Page 32 of Brandt's Rule

Brandt’s smirk fell because he knew that Tempest was part Dragon. He could sense it, just like he had no doubt she could sense the Bear in him, the Bear and Dragon in Barron, and the Dragon in Remi. “How about we all just go to work.”

The sound of a truck coming toward them interrupted them.

Barron, always the one in a good mood and openly and warmly greeting everyone, lifted a hand in greeting.

Tempest was locked in a staring contest with Brandt so she didn’t turn to see who’d just pulled up. She banked on the fact that none of them were on edge at the truck approaching, and Barron was exuberantly waving.

“I’m thinking maybe we’ll start you on the roof today. See how you do with the heights and working on an angle. You’ll have to carry your own shingles up and down, of course.”

“Of course,” Tempest said, her voice full of sarcasm.

Brandt turned to look toward the newly arrived truck. He lifted his chin in greeting, then turned back to Tempest. Who was gone. Simply gone. Not standing where she’d been, or walking toward the buildings — just gone. He stepped away from the tailgate of his truck and looked around, then at his friends who were all standing there seemingly quite stunned. “Where’d she go?!”

“Holy fuck,” Barron finally got out.

“What?!” Brandt asked, finally getting Remi to meet his gaze.

Remi lifted a hand and pointed toward the building they’d not quite finished roofing the day before.

There, on top of the building, was Tempest already kneeling to hammer a length of shingle in place.

“How the fuck did she do that?” Brandt asked.

Maverik strolled over with Ronan close on his heels. He chuckled. “Ain’t that some shit? Impressive shit,” he said, nodding to put an extra emphasis on his words. “Every time I see her do something else, I’m as proud as if she was one of my own. Swear I am. Just blows me away.”

“What is she?” Brandt asked, his eyes glued to Tempest in the distance.

“You heard that saying about not meddling in the affairs of Dragons?”

“We are surrounded by Dragons,” Brandt said exasperatedly.

“Yeah, but she ain’t all Dragon, and I’m pretty sure of all those you know, this is one you don’t want to push. Then again, maybe you should. I’m kind of curious.” Maverik shrugged as he snatched Brandt’s coffee cup from his hand and started drinking it. “Think I’ll join her up there. Where you going today, Ronan?”

“I’ll help Barron sheetrock again,” Ronan said.

“Yell for me if you need me,” Maverik said, strolling away.

“What the hell happened? How’d she get over there so quickly?” Brandt asked, his voice lowered.

“She was standing there, then she wasn’t. That’s all I know. I think I might be her new best friend. I’ll see you later,” Barron said, hurrying away.

“Barron!” Brandt called out.

“Yes, Alpha, I know… I will not touch her,” Barron called over his shoulder.

“That’s not what I was going to say!” Brandt yelled.

“What? You can’t do what she did. Nobody can. I want to know how she does that!”

Chapter 8

Brandt watched Tempest easily completing any task that she was steered to as the day went on. He watched as she sat and enjoyed her lunch, joking with everyone on the job site - except him. He watched her easily fit in with his clan, with his family, and a sense of panic began to slowly settle in the back of his mind. When he looked inside himself for reassurance from his Bear, he found the confounded beast grinning, watching the female with ridiculously adoring eyes. “I am so fucking screwed,” Brandt complained just under his breath.

Tempest was laughing with Ronan as he told her a story about his dad taking them all out to catch a nutria for Ground Hog Day.

Brandt was watching her as she threw her head back laughing, he listened to her laugh, he watched her like a predator focused on its prey, and for just a moment he wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms. Wondered how it would feel to have her look into his eyes with the utmost trust. He let himself believe it could be for just a moment, before Maverik with his usual finesse yanked him back into the here and now.

“Boy, you find something interesting the rest of us aren’t seeing?” Maverik asked with a hint of amusement in his tone.

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