Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1)

by Lenai McGoveran

  When I sat beside the frowning boy, I was calm and able to smile brightly. The thought of Riff being with someone perfect for him genuinely made me happy, which told me I loved him without even a hint of romantic interest. That settled my heart, and peace filled my soul. “I love you, Riff,” I told him quietly. “In this tempest, you’re my shelter from the storm.” He smiled and looked like he wanted to say something while anxiety radiated from him, and I shook my head. “However, I would loathe myself for making you be something you’d resent me for since I would be the reason you were stuck. So, while I may run to you when things get rough, or because I love spending time with you, you shouldn’t challenge anyone. One day you’ll find your mate, and I’ll be happy for you when you do.”

  Riff’s shoulders relaxed, and he threw his arm around mine with a soft chuckle, his anxiety gone. “I would do it if you asked,” he admitted with a smile. “But you’re right. Still, anytime they get to be too much, I’ll save you.” Laughing, I gave him a side hug, humming when peace replaced his anxiety.

  “I’ll hold you to that,” I promised with a grin, chuckling when the rest of the choir sighed with relief. Char and Zach joined us a few minutes later, having to steal chairs from other tables since Arctic sat in the one Zach used to. Within moments, an assortment of food lay on the table before me, and I rolled my eyes with a fond smile. What would they do if I brought my lunch? Probably celebrate, then give me some of their food, anyway. They enjoyed doting, and if it made them this happy, then I’d grin and accept it. It’s not like it hurt me, and I enjoyed it when they didn’t force it on me. After all, as Riff said during my first lunch, I can choose not to eat the food they give me, they’ll just toss it out.

  Humming while the choir teased Char and Riff for running off in the middle of the night to face the vampires, I shared some of my windfall with Arctic. The mood was cheerful, which filled my soul with peace until it became as warm as a patch of sunlight. I noticed, however, that Riff and Char didn’t mention what they suffered, nor did they bring up my ability. I wondered if they were waiting to tell Marcus first. I trust the choir and Zach, but I understood their need to report to the alpha first. Plus, there was what Ryker said about it to mull over too. Wars were fought for less. Would the knowledge of my ability to heal through empathy cause alpha Evan to go to war with Marcus? Why does meeting Jax’s parents mean the opposing alpha won’t fight with Marcus over whose pack I belong to? I suppose only time will tell, but I’m getting sick of that statement.

  As soon as I walked into my chemistry classroom, someone jumped me. Zach laughed while I tried to understand what happened. Once I realized Marissa was the reason I felt suffocated, I returned her hug with as much strength as I could, and a soft purr filled my ears. Closing my eyes, I focused on the fear, anxiety, and relief that filled the more dominant teenager. Enforcer, that’s what they called her before, isn’t it? I suppose that means she enforces the alpha’s rules? Ah, which decrees she couldn’t leave pack territory no matter how much she wanted to. She would have dragged me back across the border by herself just to see Dakota smile.

  Not that she doesn’t care about me too, but it’s humbling how much she loves my cousin. “Um, did Dakota tell you?” I asked once her arms loosened enough for me to breathe. Marissa tilted her head to the side curiously, and I smiled because of how much she reminded me of a puppy. “He and I are cousins through marriage, according to a letter we found from Jax. There might be more to the story considering how similar I look to Jaxy, but we’re cousins either way.”

  Marissa smiled brightly, understanding what that meant to Dakota. And I couldn’t breathe again. Oh, dear. I signed myself up for being watched even more by her now too. Ah well. I like Marissa, and I hope I can help Dakota be happier, which will make her happy too. “I’m glad he has a cousin again. Or two, because of Matty. Your little brother will send Dakota over the moon once he gets to know him. Having someone to mentor will make Dakota feel closer to Jax,” Marissa chuckled before her eyes fell upon Arctic. A low growl escaped her throat, and it surprised me when Arc looked pleased.

  “I haven’t dealt with many wolf enforcers, but I understand Ryker’s hesitance to piss them off,” Arctic chuckled. “You are good for Angel, too, since you embody safety for the pack. What do you know of empathy healers?” I stared at Arc in shock while Marissa’s brow furrowed.

  “Only that they are rare, and sought by those with nefarious intentions,” Marissa answered after a few moments.

  “I’ll give you three guesses who’s one, and the first two don’t count,” Arctic replied with a broad smile while he nodded toward me. Her answering growl before her arms tightened made me sigh and glance at Arctic from under my lashes. “Good. Angel will need as many friends watching her back as she can manage. Marcus doesn’t know yet, but I thought you should. Hell, I doubt Dakota knows. In our defense, it was early when we met up with him.” Nodding, Marissa kissed my forehead before escorting me to my desk, then she sat behind me. Arctic took the one beside me with a smile while Zach sat at the desk to my left with a grin.

  Mrs. Decker walked in seconds later, smiling when she saw me. “Welcome back, Angel. Zach and Marissa will help you if you don’t understand what we covered during your absence. The principal declared that you need not worry about any missed work, and I agree. Poor thing, kidnapped in the middle of a thunderstorm,” she tutted, and my cheeks heated while I stared at my desk. Once Arctic introduced himself, she asked him a few questions I couldn’t hear, albeit she appeared pleased with his answers. Damn werewolves and shifters. Sure, let’s talk too soft for the human to hear. Bastards.

  Chemistry passed with little incident. They almost caught up to what I learned in my previous school, which was exciting. Soon I shall learn something new! Walking into art, I threw myself in Dakota’s embrace, which he returned with fervor. Arctic stood behind my chair while Dakota excitedly filled me in on all I missed. He promised to help me practice perspective with his heartthrob grin I adore.

  “You smile like that too,” Arctic whispered once Mr. Lynch told us to sketch the person sitting next to us. So, while I sketched Dakota, he drew me, which was fun. I looked at Arctic, who smiled while waggling his eyebrows. “I know you don’t believe me, but there’s mischief in your eyes when you’re happy. Another thing you have in common with Jax and Dakota.” My hand faltered, and I bit my lip while wondering how devastated my world might be tonight. Was that the reason Ryker wanted to be there? To help me pick up the pieces?

  Dakota picked up on my anxiety returning, or I projected it again. Still, the concern in his eyes reminded me to hold myself together. I admitted my fear of devastation, and he promised to help me figure out whatever we learned tonight. I hope he doesn’t hate me for whatever it is. I mean, I know he won’t, but I still fear his rejection.

  Arctic walked with me to gym, laughing when he learned why I watched this period instead of retreating to the library to do my homework. Waving at Coach Hauser, I headed to the bleachers with Arc, who sat next to me with a curious expression. Kyler stared at us when the class came outside, his eyes narrowed into a glare, and I scoffed under my breath. Arctic eyed me with a quirked brow when I glanced at him, the scowl I gave Kyler still on my lips. So far, I avoided him, but in my next class, I got the joy of sitting between him and Riff. Goody.

  Riff and Kyler kept tackling each other instead of playing. Rolling my eyes, I descended the bleachers to stand on the sidelines with my hands on my hips. Riff knocked Kyler to the ground, pinning him a few feet from where I stood. With another scowl, I let disappointment and irritation fill me while I eyed the wrestling boys. After a scant few seconds, Riff stopped with a wince before glancing at me with a guilty expression, and I quirked my brow. “Are we done rutting like dogs in heat?” I asked sardonically, and Arctic howled his laughter while the rest of the class chuckled under their breath. I suppose they wanted to avoid antagonizing Kyler, who turned bright red while looking away from Riff. He shoved
Riff’s chest. But the adorable idiot I love stared me down with a smirk and a wink.

  “You’re just jealous,” he declared haughtily, then added, “so I’ll allow you to join us. But only this time.” Laughing, I shook my head and turned towards Arctic, who was still laughing hysterically. It wasn’t that funny, was it?

  “I feel so sorry for Ryker when he pisses you off,” Arctic declared between laughs. “He thinks Tyger’s bad, oh god. I can’t wait until you and Tyger are in a snit together.” I couldn’t stop the smile curling my lips, nor the soft scoff that escaped my throat. Perhaps it would do Ryker a world of good, and Arctic too. Snow would avoid us until it was over, mocking Ryker and Arctic whenever she deemed it safe to do so.

  “Ryker? What the fuck does he have to do with anything?” Kyler demanded, his eyes a dark amber when I glanced his way. Riff had already stood and brushed off his gym clothes while Kyler still sat on the ground.

  “He’s an alpha,” Riff replied with a shrug and a slight sneer. “As is Arctic.”

  “That human? You expect me to believe that human is an alpha. Please. Did the vampires take your little brain out of your head while you were in their territory?” Kyler scoffed with a derisive snort. Nice. So, that they entered Ryker’s territory to bring me home has spread as far as Kyler at least. Good to know.

  “Hmm,” Arctic hummed before shrugging and shifting. Kyler’s jaw dropped, as did those of the rest of the students surrounding us. Coach Hauser, however, paled. Eyeing him warily, I knelt to scratch behind Arctic’s ears. I wonder if it will irritate Ryker that he revealed himself as a shifter. Then again, he said his shifters have minds of their own. Seconds later, Arc returned to his human form and tugged on my arm so I lost my balance and fell onto his lap. Chuckling, he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed his head against mine while purring with a broad grin.

  Squirming, I tried to get free only to sigh when his arms tightened. Whatever. I didn’t want to get up anyway, hmph. In the next moment, someone grabbed the back of my jacket and jerked me away from the shifter, which pissed me off. I was unsurprised when I looked over my shoulder to discover a furious Kyler was the culprit. Riff’s eyes were wide when I met his gaze for a moment because I wanted to be sure Kyler had done nothing to him before he threw his little tantrum.

  “Let go of me,” I growled, fury rising from my soul while my blood heated and my heart tried to plead his case. When Kyler stared into my eyes with anger in his own, I jerked away from him, causing the teenager to release my jacket in surprise. “What right do you have to fucking manhandle me like that?” I demanded with fury shaking my voice.

  “You are my mate!” Kyler snarled in response, “so stay the fuck away from the goddamn fox, you fucking hussy.” My left hand clenched into a fist while I grit my teeth to not deck him like he deserved.

  “Tyger,” I heard from Arctic a second later and turned my head to discover the shifter held a phone to his ear. “Be prepared to wake Ryker if needed. We underestimated how much the mutt corrupted the bond between them. Angel’s at his throat within him saying two sentences to her. If this continues, you know what will happen. Uh-huh, yeah, I’ve kept her calm. Okay, you try telling the furious omega she needs to not rip his dick off and rape him with it.” Arctic smiled brightly and held his phone out, “here, Angel, it’s for you.”

  Scoffing, I refused to take his phone, so he shrugged and stepped closer to hold it to my ear. “Calm, little one,” Tyger murmured in a soothing voice. “If you get too upset, Ryker will have to interfere, and it hasn’t been long enough to merely buy you time. Thus, you will disappoint Dakota since you won’t be able to visit Jax’s parents with him, hmm?” That knocked the wind out of my sails, and I glared mutinously at Kyler for a moment before taking several deep breaths. “That’s it, I can tell by your breathing that you’re calming. Outstanding job, little one. And, remember, rape is wrong. Even if he deserves it.” Like I intended to do that.

  “I wouldn’t do that,” I scoffed, and Tyger laughed huskily.

  “Little one, I can tell by your tone that you very much would have if he kept pushing. Might I suggest doing something else for your free period today? Perhaps you can find your cousin and annoy him?” Tyger offered gamely, which made me smile. The only problem was I didn’t know what class Dakota had this period.

  “Library,” Marissa offered cheerfully. “He and Char share this class, and they have to research for a report that neither is interested in writing. You would be a much-desired and welcome distraction.”

  “There you have it, Angel. Now, no writing it for them, hmm?” Tyger teased, and I scoffed before jerking my head away, and Arctic laughed. While I stormed off, since Arc already had my backpack, he continued to talk to Tyger. Grumbling while Arctic laughed at whatever Tyger said, I stalked through the school to reach the library. I wanted Dakota and Char. Basking in their presence would make me feel better. My feet faltered for a moment before I shook my head and continued on my way with a soft huff. It was odd to count on someone like this, yes, but it meant I was putting down roots. I would never ask it of him, but I was certain Tyger would eat my monster if he dared return. Hell, he’d enjoy it, knowing him.

  I burst into the library, thankful that the door was already open, so I didn’t slam it into the wall. Arctic ended his conversation with Tyger before he entered the quiet space full of students with their noses buried in books or computer screens. Dakota and Char looked up from their respective sources, Char the computer and Dakota a book, as soon as I was a few feet within the library. By the time I would have taken another step, Dakota pulled me into a hug, and I was thankful for werewolf speed.

  With a sob of frustration, I buried my face in my cousin’s chest while Char hugged me from behind. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Dakota asked, and Char made a soft noise of encouragement.

  “Remember how Ryker mentioned shifters?” Arctic asked causally, and Char pulled away from me a little. When I looked over my shoulder, I found a wary expression on his face while he watched Arctic. “You will learn the answers to your questions later today unless we cannot calm Angel. If that’s the case, you will learn them now.” In response, Char purred while nuzzling his head against mine.

  “Calm, Angel,” Dakota murmured with a touch of fear in his voice. “Let’s not do anything that cannot be undone, hmm? Perhaps you can help me research for the paper I have to write.” Nodding, I numbly allowed Dakota and Char to lead me back to the table that Dakota sat at when I arrived. Char’s computer was a few feet from Dakota’s seat, and I bit my lip while my mind raced. So, am I a shifter? Because that’s the only reason I can fathom Arctic saying what he did. Why else would our questions about them be answered now if I couldn’t calm myself?

  Flinching, I jerked back in my chair because fingers snapped in front of my face. “Focus on reading,” Dakota ordered calmly, “not on the mystery we have yet to solve. Patience, cousin, let’s not rush into anything you might regret. Besides, wouldn’t it be more fun to solve it together instead of you being your overly smart self and figuring it out on your own?”

  “I’m sorry,” I began tearfully, my mind dismissing shifters while I tried to explain myself to Dakota. “Char knew I figured it out and thought it would be fun for me to play dumb. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I figured it out, and that I ran. But once I realized what Kyler did, it hurt and I just couldn’t-”

  “Angel,” Dakota cut in gently, yet with a stern expression. “I’m not angry that you pay attention and can put the pieces together to solve the puzzle. I’m so freaking proud of you and your strength, and I understand why Jax left you this riddle. I wish I knew you when you were little, because I would have protected you from the bullies you suffered. However, if you keep mulling, I fear you will set something into motion, judging by the way your fox hovers. So, let’s relax and focus on mundane things like school, okay? Later, we can freak out a little.”

  I tried to smile but couldn’t quite manage it. Still, Dakota
chuckled and kissed my forehead then nudged the back of Char’s shoulder, who did the same. Peace chased away the anger in my soul, and my shoulders relaxed from their tense state. Sighing with relief when I no longer desired to find Kyler to antagonize him, I asked Dakota about his topic. Then, I leafed through the books on the table in search of information about it. Grabbing a sheet of paper, I jotted down any relevant passages, while also noting their page numbers. Thus, it would be easy for Dakota to use them as a reference.

  Char, upon seeing how much information I found versus what little Dakota had, protested that Dakota cheated. Laughing, I stood behind Char to nudge his shoulder and took his seat while Dakota pouted, albeit his eyes shone with amusement. Shaking my head when I discovered Char looked for his topic using the wrong keywords, I used the correct ones. I fluttered my lashes at the teenager when several relevant links popped up on the page.

  Interestingly, Char’s cheeks turned red. I laughed under my breath while pulling his notebook closer to make a note of the websites I found that appeared to be excellent sources. By the time the bell rang, I had a page full of passages and their websites for Char, who hummed. I had the feeling they played up their helplessness, so I would be distracted by helping them, and my heart warmed as did my soul.

  Still, trepidation kept my steps slow while we headed towards biology. Arctic followed us while the boys walked so close beside me our shoulders brushed with every step. Once we stood outside the classroom, Dakota kissed my cheek and warned me to behave myself before waving while he headed towards his class. Riff showed up seconds later, breathing a little heavier than usual. However, he looked pleased to have arrived before we entered our last period of the day.

  Swallowing nervously, I walked in as if I would find my executioner waiting within the walls of Honors Biology. Mr. Renard greeted me with a sad smile, quirking his brow once he noticed Arctic. The shifter introduced himself, receiving an apology about the lack of a seat, and he shrugged with an easy smile. Once he leaned against the wall, he yawned while looking as if he lacked a care in the world and could stand there for eternity. Snorting at Arctic standing still for longer than a class, I took my seat while wondering if he would explode or tap his foot so much he made a hole in the floor.