Bouquet of Regret (Angel's Shifters Book 1)

feeling in my chest.
I sighed when once more, this school turned out to be behind my previous one and scowled at the table. Learning what you already know is annoying. I enjoyed the challenge of new subjects, not studying the same material. At least I had two classes I liked, so I shouldn’t complain.
Kyler vibrated angrily with his left hand a fist on the table mere inches from my right arm. I glanced at him whenever he moved, then returned to writing notes with my left hand once I was sure he wouldn’t break my arm or something. Meanwhile, Riff was relaxed and sprawled in his chair while writing notes with a slight grin. He kissed my forehead whenever he had a chance, and I chuckled each time. Once Mr. Renard began discussing homework and such, I lay my head on Riff’s shoulder with a soft sigh.
We still had a few minutes of class left, so I started on the homework and finished it within moments. Riff stared at my page full of the questions and answers with a frown. “We studied this chapter at my old school, so this was easy for me. Sorry,” I answered his silent question apologetically, and he shrugged with a slight smirk.
“Just means if I need help, I know which gorgeous student to ask for tutoring,” Riff replied casually, and I shook my head while staring him down.
“You’re an idiot,” I announced in monotone, and he laughed. When I returned to the table after handing in my homework, Kyler glared and called me a suck-up under his breath. I bit my tongue to keep from rising to his bait and crossed my arms. Everyone else continued working on their homework until Mr. Renard declared the bell would ring in a minute.
Since I didn’t get any heavy textbooks, I headed out of the school to find Marcus leaning against his car just beyond the sidewalk. He quirked his brow once he saw me coming. I stopped in front of him, swallowing nervously when he frowned and used his fingers to tilt my chin to better inspect my bruises. “Black eye and a broken nose. Not as terrible as I feared, but still unforgivable. Kyler, I assume?” Marcus noted dryly, rolling his eyes and huffing when I nodded. I dropped my eyes after seeing the concern in his and fidgeted. “I will listen to anything you have to say, Angel,” Marcus chuckled after a moment, the warmth in his warm voice wrapping around me.
“I kind of, um, defended a few students,” I mumbled with hot cheeks, and Marcus laughed.
“God, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for those. I know, without a doubt, you kicked his ass. I bet his expression was hilarious. Come on, kiddo, Ava is beside herself with worry over her adorable little stray,” Marcus chuckled, opening the passenger door for me. With burning cheeks, I got in and hid my face while a laughing Marcus walked around to get in the driver’s seat. After a moment, I chatted about my day, and Marcus listened, raising his brow when I told him what Claire said. He sighed, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel for a moment before he nodded his acceptance of whatever she meant.
When we stopped at the gas station, I gulped before walking in, fearing Ava would fawn. She smiled when she saw me, her expression darkening when she noticed my bruises. “Those heathen bastards!” She snarled, and I took a step back out of fear of her temper.
“Only one, dear,” Marcus corrected with a grin. “Our Angel put him in his place a few times. And had some epic verbal shots too. I’m jealous I missed them.” I shrugged when Ava looked at me with a smile full of pride.
“I couldn’t let him attack anyone,” I admitted, swallowing audibly when Ava softened.
“Of course you couldn’t, sweetheart, and that makes you stronger than the kids who let him hurt you,” Ava replied in a kind voice. I shook my head in denial, which prompted her to chuckle indulgently. “All right, believe what you will, Angel, but you are stronger than everyone in this town. Someday I hope you see that, but your kind doesn’t. It’s your curse, I suppose. You’re always told to be one way because that’s how everyone else is, and they’re jealous because they know you’re better than them without trying.”
Before I could argue, Riff stalked into the gas station, his eyes locked on Marcus, who stiffened with a frown. Shaking his head, he pointed at the break room, and Riff nodded, smiling at me when he passed while an angry Marcus followed. However, Marcus paused a moment to kiss the top of my head before continuing. Ava sighed, crossing her arms and watching them with a slight frown. She smiled after a moment, then patted my head and announced she would head home since I was here for my shift. Ava admitted she worried I might believe she was hovering or doubting my abilities if she hung around. I shook my head in denial, and she smiled but still took her leave.
I frowned, because I needed to clock in, and I didn’t have my vest yet. Biting my lip, I entered the break room only to find it empty and sighed. They must be in the office. That’s fine with me. I retrieved what I needed from my locker and punched in. The store was quiet, so I tidied up for a few minutes only to turn around to discover Riff behind me. Squeaking, I flinched, then gave him a stern frown.
With a gasp, I jerked on his shirt collar to bring his head to my level. He made an odd noise in his surprise, like a mix of a snort and a gasp. It was cute. What wasn’t cute was he had blood on his bottom lip. I touched his chin, and he chuckled, “it’s not mine.”
As he said that, Marcus