“Perhaps it is necessary,” Ryker argued with a slight smile. His lips curling to reveal his fangs when I huffed. A faint smile curled Liam’s lips when he knelt beside me, indicating Matty, who tightened his arms around my neck. “No harm will come to the boy,” Ryker murmured gravely. Still, I kissed Matty’s forehead before I nodded, cringing when Matty whimpered and tried to hold on for dear life. No, little brother, Ryker promised, and I won’t allow you to risk that because you don’t want me to get hurt. Brutus whined when I shuddered, and I pet his fur, soothing us both.
However, I met Ryker’s gaze defiantly once Liam took Matty a few feet away. I couldn’t hear him well enough to perceive his words, but his voice was gentle while he spoke to my little brother, and his expression was tender. Thus, I believed Matty to be safe and well looked after. Therefore, I could focus on what I must face. Albeit, I refused to sit on the ground like some simpering princess. No, I would stand to face my fate. Ryker quirked his brow when I knelt before forcing myself to stand. My legs shook, and my head pounded once more, but I would not cower from the consequences of my actions. Sure, Tammy threatened me into doing it, but that did not remove the blame from my shoulders. I was confident I could have found another way, perhaps if I were not so exhausted. After glancing at me, Brutus returned to the side of the vampire who brought him here. I smiled at the wolf-dog, and he thumped his tail on the ground before lying down and lowering his head to his paws to watch me.
“You should sit, bunny,” Ryker noted in an emotionless voice. I shook my head, blinking since my vision became blurry once I stood. My headache worsened, but I refused to appear weak, since I already was compared to the predators watching me. Stubbornly, I raised my chin, although I had long since dropped my gaze. “Bunny,” Ryker’s voice gentled, and he murmured, “your legs are shaking.”
So what if they were? I could continue to stand and insisted that I did. Ignoring the tremors shaking my legs and my body, I stared at the trap Matty stepped into. They knew, but was that because they set it up, or did Tammy let her plans slip to someone who wasn’t sympathetic to her plight? Did Tyger hear her plotting? I suppose only time would tell. Either way, I needed to remember the vampiric domain was dangerous. The soreness I experienced before leaving Ryker’s house returned, and I swallowed my groan of pain when my feet made their displeasure known. Was my outfit chosen to test if I would dog Matty or give up because I had the wrong shoes? That would mean Tyger knew. Unless he only did as Ryker ordered. My brow furrowed when something leaked from my nose again, but this time I touched the warm, thick liquid. My fingers came away crimson, and I eyed the wetness with a sigh. What a sight I must look with red tracks from my eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Oh well, I didn’t come here to take part in any beauty pageants. I was here for what I accomplished today. Protecting Matty.
I jerked when Ryker stood so close to me our noses almost touched. “Well, that’s not good,” he mused, laughing with a shake of his head when I huffed. No shit, Sherlock. Anything else you’d like to point out, captain obvious? Tyger snickered, but I kept my gaze on the collar of Ryker’s sweater instead of glancing at the amused shifter. “Dare I ask?” Ryker questioned in a pleasant voice. He’d make an evil villain with how friendly he acts.
“You think I get snarky,” Tyger chuckled, “Angel’s snark would eat mine alive. Before breakfast.” Damn straight.
“I’m aware of this,” Ryker replied dryly, “I knew her as a child. And I’ve watched her over the years as well.” I scoffed, schooling my expression to appear neutral when Ryker’s gaze returned to me. “As for you, my dear, you need to sit. Now. You are wavering, and I fear Matty’s reaction and feelings of guilt if you collapse.” How low, using my little brother to con me into doing what you desire. Ryker’s eyes narrowed when I met his gaze, and he growled, “I am not conning you into anything, nor am I using your little brother against you. I am stating a fact. I’m not worried about how he will react. However, I fear the lecture he will subject me to while you recover. When Matty is near Liam, he loses all fear of me and does not hesitate to make his opinion known. In other words, when Matty is near his self-appointed protector, he becomes you.”
Scoffing, I raised my gaze again and moved towards Ryker to growl in his face only to yelp when my legs gave out. Blinking, I growled upon realizing Ryker saved me from collapsing and pushed against his chest. “Put me down,” I snarled, and he chuckled.
“I warned you to sit,” Ryker replied nonchalantly. Defiantly, I stared him down, and his brow furrowed. “Tyger, am I mistaken?” The shifter gently tugged on some strands of my hair until I turned my head to face him. Gently, he tilted my chin and gazed into my eyes.
“Unfortunately, you are not,” Tyger sighed after a moment. “I fear you have no choice. You should not have fed from her knowing she would run and push through the barrier.” I opened my mouth to ask him what the hell he was going on about. Instead, I coughed, and my palm had blood on it when I pulled
