Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1)

foot,” I mocked in a high voice, and Matty snickered. “In all seriousness, little brother, what happens next is up to you. As you proudly say, you are eight and nearly a man. Therefore, you deserve the chance to make your own decisions. We’ve seen one trap already, and we know without a doubt that I cannot leave considering how hard it was for me to traverse the few steps it took to reach you. So, you can continue on without me and face who knows what kinds of traps, ones that might risk your limbs or life. Or, you can stay here with me and face who knows what. They knew we would be here, which terrifies me because it means they were ready for it. What else have they anticipated? What are they preparing back at the house as a punishment for our escape? Are there traps on the ground or in the trees further in the forest? Will they catch you as soon as I can no longer see you? So you’ll scream for help where I can’t reach? Is that a better fate than the one that awaits me? Is this trap the only one? Was it meant to scare you into staying? We cannot answer these questions because only time can tell. If you decide to leave, that’s how you answer those questions, if you stay, we’ll learn the answers to the others together. I don’t know which path I prefer you to take. I want you safe, so I desire to keep you close so I can protect you. But I’ve witnessed Ryker's temper, and I fear what he will do to you to punish me. So, I offer you the chance to decide for yourself. If you don’t want to, then I will choose for you. Make sense?”

Matty nodded, sniffling, and I chuckled while ruffling his hair. “What are you thinking, Matty?”

“I want to stay with you, but I know you will worry and do everything you can to protect me if I do,” he whispered in a defeated sounding voice.

Chuckling, I offered, “Matty, no matter where you are, I worry about you. So, don’t let that deter you. You’re my baby brother. I will always worry about you, little man. Even when your hair turns gray.” The relief in his eyes made me laugh again, and I hugged him. “You out in the world, on your own, terrifies me. But I don’t want to stifle you either. I don’t know the right decision. That might be the only trap, or there could be nastier ones. Our escape attempt could amuse the vampires, or they might be furious and make us suffer for it. All that matters is that you’re safe and as happy as you can be. If that means you leave me to suffer an unknown fate, then so be it. If it means you would rather wait with me, then that’s what we’ll do. I am hesitant to send you further into the forest because you have little survival training, and we have no supplies. Tammy was a fool for not letting us stop to grab water bottles and food. Adrenaline allowed me to overcome my tiredness and weakness from Ryker drinking my blood, but now it returns with a vengeance. I won’t be any help when they arrive. Nor could I walk you through navigating the forest without a way to demonstrate. You’ve always been a hands-on learner. Lectures just don’t do it for you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it means I can’t teach you what you need to know. With that in mind, do you want to stay, or would you rather risk the forest?”

“Angel, even if I knew how to survive the forest, or had all the supplies in the world, I wouldn’t leave you. Were our situations reversed, you would never entertain leaving me behind,” Matty replied in a level voice. His eyes held a little fear when I met his gaze, but also determination, and I smiled.

“No, I wouldn’t leave you behind even if you begged me to,” I agreed, ruffling his hair again, and he chuckled. “So, we shall wait together for the consequences of what Tammy threatened us into doing.” Goddamn bitch. How could she be so stupid? Was life that bad in the vampire’s house? “Has Ryker hurt Tammy?” I asked after a moment.

“No. Ryker’s very kind, and he made the other vampires behave too,” Matty answered. What the hell was her problem then? I get that living under the roof of something that can eat you is scary, yes, but to force two kids to risk their ire was dumb. “Will he hurt us?” Matty’s voice wavered, and I sighed. Poor sprout.

“I don’t know, bud,” I answered honestly. “I’d like to think he won’t, but he warned me he would hurt me if I forced his hand. I’m not sure if this counts. From his point of view, it probably does. I don’t know if explaining what happened would change that, or if it would make it worse. We could have shouted or something, I suppose. But if we tried, that might have inspired Tammy to attack and leave one of us bleeding out without alerting them. So many things were and are beyond our control that it’s difficult to understand what we should expect. We will try, Ryker seemed reasonable, and Tyger can verify our truth by listening to our thoughts. But I will never forgive myself if they harm you because the vampires know that’s the truest way to hurt me. I’m sorry I got us into this mess, Matty. Had they not wanted me, they would never have caught you. It’s my fault you’re not at school, and hell, this entire thing is my fault. If our monster did not take a liking to me in the first place, you at least would have a decent life. Father didn’t like me, but he adored you.”

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