“I don’t think I want to take the chance anymore,” Angelle said.
“I had Tempest take me home because I realized in the middle of the night that I couldn’t take you to Whispers and expect you to live in my hut. Yes, I lived in a hut. I did little more than hunt, fish, live outside most of the time. I had a hut that I kept all my belongings in. Hunting gear. A few changes of clothes, weapons. Not much. I didn’t need much. I had a room at my parents’ house that most of my things were still in, and my sister always said there was a room for me at her place if I wanted it. But I didn’t. You know why? I always felt better alone. I like my space, my way. I always wanted a mate but I never thought there would be one for me because what female will want to live a life with someone like me? You. You’re that female. And though I know you’re perfectly okay with camping, in fact, you love it. I’m not okay with not having more to offer you. So I had Tempest take me home and we spent a little time making a home for you. For us. In all honesty, it’s probably bigger than I should have made it, but I thought if I was building it I may as well take into consideration adding room for babies, and for anything else you might want one day. So Tempest and I did that. And then we spent a couple of hours with her mom — my sister — before we came back. Lily is planning a party for us in Whispers. It’s so that your family can meet everyone there, andthey can meet you and your family. Because the simple truth is that I will not take no for an answer. I will not walk away because the idea of losing you is too terrifying. And let me tell you, it’s so very terrifying. I never needed anybody. I wanted, sure. But I’d have been okay never speaking to anyone ever again, except for my family. But now, now you’ve changed me. I love you. You. Not anyone else. I don’t need anyone else. But I need you. And I don’t know how you did it with just the kisses you asked for, but you put your mark on me. I’m yours. I’m not going away. I’ll be here every single morning when you wake up, and every single evening when you go to bed, and eventually, hopefully, you’ll figure out that I’m not leaving — ever. And you’ll give me a chance. Don’t let fear keep you from living our life. Because that’s what it is now, it’s our life. Not mine, not yours, it’s ours.”
Avaleigh’s hand on Daniel’s arm tightened and he looked down at her. She smiled up at him, and he nodded, smiling at her before he quickly kissed her lips.
“Sounds like us,” Avaleigh whispered.
“Boon?” Daniel said.
“Yes, sir,” Boon said, though he didn’t look away from Angelle.
“Why don’t you come in and let’s start again,” Daniel said.
“Angelle?” Boon asked.
Angelle took a deep breath, before letting it out slowly. She finally raised her gaze to his, then stepped back, opening the door wide so he could enter.
Boon stepped inside, but stopped just past Angelle.
Angelle closed the door and turned to see what her parents had in mind.
“Are you hungry?” Avaleigh asked.
“No, thank you. I ate at Lily’s house before we returned.”
“Come in and have a seat. Tell us about your home. The people there, the way things are,” Daniel said.
Boon nodded. “I will. But what I’d really like to do is to take you there so you can see for yourself. Things are a little different there, very old fashioned. But it’s a good different. There’s a respect that we all have for each other, and despite the fact that I prefer not to socialize with them all the time, they’re all my neighbors and if they were in need of anything at all, I’d be the first in line to help. It’s just how we do things.”
“It sounds nice,” Avaleigh said.
“It is,” Boon said, taking the seat Avaleigh indicated on the sofa beside her.
Daniel sat in his recliner and Angelle wandered over to a chair sitting on the opposite side of the room, where Avaleigh pointed her to.
“I have to admit, though, I’m a little worried about bringing you there,” he said, looking back and forth between Avaleigh and Daniel.
“Why is that?” Daniel asked.
“While it’s a community, kind of like you’ve built here, we’re not just shifters. There are so many different species there. I’m not sure how you’ll react to seeing them all.”
“All I care about is that they’re kind and good people,” Avaleigh said.
“They are. But some are, more blunt, I guess is the word. And some are very… I don’t know the word for it. A lot like Maverik, but a lot more refined.”
“Flamboyant,” Avaleigh said.
Daniel laughed. “It seems to me that it’s an interesting place to be.”
“It is. And it’s safe. Angelle has never been safer than she will be when she’s there. We keep it glamored so that no human can stumble across it by accident.”
“Is there a problem with humans there?” Avaleigh asked.
“Not now. But in the beginning, Whispers was created to offer sanctuary to any paranormal who needed it. Most of the original people who settled there were running from persecution. Their species had been hunted almost to extinction. There was once a rule that no human was allowed — ever. Then my father found my mother running through the swamps to get away from some men who meant her harm. He knew she was his mate and refused to give her up. Enthrall had to grant permission for her to stay to keep my father from leaving the community. Eventually he came to realize that all humans are not bad. In fact, his mate was human before he had to turn her to save her life.”
“Turn her?” Daniel asked.
Boon smiled as he nodded. “He’s a Vampire. If you can imagine a paranormal species, it probably lives in Whispers.”
