Midnight Sky (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 3)

by M. Katherine Clark

  “The Farquharson,” he stated.

  “A strong clan,” the chief replied impressed. His eyes lightened for a moment before he said, “Then you must be Aedan, son of Gowan.”

  “I am, though he was my mother’s husband who raised me. I cannae claim any blood relation to him. My true sire is with me now,” he said indicating Weylyn.

  “Aye, wolf, I agree then,” he answered. “Rumors of your warrior’s battle hardiness have spread even this far north. I welcome you to train and your lady wife will be blessed with comforts owed to one bringing life into the world. Is this her first child?”

  “Aye, ’tis,” Aedan replied.

  A slight smile lifted the chief’s lips only to be suppressed the next moment. “I will have our druid brothers examine her.”

  “I thank you,” Aedan said. “But that is unnecessary.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because two in our party are druid priestesses,” Tristan explained. “Aedan’s mate and her Grove sister.”

  “I see. Then she will be well. You will all join me for dinner in the great hall this eve, how many are you?”

  “I lead a pack of thirteen, chief,” Tristan answered.

  “Call me Gregor,” he said. “Are you planning on staying long in the area?”

  “Our main destination is nae kenned, Chief… Gregor,” Tristan answered. “With my father’s recent demise, we desire to wait out what little storm there may be with other wolf packs in the area then offer a truce and perhaps friendship. We do desire our own location. Perhaps closer to Skye. We have friends and relations of two of our members on that Isle.”

  “Then I bid you welcome but hear me, Alpha, if I find that you are like your sire, I will nae be so kind.”

  “Our thanks, Gregor,” Tristan replied.

  “Good. Now, you and your lady wife along with your lieutenants and their wives are welcome to stay within my keep.”

  “I am no’ mated, chief,” Weylyn stepped forward.

  “Yet. But he has a female who I am sure would be thankful for the rest in a true bed, Chief,” Aedan spoke over his father.

  “Then bring her in,” Chief Gregor stated. “You donnae mind sharing a chamber do ye?”

  Weylyn bit back his initial response. It would be a slight to their new tenuous alliance to state that they did mind sharing. At least he did. He was attempting to give his mate the mourning time she deserved, but holding Eithne every night and kissing her in the morning did not help his resolve. Brietta deserved to be mourned properly and a mere four moon cycles was not enough. Finally, Weylyn shook his head and stated “nay, Chief,” and left with the others.

  ***

  That evening, Tristan led five other members of his pack into the keep to dine with their host. Gregor welcomed them with a loud boisterous exclamation.

  “Welcome!” he called. “We hold our dinners in high esteem and are proud to share it with you.”

  “Our thanks, Chief,” Tristan said. “May I present my lady wife, Alexina.”

  “A beauty that rivals the Scottish Highlands,” Gregor bent and kissed her hand. “How did you get so lucky, Alpha?”

  “The gods smiled upon me,” Tristan grinned.

  “I say they did,” Gregor replied.

  “My thanks, Chief,” Alexina curtsied.

  “Lovely,” he replied. “Welcome to Sutherland Keep, my lady.” His eyes went to Isla. “And you must be the War Chief’s wife.”

  “Aye, Chief,” Isla said.

  “Forgive me,” Aedan stepped forward. “May I introduce my wife, Isla.”

  “Greetings, Priestess,” Gregor said. “You are most welcome to this lowliest of places.”

  “Och nay,” Isla replied. “May this clan live long and be well blessed.”

  “Our thanks, lady,” Gregor stated. “And may you have our hope and blessing for a childbirth free of complications.”

  “I thank you,” Isla said.

  Weylyn took Eithne’s arm and pulled her to his side. “Chief, this is Eithne,” Weylyn introduced.

  “Ah, the lass you are blessed to share a chamber with?” Gregor grinned when he saw Eithne’s eyes flash to Weylyn.

  “That is yet to be determined, chief,” Weylyn said. “I will gladly give up my right to the chamber for Eithne to be comfortable. I ask for nae slight to her reputation as we are nae mated though we hope to be soon.”

  “Weylyn,” she whispered.

  “’Tis well then the chamber is large enough to accommodate both,” Gregor stepped in. “I assure you nae slight will occur. But we have priests here who could perform the ceremony if you wish it.”

  “My mate is being noble, Chief,” Eithne stepped forward. “He lost his first mate and asked for the proper mourning time before we are joined. But there is nae cause for us no’ to use the chamber which you so kindly offered.”

  “A beauty with fire,” Gregor grinned. “You should be careful, Beta. I just may steal her from you.”

  Eithne giggled and looked down when she heard Weylyn’s territorial growl. Gregor lifted his hand waving off the wolf’s reaction. “I mean nothing by it, Beta. A jest, merely.”

  “And your lady wife, chief?” Tristan changed the subject seeing his friend uncomfortable.

  “I am nae married,” he answered quickly. Aedan’s eyes locked on his father’s. They had seen his reaction when he stated that Isla was carrying their first child. He knew the feeling of being a father. Perhaps he had children outside of a marriage union. “Please join me at the dais.”

  Once they were seated, Gregor called for music and food. During dinner, they were joined by Sutherland clan members; music and ale flowed.

  “I must say, Chief,” Tristan began. “This is perhaps the best run keep of my knowledge.”

  “You have many keeps in Aberdeen?” Gregor asked.

  “A couple, but Weylyn and I traveled much for my education,” Tristan revealed.

  Gregor nodded slowly. “I have traveled south and crossed the great loch near your father’s land. He was kenned far and wide for his skills in torture.”

  “Knowledge I have first hand,” Tristan replied then lowered his voice. “I would like to speak with you alone at some point, Chief, from one leader to another.”

  “Aye, perhaps you will join me in my private study after we sup, for a whisky?” Gregor offered.

  “That would be most agreeable,” Tristan answered.

  “Good. Ah,” Gregor looked up and stood from his seat as a woman approached. “Mother,” he greeted her. The wolves stood to greet the lady. “Do join us. We missed you earlier.”

  “I see in my absence you have had some interesting visitors,” the woman said. “Gregor, do introduce me.”

  “This is Tristan, Alpha of the…” he frowned and turned to Tristan. “It seems wandering pack does nae suit you. You must have a name.”

  “I wish to be separated from my father’s name,” Tristan revealed. “I do believe it is something my lieutenants and I will discuss but for now, we are but wanderers.”

  “Very well then,” Gregor stated. “Mother, allow me to introduce to you the Alpha of the Wandering Pack and his lady wife.”

  “A great pleasure, Alpha,” the mother bowed. “We did nae ken there were other packs due to Marrock’s tyranny.”

  “We are a newly formed one, my lady,” Tristan answered.

  “He is the son of Marrock,” Gregor stated.

  “Son of Marrock?” the mother was indignant. “Are you going to murder us all in our beds then?”

  “Mother,” Gregor cautioned.

  “Nay my lady, I thank you and your son for your hospitality but I am nothing like my sire,” Tristan explained.

  “That is yet to be determined,” the mother said. “He is your blood kin is he no’?”

  “Aye, but so is my mother,” he went on. “And a greater female I have never kenned.”

  “I ken nothing of your mother nor her–.”

  “Ability to tame a
wolf such as my father?” Tristan offered.

  “Aye,” she sat in a huff and crossed her arms. “We donnae want any of his kind here.”

  “Mother,” Gregor warned. “They are my guests.”

  “And my father was alive…” she shook her head.

  “We pride ourselves on our highland hospitality even to our enemies,” he stated. “I am Chief.”

  “And a fine one you are, son but this? This is beyond reprehensible,” she went on. “How do we ken these men will nae kill us?”

  “You donnae,” Aedan began.

  “Aedan,” Weylyn’s gentle warning did not stop him. Slowly Aedan faced Gregor’s mother.

  “You accuse my Alpha of desiring to kill you when all we have done is come here seeking shelter. I myself have offered my services to your Chief. You have insulted my pack and that is a slight I take issue with. I have fought, bled and killed with and for my family. I will nae think twice to do so again,” Aedan spoke with soft but heated tones.

  The entire keep had gone silent and as if the birds outside knew there was something going on inside, they ceased their squawking. The only sound was the crash of waves against the rocks down below. Aedan held Gregor’s mother’s gaze for a long moment, then Tristan spoke.

  “Aedan, I thank you for your loyalty, but you have threatened the mother of our host,” he spoke low. “You will apologize or leave at once.”

  For a moment Aedan thought about apologizing, but his old life and his position of War Chief raised itself. He turned on his heels and left the great hall. Isla followed a moment later, then Weylyn. Tristan looked to Gregor who, surprisingly had no expression on his face.

  “Forgive my War Chief’s outburst,” he began. “He is protective of us all.”

  “He is a War Chief and a great one. Mother, you were in the wrong. You treated my guests as if they were enemies,” Gregor stated.

  “How do we ken they are no’?” she demanded.

  “We beg a few days of your time,” Tristan said. “We will nae bother you more than that. We should make our way to Skye.”

  “There is nae need,” Gregor stated.

  “I will nae have my pack suffer hostility due to my sire,” he said. “We will leave and nae bother you again. Thank you, Gregor for your hospitality.” At that, Tristan stood and nodded to Alexina and Eithne who left the dais with a curtsey to their host.

  Chapter

  Sixteen

  Aedan’s blood boiled, his highlander pride unquenched. The woman had dealt a blow to his clan, his pack, and he would not sit idly by allowing such a slight to go unanswered.

  “Aedan,” he heard his wife calling him but he was in no mood for her reproach and at the moment, he merely wanted to fight something.

  “Nay, Isla, my love I donnae wish to harm you. You must leave me be,” he said without turning.

  “I ken,” she answered. “I love you for your ferocity. I stand by you.”

  “Isla, step away,” Weylyn’s half-phased voice came from behind him. “Fight me, lad.”

  When Aedan was sure his wife was safely away, he half-phased and turned to his father.

  “You ken what I needed,” he said.

  “Aye,” Weylyn answered one side of his lip tugging up. “For I need it too.”

  Father and son nodded to one another and tackled each other to the ground. Cursing and slashing, they both let out their anger. After a while, a crowd had gathered around them. Bets were placed and Loeiza rushed to Isla who stood in the ring of people around the two.

  “What has happened?” she cried. “Why is Uncle Weylyn fighting Aedan?”

  “They are nae fighting,” Isla was quick to quell her fears. “They are sparing.” She flinched when Aedan slashed at Weylyn and caught his arm; tearing through the hide. “Harshly.”

  “But why?” Loeiza demanded.

  “I am afraid it was my doing, lass,” a man’s gravelly voice came from behind the two women. Immediately, they turned to see Gregor standing there. He looked over at Loeiza and stopped for a moment. “Gregor Sutherland, Chief of the Clan,” he introduced himself.

  “Loeiza,” she replied. “Sister to the Alpha and daughter of Marrock and Heledd.”

  “Then it is true what they say,” he went on. “The women of the wolf-kind are the most beautiful in all the world.”

  Loeiza swallowed audibly as she looked up at him. His dark brown hair fell in short cuts to the base of his neck and rested behind his ears. Light blue eyes were hooded behind dark straight eyebrows and a broad forehead. His jaw, covered in day’s old growth, was square, sharp and powerful. A straight nose like an arrow on his face pointed to his thin bow lips. He stood imposingly tall and broad in his tunic, leggings and plaid flung over his shoulder attached by a brooch with a Celtic spiral design. His eyes were hard on her but not in an unkind way and she had the feeling he was taking note of her as much as she was of him.

  “Enough!” Tristan’s bellow shook Loeiza out of her perusal of the mysterious man before her. Aedan and Weylyn stopped fighting and looked at their Alpha. Tristan walked down the steps of the keep, the crowd parted for him. When he reached his lieutenants, he spoke low. “We do ourselves nae service by this. We must think of our place. We are still trying to form a pack with immortals and druids. Donnae make it worse for us than it should be. I beg you both. Stay your claws for a few days. We will move on after that time. We must have a place for our women to stay in the heart of winter. A storm approaches, I feel it. Come now, Weylyn, Aedan join me, brothers.”

  Aedan took a deep breath and nodded. Once phased back to human form, he spoke to his Alpha.

  “’Twas my doing, Alpha,” he said. “I will apologize for my words to our host and his mother.”

  “But donnae apologize for saying them. You are my war chief, Aedan and your loyalty is more to me than our hosts liking us. For now, I ask you watch and listen. I do believe something is going on here. I donnae think they have told us the whole truth.”

  “You felt that too?” Weylyn asked.

  “Aye,” Tristan replied. “At the moment, we must be watchful.”

  “Alpha,” Gregor’s voice was near them and they all turned. “Forgive my mother, she has hatred in her heart for Marrock since her father’s passing. My offer for room and board still stands. Please accept it.”

  “Our thanks, Chief,” Tristan replied. “We accept but for a few days only. We must make our way soon.”

  “Very well, stay the fortnight offered,” Gregor countered and offered his hand for a warrior’s shake, which Tristan granted. “Come and bring the rest of your pack in so I may meet each of them.”

  ***

  One week passed and each morning Aedan would rise with the dawn, dress and meet the men of Clan Sutherland out in the bailey. Since the sparing session with his father, the clansmen were eager for his training.

  Weylyn caught Eithne as she left Isla’s and Aedan’s room that morning to refill a tisane to help with Isla’s morning sickness.

  “How does she fare?” he asked.

  Eithne shook her head. “She is sick and there is nothing I can do, the child is strong and is draining her strength,” she replied. “I fear for her.”

  “Donnae fear, lass,” Weylyn said. “You are a good friend to her but donnae fear. Was it no’ you who told me since she is immortal nothing could happen?”

  “Aye,” she answered remembering their conversation two evenings ago in their room. “Are you still all right with staying with me?”

  “You ken how tempted I am by you, lass,” he sighed. “But I cannae bring myself to leave our chamber. Even if…”

  “What?” she asked.

  “Nothing.” He answered.

  “Weylyn,” she placed a hand on his arm. “Something is preying on your mind. What is it?”

  “Aye,” Weylyn stated. “I just came from a meeting with Tristan and Aedan. We are needing our females to vouch for us.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.


  “No’ here,” he looked down the hallway. “Come.” Leading her down the hall to their room, he shut the door and bared it. “We have witnessed something in the bailey the last five days that has us concerned,” he said. “No’ all is as is should be. And I believe it involves someone close to us.”

  “Who?” she asked softly.

  “Loeiza,” he admitted.

  “Loeiza?” Eithne whispered. “Nay it cannae be.”

  “I hate to beg a female’s confidence from you, lass but for her safety I must be told. Has she said anything to ye, anything at all?”

  “We donnae speak often, she does nae trust me yet,” she answered. “But I have seen her speak with Alexina. Should I ask her?”

  “Donnae worry her,” he replied. “But if she says something to you, would you find me and tell me or Aedan and Tristan?”

  “Of course,” she answered. “Though I wish I kenned what it was you fear for her.”

  “It is more a fear for her being hurt, not hurting us.”

  “Oh gods, should I place a hedge of protection over her?”

  “Nay,” he answered. “But I ask you to keep your Female Intuition and perhaps your Second Sight connected with her? Do you see anything, lass?”

  Eithne looked over his shoulder and her eyes glazed over. Weylyn watched her as he always did when she reverted into herself and used her second sight.

  “Nay,” she answered. “I donnae see anything. It is almost as if I am being blocked.”

  “Blocked?” Weylyn asked.

  “Aye, it happens sometimes when druids have a protective covering over them. Has she ever met a druid who would do that?”

  “Nay,” he answered. “But perhaps it was nae her future that blocks you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I donnae ken, yet,” he answered.

  “Weylyn,” she breathed. “Are we in danger?”

  “I would never put you in danger, Eithne and the same stands for Tristan and Aedan, but something is no’ as it seems. We need our females to vouch for us that we were with them in case something goes awry.”

  “Then if asked I will say you are with me this evening,” she replied. “All will be well.”