Chapter 18
The moment business discussions finally ended, Danny escaped upstairs with Kai dramatically clinging to his arm.
Lucas watched them leave with narrowed eyes.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
His wolf growled softly.
Mate plotting something.
Richard sighed tiredly while organizing documents.
“You know,” he muttered, “Kai is a bad influence.”
Lucas looked toward the staircase calmly.
“I’m beginning to realize that.”
Upstairs, Danny slammed his bedroom door shut behind them.
Then immediately climbed onto the giant bed.
Kai flopped beside him excitedly.
“Okay. Mission time.”
Danny blinked.
“…Mission?”
“We’re testing your husband.”
Danny hugged a pillow thoughtfully.
“It still sounds weird calling him my husband.”
Kai rolled his eyes.
“You literally sleep in his arms every night.”
Danny’s face warmed slightly.
“That’s because he’s warm.”
“Danny.”
“What?”
“That man looks at you like you’re his religion.”
Danny buried half his face into the pillow immediately.
“No he doesn’t.”
Kai pointed dramatically.
“You’re blind.”
Danny frowned slightly.
Because honestly…
Sometimes it did feel strange.
Lucas touched him too gently.
Listened too carefully.
Like Danny mattered more than everything else.
But that didn’t make sense.
Their marriage started as a contract.
Right?
Kai snapped his fingers suddenly.
“Focus. We need evidence.”
Danny peeked upward slowly.
“…How?”
Kai grinned mischievously.
“Simple.”
He held up one finger.
“Test number one: clinginess.”
Danny blinked.
“I’m already clingy.”
“Exactly. But now you increase it.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“You’re not doing the work. Lucas is.”
Fair point.
Kai continued excitedly.
“Real lovers love physical affection.”
Danny thought seriously.
Lucas did always seem happiest whenever Danny cuddled him.
Interesting.
Kai raised another finger.
“Test number two: jealousy.”
Danny gasped softly.
“That sounds dangerous.”
“It’s science.”
“I don’t think science works like that.”
Kai ignored him.
“Flirt with someone else lightly. Watch his reaction.”
Danny imagined Lucas getting angry.
Strangely—
The thought felt kind of exciting.
Kai leaned closer dramatically.
“Test number three: ask for something unreasonable.”
Danny blinked.
“I already do that daily.”
“…Right.”
Actually that was true.
Lucas never refused him anything.
Ever.
Kai looked deeply disturbed suddenly.
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Has Lucas King ever told you no?”
Silence.
Danny thought carefully.
Then slowly—
“…I don’t think so.”
Kai stared in horror.
“Oh he’s DOWN BAD.”
Danny threw a pillow at him immediately.
“Stop saying weird things.”
Kai cackled loudly.
Downstairs, Lucas looked up toward the ceiling.
His enhanced hearing no longer reached them through the soundproof upper rooms.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
His wolf paced restlessly.
Mate hiding.
Suspicious.
Back upstairs, Kai grabbed Danny’s shoulders dramatically.
“You need to understand how insane this is.”
Danny blinked.
“What’s insane?”
“Danny. That man is Lucas King.”
“…Mhm?”
“The terrifying billionaire king everybody fears.”
Danny nodded.
“Okay.”
“And he carries you upstairs because you don’t wanna walk.”
Danny considered that thoughtfully.
“…That is kinda romantic.”
Kai pointed aggressively.
“EXACTLY.”
Danny suddenly flopped backward onto the bed.
The ceiling looked strangely blurry.
What if Kai was right?
What if Lucas actually…
No.
Impossible.
Right?
Still…
Danny remembered warm hands adjusting blankets around him.
Lucas waking up instantly whenever Danny whined sleepily at night.
The way his eyes softened every single time they met.
Dangerous thoughts.
Kai suddenly grinned again.
“I have the perfect final test.”
Danny looked nervous immediately.
“…Why are you smiling like that?”
“Tomorrow,” Kai whispered dramatically, “you tell Lucas someone asked you out.”
Silence.
Danny stared.
“…I’m sorry what?”
Kai looked delighted.
“If he’s jealous, we’ll know.”
Danny buried his face into another pillow.
“This sounds like how people die.”
Kai laughed loudly.
Then suddenly his expression softened slightly.
“You like him too, don’t you?”
Danny froze.
The room became quiet.
Outside the windows, snow drifted softly through the darkening evening sky.
Danny stared at the blanket quietly.
“…I don’t know.”
Kai watched him silently.
Danny’s voice became smaller.
“He makes me feel safe.”
Something warm twisted painfully inside his chest.
“Like… when I’m with him, I don’t have to pretend.”
Kai smiled softly now.
“That’s usually how it starts.”
Danny looked horrified.
“Oh no.”
Kai burst into laughter again.
A knock suddenly sounded at the bedroom door.
Danny immediately sat upright.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Lucas entered calmly carrying a silver tray.
Hot chocolate.
Cake slices.
Fresh fruit.
Danny blinked.
“…You brought snacks.”
Lucas walked toward the bed.
“You skipped dinner.”
Kai watched silently while Lucas naturally sat beside Danny and handed him hot chocolate first before anyone else.
Instinctive.
Careful.
Affectionate.
Oh this man was absolutely in love.
Danny accepted the cup slowly.
“Thanks.”
Lucas brushed his thumb lightly against Danny’s cheek.
“You look tired.”
Danny’s heartbeat instantly betrayed him again.
Stupid heart.
Kai watched like he was witnessing live television.
Lucas finally glanced toward him calmly.
“You’re staying for dinner?”
Kai immediately stood.
“Nope. Suddenly busy.”
Danny looked confused.
“Huh?”
Kai grinned mischievously while backing toward the door.
“Good luck with your tests.”
Silence.
Danny froze.
Lucas raised one eyebrow slowly.
“…Tests?”
Kai vanished instantly.
The bedroom door slammed shut.
And Danny realized with horror—
Lucas definitely heard that part.
