When Dominic opened his mouth to speak again, Tao snarled, “Dom, don’t.”
Surprised at the vehemence in his tone, Riley met Tao’s gaze. “Cheer up, Fenris,” she said, knowing he hated that she’d nicknamed him after the wolf from Narnia. Exasperation glittered in his eyes, which tickled her raven something fierce.
“You’re a pain in my ass, Porter,” he growled.
Riley just smiled.
“Don’t tolerate that behavior, Tao,” said Greta. The woman didn’t dislike Riley just because she was a raven. It was also because Riley was unmated. Greta didn’t like unmated females around her “boys”—Trey, Dante, Tao, and the four male enforcers—and did her best to scare them off. Tao, Trick, and Dominic were unmated, so Greta wanted her long gone.
“She’s a raven, she shouldn’t be here,” complained Greta. “She’s rude and disrespectful, just like those three hussies,” she added, pointing at Taryn, Jaime, and Makenna. She was as rude to them now as she had been when they were unmated. Roni had somehow tricked Greta into liking and accepting her, which most of the pack found plain hilarious.
Riley took another sip of her coffee. “I would have thought you’d be in a better mood these days now that you have yourself a boyfriend.”
Greta gasped. “Allen is not my . . . my . . . boyfriend,” she insisted, stumbling over the word. “He and I just enjoy each other’s company.”
“Right,” drawled Riley, winking at her. Allen was Cam’s uncle and, for some unknown reason, thought the sun rose and set with Greta. Riley struggled to understand how the guy could be attracted to Greta, but to each their own.
Mouth tightening, Greta narrowed her eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know you were the one who first suggested he take me for a meal.”
Riley’s mouth curved. “Like I told him, I just want you to be happy.” What she wanted was to make Greta feel awkward as revenge for her being so awful toward Savannah. The little girl had bitten her once—once—and she hadn’t even pierced the skin, but Greta persistently whined about it to make Savannah feel bad. Having Allen around, flirting and trying to charm her, wasn’t something that Greta was very good at handling without blushing like crazy—probably because she was a terrible prude.
“You might have him fooled, but I see you for what you are,” sneered Greta. “Common through and through.”
Riley put down her cup. “Look, Gretchen—”
“It’s Greta.”
“I don’t care.”
As Greta proceeded to rant, Makenna leaned into Riley and asked, “Will you ever refer to her by her real name?”
“It’s unlikely,” replied Riley. Not when not doing so was the easiest way to annoy the old crone.
Savannah hissed at Greta, which made the other kids laugh.
Greta dramatically put a protective hand to her throat and turned to Riley. “Do you have no control over that child? She’s vicious.”
Riley sighed. “Are we back to this again?”
“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised by her behavior since she has you for a role model,” sniped Greta. “I mean, look at you. You’re supposed to be taking care of them, but you were drinking all night like you’re not responsible for anyone but yourself.”
Riley snickered. “Lady, you have hair sticking out your nostrils—you don’t get to judge me.”
Taryn nearly choked on whatever she was eating, and Greta instantly turned all that bitchiness onto the Alpha female, calling her one name after another.
“Good one.” Makenna smiled at Riley. “But she still hates me more than she hates you.”
“Really? Bummer.” Noticing Tao leave the room, Riley leaned into Makenna and asked, “Is there any chance you could watch over the kids for me for a couple of hours? I need to get a few things done.” She didn’t add that she was leaving pack territory; Makenna would insist that she take someone along for protection, and she wanted to have her meeting in private.
“Of course,” Makenna agreed easily. “I love spending time with them. And they love climbing Ryan like he’s a fence post.”
Yeah, they sure did, but he didn’t complain. Nope, the poor guy often just stood there, quiet and stoic . . . which was pretty much how Ryan always looked, really.
Once she was done with her breakfast, Riley told the kids to be good for Makenna and Ryan and then headed through the network of tunnels. Out of the mountain, she jogged down the steps carved into the cliff face and into the concealed parking lot. There were several pack vehicles for everyone to use at their leisure. Riley headed for the nearest SUV . . . only to find Tao leaning against it.
He opened the passenger door for her and asked, “So, where are we headed?”
She sighed. “I don’t need you to come.”
“You can’t go off alone, Riley. None of us do anymore. The anti-shifter groups are getting more problematic. Just a few months ago they were here calling for Dexter’s death, remember.”
How could she forget? The two-year-old cub had been living alone on the streets for a while, surviving on scraps. No one was sure just how long he’d been homeless; he came to the attention of Social Services only when video footage of him partially shifting was uploaded on YouTube. That footage had also captured the attention of the human anti-shifter extremists, who had called for him to be “put down” like a rabid dog. Instead Social Services had taken him to a shelter for lone shifters.
“Don’t tell me I’m staying behind,” said Tao. “You know I won’t.”
“Look, it’s not that I’m being stubborn. Lucy didn’t explain what she wants to talk about. If it’s personal, she’s not going to tell me in front of you.”
“Probably not, but her feelings aren’t more important than your safety.” Tao wasn’t budging, and he let his determination show in his expression.
Riley sighed again. “You can come only if you agree to wait in the SUV. That way she can talk to me in private and you can be sure I’m safe. Everybody wins.”
He twisted his mouth, considering it. “All right, I’ll wait in the SUV.”
Eyeing him curiously, she walked to the vehicle. “You’re being uncharacteristically cooperative.”