Compromise
The vampires stammered until Ryker snarled, “enough. You will wait in my favorite room until I’m ready to deal with you.” The fear pouring off them was so poignant it coated my tongue. My eyes met Ryker’s, but he frowned and crossed his arms. “Not one word, bunny. You are to take your puppies to my room, along with your brother. They need showers, clothes, and time with you to settle their nerves. You need them to calm the storm within your soul, so off you go.”
When I would have protested, Char sagged ever so slightly against my side, and I swallowed the words instead. Still, my lip trembled, and Ryker’s expression darkened. “Even though you hurt her wolves, Angel still wishes to defend you. That’s how protective an omega is. You do not deserve her love, nor her worry. Get them out of my sight, and away from my bunny before her heart breaks.” Tyger and Arc forced the vampires to march, albeit they pleaded and apologized, glancing at me with desperate eyes. I flinched, and Riff snarled, moving to crouch in front of me so I no longer saw them.
Shakily, Char stood, a sigh of relief leaving his lips when he straightened, which made me wonder what they did to him. I knew he was in a lot of pain, but I didn’t discern what he suffered when I experienced it. Before I mustered the courage to ask, he offered me a hand, which I took with trembling fingers. Riff stood with me, using himself as a shield against the vampires. “Riff, they won’t hurt me,” I protested, and he snorted.
“Physically,” he agreed in a tight voice that brought tears to my eyes. How did he know? Or was he guessing what the future may hold? “Your eyes are haunted. It’s hidden deep within them, but it wasn’t there when you left.” Ah. He knows me that well? A shuddering sigh left my lips, and I pressed my forehead against Riff’s back.
“Haunted?” Ryker echoed, he was beside me a second later, and I flinched as did Riff. Char growled low in his throat, and the vampire lord quirked his brow. “Good boy,” Ryker chuckled, ruffling Char’s hair, and the werewolf snarled. However, he didn’t attack, which relieved my soul. “Let me see,” the vampire murmured, his fingers gently tilting my chin once I straightened. I didn’t want Riff to get overprotective, thus forcing Ryker to hurt him. I feared Ryker would hurt Riff far more than required for the pleasure of putting the teenager in his place. “Oh yes, your eyes are quite haunted, Angel. What did you stumble across while I was gone? Hmm?”
“Tammy,” Snow replied in a strangled voice. “And not of her volition. Somebody set a trap that Angel stumbled into. Tyger had to sedate her, and Arctic had to reveal himself to distract her once she woke. It traumatized the poor thing.” A low snarl came from Ryker, with his eyes turning so cold my blood nearly froze. “Matty and I made cookies to make her feel better, however, and she nearly took Tyger’s hand when he desired to share.”
“That’s my bunny,” Ryker praised, his eyes softening enough that my shoulders relaxed. “Now, take your puppies and go. I will join you since we have much to discuss.” Swallowing nervously, I trembled, but Riff gently pulled me out of that horrible room. Char was a hairsbreadth behind me, ensuring I need not fear an attack from behind. But who protected Char?
Once in the hall, Riff stepped aside, tilting his head to indicate I should lead. Swallowing, I nodded and tensely stalked through the hall once Snow brought Matty, who smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, Angel, I’m fine. Snow and I shall play games to give you guys privacy. I know you’d feel better if I were with you, but that can wait. Besides, I owe Tyger a beatdown, so I’ll see you later. Have fun, but not too much. I don’t need to be an uncle yet,” Matty chortled. Oh, how my cheeks burned, but my heart was so relieved I nearly melted. God, I love that kid more than words can say. I don’t know what I did to deserve him in my life, but I’m thankful for it.
We didn’t pass anyone while traversing the halls, albeit any sound I heard, I checked that no one harassed the boys silently following me. A soundless sigh of relief escaped my lips once I opened the door to Ryker’s room and tilted my head for the werewolves to go first. Riff kissed my forehead when he passed while Char chose my cheek. With warm cheeks, I glanced down the hall only to frown when I noticed a shadowy figure at the end. It wasn’t Ryker or any of the shifters because they wouldn’t hide like this. Not from me.
Ryker was suddenly beside me, instructing me to go in his room and not worry about the vampire lurking in the shadows. Swallowing nervously, I lingered for a moment before doing as he asked. I bumped into Riff, who caught me, his hands moving over my arms and back before one cupped my cheek. “Are you all right, Angel?” He asked with worry in his voice. Char, meanwhile, frowned with his arms crossed while he watched us.
Riff slowly turned to face the other wolf, who shook his head with a rueful smile. “Just remembering the last teenage werewolf Angel literally ran into is all,” he sighed. “Had that one done the same as you, where would we be now?”
“Miserable,” Riff answered without hesitation. “He’s a lousy alpha and needed this wake-up call. Albeit, had he reacted the proper way, he would not be the
