“Your younger brother?” Snow asked, I glanced at her and nodded while biting my lip. “Well, he’s one of us too. None of us have had siblings before, so we shall welcome our baby brother with open arms.” Looking at Matty, I bit back my smile when he appeared shocked before his expression crumpled. Then he stumbled a step forward, and Snow was there, kneeling to pull him into a tight hug. This meant I was complete. I ignored the soft whisper from my soul, asking about Kyler, choosing to watch my baby brother fight his tears at how easily Snow accepted him.
“Snow can’t help but mother anything she sees that needs love,” Tyger chuckled, “so you were doomed as soon as she saw you. Welcome to the family, little bro.” At his words, Matty sobbed, and the dam broke. My heart ached to see him crying, even though I knew it was a healing sort and he needed it. Hopefully, we could be happy here. Hopefully, I wouldn’t mess it up. Arctic snuggled closer in my embrace when Tyger gave me a reproachful glance that made me feel like a toddler caught with their hand in the cookie jar. “I can tell you’ve been alone for far too long, little one, your thoughts make that painfully clear. Soon we shall have you believing in yourself, then you and Arc can drive us crazy with whatever prank you have up your sleeves. His are never meant to do much more than annoy their target and provide him with a laugh.”
I’d like that more than words can convey. I blinked when the fox in my arms squirmed, and I was in Arctic’s embrace again. I chuckled, hugging him back with fervor. “Soon, we shall flip this place over on its head,” he promised silkily, and I smiled. His words felt right, like I might discover who I truly was with him.
“This at least explains why Arctic followed me around like a lost puppy whenever I returned from visiting with Jax after he was with you. Hell, the few times I saw you directly, I feared he would maul me when I came home,” Ryker sighed with a wry grin. I wanted to ask who Jax was to me but swallowed my words with a sigh. I supposed I would have time to discover that. For now, I soaked up the feeling of belonging which filled me with peace. Oddly enough, I sensed the happiness of everyone else in the room as well. Tyger was amused along with proud and happy, Snow felt fiercely protective of Matty and me, Arctic was content and pleased, while Ryker was entertained. Even Liam felt happy while he oversaw Matty to ensure he was safe. There was only one dark, cold spot in the room. Tammy. She was furious, and I felt the glare she turned towards me like the burning end of a cigarette.
“Unfortunately, we must explain this to the vampires of the house so they are warned to steer clear of you,” Ryker murmured after sharing an odd look with Liam. They were up to something. I didn’t know what it was, but I did not like it. “All of us must go, I am afraid, but Matty knows his way around the place. He will show you to the game room, I’m sure, or perhaps you desire to rest? For now, you may sleep in his room if that’s what you desire to do. Otherwise, your place is with me. I do not trust those who dwell within my home to keep their fangs to themselves when I rest if you’re not within the area where I wake upon sensing another’s entrance.”
Makes sense, I suppose, if my blood was as sweet as he claimed, plus I still believed I was some sort of pet. But Tammy felt pleased, which scared me. What was she planning? And why did Ryker seem content to let her have her way? I harbored no doubts he knew what she was up to.
A Dreadful Mistake
Sighing once the vampires left, I rubbed the back of my neck then met Matty’s gaze with a slight grin. Already seeming to guess what I was thinking, my little brother nodded with an enormous smile which a yawn followed. Now that Arctic left, I felt cold and tired again. I yawned myself, my jaw popping, and shook my head afterward to wake myself up a little. Chuckling, Matty proclaimed, “looks like I get to take care of you for once, Angel.”
“Well, I’m in the best hands then, are I not?” I replied with a quirked brow. My lips curled into a fond smile when Matty’s cheeks reddened while he looked pleased. “Lead the way, my hero,” I added with a chuckle, and he smiled so brightly that my soul basked in its warmth.
In the excited way only a child can, Matty turned to face a door I had not yet noticed and took several steps towards it. Yawning again, because I was sore and exhausted, I stumbled after him. “No.” I paused mid-step, my tired eyes taking in Matty’s stricken expression before I looked over my shoulder at Tammy, who stood behind us with her hands on her hips. “This is our only hope to gain freedom,” she declared in a haughty voice, and I furrowed my brow while looking at Matty, who frowned. “You are leaving. Now. While
