“‘Es!” Carnage said excitedly, leaning toward Daniel to high-five him this time. “Seee? Seee?!” Carnage said, pointing to Daniel while making sure that Carolena and Boon understood that he agreed completely with Daniel’s statement.
“Absolutely,” Boon said. “I agree 10,000 percent.”
“Thankfully, we won’t ever have to worry about anything like that again,” Carolena said.
“My kill all baahd man,” Carnage snarled.
“They deserved it,” Daniel said.
Carnage leaned over and high-fived Daniel again for good measure.
Angelle, sitting next to Boon, looked up at him. “I suppose it’s a good thing they’ve bonded.”
“Definitely,” Boon agreed.
“Does it matter that it’s over killing bad men that hurt their women?” Angelle asked.
“No, I think it might actually make them more bonded than usual. And for the record, I’ll be right there with them if the time ever comes. But I don’t think it will. Lily holds the glamour on Whispers now, and she feels every little thing. Anyone comes through the protections she has in place, she knows before their first foot step hits the ground of Whispers.”
“I like that. Makes me feel even more secure about you being here,” Avaleigh said.
“Nothing would happen to Angelle, even if Lily didn’t hold the glamour. I give you my word,” Boon said.
“I believe you, son, but I do like that her security is even more guaranteed because of Lily’s abilities as well,” Daniel said.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like that it makes all of us more safe with Lily protecting Whispers,” Boon said.
“Now that we’ve all bonded over killing the bad men, how did you two meet?” Carolena asked Avaleigh.
Avaleigh huffed a soft laugh. “That’s a complicated story. But to make it shorter… I had an unreasonable fear of Dragons.”
“Not unreasonable at all, love,” Daniel said, looking lovingly at her as he stroked her hand with his fingertips. He looked over at Carolena, then Carnage. “She was drugged and kidnapped by a Dragon of sorts. He tried to force her into being his mate. She survived so much trauma while locked in his house, and even after she and Kaid escaped that I’m surprised she’s even sane.”
“Kaid was locked away and tortured as well. But we escaped, and he and the other four of his original shifter clan, our shifter clan now, are responsible for me being sane. The only thing I despised and wanted no part of was Dragons. Anything else was a new experience. One night we all go out dancing. Daniel shows up, focuses on me, and the moment it’s pointed out to me that he’s a Dragon, I passed out. How’s that for a traumaresponse?” she asked, trying to make light of the situation she was describing.
“When I came to Daniel was there. So were the rest of the clan, but Daniel insisted on doing everything for me. I tried to run, but they found me. Kaid knew that no matter how much he didn’t like it, Daniel was my mate and I’d never be happy or loved better than Daniel could make me or love me. Didn’t matter how much I fought it, when Daniel requested sanctuary so that he could be near me, Kaid granted it.”
“He granted it?!” Carolena almost shouted.
Avaleigh nodded. “I made plans to leave.” Avaleigh smiled a little as she thought about it. “Maverik was going with me. He was furious with Kaid. Anyway, one thing led to another and Daniel whittled away at my resolve. He made sure to make himself vulnerable and show me who he was at heart. He refused to leave. He even slept on my porch in a horrendous thunderstorm, refusing to leave me even soaked and dripping wet while lightning flashed around him. I felt sorry for him and brought him in out of the rain. It was then that I started to see him for the male he is rather than the species he is. The male that hurt me would have hurt me regardless of his species. It just so happened that he was part Dragon. When I let go of my fear I was able to see Daniel as the male he truly is, my fear just kind of melted away. He’s kind, and nurturing, and strong and protective. He’s honest and has more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met. I’m so glad I took the chance on him. I was terrified. I wanted a guarantee. I’m glad I took the chance. I’d be completely lost without Daniel.”
“Baahd D’agon?” Carnage asked.
“He’s dead. He came after us, and it took all of us to take him down, but we did it. Daniel’s Dragons’ fire turned him to ash, and we sent those ashes into the wind. He’ll never hurt anyone again,” Avaleigh said.
Carnage leaned over and slapped Daniel’s hand again, two or three times instead of just once.
“Is that a high ten or fifteen?” Boon asked.
“Along with a lesson,” Angelle said.
“A couple of them,” Boon agreed.
Carnage got to his feet and reached over grabbing Daniel’s arm. “‘Mon!” he said, dragging Daniel to his feet as well.
“Where are we going?” Daniel asked.
“Goood Dahn.” Carnage slung his arm around Daniel’s shoulders and patted him hard a couple of times.
