Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1) Read online

  Bouquet of Regret

  By Lenai McGoveran

  Copyright © 2020 by Lenai McGoveran

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  I dedicate this book to Nyxy, for her patience while I pay more attention to my laptop than her. Even though I only write when she’s ignoring me, or napping.

  Table of Contents

  Fragile Hope

  Descent into Nightmare

  New School, New Devil

  A Growing World

  Emergence of Thunderclouds

  Visit from an Old Friend

  Aftershocks

  Revelations

  A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

  Unforgiven

  Run, Runaway

  Bitten and Smitten

  A Dreadful Mistake

  Consequences

  Compromise

  Home Sweet Home

  Painful Truths

  Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

  Fragile Hope

  Jumping back, I avoided the crushing wall of boxes that hit the ground with an echoing thud. While staring at the jumbled mess, I ran my hand through my hair and groaned. So much for going home. With a sigh, I clenched my jaw and began the daunting task of first straightening the boxes before stacking them to remake the display. This time, however, I made sure the base was steady so no one else would face a box avalanche. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because I didn’t ensure their safety while performing my assigned duty.

  After setting the last box on top of the tower, I stepped back and winced before straightening. I swallowed the soft cry that rose in my throat when pain flared along my spine, and every nerve protested this new movement. I knew better than to stay hunched for too long, but there wasn’t much choice in this case. Still, I displayed the boxes correctly, so I could report to my new boss and go home. Flexing my shoulders to encourage my muscles to adjust, I shook my head and made my way to the front of the store.

  I didn’t have far to walk, although the store was bigger than average by a few feet. While heading to the front, I wrinkled my nose upon walking by a customer who spilled gasoline on their shoes, judging by the aroma surrounding them. Keeping my eyes low, because eye contact makes my skin crawl, I avoided the eyes of the twenty patrons in the building.

  “As I’ve told you each time you ask, no I will not front you the gas until you get paid,” a strong female voice cut through my inner musings. Upon glancing in that direction, I noticed a male in his twenties smirking at the woman behind the register and fought a smile. Dorks.

  “Come on, Ava, I’m good for it,” he cajoled in a smooth, deep voice. My eyes closed for a moment while I wished I could hear him sing. I bet his voice would wrap you in velvet if he crooned. He tilted his nose, then he glanced at me with a bright grin of delight. “Angel,” he breathed, “how are you today?”

  Chuckling, I shook my head before replying, “Marcus, I won’t convince my boss to go on a date with you.” Gorgeous blue eyes widened in shock, and a musician’s hand covered his chest over his heart. After eyeing his long fingers, I met his gaze to find laughter dancing in his eyes.

  “Even if I give you those guitar lessons you covet?” Marcus offered, letting his voice lilt. With a frown, I stared at the ground, and he chuckled. “I only tease, Angel. All you have to do is ask, and I’ll teach you everything you desire to learn.” My shoulders relaxed when his voice lost that teasing tone and became kind instead. Tears burned the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away and smiled while letting my eyes meet his so he could see the gratitude in mine.

  “Speaking of Angel, how is that checklist coming?” Ava asked, and I sighed while glancing at her eyes to find concern in them.

  “I didn’t stack the boxes right the first time, and they fell, but I fixed my mistake,” I replied, and she frowned.

  “Angel, you didn’t stress your back, did you?” She bit her bottom lip while her forest green eyes darkened to an almost black. Shaking my head, I smiled, and she frowned. “Don’t lie to me, Angel, I see the pain in your stance. Go home and rest, I’ll handle everything else.”

  “N-No, I’m fine, and I finished the list you gave me,” I protested, glancing at Marcus who frowned too. He shook his head before running a hand through his ear length, inky black hair, and sighed while glancing at Ava. She tilted her head, her platinum blonde hair cascading to the side like a silky waterfall, and I groaned. Great. I made them worry, and I feel terrible. I’ll be fine, I always am. Eventually.

  “Marcus, please see Angel home,” Ava murmured, and my shoulders slumped.

  “You already overpay me,” I protested weakly, and she turned her head to meet my gaze head-on. With a gulp, I took a step back while the skin between my shoulders crawled even after I jerked my head so my eyes were on the ground.

  “Yes, and we’ve talked about that. In your situation, with the weight on your shoulders, it’s the least I can do to lighten your load. You don’t want pity, nor handouts, and I admire that. I own this place, and I can afford to pay you a wage that will enable you to live instead of surviving. And, remember, if you need to run again, tell me or Marcus, and we will help you,” Ava kept her voice soft, but I still flinched at her words.

  “Between you and Mr. Sanchez, I have more than I deserve,” I murmured, sensing the scowl she gave me.

  “You deserve far more, Angel,” Marcus disagreed. “The sacrifices you’ve made make my soul ache. I wish you would let us help you more, but I understand so I won’t let either of them push.”

  “Marcus,” Ava began, but he shook his head with a stern frown.

  “Ava, you can’t force Angel to accept your aid. If you try, she’ll disappear only to end up who knows where. As Angel learns she can trust you, she might accept more,” Marcus explained in a gentle voice, and I shivered. Even though he smiled brightly, I knew the first time I met him that Marcus understood me in a way most people couldn’t. He had to do what it took to survive, no matter how horrible, and he remembered what it was like.

  “But,” Ava tried again, and Marcus gently cut her off.

  “No, Ava.” Her eyes closed, and she sighed. Upon opening them, she met my gaze, and I saw her concern while biting my lip. With a smile, Marcus indicated the break room, and I sighed before walking towards it. I thought he might linger to talk to his wife until I returned, but he followed me, whistling a cheerful tune.

  Tears burned my eyes again, but I refused to let them fall and clocked out while placing my vest in my locker and retrieving my wallet. After putting it in the pocket of my worn blue jeans, I followed Marcus with a soundless sigh while he led me to his car. Ava smiled with a nod of approval when she noticed me following her husband like an obedient duckling. She returned her attention to the customer in front of her once she was sure he took me care of in the way she desired.

  My first night in this town, Wolfram, I stopped in Ava’s gas station to find something to eat. Marcus was the only one inside the store, reading at the register until I approached, and he quirked his brow when he looked up from his book. I felt his eyes look over me, taking in the worn duffel bag on my back. When I dared chance a glance, he nodded to himself with a thoughtful frown. After introducing himself, he bought the doughnuts and soda I had, closed the store, and walked the mile to Mr. Sanchez’s apartment complex with me.


  I was in such a state of shock, I answered his questions numbly, and Marcus explained my plight to a sympathetic Mr. Sanchez. He offered me an all-inclusive, furnished apartment for less than the hovel I lived in before. Tearfully, I thanked both men, and they shook their heads with sad smiles before showing me around the two-bedroom apartment. Mr. Sanchez called it small, but I referred to it as my haven. This was the nicest place I’d lived since the accident. To have an actual bed was more than I dared hope for in years.

  While it wasn’t the latest and greatest, there was a fridge, a washer, and dryer, and even a dishwasher. Hell, I had dishes. Well, they weren’t mine, but Mr. Sanchez said I could use them. And, if they got broken, he told me not to worry about it. He’s so kind, and I was grateful to him and Marcus. While my mattress might not be new, it was lovely, and the sheets Mr. Sanchez gave me were so soft. Once I signed the modified lease Mr. Sanchez provided, and the keys were in my hand, Marcus took me shopping.

  While he softly cajoled me along, he explained where he came from. His mother threw him out at fourteen because her boyfriend didn’t like him, and he learned how to survive on the streets. Adapt or die is the creed he and I live by. Well, Marcus got into street fighting and clawed his way to survival. It wasn’t until he met Ava that he got out, and while distrustful of her, Marcus knew he wanted to be with her. He said everything was a battle, that he was feral and had to learn to trust people again. In his eyes, I saw the scars that doing whatever it took left behind and shivered.

  With a gentle voice, Marcus convinced me to let him buy in bulk things that wouldn’t expire, so I’d always have a stocked pantry. I balked many times in the store, but he waited me out, talking soothingly all the while. I told him I felt like a spooked animal and Marcus chuckled while assuring me I looked like one. When I asked why he helped me, he sighed and explained that I don’t have the teeth required to survive for myself.

  Shocked, I backed away, and he followed me step for step until I met his gaze to find only concern in his eyes. After I slumped my shoulders in defeat, Marcus helped me pick out the necessities like a new toothbrush, hairbrush, feminine products, shampoo, conditioner and soap. I shook my head when he approached the clothing section, and he nodded his acceptance. I didn’t need new clothes to survive and that he agreed let me relax ever so slightly.

  However, when I saw an adorable teddy bear and my feet faltered, he grabbed it, a box, and bought both despite my protests. Afterward, he took me to the oddly open post office where he commented how it would be such a waste if I didn’t tell him where it needed to go. His smile when I begrudgingly gave him the address was so beautiful it stole my breath for a moment. Then, he handed me a blank piece of paper, and I tearfully wrote a note which he folded and placed on top of the bear. After, he sealed the box and paid an outrageous fee to ship it overnight. When I thanked him with tears in my eyes, he smiled and chuckled while ruffling my hair.

  “The awe in your baby brother’s eyes when he opens that box is all the thanks I need,” Marcus assured me with a kind smile. I couldn’t hold it in any longer, I hugged him as tight as I could and sobbed into his shoulder.

  The next morning, Marcus waited outside my door, saying he would take me to someone who wanted to offer me a job. It wasn’t until we entered the not yet open gas station and I met Ava that I learned she was his wife. Upon hearing my story from Marcus the night before, she scolded him for not bringing me to her and offered her help. I backed away when she explained this, and Marcus chuckled. Placing his hand on my shoulder to offer comfort and halt my retreat, he reminded Ava what he was like when they met. Then, with a soft laugh, he offered the wage of twenty dollars an hour, and I choked. I wasn’t worth that and couldn’t accept it, but Ava refused to take no for an answer.

  Between her, Marcus, and Mr. Sanchez, my basic needs were met and Ava sent Marcus with me to register for school. On the way, we talked about how I needed my diploma to secure a decent job, although the pay I had now was more than I dared hope. With a chuckle, he pointed out how much worse my situation was than his. He added that he could smuggle me out of the city if it became necessary and help me settle in another.

  Tearfully, I thanked him, and he shook his head while ruffling my hair. Marcus admitted Ava considered them my guardians and wanted to help however she could. Marcus told me that Mr. Sanchez had a daughter who someone kidnapped as a teenager. So, the tenderhearted older man hoped someone offered kindness to her before her kidnapper snuffed her life. I cried for his loss, and her brief life, which Marcus murmured is why the man wanted to help me. He knew the type of person I was by my stance, and my story cemented his decision.

  Confused, I asked Marcus what type of person I was, and he grinned. Placing a finger against his lips, he told me it’s a secret with a sly smile.

  I must be the only one who didn’t know, because the ladies in the high school’s office agreed with Marcus. They clucked over my story and assured me they’d do everything possible to ensure I remained hidden from the shadows who salivate over wrapping their fingers around my throat.

  Descent into Nightmare

  With a sigh, I finished putting the store in order with a satisfied nod only to hear the bell above the door jangle. Since someone might require my presence, I headed towards the registers. Lost in my musings, I didn’t pay enough attention, and I ran into a solid wall of muscle. To add to my embarrassment, I lost my balance and found myself on the floor with a delayed pain radiating through my spine.

  Startled, I raised my gaze to meet gorgeous amber eyes so beautiful they would look at home in the face of a wolf. Blinking, I lowered my gaze while my cheeks heated, and I swallowed nervously. While the male I crashed into was breathtaking, the grim scowl on his lips suggested he would not forgive my mistake. I almost glanced at him again, to appreciate his beauty, but the skin between my shoulders itched.

  Besides, his image was imprinted on my brain. I was blessed with a photographic memory, so I could see him in my mind. His black hair was long enough to hang in his eyes, which gave him a mysterious air. His face was the epitome of male beauty with hard planes, a firm jaw, and chiseled lips. The top of my head reached his shoulders, since I literally ran into his chest. I didn’t think he had an ounce of fat on him, he was all muscle but comfortingly. Like Marcus. His form felt safe, like he was meant to protect, not cause harm.

  Upon realizing I was still dazed, I cursed myself for not apologizing after I ran into him and cleared my throat. “I’m sorry, that was my fault,” I kept my voice soft, hoping I wouldn’t draw any more attention. After standing with an inward wince, I kept my gaze low.

  “Are you kidding?” The teenager growled while the two guys I belatedly noticed with him scoffed. “A street rat? A fucking street rat!? No. I, Kyler Cooper, reject you, street rat, as my mate.” Snickers followed his words, and I swallowed nervously while the safety I felt before vanished to be replaced by hostility. I took a cautious step back. A scoff left the boy’s lips before his foot hooked behind my ankles, and I found myself on the ground once more.

  I bit my lip to keep the whimper of pain from escaping and stood while keeping my eyes down. I knew his type. Staying down wouldn’t save you. I’d rather face the rest of his retaliation on my feet than my ass. A punch hurt less than a kick in the face. “No,” he repeated, and this time, it was a hit to my throat. My knees radiated pain when I fell to them while clutching my neck and struggling to breathe. “The ground is where you belong with the rest of the dirt.” My heart ached at his words, and my brow furrowed while I puzzled over that. I learned years ago to ignore the words people hurled like daggers at those like me who tragedy enjoyed dogging.

  A solid kick to my thigh had me on my stomach, and the little air I dragged into my lungs rushed out. “There, now you are where you belong. On your belly in the dirt. Make sure you stay there.” I let my eyes flicker to the back of his head once he walked away. The boy to his left looked back, and while his lips were curled in a cruel smirk
, his eyes were full of sorrow and pity. Our gazes met, and I lowered my eyes. A soft growl vibrated the air only to stop when a louder one ended with a sharp snarl.

  My brow furrowed while I put the sounds together with the three teenagers. There were no dogs present to blame, but perhaps that was just a thing they did. I mean, we were surrounded by a lush forest, so perhaps the people here were more in touch with their inner animal. With a silent groan, I realized I must face the angry leader of the trio to ring them up and winced.

  Slowly pushing myself up, I stood with a sharp intake of breath when my back protested but shook my head. Resolutely, I walked to the register to perform my job. No matter what, no matter how much I may hate or fear it, I had a duty, and I would do it.

  I didn’t speak and kept my eyes low while I scanned the assortment of snacks and sodas. For some reason, the pack of condoms made my soul ache. Chastising myself inwardly, I remained calm with a neutral expression. A soft whimper came from the boy on the right, but I dared not look at his face. A soft snarl came from the one in the middle, Kyler he called himself, and the faint cry stopped. I chanced a glance, my eyes full of sorrow for whatever he suffered to make him cry, and his eyes became sorrowful. Then they narrowed, and he glared at Kyler, as did the boy on the left.

  After dropping my gaze, I placed their items in a bag, with the receipt, and bid them to have a wonderful evening.

  “Oh, I will,” Kyler assured me. “But you won’t, street rat.” My heart stuttered while my mind tried to decide if it was him stating a fact, or issuing a threat. I wondered for a few seconds until the door opened, and Marcus entered. The three boys straightened with a snarl twisting Kyler’s lips. For a moment, I swear it looked like his canine teeth were bigger than they should be, but I blinked, and they looked normal.

  “Kyler,” Marcus growled with his stance shifting to indicate he was ready for a fight. But then his eyes met mine, and he calmed. “Are you all right, Angel?” His voice was laden with concern, and I ducked my head while my cheeks heated.