Lonely Moon (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 2)

by M. Katherine Clark

  Conall helped roll Marrock off of her and carried him to the bed. Eara went to soak some fresh linens in water to wash Marrock’s chest. Marrock moaned something but did not open his eyes.

  “Alpha, can ye hear me, lad?” Conall called.

  “He is in nae state to speak, Father,” Mabh replied. “Please run to the keep and call for Kinnon and the healer. Mother and I will stay with him. Go! And raise the alarm, we may be under attack.”

  Her father looked once more at his mate who nodded and he bolted out the door. Eara rushed to her daughter with water and towels.

  “Mother, please, heat some water for the healer as I bathe his wounds,” her mother nodded and swung the kettle over the fire.

  Mabh took some of the cold water, dipped a cloth in it and draped it over Marrock’s forehead. He moaned as she took another damp cloth and began wiping the blood from his chest. “Shh, shh, ‘tis all right,” she soothed.

  “Mabh,” he mumbled.

  “I am here,” she covered his hand with one of hers as she wiped the blood from his chest. The slash marks were not made by claws as she had originally thought since there were so many of them, and the thought that he had been attacked by humans, or worse, druids, boiled her wolf’s blood.

  “Mabh,” he moaned again.

  “Shh shh, Marrock,” she soothed. “I am here. Donnae think of drawing a fever, do you hear me?” His face twisted in pain. “What happened to you?” she breathed.

  Her mother rushed to her side with two cloth strips soaked with hot water and a bowl of heated water at her side.

  “Gently, Mabh,” she cautioned.

  “He will nae hurt me,” she answered and began wiping at the two deepest wounds. Marrock clenched his hand and twisted; not fully conscious the pain still registered.

  “Nay, nay,” he grumbled and twisted.

  “Be still, Marrock,” Mabh ordered and immediately almost like an alpha order, he went still. Her mother looked over at her daughter, surprise registering on her face. “Oh, where is Father?” Mabh looked towards the door.

  “He will be here,” her mother soothed her hair back behind her ears.

  “Could you retrieve some of Father’s strong drink? The one only used on verra special occasions?” she asked. Her mother nodded and stood. Mabh looked back at Marrock, his face contorting in pain as the cloth crossed dangerously close to the largest wound. “A moment longer, my Alpha,” she whispered in his ear. “Donnae leave me.”

  She squeezed his hand that still held hers and his eyes fluttered open.

  “Mabh,” he cried.

  “Shh, shh, aye ‘tis me, Marrock,” she replied pressing the cool cloth against his forehead. His eyes focused on hers and a look of comprehensive thought crossed the blue irises. “Do you remember what happened to you?”

  “When we went for a walk, you asked me why I wanted to kiss you…” he started. “I did nae want to say what was in my heart because I was afraid.”

  “Afraid of what?” she whispered soothingly.

  “Did nae want to lose you,” he replied.

  “You could nae lose me, Marrock,” she soothed.

  “Wanted… Wanted to say—”

  “Shh, let us heal you first, then tell me, aye?” she interrupted him.

  “At the loch,” he whispered. “They were at the loch. Waiting for me.”

  “Who was?”

  “Druids,” he answered.

  Her mother came back with the liquor and Mabh took the cup her mother offered her. “Marrock, I need you to drink this. Can you?”

  He nodded. Sliding her hand behind his neck, she steadied him as she raised the cup to his lips. He coughed and sputtered but drank most of it. Setting his head back on the pillow, he looked up at Mabh. His eyes grew heavy with the liquor flowing through his veins. He reached up and twisted a lock of her hair around his finger.

  “Ye are so beautiful,” he breathed. “I have only kenned ye for two days but I cannae rid you from my mind, lass,” he admitted. She reached up and covered his hand with hers, nuzzling against it. She leaned down to him, just a breadth away from his lips.

  “Good,” she whispered. A smile curved his lips and soon he was asleep.

  Mabh continued to clean his wound and looked over at her mother.

  “You care for him, Mabh,” Eara stated.

  “I confess I do, Mama,” she kept her voice low. “I care far too much for him.”

  “Nay, there is nae shame in caring for a male,” Eara brushed a piece of her daughter’s hair behind her ear and gently stroked her cheek. “You have passed your maturity, so there is nae a reason no’ to care for him. He is a strong, caring, powerful wolf.”

  “He is Alpha,” she said.

  “Aye,” Eara answered. “Is it what your heart wants?”

  Mabh looked away from her mother’s knowing gaze and into Marrock’s sleeping face.

  “Aye,” she answered. “He is what I want.”

  “Then we will fight to keep him alive, together,” her mother stroked her cheek and poured out the blood tinged water from the heated bowl refilling it with fresh. “’Tis about time I have some grandpups.” Mother and daughter laughed through the tears filling Mabh’s eyes. Hearing the cry of the alarm through the village, a moment later her father, Kinnon and Weylyn rushed in.

  “What has happened?” Kinnon demanded.

  “Is he all right?” Weylyn rushed to Marrock’s side.

  “Where is the healer?” Mabh demanded.

  “On the other side of the village delivering a pup. She will be here as soon as she is able,” Weylyn explained examining Marrock’s wounds.

  “He is in need of her now,” Mabh barked. “This is our Alpha! ‘Tis dagger slashes, Kinnon. He has been attacked!”

  Kinnon put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “’Tis all right, Mabh, you have done well keeping his wounds clean and several of the smaller lighter marks are already healing. The rest are deep, aye, but with some stitching they will be well healed.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, her eyes unconsciously drifting to Marrock’s still form.

  “Could you get me a needle and some heavy thread? I will stitch the wounds,” Weylyn offered.

  “Do you have training for such a task?” She demanded.

  “Aye,” Weylyn answered. “I cannae deliver pups and I hope to never be put to that test but I have stitched battle wounds afore.”

  Eyeing him for a moment, sincerity shown in his dark brown eyes. She finally nodded and handed him the tools she had gathered earlier.

  “He was able to speak earlier. Forgive me, I gave him some strong drink I thought it would help with the pain,” Mabh said.

  “You did well,” Weylyn answered. “But at this moment, you must leave. Stitching is nae a pleasant business and he could hurt you if you are too close. Father, I will need you to hold him.”

  Kinnon went around to the opposite side of his son while Mabh stepped forward.

  “He kens my voice. It soothes him. Allow me to stay, I beg of you,” she pleaded.

  “I cannae allow it,” Weylyn replied.

  “I am nae leaving him!” she cried.

  “’Tis nae place for a female,” Weylyn replied. “Conall please, take your daughter away.”

  “Nay,” Mabh stopped her father. “I will nae leave him.”

  “If Marrock where awake he would tell you the same as I, now go,” Weylyn ordered.

  “You are nae alpha, Weylyn donnae attempt to order me,” she replied defiantly crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Gods’ sakes, I am nae trying to order you, I am merely trying to protect you,” Weylyn shouted.

  At that moment, Marrock’s soft voice called Mabh’s name. All eyes turned to him but he had not opened his eyes. All of a sudden, he screamed and thrashed about, half phasing, he leapt to the other side of the small room and backed into a corner. His wild yellow eyes jumped from one to the other, and the color flashed from yellow to blue. His wolf self
was taking over. Kinnon held Mabh back and pushed her to her father as he cautiously approached Marrock like a wounded animal.

  “Marrock,” he called soothingly. “’Tis I, your uncle, lad. Do you ken who I am?”

  Marrock’s yellow eyes landed on Kinnon and he snarled. Apparently not.

  “Marrock, Alpha,” he tried again. “You are wounded. Let us help you. We are nae a threat to you. Be calm.”

  When Marrock snarled again, Mabh stepped forward between Kinnon and Marrock and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Enough of this, Marrock,” she said. “You are hurt. You will let us tend you and you will nae cause trouble. Do you understand me?”

  Marrock’s wolf form shuddered and when he raised his eyes to her, Mabh saw the pain his body was experiencing.

  “Better, now, come back here and allow Weylyn to tend you.”

  Marrock obeyed as if an alpha order had commanded him. He had not phased back to his human form yet, but as he lay on the bed, Mabh knelt beside him and stroked his hair.

  “I need him back as a human, his hide is too tough for the needle to secure it,” Weylyn whispered to Mabh. She nodded but did not take her eyes off of Marrock.

  “You are strong, my Alpha,” she soothed. “But we need the human of you. Phase back so Weylyn can heal you.”

  Momentarily later, Marrock phased back to his human form and his blue eyes looked up at her.

  “Mabh,” he breathed.

  “Aye, I am here, now you rest as Weylyn tends you,” she stroked his black hair away from his forehead and slowly leaned down to place a gentle kiss just above his eyes.

  “Will you stay with me?” he asked softly as if he were a lad.

  “Aye,” she answered. “I will stay as long as you desire me to stay.”

  With that he smiled, nodded and closed his eyes. As soon as his body was relaxed, Weylyn began stitching the wounds. Mabh did not remove her eyes from her Alpha’s sleeping face. Occasionally his face would wince and Mabh would lean down and kiss his forehead, cheek, nose or hair and immediately he slipped back into a peaceful rest.

  Chapter

  Eleven

  Weylyn had finished stitching the wounds and covered them with clean linen strips. Sitting back on his heels, he looked up at Mabh. She was still watching Marrock’s sleeping face but when Kinnon came around to help his son stand as he had been in one position for a long time, Mabh finally broke her gaze and looked up at Kinnon.

  “I thank you for saving our alpha,” Kinnon said to her. She did not reply but smiled softly and nodded. “Did he say anything before we arrived?” Kinnon asked simply.

  “Aye,” she answered. “He said a great many things. I donnae want to disturb him. Let us go further away and allow him his rest.” Kinnon agreed and walked back to the table near the open cut out for windows. Looking back, he watched Mabh shake out a woolen blanket and cover Marrock’s still form with it. Then she walked stiffly, for she had stayed just as she was while Weylyn worked, over to the others.

  “At your leisure, lass,” Kinnon offered.

  “I thank you,” she replied sitting in the chair at their table and accepting the cup of water her mother gave her. “I was near waking when I heard a knock on the door. I waited for my father to open it but when I peered down, he was still resting, so I went down myself. Marrock stood before me as you see and immediately fell into me.”

  Continuing her tale leaving out only the intimate details of Marrock’s speech, she drained the cup of its contents and waited. Kinnon paced before her, a stern but warrior-like expression clouded his features.

  “But he said nothing more about who had attacked him?” he demanded.

  “Nay, merely that there was a fight at the loch and it was as if they were waiting for him,” Mabh replied.

  “Druid scum,” her father spat. “Do they nae ken we will want retribution for their treatment of our alpha?”

  “Conall,” Eara whispered calming him. “If I may speak, Kinnon.”

  “Of course, we stand on nae ceremony here,” Kinnon replied.

  “Kenning our alpha as we do, there is only one who can best him,” her eyes drifted to Mabh, who’s cheeks immediately flamed and she looked down. “Aye, I kenned where you went last morn lass and there was talk in the village. But I donnae believe that the druids lasted much longer than mere moments with our Alpha. There may have been many of them, aye and he may have been wounded but if you looked at his hands, Kinnon. There is blood under his nails, and we all ken that means that he used his claws while half-phased and failed to clean them when he phased back.”

  “Aye, I ken what it is you are saying, Eara,” Kinnon replied. “And ‘tis glad I am you saw that. However, how do we ken this was nae a scouting party and the real attack is imminent?”

  “We should send out our own scouts,” Weylyn stated. “Keep to the woods, well hidden, covered in dung and fur pelts of foxes to mask the scent. ‘Twould be a way to see if we are under attack.”

  Kinnon attempted to conceal his smile but failed. His son was thinking like a warrior.

  “Aye, Weylyn, that should do it,” he said.

  “Marrock can stay here until you return,” Eara replied. “We are both capable of caring for him.”

  “I thank you,” Kinnon answered. “But his room is being prepared at the keep and as much as I trust my son’s ability I have called the healer to attend him when she is finished. ‘Twould be better if he comes with us.”

  “And how is he going to go with you? Walk?” Mabh stood.

  “Mabh,” her father scolded her. Her mother raised her hand for her to wait.

  “Perhaps then, Kinnon, Mabh might join you at the keep,” Eara replied. “As you saw, her voice soothes our alpha.”

  Kinnon stared deeply into Eara’s eyes. Before he found Kyna, he believed Eara was to be his mate. Her brother and he were close in age and disposition, training together since they were pups. Eara had always been the annoying sister until one day when they were nearing their fiftieth year, and she had just turned forty-five, she started to turn his head. It did not continue long, and he had lost his best friend when he had broken Eara’s heart. However, if the look she was giving him meant anything, she was asking him for help. Looking at Mabh, he saw her eyes still on Marrock’s sleeping form, a look on her face, the same look Eara had given him when he professed to love her. Looking down, he nodded.

  “Aye, that would be fine,” he answered.

  “Truly?” Mabh spun around to face him.

  “So long as it is sanctioned by your father,” Kinnon replied.

  Conall saddled up to his mate, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Knowing well the history between them, he staked his claim.

  “She is no’ to be alone with him unchaperoned,” he answered.

  “Father,” Mabh breathed as color again rose to her cheeks. “We went for a walk last eve unchaperoned.”

  “Nay, you did nae,” her father replied. Her eyes grew round and she looked down. “Do you agree, Kinnon?”

  “Aye, that will nae be a difficulty. I give you my word,” he promised.

  “Then aye, you may go with them, Mabh,” Conall stated.

  ***

  As they walked back to the keep, Marrock lying on a litter, the villagers came out of their huts to stare and cry for their leader. Mabh walked beside Kinnon as Weylyn kept watch over Marrock.

  “I do wish we had waited,” she whispered. “’Tis nae right for them to see our alpha weak.”

  “They ken he is nae weak, lass,” Kinnon answered. “Do I wish there had nae been so many out this early? Aye. But that is nae something we can control at the moment. He needs to be back in his room.”

  Mabh was silent for a time. Finally, she raised her eyes to him shyly and asked.

  “Why was Marrock outside of the village last eve? His hair was wet so I deem it to mean he was at the loch, but why? ‘Twas well passed the witching hour.”

  “You gave me t
he answers I sought, I suppose I can give you yours without breaking a confidence,” he began. “My nephew was out of the walls of the village last night because something was on his mind. He could nae sleep and so journeyed to the arena to spar with one of the clay figures we use to train pups. I found him there. He and I spoke, though I will nae tell you what about for he spoke to me in confidence. But after we were finished speaking, I am to blame, for I told him to go to the loch to clean. I did nae want him to go alone but he refused the guards and left the village walls. I wish I had gone with him.”

  “You are a skilled warrior, Kinnon but you are nae as great as the alpha,” she said.

  “I freely admit it,” he replied. “That lad was blessed by the gods. He was conceived during the Hunter’s Moon, and therefore well gifted in the art of war.”

  “So if one as powerful as Marrock is nearing death’s door after a battle with these druids…”

  “Ah, I ken what you are saying,” Kinnon replied. “I would be dead or worse off?”

  “Aye,” Mabh looked down. “I hope you ken that I mean nae disrespect.”

  “None at all,” he answered. “You speak the truth. I have battled these demons for longer than I care to remember, Mabh. They took my brother from me and I was helpless to stop them. Ken this, lassie, I would have gladly sacrificed myself for Marrock had the option been available to me.”

  “I ken you would, Kinnon,” she replied. “You are an honorable man. My mother still speaks very highly of you.”

  “I donnae deserve such praise from her,” he answered.

  “Do you nae?” she asked. “’Twas her brother’s doing. My uncle is a proud man. Mother asked him to leave you be, but he refused.”

  “And rightly so, I betrayed your mother horribly,” he answered.

  “For love,” she replied. “And I am glad you did. If you had nae, my brothers and I would nae have been born.”

  Kinnon chuckled. “Aye, that ‘tis true. And I for one am glad you are.” His eyes trailed back to his nephew.

  “As am I,” she whispered.

  “Marrock is as stubborn as his father, Mabh,” Kinnon replied. “Riok kenned Leah was to be his mate when he was nearing seventy, but my stubborn old brother made them both wait. Recently given the title of Alpha after our father’s death, Riok always said that an alpha takes care of his people first, then finds love.” Kinnon shook his head. “’Tis a miracle Marrock was born, so late in their lives were they both. Donnae let that happen with you and my nephew.”