Page 73 of Brandt's Rule
Angelle smiled and huffed a little laugh.
“Nothing wrong with being comfortable where you’re comfortable. It’s just the way it is.”
Angelle nodded. “That’s what I say!” Angelle exclaimed. “I’m just not good with people. I’d rather stay home and do my own thing.”
“I have an uncle like that. He’d be just as happy doing his thing living in our community, hunting, fishing, and eventually have a mate and a couple of kids. He’s not the least bit interested in anything that goes on anywhere else. If it doesn’t affect him directly, he doesn’t want to know. Don’t underestimate him, though. He’s one of the smartest, kindest, and most intelligent males I’ve ever known. He just likes his privacy.”
“He’s your uncle?” Avaleigh asked.
“He is. Uncle Boon. He’s my mother’s brother, but with our bloodline, he looks to be about my age,” Tempest said. “Age is more a state of mind anyway, I think.”
“It definitely is,” Avaleigh said.
“I heard you say there’s Gargoyle in your blood. Does he look like a Gargoyle?” Angelle asked.
“Angelle…”
“No, it’s okay,” Tempest said, assuring Avaleigh that Angelle had not offended her. “He resembles the Gargoyle side of our family more than my mother does. Their mother, my grandmother, is human. So, my mother appears to be human, but with silver hair.”
“That’s who you got the hair from,” Avaleigh said.
“Right. But Uncle Boon has not only the silver hair, but a silver tint to his skin, and he’s got horns like a Gargoyle. His features, though, are human.”
“That’s fascinating,” Avaleigh said.
“He’s a handsome male. He’s just obviously not human and can’t pass for it.” Tempest sat there for a few moments, her gaze on a spot somewhere on the opposite wall. “I guess you could say that he’s always been my best friend.”
“Does his mate live there, too?” Angelle asked.
“No, not yet. But I believe he’ll meet her one day. She’d have to find him, I guess, since he doesn’t want to leave home.”
“I get it,” Angelle said. “I’ll probably never have one either. Just can’t make myself trust someone enough. Not that I know anyone I’d be interested in anyway.”
“You know, I think that some humans are as sensitive to the emotions of others as paranormals are. I think that’s why some keep to themselves and stay away from large crowds. All the emotions, all the stress, all the excitement, they get overwhelmed. Almost like being an empath. They think it’s the places they don’t like, but really, it’s a jumble of emotions that overwhelms them.”
Angelle looked at Tempest with wide eyes. “I think you might be right.”
“Tempest, you about ready to go?” Brandt asked, his Bear telling him she was fading fast, despite her outward appearance that everything was okay.
“You did good,” Avaleigh said, smiling up at Brandt. “I like her.”
“Me, too,” Brandt said, smiling at Avaleigh. “Think I’m gonna keep her.”
Tempest chuckled lightly, but her energy just wasn’t in it.
“Thank you all so much for dinner, and for such great company,” Tempest said, looking around the room as Brandt took her arm to help her stand.
“I just got your coffee!” Janie exclaimed, walking into the room with a tray of mugs.
“Can we take it to go, Mom?” Brandt asked.
“Of course. Thank you, for coming, baby. You come back any time you’d like to,” Janie said, handing the large steaming mug to Tempest and kissing her on the cheek.
Everyone took their chance to say goodbye to her, then Brandt escorted her out to the truck. He helped her get settled in the passenger seat, then handed her the coffee and strapped her in. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I just really need to rest.”
“Alright, let’s take you to get some rest, then.”