“From what Vesper gathered, they petitioned to speak to me which I was not alerted of, a sin someone will pay for. Heavily. However, when turned down, they crossed into my territory to politely knock on my front door. So, while they are stupid dogs, they’re also intelligent and respectful,” Ryker sighed after a moment. “You’re projecting,” he added with a smile and my cheeks heated. “Which is unsurprising since you are quite emotional at the moment, little one. Now, bunny, I will get your puppies some clothes and food if you will be so kind as to convince them to shower. Tyger is outside, as is Arctic. However, I don’t think we should quash their hopes just yet.” A gentle kiss on my forehead left me staring in shock as the door to the vampire’s room closed with a soft click.
Quash their hopes? Oh. Because of the way my soul rejoices at the sound of Arc’s name? They hope Kyler will win me over? Hmm, hell will freeze over first. Not only was he abusive, but he had infidelity issues as well. I wouldn’t touch upon the hotshot taking one look at me and deciding I wasn’t good enough for him. “Dare we ask?” Riff asked dryly, shaking his head with a rueful smile when I glanced at him. “Have I told you I adore that look on you? You should always dress like that since it hints at how much of a badass you are.”
“Agreed,” Char stated with a soft laugh. “But, let’s get clean. I, for one, am tired of smelling my blood.” With warm cheeks, I led the way to the bathroom, remembering only once I turned on the light that I left the phone Char gave me on the counter. I stared at it, feeling like I eyed a murder weapon when Riff stopped behind me.
“Oh, that’s where it went,” Riff sighed with relief, and I bit my lip. “We wondered since we couldn’t find it.”
“I didn’t put it in my bag,” I admitted tearfully after a moment of heavy silence.
“Which is why we were surprised it was gone,” Char announced, leaning against the doorframe. “I didn’t think you would take it, feeling betrayed as you did, nor the gifts from Ava and Marcus. So how did you get them?”
“Jaxy,” I admitted quietly, a ghostly kiss pressing against my forehead while tears stung my eyes. “He told me to go to the treehouse, by saying there was somewhere you wouldn’t think to look, at first. Then, he somewhat rebuked me for running while saying I was right too. I believe that was his way of trying to convince me to go back. I fear he knew Liam was in the woods but regretted sending me in his direction once I reached my destination. Or, he intended for me to come here all along, considering what he put in my bag before I left. I don’t know which answer is right, and I doubt he’d tell me even if I asked.” A chuckle in my ear warned that was correct, albeit it was sad sounding too, which pained my heart. Even though Jax was long since dead, I perceived his ghostly torment and desired to ease it. Alas, I didn’t know how to comfort a ghost.
“He always was a meddler,” Char chuckled. “Poor Dakota could tell you stories for days of all the ways his cousin messed with his life alone. He worries, that was his focus, so to speak. Whereas you’re a protector, that’s your deeper calling, if that makes sense.” Char looked bashful when I glanced at him, and I chuckled upon seeing the light blush staining his cheeks.
Riff, meanwhile, kissed my cheek before he began stripping. “We can’t get clean if we don’t shower, and I, for one, am starving. I doubt the leech will let us eat until we are better smelling to his delicate nose. So, Angel, want to piss him off by joining us?” With a choked cry, my cheeks burning, I stumbled backward out of the bathroom while Char and Riff howled their laughter. Geez, all they had to do was ask me to leave. Ugh.
As soon as I turned to face Ryker’s room after the bathroom door closed in my face, my soul relaxed before my feet moved on their own volition. I threw myself into his embrace, and he tutted, kissing my forehead, which caused tingles to dance across my skin, but I only hugged him tighter. “Are you all right, Arctic?” I asked quietly, and he chuckled with a grin.
“Vamps never stood a chance. Still, I felt your horror and pain, so I rushed to discover what you stuck your nose into this time and was surprised to find your puppies. So, empathy healer, huh? I haven’t seen one of those before, nor has Tyger as far as I know. If the other vamps find out about you, they’ll try to take you from Ryker. Not because they want an omega, but empathy healers are… useful.” The way he said that warned I never wanted to learn that firsthand. A shiver raced along my spine while I hid my face in the shifter’s chest, imagining many terrible wounds which they would force me to heal.
“Which is why I refuse to let a group of shifters enter wolf territory on their own,” Ryker agreed with a touch of coldness in his voice. My eyes met his, and I sighed when worry swirled within the anger. “Other vampires see shifters as nothing more than property. Outside my territory, you’d be declared runaways and taken even though they damn well know Tyger, Snow, and
