Chapter 17 #3
They all headed toward Destroy’s home, laughing and trading jabs at each other.
Except for Destroy. He was calculating as he began to hang back and watch the others as they walked ahead of him.
Nodding to himself, he increased his stride just enough to catch up with Daniel.
He rested his hand on Daniel’s shoulder, then held Daniel back just enough to make him realize he wanted to talk to him.
“I was thinking… if you could teach Carnage to play that well in such a short time, you can teach me. Let’s make a plan to get together, just the two of us, and… ”
“Noo!” Carnage shouted, glaring at Destroy like he’d lost his mind while he reached between Daniel and Destroy, took hold of Daniel’s bicep and yanked him away from Destroy. Carnage leaned toward Daniel. “Mine Dahn!”
Daniel laughed, patting Carnage on the back as he shook his head at Destroy. “Sorry. Family has to stick together,” Daniel said.
Carnage smirked at Destroy, his nose wrinkling up as he did. “Faahmlee!”
~~~
“We’re home,” Destroy yelled as he opened his front door. He stood aside as the males — Enthrall, Daniel, Boon and Carnage — all filed past and into his home. “Carnage, too.”
Carnage patted Destroy on the head, causing Destroy to snarl.
He went right over to Carolena and plopped down beside her after smacking a noisy kiss to her cheek. “My ween!” he announced.
“You did?! That’s wonderful!” Carolena exclaimed.
“It’s only because he had a teacher that none of the rest of us had access to,” Destroy said, ending his statement with another snarl.
Carnage grinned at him.
Angelle’s brows went up at the feigned animosity between Carnage and Destroy.
“Ignore it. They would actually kill for each other. They’re very loyal to one another. But they’re even more competitive,” Boon said, coming to a stop behind her chair with a hand resting on the back of her chair.
“So is Maverik and anyone who is winning instead of him,” Angelle said.
Daniel heard her from across the room and started laughing. “You have no idea how easy going Maverik actually is when he’s losing compared to these guys.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Angelle said, starting to giggle.
“Poor Mav. He gets a bum rap all the time,” Avaleigh said.
“And Maverik is…” Enthrall asked.
“Maverik is the Wolf shifter Tempest met when she ran away to the store to get candy when she was little. He’s a member of the shifter clan where she and her mate live,” Carolena explained.
“Ahhh, okay. I knew I’d heard the name. He’s a good male, from what I hear,” Enthrall said.
“He’s the best male. He’s always had my back even when I wasn’t sure what I wanted. He just said, ‘I got you. You decide and that’s what we’re doing’,” Avaleigh said, her expression indicating she was thinking of Maverik fondly.
“He is brutally honest, but with unshakable integrity,” Boon said.
“That he is,” Daniel said. “And a bit of a comic. You may think he’s not aware of the irony of something he’s said, but make no mistake about it, he’s aware of everything. Everything!”
“Now I’m anxious to meet this male,” Enthrall said.
Angelle’s smile faltered a little as she realized she’d be away from all of those she’d loved and depended on all her life if she chose to live here. And it was looking more and more like she’d choose to stay with Boon.
Carnage noticed and got up, walking over to Angelle. He squatted down in front of her so he could look her in the eye. “My goht ‘Gel,” he said, patting his chest. “Boon ‘Gel ‘Arnge guhl.” He wasn’t sure that Angelle understood. He placed his hand over his heart. “’Gel… Lee lee.”
“Awww,” Carolena said, placing her own hand over her heart. “He’s saying that Boon’s Angelle will be his girl, his daughter, just as Lily is. He’ll always have your back and protect you.”
Angelle tried to smile at Carnage, but ended up blinking away unexpected tears as she pressed her lips together to try to keep from crying.
It was a very emotional time for her. So, instead of speaking, she just leaned forward to hug Carnage.
Carnage held her, patting her back gently, like a father would.
Angelle only hugged Carnage for a quick moment before she sat back and used the back of her hand to wipe away the dampness from her eyes that had come on her so suddenly.
“Change is always a scary thing,” Felicity said.
“It can be. But it can also be a good thing. Sometimes there’s just not another door opening for you where you are, so you grab what you can, when you can, and then later you realize it was what you needed all along,” Rowan said.
“And sometimes the scariest part of a possibility is the safest part. You just don’t see it yet,” Carolena said.
Boon rested his hand on Angelle’s shoulder, just barely touching her, but needing to let her know that he was right there, no matter what.
Angelle looked up and over her shoulder at him as she laid her own hand over his and smiled up at him.
Daniel and Avaleigh watched as the community Boon was a member of very warmly rallied around their daughter. If she chose to stay here, he had no doubt that at the very least, she’d be well protected.
He caught Avaleigh’s gaze as she looked up at him and they shared a knowing smile. It was looking like they’d soon be empty nesters.
“Are you coming or not?” Marauder demanded as he stuck his head around the corner to see into the kitchen where everyone sat. “Oh, you’re back,” he said.
“Are we coming or not where?” Destroy asked.
“My shop!” Marauder said.
“Why?” Boon asked.
“Because they know my name. They know my work, and they want to see my talent in action,” Marauder said haughtily.
Boon looked down at Angelle. “Do you?”
“I do know his name because my cousin and my aunt love his work, but actually, I’m a little tired. I’d like to get back home, if no one minds.”
“Of course, I’ll take you home right away,” Boon said, extending his hand to help her stand.
“Do you mind?” Angelle asked her mother and father.
“No, baby, go ahead and get some rest. This trip is about you and you experiencing life here, not us. We’re just along for the ride.”
“We’ll go back to Lily’s later on and spend the evening there. We’ll see you some time tomorrow.”
“Feesh!” Carnage exclaimed.
Daniel turned to look at Carnage.
“Feesh! Mo’nin’.”
“Fishing? I’ll be up and ready,” Daniel said.
Carnage nodded.
“You seem to have it all planned. I’m taking my mate home for a little relaxation. We’ll see you sometime tomorrow,” Boon said, as he led Angelle toward the front door.
“Wait! You’re not coming?” Marauder asked.
“We’re going to go home and get some rest,” Boon said.
“Well, wait. I’ll be back,” Marauder said. He bolted down the hall, and slammed the back door on his way out of it. Seconds later he was back. He rushed right up to Angelle and held his hand out. His fist was closed.
She looked at his fist quizzically, then raised her gaze to his.
Marauder gave her a little bow, then turned his hand over and opened his fist to reveal a small carving of a beautiful girl smiling up at a beast who smiled down at her. “For the beauty who’s decided to marry the beast.”
“I am not a beast,” Boon snapped.
Angelle took the delicate wooden carving, which was so small it had been easily concealed in Marauder’s closed hand. “Marauder, it’s exquisite.”
“It’s for you. As a sign of my admiration, and a genuine welcome to our world,” Marauder said.
Angelle looked down at the small wooden figurine in her hand as she ran a fingertip down the beast’s back. “I’ll treasure it always.”
“Then I know it has the right home.” He straightened up and looked around the room at everyone else. “Shall we go to my wood shop?”