“I feel so sorry for Ryker when he pisses you off,” Arctic declared between laughs. “He thinks Tyger’s bad, oh god. I can’t wait until you and Tyger are in a snit together.” I couldn’t stop the smile curling my lips, nor the soft scoff that escaped my throat. Perhaps it would do Ryker a world of good, and Arctic too. Snow would avoid us until it was over, mocking Ryker and Arctic whenever she deemed it safe to do so.
“Ryker? What the fuck does he have to do with anything?” Kyler demanded, his eyes a dark amber when I glanced his way. Riff had already stood and brushed off his gym clothes while Kyler still sat on the ground.
“He’s an alpha,” Riff replied with a shrug and a slight sneer. “As is Arctic.”
“That human? You expect me to believe that human is an alpha. Please. Did the vampires take your little brain out of your head while you were in their territory?” Kyler scoffed with a derisive snort. Nice. So, that they entered Ryker’s territory to bring me home has spread as far as Kyler at least. Good to know.
“Hmm,” Arctic hummed before shrugging and shifting. Kyler’s jaw dropped, as did those of the rest of the students surrounding us. Coach Hauser, however, paled. Eyeing him warily, I knelt to scratch behind Arctic’s ears. I wonder if it will irritate Ryker that he revealed himself as a shifter. Then again, he said his shifters have minds of their own. Seconds later, Arc returned to his human form and tugged on my arm so I lost my balance and fell onto his lap. Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed his head against mine while purring with a broad grin.
Squirming, I tried to get free only to sigh when his arms tightened. Whatever. I didn’t want to get up anyway, hmph. In the next moment, someone grabbed the back of my jacket and jerked me away from the shifter, which pissed me off. I was unsurprised when I looked over my shoulder to discover a furious Kyler was the culprit. Riff’s eyes were wide when I met his gaze for a moment because I wanted to be sure Kyler had done nothing to him before he threw his little tantrum.
“Let go of me,” I growled, fury rising from my soul while my blood heated and my heart tried to plead his case. When Kyler stared into my eyes with anger in his own, I jerked away from him, causing the teenager to release my jacket in surprise. “What right do you have to fucking manhandle me like that?” I demanded with fury shaking my voice.
“You are my mate!” Kyler snarled in response, “so stay the fuck away from the goddamn fox, you fucking hussy.” My left hand clenched into a fist while I grit my teeth to not deck him like he deserved.
“Tyger,” I heard from Arctic a second later and turned my head to discover the shifter held a phone to his ear. “Be prepared to wake Ryker if needed. We underestimated how much the mutt corrupted the bond between them. Angel’s at his throat within him saying two sentences to her. If this continues, you know what will happen. Uh-huh, yeah, I’ve kept her calm. Okay, you try telling the furious omega she needs to not rip his dick off and rape him with it.” Arctic smiled brightly and held his phone out, “here, Angel, it’s for you.”
Scoffing, I refused to take his phone, so he shrugged and stepped closer to hold it to my ear. “Calm, little one,” Tyger murmured in a soothing voice. “If you get too upset, Ryker will have to interfere, and it hasn’t been long enough to merely buy you time. Thus, you will disappoint Dakota since you won’t be able to visit Jax’s parents with him, hmm?” That knocked the wind out of my sails, and I glared mutinously at Kyler for a moment before taking several deep breaths. “That’s it, I can tell by your breathing that you’re calming. Outstanding job, little one. And, remember, rape is wrong. Even if he deserves it.” Like I intended to do that.
“I wouldn’t do that,” I scoffed, and Tyger laughed huskily.
“Little one, I can tell by your tone that you very much would have if he kept pushing. Might I suggest doing something else for your free period today? Perhaps you can find your cousin and annoy him?” Tyger offered gamely, which made me smile. The only problem was I didn’t know what class Dakota had this period.
“Library,” Marissa offered cheerfully. “He and Char share this class, and they have to research for a report that neither is interested in writing. You would be a much-desired and welcome distraction.”
“There you have it, Angel. Now, no writing it for them, hmm?” Tyger teased, and I scoffed before jerking my head away, and Arctic laughed. While I stormed off, since Arc already had my backpack, he continued to talk to Tyger. Grumbling while Arctic laughed at whatever Tyger said, I stalked through the school to reach the library. I wanted Dakota and Char. Basking in their presence would make me feel better. My feet faltered for a moment before I shook my head and continued on my way with a soft huff. It was odd to count on someone like this, yes, but it meant I was putting down roots. I would never ask it of him, but I was certain Tyger would eat my monster if he dared return. Hell, he’d enjoy it, knowing him.
I burst into the library, thankful that the door was already open, so I didn’t slam it into the wall. Arctic ended his conversation with Tyger before he entered the quiet space full of students with their noses buried in books or computer screens. Dakota and Char looked
