“The only thanks I need is seeing you so happy here. And, Angelle. Remember if you decide something would work better if it was arranged differently, just let me know. I’ll take care of it,” Tempest said.
Angelle hugged Tempest, though not as robustly as Boon had. She wasn’t quite that comfortable yet. “It’s perfect. I can’t imagine it any other way. Thank you, Tempest.”
“Again, only thanks I need is seeing you two happy here,” Tempest said, stepping away as she headed toward Daniel and Avaleigh.
Brandt shook Boon’s hand. “Thanks for having us. I’m really having fun. It seems like it’s never a dull second.”
“You’re welcome any time, and you’re right, it’s never a dull second around here. Someone is always getting into something or trying to outdo someone else. But it’s all harmless teasing,” Boon said.
“Taunting,” Lily said. “Teasing does not usually go so deep.”
“True,” Carrik agreed.
“They’re amusing regardless,” Brandt said. He canted his head as he met Angelle’s gaze. She was at ease, wearing a slight smile. “I like that look on you.”
Angelle’s brows bunched a little at his comment. “What look?” she asked, looking down at her clothes.
Brandt laughed. “Not your clothes. Your attitude. Your smile. It’s nice.”
“Oh, thanks, Brandt. It’s a different kind of feeling. I’m not quite used to it, but I do like it.”
“Good for you. Only thing you need to remember is that no matter where you are, no matter who you’re with, no matter the reason, I’m still your Alpha. I’ve got your back. You need something, you call for me. You just want something, or don’t like something, you call for me. I’m coming. You find a way to get a message to me, or to Tempest, and I’m on the way. I’ll stand behind you, in front of you, wherever you need me.”
Angelle smiled at him and quickly moved forward to hug him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now we gotta get this wild child home for his bath, his dinner and some rest,” Brandt said.
As Brandt went back to making sure they had everything they needed for Eli, Angelle moved back to the kitchen where Boon had relocated to when everyone started leaving. She stood next to him, grinning as he bumped her hip with his own.
She looked up at Boon and laughed at something he whispered, before she leaned in close to him and whispered something back.
“What about you guys? Are you coming home with us, or are you staying here?” Lily asked Daniel and Avaleigh.
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind, our bags are at your house. We’ll just go spend the night in your spare room,” Avaleigh said.
“It’s no problem at all, but if you want to stay here I can just mist your things right in,” Lily said.
“No! No,” Daniel said, looking across the room at Boon and Angelle standing in the kitchen talking animatedly to one another, their voices so low that no one else could quite make it out. Both were laughing and completely at ease, “I think Avaleigh’s right. If the invitation is still open, we’ll take advantage of your guest room.”
“I’m so glad! I never get company! Are you ready or did you want to visit a little longer?” Lily said.
“It’s getting dark outside. We may as well head out and get settled for the night,” Daniel said.
Daniel and Avaleigh both hugged Angelle, and Daniel shook Boon’s hand before they left. “We’ll catch up with you sometime tomorrow.”
“Definitely. My parents will want to spend some time with you, too. We’re headed over there early tomorrow, if you’d like to join us.”
“That’d be great. We’ll head this way once we get up and around,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh hugged Boon and held his face in her hands like a mother would, looking up into his eyes. “Thank you, for taking such good care of, and thinking so much of our girl.”
Boon blushed a little and shrugged. “It’s very easy to do. I love her.”
Avaleigh smiled at him and hugged him again. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Avaleigh repeated to Angelle.
“Sleep well, Mom. See you tomorrow, Daddy,” Angelle said.
