Page 13 of Riley Goes Home

“Of course you did.” Her voice contained all the authority she used to wield so casually when I lived in Bordertown, which should’ve been enough to warn me. “Those city people, they don’t understand. They can put us under a microscope all they like, but they’ll never truly be able to wrap their minds around what we experience. You’ll see tomorrow.”

“I’ll see what?”

I hadn’t meant to blurt that out, but my lips moved before I could think.

“As soon as I heard you were coming back home, I got everyone organised.” Eloise looked smug as she smiled at her family squabbling over the cooking of the meat. “Made sure to put something together that acknowledges another Vanguard pack will be born.”

“Taylor.” Why the hell did I squeak that out? I cleared my throat and then reiterated what was said. “The guys, they decided to call us the Taylor pack.”

“A lot of things make sense in the city that don’t here.” She patted my hand before pulling away. “The beta world, it's different to ours, something you’re going to discover, but let’s not worry about that now. I know you’ve got questions, and I’ll make sure to answer every single one, tomorrow.”

Why did that feel like a threat rather than a promise? I reminded myself on the drive down and the days before that I had kicked Eloise’s butt literally, that I was the dominant female here, so why didn’t I feel like it? Why did my arms wrap around my belly, as if to protect my babies from whatever was to come? I’d find out in the morning.

Chapter 9

Riley

“Stupid bloody thing…”

The next morning I hissed as I struggled to close my bra clasp, my arms straining as I tried to get the hooks in the eyes.

“Let me.” Colt appeared behind me, fingers sliding down my spine before covering my hands and pushing them aside as he did the clasp up. He ran a finger along my bra strap and then pressed a kiss to the back of my neck. “There, done, but we might need to look at getting you a bigger bra.”

“I don’t need a bigger bra,” I grumbled, grabbing a light t-shirt and yanking it over my head.

That took some effort too, the hem having to be stretched to get over my tits. I sighed as I wiggled, wiggled, then threw it back off again, making a beeline for his suitcase. I pulled out a t-shirt and pressed my nose to it, intending to make sure it was actually clean, but the smell of Colt had my brain stuttering. Musky, woody, perfect, I just breathed it in and out. He was forced to prise it from my fingers before drawing it over my head much more gently, taking way too much time to smooth it into place.

“I don’t,” I said again as he just stared.

“OK.” He knew that mild tone infuriated me, smiling as I started to growl. “You want to walk around wearing my clothes for the rest of your pregnancy?” His touch was feather light as he traced the line of my shoulders. “I don’t mind. Maybe ones I’ve already worn. My scent on them? Should warn off those fuckers in the endocrine department.”

“The guys are not interested in me.” I tried to shove Colt back, but he just smiled. “Pretty sure no one is going to fancy this body.”

I’d woken up after a restless night feeling too heavy, too ungainly, and just too bloody awkward, and that put me in a foul mood.

Well, that and Eloise’s mysterious plans. She hadn’t said another word about it when they guys returned with plates laden with food. It was all generic ‘isn’t it nice we’re all back together’ stuff when her sons were in earshot.

“This body?” Colt twisted the hem of the t-shirt until the cotton was forced to tug tight around me. “This body?” He tied it in a temporary knot and then skimmed his palms over me. “This full, beautiful?—”

“Heavy,” I interjected.

“Swollen, lush?—”

“Clumsy, lumpy,” I countered.

“Beautiful body.” He pulled me in close for some of that alpha magic, because while beta Riley was peeved with her state, the omega preened when he kissed her soft and slow. “You are gorgeous, a fucking fertility goddess in the flesh.” I was kissing him back now, forgetting my shitty mood, right as his hand covered one breast. We’d done a fair job of christening this bed, the faint scents of the pleasure we’d experienced together perfuming the air. “A goddess that needs a bigger bra to be comfortable.”

I looked up at him with a scowl, but he just grinned.

“Riley, I have watched the development of your breasts with way too much interest, and even I know it's time. Something that fits you better.” He ran a finger down my cleavage. “That doesn’t leave painful red lines on your body.”

“OK, fine.” He knew I’d capitulate, and his smile made that clear. “But I’d like the record to reflect that I hate this idea.”

“Noted. Maybe we could go down main street and see what they have available here?” he asked.

“Can’t.” I forced myself to step back, because while I could get about stinking of sex and desire among beta circles without them really noticing, that wasn’t the case here. “Your mother?—”

“Knock knock!” Eloise’s breezy tones could be heard down the hall. “Riley, love, are you ready?”

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