Jaime snorted. “Savannah’s little teeth didn’t even break the skin—though it wouldn’t matter if they had, since she’s not poisonous. Tao’s just worried that she’ll bite Kye, and, well, he’s tetchy when he worries.”

Savannah shook her head, frowning at Jaime. “I don’t bite my friends. I like Kye.” She turned back to Makenna. “He lets me play with his toys.”

Makenna smiled. “Yeah? That’s nice of him.”

Riley smirked at Tao. “You heard Savannah; you have nothing to worry about. As for Gretchen—”

“Greta,” growled Tao.

“Whatever. I can’t say the same for her.”

Grace stepped forward. “Now that that’s settled, how about I show Riley where she and the children will be staying? Looking at the mess they’ve made of themselves, I’m sure the little ones would like a bath.” She turned to Makenna and Ryan. “Have you eaten?” At Ryan’s nod, she said, “Good.”

Tao scooped Kye up off the floor when he went to follow Grace and the new guests down the corridor. “Not you, pup.”

Zac walked over to Ryan, grinning. “Dude, I thought you had no tact. Tao is way worse.”

Ryan grunted. While Tao didn’t have a diplomatic bone in his body, he was a pretty sociable guy. But only with his pack—he didn’t trust or have much time for outsiders.

Tao shook his head. “I can’t believe we have a raven here.”

Taryn took Kye from him. “Why? What’s the big deal?”

“Do you not know anything about raven shifters?” asked Tao. “They’re a lot like their animal counterparts. Cunning. Tricksters. Cheaters. Thieves. They’re the ultimate masters of deceit.”

Taryn’s brows flew up. “Really? Intriguing.”

Trey rolled his eyes at his mate. “You’re just saying that because you love birds.”

“Why does she need somewhere to hide anyway?” Tao said, his tone challenging. “I mean, can’t she just fly away?”

Zac slapped Tao on the back. “Dude, don’t worry; Riley is cool. Crazy but cool.”

The Head Enforcer’s expression said, “We’ll see.”

Taryn turned to Makenna. “Those kids are so cute. How the hell did they become loners?”

“Let’s go sit down while we hear their stories,” said Trey. So the pack followed him to the living area, where Makenna sat on Ryan’s lap as she shared what she knew about both children.

Tao, slouched in an armchair, asked, “What about the raven?”

“That’s her story to share or not to share,” Makenna told him. Tao grumbled something under his breath.

“Kye’s so happy to be around kids near his age.” Taryn smiled. “The only other pup we have in our pack is Lilah, and she’s too little for him to really play with. I think it makes him feel kind of lonely at times, even though he sees Willow a lot. Having other kids around will be good for him.”

“Yeah, if they don’t hurt him,” said Tao. “Savannah might not be poisonous, but she’ll still bite at the slightest provocation—it’s instinct. And if Dexter can partially shift, he could really hurt Kye.”

Makenna might have been annoyed by Tao’s attitude if she couldn’t see the anxiety in his expression. He was extremely protective of Kye, which was only natural considering he was the pup’s bodyguard.

“And I’m not convinced it’s wise having a raven here,” he added.

“It’s wise if we want the little ones under control,” said Taryn. “Riley’s the only authority they recognize.”

Ryan didn’t contribute as Taryn and the Head Enforcer continued to discuss the issue. It wasn’t that Tao had any real prejudice against snakes, partially shifting children, or ravens. Tao’s reflex reaction to strangers was to reject them. Once he got used to them, his attitude would change and he would be one of their biggest protectors.

Ryan rubbed his jaw against Makenna’s temple. “You’re quiet. What’s going on in that head of yours?” If she was stressing about anything, he could—

“Does it bother anyone else that the Easter Bunny carries eggs?” asked Makenna, causing the room to fall quiet. “I mean, rabbits don’t lay eggs.”

He closed his eyes. Honestly, what was he supposed to do with a pointless question like that? He expected his pack to gawk at her. He was wrong to do so.

Jaime paused in stroking her cat. “That’s a good point.” The others nodded, and Rhett announced he would Google it.

Unreal.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Two days. Makenna experienced two blessed days of peace. A peace that ended as she and Ryan pulled up outside the shelter, only to find Remy waiting with some of his wolves. Just the sight of him was enough to cause a deep, dark rage to unfurl in her stomach and make her wolf leap to her feet with a snarl.

Hearing a low growl build in Ryan’s chest, she put a hand on his arm. “Whatever happens, whatever he says, stay calm. The council meeting is tomorrow. We’ve been smart up until now. Let’s not fuck it up by losing our shit at the last hurdle.”

Ryan grunted. “I could say the same to you.” Her calm exterior wasn’t fooling him for a second. Not just because he knew her well but because he could feel her fury like it was his own. It practically sizzled in his veins. There was only one explanation for that. “The mating bond is operating on some level.” It was still psychically out of his reach, but it was somehow working.