“I told you before, Matty, I do not intend to harm your sister. She is a gift to me and mine, and I’ve watched her since the day she was born. The dogs tried to take her from me, but I have stepped in to reclaim what is mine. The last precious omega left in the hands of the mutts met a terrible fate. I am not about to let the same befall Angel,” Ryker explained in a patient voice. I sighed inwardly with relief, happy to hear that he understood Matty was still a mere boy. Sure, he understood more than some kids his age would, but less than others all the same. He tried, but sometimes he needed the adults surrounding him to remember he was only a child.
“He looked like me,” I added quietly, and Matty glanced at me. I shrugged in response, and my little brother looked thoughtful.
“Were you related?” Matty asked after a moment. “If you looked alike and were both omegas, do you share blood?” I smiled, shrugging again, and he bit his lip. Ah, poor kid watches me too much sometimes.
“I know the answer to that, whereas Angel, my little bunny, does not. Alas, I promised Jax, the omega I mentioned, that I wouldn’t tell her. If I cannot keep my word, how could you ever trust me?” Ryker murmured, and Matty nodded with his brow clearing. To be fair, that was a very logical statement.
“You don’t seem upset,” Matty whispered, and I softened, “so I won’t be upset either.” I smiled before indicating his chair, and he sighed, which was followed by a mutinous scowl. Fighting a laugh, I looked at Tyger, who watched Tammy with a dark scowl I did not like.
“Are you not going to eat, Matty?” Flinching, I stared at Liam in shock while trying to calm my racing heart. “You know you need to, else your sister will worry.” Well, yes, but you shouldn’t use me against him, either.
Narrowing my eyes, afraid of him or not, I intended to give the vampire a piece of my mind, but a glance at Ryker had me biting my tongue. His expression warned not to, for whatever reason. “Angel will respect my decision either way,” Matty replied haughtily, and I stifled a laugh. “I’ve told you before, Liam, I am eight, which means I am well on my way to becoming a man. Therefore, I can make my own decisions.” Liam sighed, glancing at me with a bashful smile, and I understood what Ryker meant before when he said Matty was far more likely to hurt Liam. The vampire appeared to have adopted him as his own.
“Matty, listen to Liam,” I scolded in a gentle voice, and he gave me another mutinous frown. Lowering my voice, I moved my lips beside his ear and whispered, “He sees you as a son.” Matty’s eyes widened, and he stared at me warily for a moment. I made sure to only focus on how happy I was that Liam wanted to keep Matty safe. It saddened me whenever I sensed someone wanted to adopt him because it felt like they could take him from me. But Matty needed a father figure in his life. Even though I didn’t know Liam, and I feared the vampire, I got the feeling he would be an excellent one. With a trembling lip, Matty threw his arms around my neck and cried quietly. “Shh,” I murmured, “this is a wonderful thing. He can teach you things I cannot. Plus, he’s not trying to take you away, Matty. Liam’s trying to keep you safe in a house full of those who could hurt us if they choose. Therefore, give him a chance to plead his case. Then, after a suitable time has passed, we can discuss it and see how you feel about it. I doubt Liam is asking you to call him father or dad, nor is he demanding your obedience any more than I do. Sometimes we have to follow rules we dislike to remain healthy, hearty, and whole, hmm?”
After a few more minutes, Matty nodded with a soft sob, and I chuckled. He felt the lack of a father in our lives far more keenly than I had, I fear. I doubt it helped that our time together was sporadic. “I’ll try,” Matty promised, and I praised his bravery. Soon, my younger brother would regain his footing, and we’d have a stubborn little hoot on our hands. But, until then, I hoped Liam would continue to be patient and gentle. That Matty was unafraid to talk back told me Liam never once threatened him or raised his voice. Matty was sensitive to that, especially with men.
Another vampire entered the room, judging by his ethereal beauty. Ryker sighed when he saw him, indicating a seat beside Matty once our eyes met. Swallowing audibly, I convinced Matty he needed to take his place, noticing that Tammy watched us with pale cheeks and anger in her eyes. Oh boy. She crossed her arms, refusing to approach the table, and Ryker shrugged, moving to sit beside me. The new vampire with his bright blue hair and easy smile sat across from me, his soft gray eyes appearing to be almost sad.
“This is Salem,” Ryker explained, “he shall do something neither of you will like. However, only one must accept it. Consider it an insurance plan.” The way he stated that made my skin crawl, and I glanced at him with a sharp frown. “I will allow you to pick which one of you bears it. I promise it will not hurt when he puts it on.” Interesting choice of words. So, it might hurt later?
Glancing at Matty,
