She framed his face with her hands. “You are a good person, Ryan Conner. You take care of your pack, you have strong family values despite your childhood, and you’re someone people respect and know they can rely on. You can’t be emotionally detached; you care about people.”
“In my own way. But I don’t care about people the same way you do.” Maybe that was why he was so protective of the people in his life—he was compensating for the things he couldn’t give them. Maybe not. He didn’t see that it really mattered either way. “Except when it comes to you.” There were so many emotions tangled up in what he felt for Makenna—some familiar, some not. “It’s different with you.”
“It’s the same for me, you know. Just because I have a bigger . . . emotional repertoire than you, doesn’t mean I feel strong emotions for everyone.” Makenna paused, nervous at revealing so much but knowing he deserved to hear it—maybe even needed to hear it. “You once said I step into other people’s lives but don’t allow them to step into mine. You were right. I don’t give much of myself to people. You have all of me.”
Warmth built in Ryan’s chest and seemed to flood every part of him. This female . . . she could get to him in a way that no one else ever could. She wasn’t just under his skin; she was inside him. She was part of him. The best part. “I’m keeping it all.” She deserved more than those possessive words, deserved to hear what he felt, and it pissed him off that he couldn’t articulate himself.
Sensing his internal struggle on some strange . . . almost metaphysical level, Makenna put a finger to his mouth. “I don’t need words. Everything you do shows me you care. Now come on, let’s go inside.”
Ascending the cliff steps, they went into the mountain and strode through the tunnels. As they neared the kitchen, they found Tao and Riley having some kind of standoff. Several other wolves were gathered around, who all seemed amused.
“You’re being dramatic.” Riley sighed. It was very like the raven to blow off people’s anger—she didn’t let much get to her. Makenna liked that about her.
Tao’s spine locked. “Dramatic?” He pointed at Savannah, who was standing behind Riley with Dexter and Kye. “She bit someone.”
“She’s not poisonous; she’s only four.”
Noticing Makenna, Savannah coiled and sprung in the air. Makenna caught her easily, smiling at the melted chocolate on the little girl’s face and T-shirt. “Hey, cutie, how are you?”
Her little face scrunched up. “I don’t like it here.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not allowed to bite the mean old lady.”
Makenna did her best to contain her smile. “Why would you want to bite her?”
“She said something mean to my Riley.” Savannah was very protective of the raven.
“Sweetie, the old lady says something mean to pretty much everyone.”
“Then why can’t I bite her?”
Hearing Jaime and Taryn laugh, Makenna asked, “Is Greta okay?”
“She’s fine.” Taryn waved away her concern. “She’s milking it, of course, for attention, said she could feel the poison working its way through her body and needed to go lie down.”
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.”