“Why would I complain? It’s not your fault. You didn’t ask to suffer from insomnia.”
For a guy with very little tolerance, he could be very understanding at times, she thought. Those times were few and far between, but still. Tugging on the hand gripping her breast, she said, “Let me go and I’ll get ready.”
Instead Tao hiked up her leg and drove inside her. “It’s not often I get to indulge in morning sex with you.” He fucked her hard and fast, drowning in the feelings and sensations that vibrated up and down the bond. Afterward he kissed a bite he’d left on the back of her shoulder. “Shower, then breakfast.”
“You go on ahead, I’ll follow you.” In about an hour or so.
“Come on, I’m hungry, you’re hungry.” And he wanted to share the news with the pack that he and Riley were mated.
She gave a long-suffering sigh. “Fine.”
After a quick shower, they both began pulling on some clothes. As Tao grabbed his socks, he turned away from the dresser with a rough sigh. “Okay, what did you do with it?”
Looking up from slipping on her shoes, Riley blinked. “With what?”
“Don’t. Just tell me where it is.”
“You really need to be more specific.”
He ground his teeth. “My onyx ring. You took it. I want it back.”
She cocked her head. “I’ve never seen you wear rings.”
“I don’t wear it, but I kept it because my mom gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday.” It had sentimental value to his wolf too, but the animal wasn’t so irritated, because he was actually amused by Riley’s antics nowadays.
“Aw, that was sweet of her.”
“So where is it?”
“Where is it usually?”
Pulling on his socks, he said, “I put it in the top drawer of the dresser.”
“Then it should still be there. Don’t blame me if you’ve misplaced your ring.”
He closed his eyes. “Too early for this shit, Porter. Too early. Just hand it over.”
“I wish I could help, I really do.”
Tao cursed, shoving his feet in his shoes. “You’re a pain in my ass.”
“Well, you were a pain in mine last night, so I guess that makes us even.”
Remembering exactly how that had felt, he smiled. “I was just claiming what already belongs to me. You liked it.”
He turned at the knock on the door. He was used to the kids turning up of a morning, but the knock was too heavy for it to be from one of them. Opening the door, he found his Alphas waiting. His wolf snapped to alertness. “Something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong,” said Trey. “Can we talk inside?”
Tao stepped back to let them enter and then moved to Riley’s side, linking their fingers.
“Morning,” said Taryn. Her nostrils flared and she smiled, obviously able to tell that their scents had mixed. “Well, hell, can’t say I’m surprised. Congratulations!”
“Thanks,” said Riley.
“True mates?” asked Taryn.
“True mates,” Riley confirmed.
Taryn spun to face her mate. “You owe me fifty dollars, Flintstone.”
Pulling out his wallet with a heavy exhalation, Trey handed over the money and explained to Tao and Riley, “I said it would probably take imprinting for you two to mate. Taryn insisted you were true mates.”
“You shouldn’t bet against me.” Taryn flicked through the dollar bills, counting them. “I know my pack mates inside out. And now that you’ve mated Tao, you’re officially one of us, Riley.”
Tao arched a brow. “You know them inside out? Then please tell me where she hides the stuff she steals—”
“Borrows,” corrected Riley.
“—because I’d like my ring back.”
Taryn tapped her cheek. “Um, yeah, I don’t know.” She patted his arm. “Riley will give it back. Eventually.” Turning to Riley, she told her, “We were hoping to catch you before breakfast so we could have a little chat.”
Riley stilled as she took in their serious expressions. “Chat?”
“It’s not bad news,” Taryn quickly added, hands held up in assurance.
Trey planted his feet. “We want to offer you the position of Guardian.”
Riley double-blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You pretty much act as Guardian anyway,” said Trey. “This would just make it official.”
A Guardian watched over and supervised the children within the pack throughout the day. The Alphas would offer her such a position only if they trusted not only her ability to protect the kids but that she would do them no harm. Although Tao had told her that Taryn would probably offer her the position, Riley hadn’t been convinced, since she hadn’t expected that level of trust from them. It came as a definite shock now, since . . . “Dexter almost got kidnapped because of me.”
Taryn snorted. “He almost got kidnapped because Ramón is fucked in the head. You noticed he was gone, you tracked him, you saved him. If you hadn’t gotten to him as quickly as you did—” Taryn cut herself off and shook her head. “Let’s not think about that. You’re not at fault for what happened. You’re the hero of the hour and we want you as Guardian.”
As a thought occurred to Riley, she asked, “Would it mean that Tao lost his bodyguard position?”
“No,” replied Taryn. “Which means you’d be able to spend a fair bit of time together if you’re Guardian.”
Tao smiled, liking that idea a hell of a lot. “The position will suit you,” he told Riley, but she bit her lip, hesitating.
Trey’s brows creased. “Can I ask why you were so reluctant to join our pack?”
Riley scratched her nape. “It would have meant officially leaving the flock—a move that felt a lot like abandoning my uncles.” But if there was one thing her recent stay there had taught her, it was that there was no place for her there, Riley thought. Moreover, it didn’t feel like home to her anymore. Phoenix Pack territory felt like home.
Taryn nodded in understanding. “Well, now that you’re mated to Tao, you’re officially a pack member—not because you’re abandoning anyone, but because you’ve mated into the pack.” Taryn rubbed her hands. “So, do you want the position? It wouldn’t mean you’d be their main caretaker—everyone likes having some time with them, and, hello, you have a life to lead. It would just mean you’re their main supervisor. It makes perfect sense for it to be you. For one thing, Savannah and Dexter only recognize you as an authority figure. They’re well behaved for us, but only because they don’t want to disappoint you. Secondly, I don’t think you’ll want anyone else watching over them anyway.”