“I did.”
“Then you’re welcome.” Ethan held out his hand, and Tao shook it.
Riley cleared her throat and clipped, “Um, Riley brought herself.”
Ethan gave her a mock frown. “Don’t sass me.”
“But I’m so good at it.” Taking the card and gift from Tao, she held them out. “We brought you a little something.”
Max cradled her face. “Stupid girl, you’re our gift. Lucy, could you please put these on the table with the others?” Lucy obligingly added the box and card to the stack of neatly wrapped presents and envelopes on a nearby table.
Riley gestured to the pair sidling up to her uncles. “Tao, this is Sage and Ruby, the Exodus Flock Alphas. Tao’s the Phoenix Pack’s Head Enforcer,” she told them.
Ruby gave Riley a quick hug and, much like Max, regarded Tao with curiosity as she said, “Aren’t you a pretty one?”
Sage shot his mate a mock glare. “I hope you’re not thinking of leaving me for a younger model.” Turning to Riley, he smiled. “I’m pleased you made it. It’s been too long since you’ve been here, and don’t think I’m not upset with you for not coming sooner. But since I’m in such a good mood, I’ll skip the lecture on the evils of making us wait so long to see you again.” His eyes slid to Tao. “I’ve heard of your pack. As Ethan said, if you brought Riley to us, you are welcome here—wolf or not,” he added with a smile.
Respecting that the Alpha male didn’t engage in any dumb posturing to make his dominance clear, Tao nodded. “It’s good to meet you.” The pair were old enough to be Riley’s grandparents, yet they radiated strength and the same heavy dominance typical of born alphas.
“Now that the introductions are done,” said Riley, “I’d like to get some food.”
“You both need to eat. Come.” Max led Riley and Tao to the buffet table, where bowls and platters of finger foods were spread out, including chicken, chips, crackers, and cake. They each helped themselves to a plate, and then Ethan and Max led them around the flock, introducing Tao. He always remained within touching distance of Riley, standing either at her side or at her back, protective and possessive.
When Ethan and Max finally left her side, Tao drew her against him, careful not to crush her plate between them. “I’ve noticed that neither Cynthia, Sawyer, nor Wade’s mother have come forward to greet you.”
Riley had occasionally caught wisps of Shirley’s scent, so she knew she was close. “I didn’t really expect them to. Shirley—that’s Wade’s mom—was glaring at me earlier.”
“It’s probably only a matter of time before she approaches you.”
Riley found it kind of hard to concentrate on his words while he was whispering in her ear, making the hairs on her neck rise. “Disappear for a few minutes.”
Tao’s brows snapped together. “Excuse me?”
“Give her the chance to get her crap off her chest so we can get it over with. I’m quite safe, Tao, I’m surrounded by people.”
He knew that, but walking away from her still went against his protective instincts. His wolf was tense, not liking that he was surrounded by strangers. The knowledge that a male was nearby who’d once touched their female . . . yeah, his wolf wasn’t coping too well with that.
Riley’s nails dug into his chest. “I’m a big girl, Tao.”
“That doesn’t mean I like leaving you alone, especially when I’m around a bunch of people I don’t know.” It was making him antsy.
“I’ll be fine without you for just a few minutes. Look, it’s better if I speak to Shirley now. The longer she stews, the more likely it is that she’ll make a scene.”
Tao sighed. “I’ll go get us both another Coke.” They had both chosen not to drink alcohol, wanting to be fully alert in the event of any problems. “I need you to stay here. Can you do that?”
“I can do that.” She gave his chest a gentle nudge when he didn’t move. “Go. No one’s going to hurt me.”
“Of course they won’t—I’d never let them.” Tao tapped her ass and, going against every protective instinct he had, walked away from her.
Riley was chucking her half-empty paper plate in the trash can when the scent of fresh citrus and pine bark swirled around her.
“Hello, Riley,” rumbled a familiar voice.
She turned. And there was Sawyer, leaning against a tree, smiling. “Sawyer,” she greeted him flatly.
“You look well.” He tilted his head slightly as he studied her closely. “Tired, but well. Still have trouble sleeping?”
“Sometimes. How are you?”
“I’m good. Very good.” His smile was warm, intimate. “It’s been four years, Riley. I didn’t think you’d stay away that long.”
“I didn’t think you’d ever even dream of touching Cynthia. People can surprise you that way.”
His mouth quirked. “I guess they can.” His attention was snagged by something over her shoulder, and his smile faded a little.
Tao’s scent wrapped around her, drowning out that of the male raven, mere seconds before he pressed against her back and dangled an open bottle of Coke in front of her. “Here, baby.”
“Thanks.” She took a long drink, enjoying the cold and sparkling taste.
Sawyer pushed away from the tree and took a casual step forward. “Who’s your friend, Riley?”
She quickly made the introductions, and she didn’t miss the hard glint in Sawyer’s eyes. Much like Tao, he didn’t trust outsiders or like having them in his territory.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet a friend of Riley’s,” said Sawyer with false politeness.
“Where’s Cynthia?” Riley asked.
“She’s around here somewhere,” Sawyer replied vaguely.
Tao’s wolf unsheathed his claws and took a swipe at the male. He didn’t like the way the bastard looked at Riley. There was no desire there, but his gaze was intent. Knowing. Lingered on her too long. He got the feeling the raven was trying to goad him.
“We appreciate your pack watching over Riley.” The message was clear: in Sawyer’s opinion, she wasn’t part of the Phoenix Pack.
“We take care of what’s ours,” Tao told him. His wolf liked it when Sawyer’s mouth tightened.
“There you are,” said a female who was fast approaching—the same female Tao had guessed was Cynthia. She stopped beside Sawyer, her smile fake and tight as she spoke to Riley. “It’s quite a surprise to see you here.”
“I’ll bet,” said Riley.
She turned that fake smile on Tao. “I’m Cynthia. And, if the gossip is to be believed, you’re the Phoenix Pack’s Head Enforcer.”
“That’s right,” said Tao. His tone didn’t invite further questioning. He could practically feel Cynthia’s unease as she stood very still, clearly making a conscious effort to seem relaxed. She cast a worried look at Sawyer, whose eyes were fixed on Riley. She either suspected or knew that the male felt, at the very least, a hint of possessiveness where Riley was concerned.
“You’ve made this a perfect day for your uncles, Riley.”
Smiling, Riley said, “I’m glad.” Just in case the female said anything to tempt Riley into smashing the now-empty Coke bottle into her face, Riley slung it in the trash can.
“How long will you be staying?”
“A couple of days.”
Disappointment clouded Cynthia’s eyes. She offered Riley a weak smile. “It’s a shame you can’t stay a little longer.”
Riley was surprised the female didn’t choke on her words. “I’m just here for the weekend.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to enjoy your evening.” Cynthia turned to Sawyer. “Ruby’s looking for you.”
It was a few seconds before he actually met Cynthia’s gaze and said, “She hasn’t looked very far.”
Cynthia gave an awkward laugh and looped her arm through his. “I think she’s by the buffet table.”
Sawyer looked at Riley. “It’s good to have you home, even if it’s only for a few days.” Th
en he and Cynthia walked away.
Tao twirled Riley to face him and snaked his arms around her waist, settling one palm on her ass. “I think we can safely say he’s still a little possessive of you.” It made his wolf want to rip out Sawyer’s throat. “Cynthia was well behaved.”
“Maybe she’s matured some.”
“Maybe.” Tao wasn’t startled by the sound of a throat clearing behind him; he’d already scented her uncle. Tao glanced at him over his shoulder, brow raised.
“I was hoping I could have a dance with my girl before the party ends,” said Max.
Tao’s grip on her ass involuntarily tightened, but he reluctantly released her. Watching Max and Riley on the manmade dance floor, Tao could tell that they’d done this many times before. She laughed as Max spun her one way and then another. Much as he hated being surrounded by strangers, Tao was glad he’d brought Riley here to see her uncles.
“I noticed you’ve marked Riley,” said Ethan, appearing at his side. “You must be a brave guy to take her on.”
Tao’s mouth twitched. “She does like to be a trial.”
“That she does,” Ethan agreed. “I saw you talking to Sawyer. He and Riley were together for a short while, but you don’t need to worry about him. He’s no threat. Riley’s moved on.”
“I know that, but does he?”
“That I don’t know. Sawyer’s a complicated creature. One thing he’s never been good at is sharing. That’s why he doesn’t want a mate—he intends to be Beta and he has no wish to share the power that comes with the role. I think part of the reason he pursued Riley was that he knew she had no interest in power. Their relationship wasn’t serious, but that suited both of them. Suited Sawyer a little too much, so he wasn’t pleased when she ended it. Not pleased at all.”
“What you’re saying is that he doesn’t care for Riley, but—”
“I didn’t say that. He’s known her all his life, after all. I think he cares for her as you would for a flock mate; her safety’s important to him and he’d rather have her back here. But even if he doesn’t still want her, he won’t like seeing her with you. As I said, he doesn’t like to share. If he can cause a rift between you two so that he can, at the very least, have her home, he will.”
“If he has any sense, he won’t try it,” said Tao. Time would tell just how much sense Sawyer had.
It was another half hour or so before the party ended. The entire flock helped tidy the mess, so it didn’t take long. After Riley said a final good night to her uncles and Lucy, she urged Tao in the direction of the parking lot so they could drive to their allocated guest cabin.
They were almost at the lot when they heard footsteps hurrying their way. Turning, they found Cynthia and Shirley striding toward them like women on a mission. Apparently they’d joined forces against Riley. Tao wondered if maybe one had egged on the other.
Glaring at Riley, Shirley began, “You and I . . .” She paused at Tao’s growl and shot him a wary look. “We’d like to speak to Riley.”
Tao planted his feet. “Don’t let me stop you.”
“In private,” Shirley bit out.
“Now, see, if I thought you wanted a pleasant conversation I’d grant you that privacy. But it doesn’t seem to me like either of you has anything pleasant to say to Riley, and that’s a problem for me.”
Cheeks flushed, Cynthia looked at Riley. “Are you going to let him dictate what you do?”
“He’s not dictating what I do,” said Riley. “He’s dictating what you do.”
“This isn’t your business,” Shirley said to him, nostrils flaring.
His wolf snapped his teeth. “Riley’s my business. Unless you’d like to find out what lengths I’d go to in order to protect her, you’ll step away and calm the hell down.”
Cynthia inhaled deeply and took a step back. Shirley followed suit, though she stepped back only slightly.
Riley folded her arms. “Now let’s get this over with. What do you want?”
“It was good that you attended your uncles’ party,” said Shirley. “I might have my issues with you, but I’ve always liked Ethan and Max.”
That was true, Riley knew.
“You said you were only here for the weekend,” continued Shirley, “but most of the flock seems to think you’re back for good. Is that true?”
Riley sighed. “No, it’s not. Maybe there are some who hope they can convince me to stay, but it won’t happen.” Hearing Cynthia let out a relieved breath, Riley turned to her. “I don’t want Sawyer, Cynthia. I’m not here to try to win him back.”
Cynthia’s eyes flared. “You say that as if you have any chance of winning him back. You don’t. You’re no one. Nothing but a dumb little orphan.”
There was the Cynthia that Riley remembered. The Cynthia who had bullied her throughout childhood; the Cynthia who had pulled out a chunk of her hair during a fight; the Cynthia who had once shoved her into the lake, laughing. Not that Riley had ever been an innocent party. She’d retaliated every time.
“I’ve yet to work out what Sawyer ever saw in you,” Cynthia continued. “Fortunately, he no longer sees whatever the hell it was.”
Riley looked her up and down. “Don’t act like you’re better than me, Cynthia. What have you ever done? Besides every guy in the flock, that is. You know, there are names for people like that.”
Cynthia’s body went completely still. “Are you calling me a whore?”
Riley snorted. “No one’s ever going to pay you. Now I know that neither of you wants me here, but there’s nothing you could say that would make me leave. There’s really no point to this.”
“You have no right to be here,” sneered Shirley. “You lost that right when you manipulated my poor boy into—”
Tao stepped in and snapped, “Don’t even start that shit. The shooting was a tragedy that I’m sure has affected the entire flock, and it’s natural that you’d find it hard to accept your son caused it, but he did cause it. You can harp on at Riley all night long, but it won’t change the truth.”
Shirley’s upper lip curled. “You know nothing.”
“I know that I won’t allow you to use Riley as a scapegoat,” he said. “Deal with your issues and stop trying to make them hers.”
“I know my boy,” said Shirley, voice unsteady. “I know that what he did that night was something my boy would never have done unless someone manipulated him somehow. He was depressed—”
“So you’re finally acknowledging that,” said Riley. “Shame you didn’t do it when Lucy and I went to you for help. Look, I’m sorry that you lost your son—”
“I don’t need your pity,” Shirley spat.
Riley sighed. “Nothing I say right now could make any difference to you. You’re determined to hate and blame me.”
“You’re an easy person to hate, just like someone else I could mention.”
Like that, Riley lost every last bit of sympathy she’d had for the woman. “Don’t go there, Shirley. You get a free pass just this once. But do not confront me or speak of my mother again.” Riley turned their back on them, communicating her lack of fear, and walked with Tao to the rental car. After hopping in, she clicked on her seat belt and watched as the two females walked sharply out of the lot and into the trees.
“You okay?” Tao asked Riley.
“I just wanted to have some time with my uncles, that’s all. It shouldn’t be a big deal.”
“No, it shouldn’t.” He slid a hand under her hair to massage her nape. “What was that comment about your mother?”
“Shirley hated her. No, ‘hate’ isn’t a strong enough word. It was a bone-deep loathing. No one seems to know why. I figure something must have happened between Shirley and my mother at some point, but I’ve no idea what it could be.”
Tao gave her nape a comforting squeeze. “Come on, it’s late, let’s get to the cabin.” He followed the directions she gave him, driving up rocky trails and going deep into Exodus territory. When they finally arr
ived at the cabin, they found their duffels waiting on the porch swing. The small log cabin was framed by crooked trees and thickets. Beneath the sounds of crickets and leaves rustling, he could hear the soothing burble of a brook somewhere in the near distance.
“Has a certain charm to it, doesn’t it?” said Riley.
“It does,” he agreed. “Especially with the view.” The backdrop for the cabin was the Red Rock Country.
He followed her up a small set of stairs onto the wraparound porch, crushing the dead leaves that littered it. Riley grabbed their duffels from the swing before he could, making him frown. She just flashed him an impish smile and led him inside.
He was instantly hit by the smell of wood, furniture polish, laundered sheets, and citrus potpourri. His wolf found the citrus slightly calming. Tao scanned the den, taking in the wall-mounted TV, bookshelves, and stone fireplace complete with a pile of logs, shovel, and poker.
The floorboards creaked beneath his feet as he walked farther into the den, looking at what were clearly antique furniture pieces—there were plenty on Phoenix territory, so he knew antiques when he saw them. They should have looked out of place in a guest cabin. Instead they added to its charm, just like the handcrafted cushions with their tribal markings.
“One of my chores was to keep the guest cabins clean,” said Riley, sliding her hand over the back of a leather sofa that had a throw blanket folded over the arm.
“Not often you see antiques in a guest cabin,” said Tao, holding an antique bronze candlestick, surprised by the weight of it. Putting it back on the cabinet, he turned to see Riley carrying some kind of black, winged ornament out of the den. “What’s that?”
Riley opened the front door, dumped it on the porch, dusted off her hands, and shut the door. “A sculpture of a fruit bat.” And probably a joke. Lucy was such a bitch.
Smiling, Tao followed Riley into the kitchen. “Oh yeah, you mentioned on the plane that you don’t like bats. You weren’t kidding, huh?”
“Not kidding at all.” They were ghastly-looking creatures, in Riley’s opinion. Opening the refrigerator, she said, “Someone—probably Lucy—has stocked the fridge for us.” There were several cans of Mountain Dew, to her delight, and coffee. The hinges creaked as she opened a cupboard and retrieved two mugs before filling and switching on the coffee machine. “Well, what do you think of the flock?”