Walking into the house caused a smile to curl my lips because I loved knowing I belonged. Matty barreled into me to chatter about what he, Tyger, and Snow did all day. There was a gaming marathon in which he beat Tyger several times. Mostly because Snow helped, but all that mattered to Matty was he bested the shifter. Tyger rolled his eyes with a fond grin when I glanced at him, and a soft laugh escaped my mouth before I could swallow it. They were wonderful with him, and I was grateful the shifters took Matty under their wings to protect and befriend him.
“Ryker will wake soon, so let’s get you in something a little more relaxed. That outfit was for the mutt’s benefit. You need something softer and more comfortable for where you’re going,” Tyger decreed. So, he knows who these people are to me, then? How unsurprising. Still, I bet he just wants me to be his doll again. The grin the shifter gave me warned I hit the nail on the head, and I sighed silently. The worst part was I’m almost beginning to look forward to this. Tyger was gentle and careful, albeit he had no shame whatsoever. Still, if I played along, he gave me all the time in the world.
I wore some comfy worn jeans, a soft shirt, and an oversized hoodie that was long enough to reach halfway down my thighs. It was so comfortable I never wanted to take it off, and I growled at Tyger when he tried to remove it to do my hair. Laughing, the shifter seemed pleased and brushed my hair before humming and leaving it down. So, he was testing me? Bastard. Soft chuckles had me glaring at the shifter who seemed happy to receive my ire.
He wasn’t quite so happy after I beat him several times in one of the games Liam fetched for Matty while we slept. I wasn’t surprised the vampire brought everything Matty desired while my little brother slept. It warmed my heart that he cared so much, and I hoped Matty would settle into a routine that allowed him to spend time with both of us. If he woke once I got home from school, for example, that would give him time with me before Liam woke. At least until I started working again. I mean, I have to pay for this place somehow. Plus, there was food, and well, anything we desired. I couldn’t ask the wolves, shifters, or vampires living with me to shell out money whenever I wanted to buy something. I refused to use anyone like that.
I beat Tyger again for the umpteenth time, which I suspect was due to him letting me win, when a hand squeezed my shoulder. Following it to its owner, I sighed upon discovering Ryker and Liam were up. Liam took my controller with a grin while Tyger smirked. Ah, so these two were the ones who inspired Matty’s love for this game. It was nice to see the placid vampire enjoying himself.
Still, I hugged Matty and ruffled his hair before following Ryker and Dakota out of the house. I swallowed nervously when we piled into my cousin’s car, and his trepidation wrapped around me as well. Only Ryker was calm, although I sensed a bit of turmoil from him too. “Remember, Angel, I’ll wait outside so you have privacy while you learn the secrets Jaxy hid from you,” Ryker murmured when Dakota turned onto a dirt road after driving for a little while. According to him, the house Jaxy left me was closer to Jax’s parents than most, albeit it was still a bit of a trek. I chuckled soundlessly at this proof that Dakota never had to travel much. Anything within two hours wasn’t far in my eyes. And, Jax’s parents were perhaps twenty minutes away from home.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Dakota muttered after he stopped in front of a quaint two-story house. It looked like a cute cottage compared to the house we came from, and I rolled my eyes inwardly. Am I becoming a snob already? Seriously? It hasn’t even been a full day. “You should come in too since you know what awaits us.”
Nodding, Ryker eyed me warily, and I bit my lip while wondering if he feared I would become far too upset. Well, whatever the consequences might be, they would be worth learning who I am. Ryker pulled my hood up with a sad smile once we were out of the car, and I sighed. Here goes nothing. Dakota smiled tightly while we approached the front door, sighing before he opened it. I know Jaxy said to not give them any warning, but that still seemed rude to me. Then again, they were his aunt and uncle, so perhaps they told him to walk in whenever he visited. Or, he took Jax’s words to heart.
The occupants of the house waited for us just within the door, and the breath rushed from my lungs. To the left stood a woman who looked undeniably like me, albeit older. I mean, it shouldn’t be all that surprising since she was Jax’s mother, but it still caught me off guard. After growing up with mom and Matty, who didn’t look that similar to me, it was a bit of a shock to see someone who did. Even though I knew she had to be old enough to
