Page 101 of Brandt's Rule

“What if I was right, though?” Tempest asked.

“What if you were wrong?” Lily asked.

“There was no reason for him to be so secretive about her if it wasn’t what I think it was.”

“Did you ask him?”

Tempest held her mother’s gaze but didn’t say a word.

“I didn’t think so. Your father’s pride is strong in you. You just got overwhelmed and left your mate with no explanation.”

“He left me with no explanation and I found him with her in the shadows.”

“He left for a few moments, planning on returning. How long have you left him for?”

“It was a lot longer than a few moments, and I’m not going back. I won’t put myself in that position. I won’t be hurt again.”

Lily shook her head.

“Why are you shaking your head at me?”

“Because if you don’t take the time to consider all possibilities, you may never do anything but hurt.”

“Why do you have so much faith in someone you’ve never met?” Tempest asked.

“That’s a good point,” Lily said. She walked out of Tempest’s room and quietly closed her door behind herself.

Tempest continued to lay across her bed until she heard her window being lifted. She smiled when she saw the dark, mahogany resembling horns poke through the opened window a moment later.

“Pest!” Carnage said, grinning at her as he stuck his head into her room.

“Hi Grand-Papa,” Tempest said.

“My skiin him,” Carnage promised.

Tempest smiled sadly. “I know you would.”

“Whe’e?” Carnage asked.

“Nowhere near here.”

Carnage’s chest rumbled.

“It’s okay. For now I just want to rest and be alone for a while,” Tempest said.

Carnage nodded. “Then my skiin him.”

~~~

“How is she?” Carrik asked.

“She’s hurting. But I’m not altogether sure she needs to be,” Lily said.

“I can’t help but think maybe Carnage is right on this one. We should skin him. Bear rugs are really warm in the winter. It wouldn’t be a waste of effort.”

“Carrik, could you please stop talking about skinning Tempest’s mate? You’re not helping.”

“He’s not her mate if he did what she says he did.”