“Oh yes,” Tyger chortled with an evil grin. So, I was still to be his doll. Goody. Well, there were worse things, and I was beginning to like it. Which scared me a little. Patting my head with a gentle smile, Tyger jerked his head, and the teenage wolves excitedly followed him. My steps were a little slower. I fear the day, er night, was catching up to me. Still, I smiled when we joined Matty, Liam, and Snow outside. Matty bounced on the balls of his feet, which I understood. This would be the first roof we’ve lived under together where nothing intended to threaten us. Sure, Ryker liked us and meant no harm, as did the shifters and a few vampires. Alas, I fear most of the house wanted to drain us and be done with it.
Smiling tiredly at Snow and Matty, I sighed while wondering how we intended to get to Wolfram. I didn’t know how far away we were since I wasn’t conscious when Liam stole me away. White light softened Snow’s edges for a moment, then the most beautiful snow leopard stood in her place. She looked a little larger than the average leopard in the wild, so I guessed shifters to be bigger than their natural counterparts. I tried to resist, but after a moment, I moved closer to stroke Snow’s fur. A throaty purr told me the touch was welcome, and I threw my arms around her neck to hug her. After a few minutes, she licked my forehead, and I sighed. Arctic shifted next, dancing around my feet to demand his share of attention, and I laughed before giving him what he desired. His purr was louder, which I fear was directed at Ryker. The vampire lord’s scowl warned I was correct, and I shook my head at the smug shifter. Glancing at Tyger, I waited to see if his animal form was what I thought.
Sure enough, after the glow enveloped him, a large white tiger stood a few feet away, yawning to display his formidable teeth. “It’s not fair,” I teased with a grin. “You’re gorgeous as a human, and then you have such exquisite animals too.” Tossing his head, Tyger preened while I laughed at his antics. With a loud purr that soothed nerves I didn’t know were frayed, Tyger rubbed his head against mine. Relaxing, I hugged the tiger who chuffed with amusement when Riff and Char appeared to pout.
Chuckling, I tilted my head to the side, trying to understand why they were upset, and Tyger chuffed again, nuzzling my fingers. Riff frowned, then met my gaze hesitantly. What? Riff wasn’t one to shy away from anything. With a wince, he shook his head before a few pops and cracks filled the air. One second, Riff the boy stood before me, the next he hunched, then a wolf was in his place. A low whistle escaped my lips while I took in the wolf who stood taller than the teenager. I understood why Dakota smiled when I turned in my homework for our art class. My piece had the back of a young man’s head at the near end, and a wolf at the far end of what turned out to be a hallway.
The wolf was a light color with a few shaded areas, including a spot around its eye. Whereas the hair of the person had dark-tipped ends. The hall held a case with a few trophies, albeit they came in several shapes and sizes. Dakota shook his head upon seeing it, a smile curling his lips. Although, he raised his brow when he saw my sketch of Ky, which I now understood too. It would be surprising to find out someone’s wolf ran around without their knowledge.
Alas, I digress. The wolf standing with a hesitant posture a few feet away had fur of a light color. I guessed it to be white-blond, with a few dark spots. The tip of his tail and his paws were dark, I’m assuming the fur there was black, but I couldn’t tell in the dim moonlight. And, adorably, there was a dark spot surrounding his left eye. My fingers twitched, and when I stepped closer, his fear of rejection wrapped around my senses, softening my heart. Poor Riff feared I wouldn’t pet him or get close while he was a wolf. Shaking my head, I set about putting those fears to rest.
Within three steps, I stood before the wolf who laid his ears back while he tucked his tail, and I threw my arms around his neck. “I love you, Riff. I’m not afraid of you, nor your wolf. How could I fear the first boy to take me under his wing and ensure I know I’m safe?” Tears thickened my voice, and I buried my face in his fur. It pained my soul that I somehow put the fear of rejection in the teenager who stood up to Kyler for me. “I might get angry with you, or fear you deciding I’m not good enough to be your friend, but I don’t see how I could ever be afraid of you.”
With a soft chuff, Riff licked my tears, and I chuckled while trying to turn away, so my face wasn’t covered in wolf slobber. Char chortled, then popping, and cracks filled the air again. Dark fur that I guessed to be ashen brown covered his wolf, who was as tall as Riff’s. Chuckling, I held my hand out to him and discovered his fur was silky too. I liked how soft the wolves felt, even though it looked like their
