Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1)

by Lenai McGoveran

  Ryker raised his wrist to his mouth, biting into it with vicious, razor-sharp fangs. When I saw his crimson blood, my stomach turned, and I tried to sneak away. I had an idea of what he meant to do, and I wanted no part of it. Yuck. Chuckling, Ryker wrapped one arm around my waist to press my back to his chest. Between the pain flaring once we touched, and the absolute strength his iron bar of an arm held me in place with, tears filled my eyes. Half frustration and half pain, I blinked them away regardless while making one last attempt to move. I needn’t have bothered. I doubt Ryker even noticed that I tried.

  Sighing in frustration, I clamped my jaw shut, and Ryker laughed. “Oh, little one,” he chuckled while I glared at the wall stubbornly. “You are so adorable.” The next moment, the fingers of his hand with the wounded wrist pinched my nose shut, and I growled silently. Cheating bastard. I held out for as long as I could, but eventually, my body’s need for oxygen overrode my brain, and my mouth fell open. As soon as it did, a particular bloody wrist pressed against my lips and I refused to swallow. Snorting with amusement, Ryker shrugged and pinched my nose closed again with his other hand. Dammit.

  I believe he made me suffer more of his blood as a punishment. After two swallows, my pain eased, but Ryker held us in place until I swallowed another five times. Ugh, each one was worse than the last, I swear. His blood was thick, like molasses, and the coppery taste clung to my tongue. I swear I could feel it moving through my body, which was uncomfortable. I felt invaded and defiled. To make it worse, it moved slow, like it was mocking me. However, after a few moments of his lava-like blood flowing through my body, I gasped because it wrapped around my spine.

  You’d think that felt good, right? No. It was excruciating. I whimpered in pain when his blood forced itself into the hairline fractures of my spine. Tears poured down my cheeks, and I sunk my teeth in my bottom lip, but it still wasn’t enough to prevent the pained scream that tore from my throat. The pain built until I feared I would either hurl, pass out, or both. Then, suddenly, it stopped.

  Panting, I jerked away from Ryker when he moved his arm to allow my escape. I shied away when he reached towards me, and he chuckled. “I’m sorry, little one, I did not realize it would hurt when it healed your spine. Although, I suppose it’s similar to the change, which is even more painful than what you experienced. Still, I understand your wariness since I failed to warn you. Nor would I believe my apology either, since I assured you it would not hurt. Shall we find you some food, bunny?” I shook my head, and he chuckled. I stepped back when he moved towards me again, although part of me feared his patience running out. “Still stubborn, I see,” Ryker chuckled, “I feared your tormentor would beat that out of you.”

  He liked that I was stubborn? What? Was he touched in the head? Was that not the opposite of how someone who proclaimed you belong to them should feel? I was so confused. Was that the point? To keep me off balance? Or did he genuinely mean his words? And I thought the werewolves were complicated. Yeesh. Sighing, I defiantly raised my gaze to stare my captor in the eyes and would have gasped had my breath not already fled my body.

  I thought Kyler was beautiful, but Ryker put that word to shame. He had a leaner build, albeit much more strength. Perhaps that was part of what made vampires so dangerous. They embodied the saying that looks could be deceiving. His face looked like it was carved from the most beautiful pale marble because of his hard planes and strong jaw. Yet he also, somehow, appeared delicate. Still, Ryker’s high cheekbones gave him an aristocratic air, and upon glancing at his chiseled lips, I wondered what a kiss I asked for would feel like. Mentally, I shook my head to banish the thought and focused more on the gorgeous predator standing a scant few feet away. Ryker smiled, revealing the dimples that gave him a boyish charm, which made me want to trust him, and his razor-sharp fangs. His smile reached his eyes, which were a beautiful cobalt blue. Shaking his head, he caused his bangs that were just long enough to reach his eyes to fall into them. Which gave him an even more boyish look, and I took a cautious step back. My fingers itched to move his midnight black hair so I could better see his angelic face, and I bit my lip while stamping down my desire to draw him.

  “You’re beautiful,” I whispered past the lump in my throat while dropping my eyes. What disturbed me the most was that my back between my shoulders didn’t itch even though I met his gaze for several moments. He was as tall as Kyler, if not taller. Instead of the suit I imagined him to prefer, he was clad in black jeans and a gray sweater that clung to his muscular arms and chest. In the build department, I would swear Kyler looked stronger, but I feared Ryker could rip the teenager apart with ease. Wolves hunted in packs, whereas vampires preferred solitary searches for food judging by Liam’s solitary hunt for me. Because they were more possessive…? Or selfish, perhaps? Either way, I understood why most books said it took a pack of werewolves to take down a vampire.

  “Thank you, Angel,” Ryker replied in a voice full of warmth. “Although you put me to shame, little bunny.” I scoffed in reply to his blatant lie, and he chuckled. “Disagree all you like, little one, it changes nothing. I perceive you as far more beautiful than me.” Shaking my head, I backed away another step even though he could reach me before I blinked. Still, the distance gave me a false sense of security, and he seemed willing to indulge me for the moment.

  A tantalizing scent reached my nose, making my stomach growl its hungry state. I turned my head in the direction it came from to better appreciate the pleasant smell while trying to spot its source. A soft chuckle had me looking back towards Ryker only to flinch. While I was distracted, he moved, so he now stood before me. With an indulgent smile, he used long, delicate fingers that would make any musician weep in envy to lift my chin. Once our gazes met, he kissed my forehead, and I shuddered with a gasp. Chuckling, he smiled with satisfaction, which made me think he did something more than what I perceived.

  A moment later, he pulled me into a gentle hug. I tensed, expecting the familiar twinge from my spine only to shudder again when there wasn’t even the slightest hint of pain from my back. What worried me was that before he seemed almost cold in temperature, but now his heat seeped into my body, warming me to my soul. With it came the scent of cinnamon and a hint of rain. My soul rebelled for several moments while my heart tried to beat its way out of my chest until, reluctantly, it filled with peace, and my heart warmed a touch. A sigh escaped my lips, and he pulled me tighter into his embrace. It felt wrong, odd, and almost itchy. Yet, it also carried an underlying feeling of home. Was Ryker trying to undo the bonds Marcus made and replace them with himself?

  After a few more somewhat awkward minutes, Ryker leaned back with a smile showing off his dimples. Then, he offered me his arm, and I swallowed nervously. Somehow, Ryker took me from feeling awkward to my cheeks heating while I ducked my head with visions of princes, princesses and grand balls filling my mind. Ryker’s smile grew when I risked a glance, his dimples deepening, and he patiently waited for me to take his proffered arm. Even though I wore jeans with holes and an oversized hoodie because it was comfortable, I still felt like I could be a princess when I put my arm through his.

  Patiently, Ryker led me through the spacious kitchen past a second one full of activity, his eyes on my face all the while. I felt his strength with each step we took, and his body heat soaking into mine through our connected arms. When we passed through a set of doors, all the heat in my cheeks fled, and I stumbled a step. Ryker kept me standing with ease, murmuring words of encouragement while I tried not to feel like a piece of meat dangled before the eyes of starving carnivores. The grand room was full of vampires, and they eyed me with sneers, scowls and frowns.

  Biting my lip, I glanced at Ryker’s face, unsure, and he smiled reassuringly before his expression darkened into something terrifying. That ominous look was aimed at the other vampires who appeared cowed. Their gazes dropped while many of them trembled in fear of the lord at my side. A soft noise of protest rose in my throat with no input from me, a
nd I eyed Ryker with a slight frown. Instead of getting angry, he grinned mischievously and quirked his brow at the milling vampires. Now I received many curious glances and shrank into Ryker’s side, which seemed to please him.

  Without a word, Ryker moved forward, escorting me through the crowd who parted to let us pass with their eyes watching every step we took. Only once we left that room did I release my breath, and Ryker chuckled, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead when I frowned. Before I could scold him, the tantalizing scent from before wrapped around me once more. Turning my head, I found a small table with two chairs sitting in a dim room with a candle creating a romantic setting. One side had a bowl of soup with steam lazily curling into the air above it, while the other had a wineglass full of a crimson liquid that made my stomach twist.

  “It’s wine, but if you like, I can swirl it, and you shall see I speak the truth,” Ryker chuckled. “Just because blood nourishes my body does not mean I cannot enjoy fermented fruit.” Despite myself, a slight smile curled my lips while a soft chuckle escaped my throat. Ryker smiled blindingly bright, kissing my forehead once more before leading me to the chair on the soup side of the table. Not only did he hold the chair for me, but he pushed it in as well. A kiss on the top of my head preceded him walking around to his side.

  As he promised, he swirled the liquid within his glass, and I sighed with relief when it did not cling to the sides like blood did in movies. Once I tried the soup, I barely kept from scarfing it. It was creamy, delicious, and filling. “I’m afraid it’s a secret weapon that soup,” Ryker chuckled, his eyes watching me in a predatory way. “It’s meant to enrich the blood of humans, and, well, you seem to share the opinion that it’s enjoyable.”

  My blood turned cold at his words, and I raised my head in alarm. Chuckling, Ryker shook his head, his expression gentling, but I remained wary of the predator. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to frighten you, bunny. But I fear you would be far more upset if you found out the truth of it later. Yes, I plan to drink from you, but not at the moment. You are scared, tired, and heartbroken. Later, perhaps, but only because I know you will feel upset if I feed on another. Not mentally, but your soul will be most displeased,” Ryker explained with a solemn expression. His lips twisted up ever so slightly when I scoffed. “Werewolves are not the only ones who have omegas, nor are they the only ones who can bond with one. Although they tried to take you from me, which I do not appreciate in the least. Damn poachers.”

  “What?” I asked numbly, and he chuckled with a dimple revealing grin.

  “Our omegas are even rarer since the only ones we have are the ones we changed. Omegas change easier, because we do not attempt it until they bond with the one who will be their sire. Thus, they accept the change before it happens. If you thought the wolves were protective, I fear I must warn you they have nothing on us. However, we are not so suffocating,” Ryker informed me with a sweet smile that did nothing to quell my glare.

  “And yet you have already laid out more rules,” I began with a soft growl that caused his eyes to fill with amusement.

  “I lay out rules for all who live in my house, bunny. And, I intend for my rules to keep you safe, not stifle you. If you allow another vampire to touch you, and they do not realize what you are, they might very well think you are an available snack. Or a mere toy. I’m afraid not all humans are treated well, but the same can be said for cattle, hmm?” Ryker replied with a quirked brow.

  I bit my tongue to keep from scolding the vampire for comparing my species to cattle, but only just. After a moment, I sighed. In truth, were we not akin to cattle to them? Still, it pained my heart that the poor animals were mistreated, just as it did that the vampires abused my kind. Biting my lip, I debated giving him a piece of my mind but decided against it. What good would pissing off the lord of the house do? I wouldn’t gain anything other than a place on the menu for all. Strangely enough, the idea of him drinking my blood did not bother me anywhere near as much as I believed it would. In fact, I seemed to have accepted it. What the hell? Then again, if he fed from me, that spared another, did it not? While mulling, I finished my soup because it was delicious.

  Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, Ryker offered me his arm again and ushered me back through the empty grand room. Where did the vampires go? I wasn’t allowed to dawdle and ascended a curving staircase. Then, we followed a bright corridor to a bathroom with one of those tubs with the jets. I nearly drooled when I saw it. I’ve heard about them but never imagined I would see one. Unless I wandered around a store where they were sold. Glancing around, I saw no lack of wealth here, what with the marble tile covering the floor, most of the walls, and the ceiling. A giant mirror took up most of a wall, but I kept my gaze focused on the floor rather than risk seeing what a sight I must be. I fidgeted upon realizing the vanity was built for two. What was I to this vampire? Perhaps I read more into what I saw than I should.

  I blinked, and Ryker sat on the edge of the tub, turning the water on while humming. He grinned when our gazes met, chuckling while he turned to face me with his chin on his palm and his elbow on his knee. “Yes, bunny, as the alpha seeks an omega, so too do I. Alas, I am not so foolish as to spurn you due to your past. You cannot help the cards fate dealt you, but you are worth so much more than the sum of them. You’re gorgeous, and I do not plan on letting you go. The more I lessen your bond with the mutt, the more you will discover I am a far better partner. I do not proclaim you are mine to mean I own you, little one, but rather that you and I have a special bond,” Ryker mused. His eyes observed my face, and I trembled while taking a step back.

  Within a beat of my heart, I was pressed to the bathroom door, and caged in by Ryker. He grinned while he leaned on the hand he placed on the wall beside my head, his other moving to cup my cheek. I trembled again when, after a moment, the same tingly feeling I got from Kyler danced across our point of contact. “I will treat you like the precious treasure you are, bunny, unless you force my hand. Unfortunately, there are some things that I cannot allow, even if it’s you who does them. Just as I am sure if I act a certain way, you will make me regret it. Give and take is what our relationship shall be, but it cannot blossom until you shed the influence of the mutts. Still, I consider this the perfect time to show you what behavior you should expect,” Ryker chuckled. His eyes grew predatory once more, and he lowered his face until I felt a puff of breath on my lips. I swallowed nervously, and he smiled, kissing my cheek before straightening and returning to the bath. I eyed him warily, not that he couldn’t move too fast for me to see. Still, I noticed he didn’t breathe. So, the breath I felt, was that him expelling the last bit of air he took in to speak? For your voice box to work, you must feed it air. And to smell, you must bring air in through your nose. Huh. So, vampires breathe for necessity too, albeit theirs isn’t necessary. Interesting.

  Once my heart slowed, I hesitantly moved closer to the nearly full bath and bit my lip. He didn’t intend to stay in here the whole time, did he? Flashing me a grin, Ryker winked, and my cheeks heated. However, once he turned the water off, he kissed my forehead and moved to the vanity to pull out two soft-looking towels, and some expensive shampoo, conditioner, and soap. “If you don’t like these, we can get you something you’ll prefer. For now, I must ask that you indulge me. The stench of dog is not something I desire to suffer. I will not lurk during your bath, but if you need me, call out. Otherwise, I shall return when I hear the water drain, albeit I will not enter this room until you deem I may,” Ryker explained. With a flourish, he gave a grand bow that made my cheeks heat again and let himself out of the bathroom.

  Sighing, I pulled off my shirt, and removed what I could of the bandages, growling when I couldn’t reach some of them. A knock on the door made me jump, and I glanced at the offending piece of wood with a scowl. “Do you need help, bunny? You growled.” Amusement danced in Ryker’s voice, and my scowl darkened. I had yet to take my bra off, so I opened the door with a defiant glare. His smile died when h
e saw the pile of bandages on the counter. Ryker’s eyes fell to my ribs, and I chewed my bottom lip while wondering if he regretted his earlier proclamation that I was gorgeous. “That son of a bitch. I’ll kill him,” Ryker seethed.

  While the wounds had healed, faint scars remained in their place. At least for the ones I could see. Gently, Ryker encouraged me to turn around with a feral growl filling the air behind me once I had. After a few moments, he sighed and removed the bandages that remained. Then, he placed gentle kisses on the scars decorating my back, which startled a yelp out of me. Chuckling, although his eyes were cold with fury, Ryker turned me to face him once more and kissed my forehead again. “Enjoy your bath, little one, you need some indulgence in your life.” Then he left, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

  Bitten and Smitten

  After a few seconds, I finished stripping, brought the soap and such closer, and stepped into the bath. My eyes grew to the size of saucers, and I hurried to get into the hot water. It wasn’t quite where your skin stings, but at the temperature where you could lay there for all eternity in bliss. I soaked for a few minutes before my curiosity got the better of me. Looking over the buttons, I pressed the one that looked like it controlled the jets, sighing when they hit my sore muscles just right. I experimented and let one hit my spine, relaxing from my tense state when it didn’t hurt. Instead, it felt like heaven.

  After at least an hour, I pulled the plug on the tub and watched it drain with sad eyes. I was only slightly ashamed to admit that with this bath, my stay no longer seemed so unfavorable. Ryker knocked on the door while I looked around for a brush, and he chuckled. In a soft voice, he informed me that I needn’t worry about clothes or brushes because I had a massage to get to. Then it was a trip to someone who adored hair and coveted being the beautician of the omega. With heated cheeks, I opened the door while clinging to the towel wrapped around my body. I was right, it was sinfully soft, and I felt spoiled in this luxury. With a squeak, I caught the towel wrapped around my hair when it slipped.