Page 106 of Brandt's Rule
The male just kept laughing. Eventually, he got his laughter under control and shook his head. “I’d have thought more of the male Tempest chose.”
“Where is she?” Brandt demanded, not even interested in verbally sparring with the male. Especially not if he could help Brandt find her.
“At home.”
“Where is that?”
“There’s a game we used to play as children. I still play it once in a while. It drives my mate insane when I hide things from her and follow her around while she searches for them saying, ‘cold, cold, cold, oh, you’re getting warmer’!”
“Why do you do it, then?” Brandt asked.
“She’s stunning when she’s angry. She’s stunning anyway, but especially when she’s angry. But you miss my point. I think we shall play my game. And at the moment, you’re cold. Very cold.”
“I’m not playing a game. I’m here for my mate.”
“Are you Brandt?” the male asked.
“I am. Brandt Marchande’, Alpha of the Legacy clan.”
“You’re not much of an Alpha are you?”
“Who are you?!” Brandt demanded.
The creature smiled, his violet eyes sparkling. “I am Destroy. This is my home. It is my duty to protect Whispers from all who may wander too close. Well, when Enthrall is gone. He’s gone a lot. Which means I’m in charge.” Destroy adopted a dramatic, deeply intimidating voice and bellowed at Brandt. “You’ve violated our boundaries and should be annihilated. The only reason you live is because Lily,” at this point he forgot he was supposed to be using the deeper voice and started talking normally, “who is my best friend — I helped raise her by the way — happened to tell me that if a male penetrated our barriers I shouldn’t kill him because you are Tempest’s mate.”
“I am Tempest’s mate. I’m here to claim her, again. To show her that nothing, not even her running from me will keep me from her. She can depend on me.”
Destroy nodded slowly as he regarded Brandt. “Why’d she run from you? What’d you do? You screwed it up right?”
“Why would you think I’d screwed up anything?”
“You’re naked, covered in clay, it’s clay by the way, not mud, and carrying your shoes around your neck.”
“They’re boots,” Brandt said, and walked over to where his clothes were to start yanking them on despite his body being covered in dried clay. Once he was dressed he sat down and tugged on his boots, but left them untied in case he had to kick them off suddenly.
“So, Bear shifter,” Destroy said.
“Yes. And I’m guessing you’re a Gargoyle. Also guessing you made it more difficult to navigate once I broke through your barrier.”
Destroy laughed. “I am a Gargoyle! Am I impressive?” Destroy asked. “Is that what gave it away?”
“No. I know her grandfather’s name is Carnage. It only stands to reason that with a name like Destroy, and horns like yours, you must be a Gargoyle.”
Destroy stood, looking down at Brandt. “You’re not impressive. Your Bear is rather nice, but this,” Destroy said, gesturing to Brandt, “is just human appearing. No horns, nothing special at all. Why’d she pick you?”
Brandt looked Destroy in the eyes and decided that arguing with a male that Tempest had called Uncle Destroy, was not the best plan of action. “I’m tired. I’m frustrated. And I’m irritated. I allowed that irritation to take over my manners. I apologize for disrespecting you. I miss my mate. I love her. I need her beside me. Yes, I made a mistake and she left. But I didn’t do anything wrong. She believes that I did, but I didn’t. I can see where the misunderstanding came from, though, and I could have made better decisions so that it would have never happened. I will give my life for Tempest. I would give my life for just one more of her smiles. Please, take me to Tempest. Otherwise, I’ll wander around out here for eternity if that’s what I must do to find her.”
Destroy smiled at Brandt. “Cold. You’re very cold.”
Brandt shook his head and looked at Destroy. He walked off and watched Destroy the entire time.
“Colder!” Destroy called out.
Changing direction Brandt kept watching Destroy over his shoulder.
“Well, a little bit warmer.”
Brandt changed direction again.