De Wolfe in Disguise: De Wolfe Pack Connected World

by Jennifer Siddoway

  She accepted his outstretched hand so she could stand. Rebekah followed him down the aisle of wooden benches and toward the confessional. Her heart was pounding as they approached the red curtain that signified the important place.

  “Here we are,” Father Hubert said. “I’ll be right with you.”

  She pulled back the fabric before stepping into the space set aside for confession. On the wall beside her was a carved screen where she could speak with the priest in confidence.

  Moments later, he spoke from the other side of the screen. “Welcome, child. I understand you have come to give confession. Please, tell me what is troubling you.”

  It was soothing to know she could unburden her heart by exposing her deepest secrets. “Father, forgive me, fer I have sinned. It has been four days since my last confession.”

  “We all sin,” Father Hubert told her. “What’s important is that we learn and try not to stray again. To better understand your transgression, I need to know what you have done.”

  “It’s so shameful…”

  There was no response from the priest.

  She took a deep breath. “I am sworn to marry the Lord De Wolfe’s son, the one they call The Viper, but my heart belongs to another. I dinnae ken how I can go through with this while I have feelings for another man.”

  “Have you acted on these feelings?”

  “I kissed him, Father,” she admitted. “On the road here, he said he was in love with me. Despite my intentions for marriage, I felt something, too. I felt things I dinnae even ken possible. Our hearts felt as if they were one. Yet, at the same time, I knew it was wrong the instant it happened.”

  She heard the priest sigh. “That is serious indeed…”

  “I ken, Father. I’m ashamed to even say it. But I am determined to put the past behind me and devote myself completely to my husband.”

  There was a pause before the priest responded. “Forgive me, child, but remind me, who was it in the De Wolfe party that you have these feelings for?”

  Rebekah looked down at her hands. “His name is Leonidus.”

  “Leonidus?” the priest repeated in surprise. “Are you quite certain that its him, and not some other guard?”

  “Of course, I remember the name quite clearly.”

  There was a scuffle behind the screen, and she couldn’t tell what was happening. “Oh, that headstrong, ignorant…”

  Her brow furrowed with confusion. “Father? Are ye well?”

  The priest sighed heavily and spoke in a voice of exasperation when he responded. “Child, I understand your distress, but I believe your heart is pure. You will be a loyal wife.”

  “But…”

  “All that matters is that you are determined to love and honor your husband. Are you committed to that?”

  Rebekah swallowed the lump in her throat as she felt her heart shatter a second time. “Aye, Father. I will marry and promise to never stray. I will be his, and his alone.”

  “I believe you,” the priest told her solemnly. “The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I think he brought you here for a reason. I have every confidence you and your husband will be very happy together. Go, and be at peace. I must prepare for the ceremony.”

  “Thank ye, Father Hubert.”

  She stood and left the confessional even more confused than when she had arrived. She returned to her chambers. The castle was strange and very different than the one she’d grown up in. She gazed around uncertainly.

  What if I run into Leonidus?

  Her stomach clenched at the thought. He was the last person she should be thinking about.

  She stood in her wedding gown in the center of her room. Her heart thundered as she smoothed her hands over her shirts. It was the softest material she had ever felt, and part of her loved being dressed like a princess. Yet, she was dreading having to walk down the aisle. Father Hubert had absolved her of all her sins, including the kiss with Leonidus, but she could not forget. She still yearned for the handsome knight.

  “Lady, why are ye sad?” Lottie asked. “This should be a happy day. Have not the De Wolfes been friendly and obliging?”

  “They have,” she agreed. “I suppose I’m just nervous. I was thinking about Henry and how I would have loved for him to be here.”

  Lottie nodded. “He is here. I know he and your mother are both smiling down on you this day.”

  Rebekah smiled sadly as she turned back to the mirror. “Thank you, Lottie. I also wish I could have met my husband before the ceremony, but there is nothing I can do about that now. Why has he not come to see me?”

  “There has not been time,” one of the De Wolfe maids reminded her. “You only arrived this afternoon. He’s been in council with Lord Atticus and Lady Isobeau.”

  “He is very handsome,” another maid said.

  Rebekah turned to the maid. “Oh? What does he look like?”

  “He is tall…green eyes…and has lovely, blond hair, you’ll see.”

  As the maid described The Viper, Rebekah’s thoughts were on Leonidus. They sounded very similar, and it brought her a bit of comfort.

  “Oh, why am I telling you this?” the maid laughed. “You’ll be seeing him soon enough.”

  She nodded. “And what of his temperament? Is he like his father?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  Rebekah frowned as her heart sank. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  The maids looked at one another. “He’s most agreeable, lady.”

  Before she could ask any more questions, there was a knock at the door. One of the maids went to answer it and opened the door to find Caius standing outside. He smiled at her and gestured out into the hall. “Lady Maxwell, the priest is ready for you. Since your father was not able to come with us, my brother asked if I would walk you down the aisle.”

  She smiled. “Oh, Caius. That’s so kind of ye. I was dreading the prospect of walking alone.”

  Caius bowed to her and said, “My lady, it would be an honor.”

  Rebekah glanced back at Lottie for reassurance and picked up the front of her gown. She stepped lightly across the threshold and followed Caius into the hall. He offered his arm, which she accepted, and he escorted her to the chapel. Everyone had told her Lord De Wolfe’s son was a good man, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about Leo. She would give anything to forget him.

  If only her husband could be thus, then all her dreams would come true.

  Ye will find love with the De Wolfe, she told herself. Ye will love him, even if it kills ye.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Caius led her down the main corridor of Rule Water Castle, and Rebekah breathed deeply.

  “You’re doing fine,” Caius whispered.

  Rebekah gazed at him, lips trembling. “I-I’m frightened.”

  “I know, but you don’t need to be,” he said in a soft voice no one else could hear. “My brother is already in love with you.”

  She turned away, confused. “You’ve barely spoken to me since we left my home…”

  Caius smiled warmly. “Only because your attention was needed elsewhere.”

  As she approached the door at the end of the hall, she saw the entrance to the chapel was decorated with candelabras and white flowers hung over the archway. Music drifted from inside, and she could see the walls were lined with candles. Every bench was filled with men and women there to celebrate. The entire De Wolfe household was sitting at the front of the chapel.

  Her throat tightened with so much attention on her, and she wanted to run away. Caius must have sensed her distress and gave her arm a gentle squeeze of encouragement as they continued walking down the aisle.

  Ye can do this, but please dinnae let Leonidus be here, she pleaded silently.

  She didn’t think she’d have the strength to marry the De Wolfe if Leo was watching. After all, he had told her the next time she saw him would be at the wedding.

  Leo…

  She took another step and inhaled deeply. The stone floor
was scattered with flower petals. Everyone was smiling and watching her walk toward the altar. Over the sea of faces, she gazed to where her betrothed should be standing.

  The man standing with the priest had his back to her. He had blond hair, just as the maid had described, but it looked familiar. Draped across his broad shoulders was a black, fur-lined cloak emblazoned with the De Wolfe family crest.

  She took another shaky breath, steeling herself against the fear threatening to overwhelm her. Rebekah stared at the De Wolfe cloak worn by her soon-to-be husband and felt something warm and familiar inside. Was it possible?

  Her heart fluttered as a spark of hope ignited within her chest. When she arrived at the altar, the man she had come to marry looked up at her and smiled. She recognized those wild, green eyes! Then she went weak in the knees.

  Leo?

  Her mouth fell open in shock as Caius gently put her hand in Leo’s.

  “Ye’re my betrothed?” she asked. “It was ye all along.”

  He offered her a brilliant smile. “Yes. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  As much as she wanted to be mad, the joy in knowing she was about to marry Leo, made her smile back at him. Then the priest raised his hands, signaling he was ready to speak.

  This was really happening! The man she wanted and the one she was going to marry, were the same person. Her heart swelled with love and happiness. She could protect her clan and marry the man she loved.

  It all seemed too good to be true.

  Rebekah barely heard a word of what the priest was saying, her gaze was locked on Leo’s, smiling back at him in awe and wonder. She thought back to their encounters on the road and, little by little, everything started to make sense.

  When the De Wolfes had arrived at Castle Caerlaverock, she was the one who mistook him as a guard. Leonidus had also been the one who accepted the marriage proposal from her father.

  And then there was the kiss…

  “I think he will forgive you.”

  Of course, he would, she realized. Because he was her future husband.

  It took everything inside her to keep from laughing out loud at the ridiculousness of their situation. She could already feel the weight being lifted off her shoulders.

  “I do,” Leonidus De Wolfe said calmly.

  Rebekah snapped back to the present.

  Father Hubert looked up at her over the pages of the Bible and said, “And do you, Rebekah Maxwell, take this man, Leonidus De Wolfe, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To be one with him in the eyes of God? To have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do,” she responded instantly. “I do…”

  Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks and she could not contain her love for him. It was fate smiling down on her.

  The priest smiled at Rebekah and gestured to Leonidus. “Now if you will please recite your vows. Leonidus?”

  He inhaled deeply. “I, Leonidus De Wolfe, pledge to love, honor, and protect you for all the days of my life. Until death takes me and my time on this world is ended, you are my wife…and my highest responsibility.” His voice cracked with emotion as he said the words.

  Tears slid down her cheeks as her husband continued with his vow.

  “Rebekah Maxwell, my home, my sword, and my heart are yours from this day forward.”

  When he finished speaking, the priest turned to her and said, “Lady Maxwell?”

  “I, Rebekah Maxwell, pledge to love ye for all the days of my life, to stand by yer side through anything, and bear our children. I am yers, heart and soul. Ye’re everything I could have ever asked fer in a husband. I love ye—now and always.” The priest smiled at both of them. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Leonidus took her face gently between his hands and kissed her deeply on the mouth. She shuddered from the feel of his lips against her, and applause erupted from the crowd.

  When he released her, they both turned and laughed, wiping away their tears of joy. He took her by the hand and pulled her past the group of well-wishers and out into the courtyard. With every step, Rebekah repeated her new name silently, Lady De Wolfe.

  “Are you still afraid of getting married?” he asked playfully.

  She shook her head. “Nae. I am…overwhelmed with emotion.”

  When they reached the grass, Leonidus turned to her and said, “I didn’t know how to tell you. You were so afraid of coming here. I wanted you to know me as Leonidus, and not just as The Viper.”

  She nodded. “I understand.”

  “I meant every word I said. I will love you until my dying breath.”

  “And I will love ye back.”

  He glanced back at the keep and grinned. “Before the festivities, I have a gift for you.”

  “A gift? Ye mean more than yerself? What else could I possibly ask fer on this day? Ye’ve already given me everything I ever wanted.”

  Leonidus reached into a small pouch hanging from his belt and pulled out a silver chain. She stared at it, taking in the beautiful charm that was hanging from its length—a wolf.

  “’Tis beautiful…”

  “So are you,” he said. “It is yours.”

  “I couldn’t possibly…”

  “It belonged to my mother. She gave it to me years ago with the intent that I would one day give it to my bride. You are Lady De Wolfe, are you not?’

  Rebekah chuckled. “I suppose I am.”

  Leonidus pulled her hair to the side and helped her put on the necklace. When it was fastened, he stood back to look at her and smiled. “You have brought me great joy in such a short amount of time. I have come to love you very deeply.”

  “Ye’re too generous, sir. I love ye back.”

  He kissed her gently on the mouth. “Don’t call me that. To you, I’m just Leo.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The celebration for Leonidus and Rebekah’s marriage ran long into the evening. Everyone in the castle was singing and dancing to their hearts’ content.

  Leo gazed over at his new wife adoringly as she sat beside him at the head of the table. Rebekah’s eyes twinkled in the evening light. She turned to him and smiled, as if she could feel his gaze on her.

  “You look beautiful,” Leonidus told her.

  She blushed and took his hand beneath the table. “Thank ye. I’m nae used to being the center of attention.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “I know, my dear. I’m not fond of it either, but I’m afraid that’s something that comes with being a De Wolfe.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Then I guess I better get used to it.”

  Before Leonidus could respond, Atticus joined them at the table. He stood taller than anyone in the room and commanded their attention easily.

  “Hello, Father,” Leonidus greeted him. “Have you met my bride, Rebekah?”

  Atticus smiled. “I’m afraid not. I haven’t had the pleasure. Though I think it’s about time I meet my daughter-in-law.”

  Leo glanced over at Rebekah. “Darling, this is my father, Lord Atticus De Wolfe. You know him as the Lion of the North.”

  Lord Atticus took her hand and kissed it tenderly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rebekah. Isobeau and I are both delighted to have you in our family.”

  She nodded. “Thank ye, m’lord. I am very much in love with yer son.”

  Atticus smiled. “I understand it’s a special evening for you, but I was hoping you would spare a moment so that I could have a word.”

  Leonidus felt Rebekah stiffen. “Of course. I would be honored.”

  Atticus sat down on the bench across from them and directed his attention toward Rebekah. “My dear, it’s come to my attention that on the road here you expressed a great deal of fear in meeting me.”

  “Aye, m’lord. I am very sorry…”

  He smiled kindly. “There’s no reason to apologize. You know, Rebekah, I actually think you and I are much alike.”

  “How so?”

>   “Many years ago, when I married Isobeau, I was recovering from the loss of my brother as well. It was a difficult time for me, and I was racked with guilt for not being able to protect him. I felt guilty for surviving. I didn’t think it was right for me to find happiness so soon after my brother’s death, but love found me anyway.”

  Atticus glanced over at Isobeau from across the hall and smiled.

  “I was reminded that it would be an even greater disservice not to appreciate the gift that we’d been given.”

  Rebekah nodded thoughtfully as her father-in-law patted her hand.

  “I’m glad you’ve joined our family, and I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I want you to feel welcome in this home and know you can come to me any time.”

  “Thank ye, Lord De Wolfe.”

  He laughed. “Please, we are family now. You may call me Atticus.”

  “Atticus,” she repeated his name.

  He rose from his seat, saying, “I must be off. Your mother will want to rest soon. I’m sure both of you are tired, also.”

  As his father left, Leo leaned over to whisper in Rebekah’s ear. “See? I told you he wasn’t a monster.”

  “And ye were right. I rather like him.”

  Almost as soon as Atticus had gone, Morgana came walking up to them. She wore an exquisite brocade gown that had bell sleeves and intricate lacing up the bodice. “Rebekah! I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

  Leonidus turned to his wife with an impish grin. “My love, this is my sister, Morgana.”

  Morgana embraced Rebekah from across the table.

  “I’m very glad to meet ye,” his wife said.

  Morgana stepped back and smiled at her. “I just know we’re going to be best friends.”

  “I’m sure we will.”

  Leonidus shooed her away with a laugh. “That’s enough, Morgana. You’ll have plenty of time to get to know her after the reception. It’s our wedding night, and we wish to be alone.”

  His sister scoffed. “Very well. I’ll leave you alone then. Just promise me I can spend time with Rebekah tomorrow.”

  When Leo’s bride nodded her approval, he relented. “Fine, I promise.”