My entire world dwindled to the shifter, and he knew it judging by the smugness oozing from him. This time, he pressed our lips together achingly slow, and a soft whimper escaped my throat, prompting a chuckle from his. Oddly enough, this time, slow tingles danced across my lips, which caused a shiver to race along my spine. What the hell?
“It’s an alpha thing,” Tyger sighed, and I flinched, pulling away from the smirking Arctic. “Because you are an omega, any alpha can be your mate. You may be the mate fate chose for the wolf, but any alpha that treats you right can supplicate to claim you. You will know they are a potential mate by the tingles.” Great. So, basically, I get to exist until some bossy male or female decides they want me, and that’s that. “That’s not what I said, Angel,” Tyger corrected with amusement. “Typically, yes, that’s how it is with alphas. They want something, they get it. But never with an omega. Because of your effect on others, how you project your misery, alphas cannot force you into becoming their mate. They can beg, plead, threaten even, but no one can force you to be their mate, Angel. It’s entirely up to you. If the idiot wasn’t such a selfish bastard, you would never have known you could choose another, nor would you have wanted to. So, the blame for this situation rests at the feet of that mutt.”
With a soft purr, Arctic rubbed our noses together, and I flinched from the warm tingles that danced across my skin where we touched. So not Riff then. Disappointment weighed upon my heart, and Tyger chuckled. Immediately, I felt horrible for being so greedy. I mean, already I had three suitors barking up my tree, and it upset me there weren’t four? When did I become such a-
“You finish that thought, little girl, and I will tickle you until you pee yourself. After which I will eat cookies in front of you,” Tyger growled with fury darkening his eyes. Gulping, I stared at the shifter warily, and he snorted. Softening after a moment, Tyger knelt beside me to tuck my bangs behind my ear. “It’s not that you’re greedy or a slut, Angel, it’s that he made you feel important and loved, so you hoped for him. Judging by what Liam reported and what I saw myself, Riff is a beta. If he desired to be your mate, he could establish himself as an alpha. All he has to do is defeat the mutt. However, I don’t believe that’s the relationship you share.” Tyger chose his words with care, and I swallowed nervously. “I think you are two peas in a pod. Close friends, but not lovers. I could be wrong, but only time will tell.”
Nodding, I stared at the ground while biting my lip. My eyes filled with tears, and Tyger tutted. Pulling me into his embrace, he murmured, “were he only a boy and you an average girl, you would have been an adorable couple. I wish that were the case, I honestly do. But just because you love him doesn’t mean you do so romantically. It’s okay to love someone of the opposite gender without being in a relationship with them. Hell, it’s okay to love someone of the same gender too. You think Snow doesn’t love you? Poor feral mite. Even if you choose Ryker, you can still love Riff. And, despite how he grumbles about the scent of werewolves, Ryker won’t keep you from your friend. That’s how you destroy an omega, by denying them those they love. Arctic won’t care either and will be in your life no matter what. Albeit, you might find him the hardest to resist.”
“Because of the bond between us?” I asked. Relief lightened my voice, and Tyger smiled while Arc purred once more. Glancing at the fox shifter, my cheeks heated, and he smirked again. “Why am I so drawn to him?”
“That’s a discussion for another time,” Tyger chuckled while tapping my nose. “But it’s why Ryker had to buy you time. I know you’re curious, little one, but please be patient. Ryker will explain soon, and I’d rather you be angry with him than me.” Tyger grinned winningly, and I burst into laughter. All right, I’ll try not to let my curiosity eat me alive in the meantime. Knowing that Ryker wouldn’t deny me seeing Riff eased a terrible ache in my soul, so I was content to wait to learn this secret. I assumed Char was included as well because the two of them were important to me. Poor Riff, I couldn’t believe I left the way I did. He must be so hurt.
“Angry, actually, and not at you,” Tyger murmured, and I glanced at him with hope blossoming in my chest. “I checked on him before you and I met because I knew he was important to you. Just as I knew who and what you were the first time I saw you. I followed Ryker’s trail, you see. Albeit, I didn’t know what I was looking for. At least until a pig-tailed little girl tugged on my pants and asked if I was lost because I felt upset. As soon as I looked at you, I understood why Ryker snuck away and vowed to watch over you when I could. He knew I met you when I returned home. Ryker slammed me into a wall to snarl his warning that regardless of his fondness for me, he’d skin me alive if I harmed so much as one hair on your head. I was aware you and Arctic would bond as well, because he mauled me
