“Oh Galbraith,” she sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “I am sorry.”
“I like it when you say my name, lass,” he replied softly. She looked up at him when she felt his kiss on her hair. Their eyes locked and she saw him slowly lean down to kiss her lips.
“Giorsal,” Weylyn’s voice came from the woods. They pulled back and Galbraith had his bow and an arrow notched before she could catch her breath. Weylyn walked out of the woods slowly. “What are you doing here, lass?” He asked sweetly though his eyes never left the lad.
“Galbraith, lower your bow,” she instructed. “This is my Uncle Weylyn.”
Weylyn turned his head to one side assessing the lad before him.
“Good marrow, lad,” Weylyn said. “I am Weylyn MacKinnon.”
Galbraith did not lower his bow completely until Giorsal rested a hand on his arm.
“Galbraith MacRae,” he introduced.
“The Chief’s son?” Weylyn asked his eyes drifting to Giorsal. She could not raise her eyes to her uncle. “An honor.”
“Giorsal has told me much of you,” Galbraith said. “It is my honor to meet you.”
“Has she?” Weylyn asked. His eyes turned to her and she finally looked up at him. “I must confess ’tis surprised I am to see you here, lass.”
“I said I was going to the loch,” she defended gently.
“Aye, you did,” he answered. “But you failed to mention this lad.”
“’Tis nae what you think,” Galbraith jumped. “I was here and just happened to meet her.”
“For two weeks? Quite the coincidence,” Weylyn said.
“You have followed me?” Giorsal demanded.
“You were acting strangely,” Weylyn replied. “Your father and I thought it best—”
“Father followed me?” She exclaimed. “I am nae a child, Weylyn.”
“You are and always will be his child, lass and I am looking out for you,” Weylyn stated.
“You cannae treat me like I am a child!” She cried.
“Then donnae act like one,” he snapped. “Lying to us? Do you nae ken that we are wolves? When one in our pack is dishonest we sense it.”
“You are all hovering over me! I cannae catch my breath! If Caylean were here, you would nae do this!”
“Caylean is nae here, and at least with him he is part of the pack, we ken who he is. This lad,” he indicated Galbraith. “Is nae kenned to us. What do you expect us to do?”
“Leave me to myself!” she cried and raced through the woods.
“Giorsal!” Galbraith shouted after her. “How dare you.”
“How dare I?” Weylyn’s eyes turned yellow. “You watch yourself, lad. You donnae ken to whom you are speaking.”
“You embarrassed her and now she is running from us both,” he shouted.
“I was nae the one about to kiss the daughter of the Alpha without permission!” Weylyn bellowed.
“That is what this is about?” Galbraith demanded. “I care for the lass.”
“You donnae ken her,” he answered.
“I would like to very much,” he replied.
“Nay,” Weylyn shouted. “You are nae of our kind.”
“And you stayed with your kind?” Galbraith yelled. Weylyn’s face darkened. “Aye, she told me all about you and your human mate. Your druid wife. Her parents. Everything. You cannae reprimand me about staying within our kind.”
“How dare you,” Weylyn breathed. “You ken nothing of me or my pack. You stay away from Giorsal or you will have me after you. You will nae see her again.”
“She is a grown woman; you have nae power over her!” he shouted.
“She is under my protection,” Weylyn yelled. “You stay away from us.”
“Nay I will nae,” Galbraith replied. “She means something to me. You cannae stop us from meeting.”
“I can and I will,” Weylyn answered taking a single step towards the lad. Galbraith stood his ground but the bow and arrow in his hands lifted slightly. Weylyn’s eyes caught the movement. “Did she also tell you that that will nae work on me? If I see you within sight of my alpha’s lands you will nae like what I do.”
“Threats, is it?” Galbraith demanded. “My father does nae take kindly to them.”
“Your father is a friend to the wolf, he will nae appreciate you tearing that friendship down because you cannae keep your wits about you in the presence of a beautiful lass,” Weylyn rationalized. “Now get off our lands and never come here again. Giorsal will certainly never be out without an escort again.”
Turning Weylyn had not reached the tree line before he heard the whizzing sound of an arrow. Twisting away from the incoming projectile, his body convulsed the same time the arrow sunk deep into a trunk of an oak. Half-phased, he raced to the boy and knocked him down. Standing over Galbraith, eyes yellow, body ready to fight, claws extending from his nails, Weylyn leaned in and took a long sniff of him.
“I always remember a scent,” his half-phased voice growled. “When we meet again, you will die.”
Galbraith said nothing as his body trembled and Weylyn smelled fear oozing from him.
“You made a wrong choice just then, lad,” Weylyn said. “I will tell you one thing that I am sure Giorsal omitted telling you. I am the grandson of the greatest alpha who ever lived and nephew to the second greatest. If needed I will take over for my Alpha, so donnae think for a single moment I will nae protect those I hold dear. You will leave Giorsal alone and will nae attempt to see her. If you go against me on this, I will unleash my true power and destroy any and all you love. Donnae tempt me to make good on my threat, lad,” he spat.
Before Galbraith could speak the heat of Weylyn’s body was gone. When he opened his eyes again, he was alone on the loch’s edge.
Chapter
Nine
Weylyn stalked into the wolf village his features still contorted in murderous rage. Something about that lad did not sit well with him. Aedan approached him before he reached the keep.
“I would nae,” he stopped him. “Giorsal came back and is nae speaking to anyone apart from saying she will never forgive you.”
“She is a child and needs to learn no’ everyone can be trusted,” Weylyn stated. Tristan walked over to them.
“Tell me what happened, Weylyn,” he asked.
Weylyn huffed a sigh and began explaining what had transpired at the loch. Tristan listened and nodded slowly.
“I truly appreciate you defending Giorsal, Weylyn,” he began. “I asked you to protect her before she was born and I ken you still do.”
“But?” Weylyn demanded. Tristan raised his hands in a calming gesture.
“But, that boy is the son of the chief,” he said. “Our alliance is tenuous at best. I truly wish you had let it happen and then come to me with the information.”
“And allowed him to kiss her? I am nae celibate, Tristan, I ken what could happen after a first kiss especially from one so innocent,” Weylyn reasoned.
“Aye, and if that had begun you would have had my permission to stop it, but Weylyn, our alliance with Chief MacRae is a necessary one,” Tristan said. “I will nae ask you to apologize for your actions for I believe them to be warranted but I will ask that Aedan join me in speaking with Chief MacRae and perhaps having Galbraith to dine with us as a way of getting to ken a lad who could possibly be someone my daughter cares deeply for.”
“You cannae be serious,” Weylyn demanded. “We ken who she cares for.”
“Caylean isn’t here,” Tristan replied. “I ken you are nae a supporter of this, Weylyn and I donnae ask you to be. But I ask that you respect our alliance and my judgment. If Giorsal cares so much for this lad ’tis perhaps time that we ken who he is. Aedan, will you join me?”
“Aye, Alpha,” Aedan replied. “Though I stand by my father’s actions.”
“As do I, but I believe for the good of the pack that we must make amends,” Tristan said. “I cannae think of what will make one or
two of my wolves happy, I must consider the wellbeing of all.”
Weylyn softened a moment and nodded. “You have become the Alpha your mother always hoped you would be,” he said. “Forgive my outburst.”
“There is nae need for forgiveness, Weylyn,” Tristan smiled gently at his dearest friend. “I thank you for protecting my daughter. Come now, my dear friend, let us go in to the keep and Aedan and I must prepare to meet the MacRae.”
***
“You asked to see me, father?” Galbraith MacRae entered the great hall of the keep seeing his father sitting in his chair with two men beside him. They all turned to him when he announced himself.
“Ah, Galbraith, my lad, come in,” his father, the old frail man called to him. “This is Tristan, Alpha of the Loch Alsh wolf pack.”
Galbraith froze. His feet would not obey his mind telling him to show no fear and continue.
“Be at peace, lad,” Tristan chuckled. “I am nae here to make good on my Beta’s threats, though I will nae apologize for him saying them. If I had seen you with my daughter, I would have assuredly removed your head from your shoulders.”
Galbraith stood tall and raised his head in a gesture of defiance. Aedan covered his laugh by looking down and pretending a cough.
“Come here, son,” Chief MacRae called. Slowly his son made his way to the chair. “Is it true you have been courting the Alpha’s daughter in secret?”
“Aye,” Galbraith replied. “I will nae deny it.”
“And have you acted upon any impulses you have?” his father asked delicately. The thought of his father asking him if he had bedded the lass was repulsive. But to placate the old man, he shook his head.
“Nay, she is still an innocent,” Galbraith answered.
“And had you planned on bringing her here or meeting with her father to seek his permission to marry her?” his father asked.
“Marry her?” he astounded.
“That is nae your intention?” Tristan asked calmly.
“Well, I,” he began. “I donnae ken. I – ehm – forgive me, Alpha, but why are you here? Your beta made it perfectly clear to me his intentions if I ever see the lass again.” The memory of a half-phased Weylyn standing over him and the hot breath from his mouth as he threatened him made Galbraith’s hand clench with the need to avenge his honor.
“Aye, he told me what he said to you,” Tristan answered. “But I am here to see if the bond has been irreparably broken or if amends could be made.”
“What sort of amends?” Galbraith demanded.
“Easy, lad,” his father soothed. Suppressing his eye roll, he looked at Tristan.
“Giorsal is very fond of you,” Tristan explained. “She has refused to speak with anyone. My wife and I believe it is because she is lonely. Her companion, my War Chief’s son,” he indicated Aedan. “Has been away across the sea in Erin for two years and I believe she misses him greatly. You have become a surrogate of sorts.”
“I am nae filling in for someone else,” Galbraith bit.
“Nay, perhaps that was unfair of me,” Tristan answered. “In attempted recompense, I invite you and anyone you deem necessary to join my pack for dinner tonight.”
“For dinner or be the dinner?” Galbraith spat.
“Galbraith!” his father disciplined. “Show respect to our guests.”
“Nay nay, ’tis well within the lad’s rights to ask such a question, chief,” Tristan said. “I invite you as my guest to join us for dinner.”
Galbraith thought a moment. It was the opportunity he needed. When his fool of a father dies, he would become Chief and he would kill them all. Abominations!
“Aye,” he said softly. “I would appreciate your hospitality. Will Giorsal be there?”
“Aye, she will, and I will even offer to have her sit beside you,” Tristan answered.
“I thank you,” Galbraith said. “I would accept.”
“And do you require a friend or another warrior to accompany you?” Tristan asked.
“I need no protection, Alpha,” he answered his tone spiteful. “I am perfectly capable of defending myself against any enemy.”
“I hope you donnae think of us as enemies, lad,” Tristan said.
“Nay,” he answered quickly. “Merely a precaution. I refuse to remove my weapons when I enter your gates.”
Tristan hesitated for a moment. Glancing over at Aedan, who nodded once, his War Chief had a strategy to combat the possible threat they sensed.
“Aye, that would nae be a problem,” Tristan said. “We shall see you at gloaming, then.” Turning back to the Chief, he bowed slightly. “I thank you for your hospitality, Chief MacRae.”
“May this be put behind us as quickly as possible, Alpha, for I rather enjoy your company and the goods you supply to us,” the chief answered.
“And we appreciate the friendship you have offered,” Tristan stated. “May your house live long and be well blessed.”
“And yours, Alpha,” he answered. “Guards,” he called. “Show our esteemed guests out and give them several of cook’s rosemary breads and a flagon of whisky.”
“Father that whisky costs us a great deal to produce,” Galbraith whispered harshly.
“Donnae question me, lad,” his father answered.
Tristan and Aedan bowed their thanks and left the keep waiting in silence in the bailey as the guards gathered the food and drink their chief had ordered.
***
As soon as they were alone, outside MacRae’s gates, Tristan turned to Aedan.
“What do you think of the lad?”
“To answer that I need to ken, do I answer that as a member of your pack, your War Chief, or your friend?” he asked.
“I would hope your answer would nae be affected by which way you approach it,” Tristan replied. “You are always my friend, member of my pack and War Chief.”
“Then I say, I agree with Da’, the lad is someone we should watch and one we cannae trust,” he answered. “We must keep a close eye on him.”
“And his desire to keep his weapons on his person? Have you a plan to keep our pack safe?” he asked.
“Aye, a formation of one,” Aedan confided. “I will explain on the way, but for now, pass the whisky, Tris, I must get warm.” Winking he stretched his hand out for the jug. Tristan laughed and passed it to him.
“Warm, my arse,” he replied.
Chapter
Ten
“You are leaving?” Giorsal gasped when Caylean had told her of his intention to journey across the sea to Erin. They were at their usual place. The boulder looking out over the loch.
“Only for a couple years,” Caylean answered. “I will return.”
“But I donnae understand,” Giorsal wailed. “Why would you be leaving us?”
“I am nae leaving you,” Caylean replied.
“But you are!” Giorsal cried, tears streamed down her cheeks. “You are leaving me!”
He pulled her to him and placed her head on his chest.
“I will come back for you,” he murmured into her hair. She pulled back and gazed up at him.
“Promise?” she hiccupped. Wiping her cheeks of tears, Caylean leaned in. Just before his lips skimmed hers, he whispered.
“I swear it to you, lass.” Pressing his lips to hers in a soft gentle kiss, he knew that he was home. Swearing to return for both their sakes, Caylean pulled back and gazed into her eyes. Glassy with emotions and tears, she had never looked more beautiful to him. But she could never remember their kiss. Placing his fingers on either side of her temple, he closed his eyes and wiped her memory of their moment of intimacy.
***
Caylean opened his eyes and looked out across the loch. Their boulder behind him, he remembered their last conversation and the promise he made her. At the time, clearing her mind was the only thing that would save her from heartbreak but he remembered it every lonely night or every time the gods decreed he show his worth by bedding the druid women in the grove.
Two years of training, rigorous training with Dagda had promoted him to the highest level possible. Only one out ranked him. Dagda. Whenever he thought of home, he longed to return but time grew and his training continued. Two years, six moon cycles and three sunrises had passed since he had seen the sights before him.
“Caylean!” he heard his father’s voice call. Turning, he smiled widely when Aedan rushed towards him. Meeting him half way, they embraced tightly thumping each other on the back. “Och, lad ’tis good to see you.”
“And you, da’,” Caylean replied, taking a moment before he pulled away to take in his father’s familiar smell; peat, pine and fresh rain. A lump grew in his throat. “I have missed you.”
Needing the assurance his firstborn had returned, Aedan allowed his son to hold him a little longer.
“Aye and we have missed you,” he said. “I have missed you,” he clarified. “Duncan said he saw you on his run. Why did you nae come to the keep immediately?”
“’Tis sorry I am, da’,” he answered finally pulling away. “I had to see this view. I have waited over two years to see it again.”
“Aye, ’tis beautiful,” Aedan replied. “But come now, son, everyone wants to see you.”
“How are they?” he asked falling in step with his father.
“Everyone is well,” he answered. “Alexina and Tristan had their child three moons after you left. Your mother and I have another child as you ken from the last time we spoke and Eithne and Da’ are expecting their sixth. They just made the announcement so they probably would have liked to have told you themselves.” Aedan sucked his teeth in unease.
“I will feign surprise,” Caylean smiled. “I am glad for them.”
“And Giorsal is well,” Aedan said knowing his son would never ask but wanted to know.
“I am glad,” he whispered.
“A young human lad, the chief’s son has caught her eye,” he went on. “We are expecting him this eve for dinner.”
Caylean said nothing but his fist shook, the air changed around them and the area grew darker.
Midnight Sky (The Wolf's Bane Saga Book 3) Page 15
