Riley dragged Whitney out for a full day, and it was pure chaos.
From the moment they stepped outside, Riley refused to let Vito control a single thing. Every time he opened his mouth to give instructions, she cut him off with something sharp enough to make even a dominant male pause.
Females from powerful packs are usually trained to smile through everything. Even when facing sworn enemies, they keep their voices sweet and their claws hidden. Reputation matters. Control matters.
Riley didn't care.
She spoke exactly what she thought. No softening. No fake courtesy. She treated everyone the same Vito, Harlan, even strangers. If a stray dog crossed her path, she would probably scold it too.
Vito couldn't understand her. He didn't know how to respond to someone who didn't play by pack rules. He couldn't stoop to her level, because he had a name to protect. An image to maintain.
Still, none of that mattered to him as long as Whitney was smiling.
