly what she needed.
And this was only the beginning.
“Get some sleep, snake lady,” Dante ordered, planting a quick kiss on Bianca’s parted lips. “Rest up while you can. We have big plans for you, sweetheart.”
She was probably asleep before they even shut the door behind them. They lingered in the hall, grinning like fools for a few minutes, before finally starting back toward the office. Dante stopped them before they reached it, however, placing a hand on Daniel’s arm.
“Van, about what you said earlier,” Dante’s voice was hesitant. “I hope I haven’t done anything to make you feel that way.”
Daniel gave Dante a sidelong glance, wondering how his packmate could sound anything but euphoric after the fun they’d just had. “Man, I can’t remember half the shit I said in there. That woman is fucking molly in human form.”
Dante shook his head, smirking despite the concern still evident in his eyes. “She would hate that description more than she hates your nickname for her.”
“She secretly loves it.” Daniel shrugged, knowing he wasn’t far from the truth. Bianca Bonnycastle wouldn’t admit to enjoying anything, but he could tell what she actually hated and what she hated that she loved. Mostly. “Just like she’s secretly crazy about me.”
“Yeah, about that.” Dante looked serious again. “So is King, you know. He loves us differently, but equally.”
Daniel felt the uncharacteristic urge to blush. When he’d made that passing comment about King not being an impartial judge, he hadn’t expected Dante to pay much attention. He forgot that, despite his easy charm, Dante was nothing if not sincerely caring. He’d never intentionally made Daniel feel less important.
But Daniel did feel that way sometimes. Dante and King had so much history. They’d known each other since they were kids, and they’d served together. Their relationship was well-established when he’d met them by chance at the gym a handful of years ago. Daniel had been rebuilding his body and his life after a career-ending football injury. He hadn’t ever thought much about joining a pack or anything else beyond athletics, but they’d hit it off almost immediately and it’d felt like a puzzle piece clicking into place. Still, he felt like he’d never be as close to either of them as they were to each other. It was an embarrassing insecurity he’d thought he was past, but apparently not.
“You’ve never made me feel less loved, Papito,” Daniel said, fondly ruffling Dante’s hair. “Taking an omega together for the first time was different and emotional. I think I was just processing what it felt like not being the newbie in the dynamic for a change. And I got to share a first with you. It was cool.”
Dante smirked again. “Was it your first time getting pussy? Cause you sure came like it was.”
“Fuck you, Dante,” Daniel replied, storming away in mock outrage while his packmate laughed behind him.
“Anytime, babe! It’s not like it’ll take long!”
Daniel spent his day off alternating between thinking about Bianca and working on a plan for the self-defense classes he would add to King’s Guard’s programming. He wondered if Bianca would be officially theirs by the time classes launched and if she’d want to teach with him. She could help with demonstrations and her presence would set other omegas at ease. Teaching classes was such a great idea, Daniel couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it himself. It would be perfect doing it with his omega at his side.
Maybe he was getting ahead of himself, but it was hard not to be excited. Things were going so damn well. They’d gotten a contract with Nocturneand were in the process of training and onboarding three more full-time employees to handle most of the gig, alongside a reliable roster of independent contractors. Renovations to the building were going well enough that they expected to be ready for tenants by fall. Dante had several new contracts on the line, all easy private jobs with rich business associates of the Bonnycastle family.
By this time next year, they’d likely have doubled their full-time staff, and Pack King would be able to focus more on the business side than the work itself. They’d be well into the black and could slow down a little. Then they’d have plenty of time to settle into the new bond with their omega.
“We need a full-time receptionist,” Dante told him, when Daniel reported to the penthouse for his next shift. “Teresa likes her hours andwe would never let her go, but that means we need a second part-timer to pick up the slack. Where are we going to find someone friendly and competent, who can also survive on a part-time salary?”
Daniel shrugged, checking the monitors and noticing they had a visitor. “Maybe a college kid or something? Buzz Callum up. Looks like he’s brought BB a present.”
Dante frowned. “College kids are unreliable. And how come you always seem to get the best shifts? That sexy little spider always seems to come along when you’re on duty.”
Daniel laughed, sitting back in his chair and stretching out his legs. “I’m everyone’s favorite. He probably memorizes my schedule.”
In actuality, Callum was just around so much that Daniel tended to get lucky. Pack King hadn’t discussed Callum’s role in their lives yet, but they had an unspoken understanding that it would be whatever Bianca wanted it to be. Daniel liked Callum a lot—he was funny, sexy, and good for Bianca. He’d thought more than once about what it would be like to have both omegas. The idea made his cock stir hopefully.
He could hear Callum’s familiar tread as he strolled into the penthouse, humming cheerfully to himself. Dante was still brainstorming solutions to the receptionist problem, when the handsome omega appeared in the doorway, grin full of mischief as always. He bounded into the room and tossed a package into Daniel’s lap.
“This was downstairs for Queen B, so I brought it up. I didn’t know which of your security protocols it fell under. So, initiate Operation Pogo Stick or call in a code pink or whatever,” he demanded dramatically. “I figure you have to inspect it for bombs and such, so open it and tell me what it is. I think I heard ticking.”
Daniel chuckled. “I’m pretty sure if it was a bomb, we’d be screwed, since you just yeeted it across the room. Besides, I’m not the one with bomb defusal experience.”
Dante stood, lifting his hands. “Don’t look at me. My shift is over. I’m going home to work on the job description for the new receptionist.”
Callum turned his bright eyes on Dante. “You’re hiring a receptionist? Do they need prior experience?”
Dante cocked his head. “Not if I trust them. Teresa can get anyone up to speed as long as they have a little sense. You interested?”
