“I lay out rules for all who live in my house, bunny. And, I intend for my rules to keep you safe, not stifle you. If you allow another vampire to touch you, and they do not realize what you are, they might very well think you are an available snack. Or a mere toy. I’m afraid not all humans are treated well, but the same can be said for cattle, hmm?” Ryker replied with a quirked brow.
I bit my tongue to keep from scolding the vampire for comparing my species to cattle, but only just. After a moment, I sighed. In truth, were we not akin to cattle to them? Still, it pained my heart that the poor animals were mistreated, just as it did that the vampires abused my kind. Biting my lip, I debated giving him a piece of my mind but decided against it. What good would pissing off the lord of the house do? I wouldn’t gain anything other than a place on the menu for all. Strangely enough, the idea of him drinking my blood did not bother me anywhere near as much as I believed it would. In fact, I seemed to have accepted it. What the hell? Then again, if he fed from me, that spared another, did it not? While mulling, I finished my soup because it was delicious.
Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, Ryker offered me his arm again and ushered me back through the empty grand room. Where did the vampires go? I wasn’t allowed to dawdle and ascended a curving staircase. Then, we followed a bright corridor to a bathroom with one of those tubs with the jets. I nearly drooled when I saw it. I’ve heard about them but never imagined I would see one. Unless I wandered around a store where they were sold. Glancing around, I saw no lack of wealth here, what with the marble tile covering the floor, most of the walls, and the ceiling. A giant mirror took up most of a wall, but I kept my gaze focused on the floor rather than risk seeing what a sight I must be. I fidgeted upon realizing the vanity was built for two. What was I to this vampire? Perhaps I read more into what I saw than I should.
I blinked, and Ryker sat on the edge of the tub, turning the water on while humming. He grinned when our gazes met, chuckling while he turned to face me with his chin on his palm and his elbow on his knee. “Yes, bunny, as the alpha seeks an omega, so too do I. Alas, I am not so foolish as to spurn you due to your past. You cannot help the cards fate dealt you, but you are worth so much more than the sum of them. You’re gorgeous, and I do not plan on letting you go. The more I lessen your bond with the mutt, the more you will discover I am a far better partner. I do not proclaim you are mine to mean I own you, little one, but rather that you and I have a special bond,” Ryker mused. His eyes observed my face, and I trembled while taking a step back.
Within a beat of my heart, I was pressed to the bathroom door, and caged in by Ryker. He grinned while he leaned on the hand he placed on the wall beside my head, his other moving to cup my cheek. I trembled again when, after a moment, the same tingly feeling I got from Kyler danced across our point of contact. “I will treat you like the precious treasure you are, bunny, unless you force my hand. Unfortunately, there are some things that I cannot allow, even if it’s you who does them. Just as I am sure if I act a certain way, you will make me regret it. Give and take is what our relationship shall be, but it cannot blossom until you shed the influence of the mutts. Still, I consider this the perfect time to show you what behavior you should expect,” Ryker chuckled. His eyes grew predatory once more, and he lowered his face until I felt a puff of breath on my lips. I swallowed nervously, and he smiled, kissing my cheek before straightening and returning to the bath. I eyed him warily, not that he couldn’t move too fast for me to see. Still, I noticed he didn’t breathe. So, the breath I felt, was that him expelling the last bit of air he took in to speak? For your voice box to work, you must feed it air. And to smell, you must bring air in through your nose. Huh. So, vampires breathe for necessity too, albeit theirs isn’t necessary. Interesting.
Once my heart slowed, I hesitantly moved closer to the nearly full bath and bit my lip. He didn’t intend to stay in here the whole time, did he? Flashing me a grin, Ryker winked, and my cheeks heated. However, once he turned the water off, he kissed my forehead and moved to the vanity to pull out two soft-looking towels, and some expensive shampoo, conditioner, and soap. “If you don’t like these, we can get you something you’ll prefer. For now, I must ask that you indulge me. The stench of dog is not something I desire to suffer. I will not lurk during your bath, but if you need me, call out. Otherwise, I shall return when I hear the water drain, albeit I will not enter this room until you deem I may,” Ryker explained. With a flourish, he gave a grand bow that made my cheeks heat again and let himself out of the bathroom.
Sighing, I pulled off my shirt, and removed what I could of the bandages, growling when I couldn’t reach some of them. A knock on the door made me jump, and I glanced at the offending piece
