Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Max regarded Tao through eyes that twinkled with both curiosity and surprise. “Riley, sweetheart, you’ve been holding back a few things.”
Ethan scrubbed a hand over his jaw, gaze narrowed in suspicion. “Head Enforcer, huh?” he said gruffly. “You brought my girl here?”
“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.”