The little viper walked in, looking at Riley carefully, as if checking that Tao hadn’t hurt her when he dragged her to the room. “Can I bite the mean old lady now?”
Riley chuckled. It was so tempting to say yes. “I’m afraid not. Is Dexter done with his lunch?” Savannah nodded. “Then go ask him and the others if they want to play outside for a while.”
The little girl gave her a beaming smile. “Okay!” She started to leave, but then looked at Tao a little oddly. With her hand, she urged him to crouch down.
Tao smiled. It seemed that by defending her and Riley against Greta, he’d won a little of Savannah’s trust. Progress. He squatted.
“Come closer,” she whispered.
He shuffled a little closer and, equally quiet, asked, “What?”
She smiled. “If you hurt my Riley, I will bite your nose off and let Dexter eat it.”
Okay, so he hadn’t exactly won her trust yet. “Good to know.”
She happily skipped away and it was just a little bit freaky.
Frowning, Riley asked, “What did she say?”
Standing, he replied, “Apparently, if I hurt you, I’ll lose my nose.”
Eyes dancing, Riley gasped. “No!”
“She’ll also let Dexter eat it.”
Riley snorted. “Knowing that kid, he’d at the very least carry it around in his pocket.”
Tao was thinking the same thing.
She gave him a quick kiss. “Gotta go.”
He grabbed her hand to stop her leaving. “It shouldn’t hurt when I watch you leave the room, should it?” He didn’t like being away from her. Not one little bit. Her smile hit him in the gut.
“Dude, you say some pretty nice stuff sometimes.”
A grin tugged at his mouth. “I want another kiss.”
Rolling her eyes, she gave him another. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Stay near the base of the mountain,” he warned. There had been no signs of anyone lingering near the perimeter, but Tao wasn’t taking any chances. Not with her safety.
“Like I needed the reminder.”
He watched her leave the room and then pulled out his cell and dialed a familiar number. “Taryn, there’s something you should know.”
Riley lounged in one of the patio chairs as Kye chased the other three kids around a weathered birch tree. Their laughs and shrieks almost drowned out the sounds of birds calling, insects humming, and squirrels chattering. Her raven, who was still edgy, wanted to shift and play with them. Riley reassured her that they would soon. For now she’d simply watch over the children . . . one of whom had just scrambled up a tree as expertly as any viper shifter.
Kye scowled at said viper. “Savannah, down!”
Hanging upside down from the tree branch, Savannah threw an acorn at him instead.
Enjoying the heat prickling her skin, Riley sank deeper into the chair. The comforting scents of pine, wildflowers, sun-warmed earth, and sweet cedar helped soothe her raven’s nerves. The avian still hadn’t completely lost her anger. It wasn’t Tao she was mad with, it was Greta. The old dragon had deliberately tried to hurt her. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last, but it was the only time that Greta’s words had truly had an impact. The fact that Greta had managed to hurt her annoyed the raven almost as much as what Greta had said.
Hearing footsteps rustling the grass, Riley turned to see Taryn, Jaime, Roni, and Makenna come walking out of the trees and over to the patio table.
With a sheepish smile, Taryn asked, “Can we talk?”
“Sure,” Riley replied. “I’m guessing Tao told you.”
“He was about to, but Greta had already admitted what she’d said by then. I’m mad at her, but I’m mad at me too for not considering that she’d do that.”
“I can imagine how pissed you must be at us all for not mentioning it,” said Jaime. “Rightfully pissed. But please don’t be upset with Makenna—she didn’t even know.”
Roni gestured to herself and Jaime. “We weren’t part of the pack when all that stuff happened, but we knew a little about it. We should have told you.”
“Yes, we should have,” Taryn agreed. “I didn’t say anything because it sounds like a big deal, doesn’t it? It sounds like there must have been some great unrequited love, but it was never like that. Ask any of the guys or even Grace, Lydia, and Hope—they’ll all tell you the same thing. Tao doesn’t and has never loved me the way a guy loves his mate. I wanted you to see that for yourself before I told you about the imprinting thing. I should have known Greta would get there first, the bitch. She actually seems a little ashamed of herself.”
Makenna tipped her chin toward the lake. “She’s over there, sulking.”
Riley almost laughed. “Sulking?”
Taryn nodded. “Tao won’t talk to her. She’s devastated.”
“He won’t talk to her?” Riley echoed.
“Not since ripping her a new asshole a few minutes ago,” said Roni. “She hurt you. That’s not acceptable to him. It’s not acceptable to any of us.”
Jaime joined her hands, as if in prayer. “So, can you forgive us all for being too busy at matchmaking to not consider that some old dragon would use the past to dig her venomous claws into you?”
Honestly, Riley had already forgiven them. She could see why they’d kept it from her, and she had to admit that she might have done the same thing in their shoes. All that really mattered to her was that Greta was wrong, that it was Riley Tao wanted, no one else. Still, she pretended to consider it. “I guess so.” Smiling at their relieved expressions, she stood. “I don’t suppose you’d all mind watching over the kids for a minute, would you? I need to let my raven out.”
Standing at the mouth of the cave, Tao watched Riley and the other females talk. He wasn’t checking on her because he’d suspected she’d snub them or refuse to accept their apologies—he knew Riley was a better person than that. But he’d just wanted to watch her face as Taryn spoke with her, wanted to be sure she fully believed what she heard. It was important to Tao that she didn’t have any doubts about him or whom he wanted.
Trick sidled up to him, his gaze on the females. “Looks like blood won’t be shed.”
“I already explained everything to Riley,” Tao told him. “She knows I don’t want Taryn and that no one meant to hurt her.”
“I hope you’re not planning to ask Riley to imprint.”
Tao scowled, muscles bunching tight. “Why?”
“Because you’ll later find it embarrassing when you realize she’s actually your true mate.”
Tao exhaled heavily. “Trick—”
“Riley is your true mate, Tao. Do us all a favor and just accept it.” Exasperated, Trick shook his head. “I’ve no idea how you can’t see it.”
“Judging by the number of couples I’ve seen mate over the years, recognizing your true mate isn’t as simple as you seem to think it is.”
“It can be. People let their personal shit get in the way. Marcus had the same trouble with Roni. I told him to just listen to his wolf, but he insisted on dwelling on what the Seer told him. Both he and Roni would have sensed the mating bond straightaway if they’d listened to their wolves.”
“My wolf didn’t like Riley at first.”
That took Trick by surprise. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. My wolf likes people to respect him. She isn’t impressed by authority and finds joy in testing my patience. He didn’t like that at all. He’s crazy about her now, but it took him a while to really warm up to her. So if we’re going by your theory that all we have to do is listen to our animals, Riley’s not my true mate at all, or my wolf would have adored her from minute one.”
Trick was quiet for a minute. “It doesn’t make sense that he didn’t like her in the beginning. I’m positive that female is your true mate.”
“Do you think you’ll so easily recognize your own true mate when he or she comes along?” Tao asked him. Trick was openly bisexual.
“I’ll know,” he stated, confident. “My wolf will know.”
“Have you seen what she’s done to me!”
The shriek had them both turning. And gawking.
“Oh good God,” muttered Trick, shoulders shaking.
Marching up the cliff steps, Greta planted herself in front of Tao, bird shit dripping off her head and shoulder. “Look what she did to me!”
“Technically it wasn’t Riley,” said Trick. “It was her raven.”
Ignoring that, Greta glowered at Tao. “You want to be with her? You want to be with someone who would do this and find it acceptable?”
A smile curved Tao’s mouth. “Yeah, I do.”
“Hopeless,” she clipped, stalking away. “Hopeless, the lot of you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Two weeks later Tao and Riley were snuggled together on the plush sofa of the playroom, drinking coffee and eating a cookie she’d grabbed from the snack cart. The room was cute and spacious, with stuffed animals, books, and all kinds of toys. Forest-themed murals decorated the walls. Paper butterflies and birds dangled from the ceiling, which also featured glowing stars and planets.
The playroom was especially good for when the weather was bad. Earlier, Riley and Tao had spent an hour in their animal forms chasing and herding the kids around the woods. The children had been extremely disappointed when it started to rain and they had to be brought inside, but having the playroom to go to softened the blow.
Most of Tao’s attention was on the basketball game that was playing on the wall-mounted TV opposite the sofa, but Riley preferred watching the kids play. At that moment Savannah was trying to stop Kye from undressing a doll, while Lilah was having a one-sided conversation with Dexter, who was flicking through one of the plastic toy boxes.
“I was thinking we could take the kids out for the day tomorrow,” said Tao.
Riley frowned. “You sure that’s a good idea? I know things have been quiet, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.”
“We’re in constant contact with your uncles. They’re helping Hugh and Sage keep note of everyone’s whereabouts. The moment anyone in the flock can’t be accounted for, they’ll call us. So far everything’s been as quiet there as it has been here.”
“Which makes it look like I was in fact behind the shootings.”
“I don’t think that’s why the shooter’s keeping a low profile. They can’t act while everyone’s being so closely watched.” He nuzzled her. “I know you’re reluctant to take any chances, but they’ll lose their little minds if they’re cooped up too long.”
She sighed. “You’re right. It’s not good for them.” She really should have thought of that and was annoyed with herself for not having considered it. “I’ll call my uncles in the morning. If they say everyone in the flock can still be accounted for, we’ll take the kids out for the day. I don’t want them to feel suffocated and bored.”
“They’re not bored. They had fun this morning playing with our animals. But they’ll become bored if confined to their territory.”
“They did have fun, didn’t they? I like your wolf.”
Tao smiled. “He likes you.” That was an understatement, really. His wolf adored her. He’d be with her twenty-four/seven if it were possible. “He likes playing with your raven.”
“He’s much more patient than you are, so she doesn’t find him as much fun to torment, but she loves that he plays with her.” Riley took another bite of her half-eaten cookie. “Savannah’s warming to you.”
Yeah, he’d noticed. “I switched sides, in her eyes.” Tao rubbed her thigh. “You know, on an honest note, I think Greta actually likes the kids.”
Doubtful, Riley asked, “Then why does she give Savannah a hard time?”
“Most likely because Savannah stands up to her so often. Greta’s probably just trying to knock her down a peg or two.”
Well, that would be pointless. “Savannah’s fearless.”
“She gets that from you.”
Frowning at Tao for taking a big chunk out of her cookie, she said, “She was that way before I met her.”
“Not according to Makenna. She said that Savannah used to be very withdrawn and unsure. She didn’t trust people or form attachments to anyone other than Dexter. Makenna said both of them seemed drawn to you, like they somehow sensed you’re a natural protector.”
“Maybe they heard that ravens vigorously protect kids.”
“Or maybe they saw in you what we see—someone tough, strong, and resilient who’ll stand between them and danger.”
“You didn’t see that when we first met,” she contradicted.
“My judgment was clouded by how badly I deal with change and outsiders.”
Riley sighed, admitting, “I love them.”
His mouth curved. “I know you do.” If she’d thought she’d been fooling anybody about it, she was totally wrong. It was written all over her in neon colors.
Done with her cookie, she wiped the crumbs from her hands. “Do you think they know?”
“Hell yeah. They love you right back. You’re their hero.”
“Their hero?” she echoed.
“You’ve stood over them like a sentry. They know you’ll always protect them and keep them safe. Not because you swore it—kids sense bullshit. They know it because they see that you’re bone-deep loyal. They trust you.” He curled her hair behind her ear. “I trust you.”
She scowled. “Stop reducing me to mush.”
His mouth quirked. “Mush?”
“You do it every time you blurt out something nice.” She was a dominant female; she wasn’t supposed to be mush. But for Tao, someone unduly suspicious by nature, to say that he trusted her . . . that was no small thing. Her raven was rather smug about it.
“It’s only the truth.” He closed his eyes as she began sifting her fingers through his hair. He knew she was trying to distract him from talking about anything that made her “mush,” but it was seriously hard to care when her fingers were massaging his scalp.
Riley ran her finger along the scar beneath his ear. “I remember when you got that.” Shifters scarred only if a wound was very bad. Tao had almost died that night. Her lungs burned at the memory.
“You were worried,” he sensed.
“Yeah, I was worried. Have you ever been that badly injured before?”
“I’ve had plenty of broken bones, even had some internal bleeding, but I’ve never been that close to death before.”
“When Wade came toward me with that gun, I thought I was going to die. My life didn’t flash before my eyes, but it made me realize how much I wanted to live, who I’d miss and stuff.”
Tao linked his fingers with hers. “I thought of you. Seriously. I was lying there for a good few minutes before someone noticed me. I didn’t have the strength to call out to anyone. I knew I was dying; I could feel it happening. I literally thought, ‘This is it. This is the end. Everything is over.’ And I looked at my life and all the things I never did. And then you popped into my head. I wondered if you’d be okay, if you’d run or if you’d stay with the pack. I didn’t like the idea that you’d only ever remember me as the guy who was an asshole to you.”
“You’re reducing me to mush again.”
He chuckled. “I made the decision there and then to act on how much I wanted you if I lived through it, but I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. I knew I couldn’t let you see how much I wanted you or even that I liked you. I had to seem like I was no threat.”
“You tricked me.” And she still rather admired the deviousness of his plan.
“I did what I had to do to get what I wanted. And now I have it.” He kissed her, flicking her tongue with his, coaxing her to play.
“Kissy, kissy, kissy.”
Tao pulled back to scowl at Kye, who was now making kissing noises that Lilah tried to replicate.
Savannah’s upper lip was curled as she stared at Riley and Tao. “Yuck.”
Dexter had his little
nose scrunched up. He grabbed Riley’s leg, holding Tao’s eyes with a gaze that gleamed with both possessiveness and challenge.
Tao ruffled his hair. “I don’t want to take Riley from you and Savannah, little man. I just want you to share her with me. Can you do that?”
After a long moment, Dexter nodded. Savannah, however, eyed Tao closely for a little while.
Eventually the little viper nodded. “But I’ll still bite your nose off if you upset her.”
Tao stifled a smile. “Fair enough.” Glancing at the clock, he said, “I have to go now. It’s my turn to guard the southern border for a while so that Trick can have a break. You guys be good for Riley.” He gave her one last kiss before disappearing.
Riley inhaled deeply. “Right . . . who wants to make cookies?”
Four hands shot up in the air.
“Let’s get this room tidy first.”
Makenna, Grace, and Lydia helped them bake the cookies. Of course, all four kids made an absolute mess of themselves. Later on Grace and Lydia took them to be washed and changed while Riley and Makenna cleaned the kitchen.
Riley was cleaning the flour and cookie dough from the kitchen countertop when Dante strolled in with an odd expression on his face. Ryan, Zac, Greta, and the Alphas all looked up from the table.
The Beta’s eyes danced from Riley to Taryn as he said, “Tao’s parents just drove through the fence.”
“Shit.” Taryn pushed away from the dining table and exchanged a worried look with her mate. “Where’s Tao?”
“On patrol in his wolf form,” replied Dante. “I’ve left a message on his cell to tell him they’re here. Hopefully he shifts soon and sees the message.”
Zac frowned. “Why is it bad that they’re here? I thought you guys liked them.” It was clear by the teenager’s voice that he kind of liked them too. The Alphas exchanged another odd look.
Dumping the rag on the countertop, Riley asked, “Am I missing something?” Because they seemed seriously worried. Makenna shrugged, clueless.