“I have friends,” I confessed in a nearly soundless whisper while staring at the ground. Tears swam in my eyes, but I blinked them back. Never in my life had I enjoyed school so much, or being around kids my age. Matty often spoke of how much he relished the antics of his fellow students, and I loved that he experienced the good side of school. However, now that I got a taste of it, I wanted it so badly, my soul ached for the chance to return. At least until I remembered Marcus showing the entire school my monster, who adored recalling my life every time we met. “Had friends,” I corrected with a grimace. This time, the tears escaped, albeit I swallowed the sob trying to break free with them.
“Have,” Riff cut in while Ryker stepped closer to raise my chin with his fingers. Every tear that fell was tenderly wiped away, but I couldn’t stop the stampede. I tried, oh how I tried, but all I lost pained my heart and crushed my soul. Why couldn’t I be like everyone else for once in my life? Why was I selfishly longing for something I knew I couldn’t have?
Tutting, Ryker kissed my forehead with a soft smile. “I believe you will find your puppies nipping at your heels if you return to Wolfram,” he mused with amusement filling his voice. “The human children feel pity, yes, which I know you detest. But they do not desire to shower you with it. No, they want to apologize and stand with you. Unfortunately for all who seek to harm you, little one, you’ve given the youth of that town an enemy to hate. Nothing is more dangerous than teenagers with a cause.”
“Are you offering what I think you are?” Char asked hesitantly, and Ryker sighed while pulling me into his embrace.
“Yes. Not for you, puppy, but for my bunny. Even though I detest sharing, I want a happy omega, not a sad or stunted one. Besides, this gives Angel the chance to choose me,” Ryker answered with a gruff tone. Almost as if he were annoyed.
When I raised my head to meet his gaze, the vampire lord gave me a tender smile while gentleness filled his eyes. “I’ve never been known for my ability to share, but I suppose it’s not too late to learn.” Confusion warred with hope in my chest, and I bit my lip while warily eyeing the vampire. “Yes, bunny, you’re going back to Wolfram for school.” It took a moment or two, then excitement raced through my veins, and I couldn’t stop the smile curling my lips if I tried. “Not alone,” Ryker warned halfheartedly, albeit a grin tugged at his lips. “You shame the stars and moon with your beauty, bunny.”
Scoffing, I shook my head, and the vampire shrugged before gently turning me around. Riff and Char’s smiles dropped while they stared at me until I lowered my gaze to scuff my foot on the carpet. What was so wrong with my face that they stared like that? Was I really so hideous?
I sensed Riff moving closer and stiffened while swallowing nervously. He dropped to his knees before me, and I took a step back because of the intensity of the emotions in his eyes. “You are beautiful, Angel, breathtakingly so when excitement lights your eyes. Kyler is a dumb fool, and I can’t wait for him to realize it. But have you looked in a mirror? I know your self-esteem is nonexistent, but damn girl. Something here agrees with you because it enhances your natural beauty. I could write a thousand songs and never capture the essence of your beauty,” Riff murmured. He was opening his mouth to say something else when Char brought his fist down on top of his head. Riff glared at him while rubbing his head with a disgruntled frown.
Cheeks burning so hot I feared they might melt, I met Char’s gaze with shock. “What this uneducated heathen means is you are exquisite, my dear. Now, what are the terms?” At first, my brow furrowed, but then I glanced at his eyes to discover Char faced Ryker. However, he kept his eyes just below the vampire’s out of respect, which was wise. I doubt an opposing predator’s staring contest to establish dominance would amuse Ryker.
“So, this is the intelligent one?” Ryker asked dryly, and I scoffed before elbowing the vampire who chuckled. “Terms. Hmm. Well, I’m afraid I can only establish half of them since the high school is not my territory. But Angel will not be alone. No, Snow, Tyger, and Arctic shall go with her. As will Liam, Matty, and myself.” I bit my lip, wondering who would run the vampire lord’s house in his absence, and he chuckled indulgently. “I have a third who will enjoy keeping those who dwell within my home in line. I left Tyger in charge of you, but she will salivate over the opportunity to straighten out this mess since I forbade her from startling you. Had I not, you never would have discovered what you were not meant to find. However, you stumbling upon your puppies was because of her meddling. She mocked them by using their dirty trick to lead you to those who needed saving.”
After kissing my forehead, he returned his gaze to Char’s to state, “we shall need a house big enough for you and us. I know Marcus will insist on his second and third staying with Angel, not that I blame him. Besides, she’s comfortable with you and would miss you if the only time you spent together was at school. However, you must earn the respect of Tyger and Arctic on your own, I cannot force them to give it to you, puppies. Shifters have a mind of their own, at least mine do.” His
