WolfeStrike (De Wolfe Pack Generations #2) - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,50

father. Both men had lost their lives in battle. Katheryn and Alec thought long and hard before naming their last child after two dead men because that particular name seemed to be cursed within the Hage family. But they finally decided that curses could be broken and the dead uncles needed to be honored.

So far, this Christian Hage hadn’t seen any trouble.

Though young at twenty years and five, he was mature and seasoned beyond his years, as all Hage knights were. He had his grandfather’s size, with enormous shoulders and a muscular body, but he had his mother’s honey-colored hair and emerald eyes. There was no shortage of female admirers for Christian Hage.

“Greetings,” Tor said as he reined Enbarr to a halt. “How is my fortress?”

“Well,” Christian said. “And its commander?”

“Well.”

The smile on Christian’s face faded. “I heard about de Featherstone,” he said. “You should know that Uncle Blayth and Isabella are here.”

Tor looked at him in shock. “Here?” he repeated. “What on earth are they doing here?”

Christian sighed heavily. “All I could get out of Uncle Blayth is that he wanted to talk to you,” he said. Then, he lowered his voice. “Ronan told him that you killed Steffan.”

Tor wasn’t intimidated. “Because he tried to kill Alexander,” he said. “I was defending my half-brother.”

Christian held up a hand to ease him. “I know,” he said. “I heard everything. Ronan is here, too. I think he came so his father wouldn’t be too angry.”

Tor’s eyebrows lifted in disbelief. “Angry for what?” he said, incredulous. “He blames me for this fiasco? He should thank me. The things I have heard about Steffan de Featherstone since that time are unsavory at best. Even his father apologized for the man’s behavior. Where is Uncle Blayth?”

“In the apartments,” Christian said. “But he has probably heard the sentries. Mayhap you should go to him before he hunts you down.”

Tor rolled his eyes, but the point was taken. He removed his saddlebags before Enbarr was led away and handed them off to Christian.

“Put those in my chamber, if you will,” he said. “I will find our loving uncle and discover what kind words of praise he has for me.”

It was a sarcastic remark, one that had Christian grinning as he headed off to do Tor’s bidding. Only Tor wasn’t grinning.

He was bracing himself for what was to come.

The apartments of Blackpool were built into the northwest corner of the bailey, a two-storied building that had four rooms on each floor. The keep was large and powerfully built, but it only had one giant chamber on each floor and the previous lord of Blackpool had twelve children. He needed somewhere to put them all.

The chambers were comfortable and well-built, and whenever there were visitors at Blackpool they were always housed in the nice, cozy chambers of the apartments. Tor had the apartment block in his sights as Ronan spilled from the entry.

Tor wasn’t so sure he wanted to speak with Ronan if the man had blamed him for Steffan’s death. His cousin was going to have to do some fast talking.

“Tor!” Ronan called out, heading in his direction. “How did it go with Gilbert de Featherstone? You told him about his son?”

Tor came to a halt. “I have a better question,” he said. “What did you tell your father, Ronan? Why is he here?”

Ronan tried not to look too guilty or apologetic. “He asked,” he said. “I wasn’t the only one who told him the truth. Alec told him, too, and…”

“Tor!”

They both turned to the apartment entry in time to see a lovely young woman emerge holding the hand of a big, battle-scarred man. The young woman was waving at Tor happily, finally letting go of the man and rushing to Tor for a hug.

“Bella,” Tor said, kissing her on the cheek. “It is a nice surprise to see you, lass.”

Isabella Anne de Wolfe was genuinely a sweet girl who looked exactly like her grandmother, Jordan, had in her youth. With big green eyes and a sweet smile, she was a beauty. She also looked a lot happier than Tor had expected given she’d just lost her fiancé.

“Father wanted to talk to you about Steffan,” Isabella said, holding Tor’s hand. “We heard what happened, that he fought to escape the de Wolfe pack. Ronan said he tried to kill Alexander.”

“That’s enough, Bella.” Blayth de Wolfe was close enough to hear the conversation. “I will speak with Tor alone. You and Ronan go somewhere else and make yourselves