Corrigan Fire Bloodfire - Helen Harper Page 0,70

fainted and not yet re-awakened.’

I tightened my jaw. As much as I hated to admit it, he spoke sense. I started to move away, then, making sure that Anton wasn’t about to do anything stupid, I called out a caveat. ‘You are very demanding when you want to be, Anton. I hope that the Way has chosen a true alpha for Cornwall. I would hate to spend more time down here babysitting you.’

It was a cheap move but I needed to know he’d look after Mack despite his apparent dislike of her. Anton needed to know he was trusted. It was the only way he’d rise up and fill the very big shoes both Julia and John had left behind. But where Mack was concerned I wasn’t going to take any chances. He wouldn’t dare try anything now. I looked over at her. She seemed very small and very vulnerable.

Take care, Kitten, I told her gently. Then, before I changed my mind, I pivoted round and took off.

***

I could have used the Voice to make all the necessary preparations for Mack’s arrival while staying beside the portal. I knew instinctively, however, that everyone waiting back at the keep needed to see for themselves that everything was finally going to be alright. Therefore, I hotfooted it back through the forest, springing into action when I arrived.

To a man, the Cornish shifters and the Brethren were all in the main hall – the same one in which I’d first addressed them all. The relief on everyone’s faces was only matched with joy when I told them that Iabartu was dead and this catalogue of misery and woe could be laid to rest. I gently pushed aside the fervent messages of congratulations and focused on the doctor.

‘We need a room now. In fact, use the one I’ve been sleeping in.’ At least that way I could keep a close eye on her. ‘Make sure there are plenty of bandages, clean water and medicine. Mack collapsed on the way back and we need to look after her.’

He bobbed his head, immediately setting to work. I followed him, stripping the bed of its sheets so I could re-make it with some fresh ones. I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. I’d just finished smoothing down the pillowcase when there was a ruckus downstairs. Realising that Anton must have returned with Mack, I sped down. When I spotted him alone, however, my insides went cold.

‘Where is she?’ I demanded.

The other shifters around him took several steps back. He cleared his throat and met my eyes. ‘Mackenzie recovered by the time we emerged from the portal. She has decided that this would be a good time to take her leave.’

There were several stunned gasps. Somehow, however, I got the feeling that the shock amongst the Cornish shifters wasn’t as great as it should have been.

‘What do you mean,’ I growled, ‘by take her leave?’

He shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. There was an edge of nervousness to his movements, however. ‘It’s no secret we’ve never gotten along. She’s decided it’s time to leave Cornwall and make her own way in the world.’

‘I had questions for her,’ I ground out. Not least why on earth Iabartu had been so hell-bent on getting hold of her in the first place.

‘Then I apologise, Lord Corrigan,’ Anton said with a stiff bow. ‘Mackenzie is, and always has been, her own person. She never took to the strictures of the pack particularly well.’

I clenched my fists together. What I really wanted to do was grab him and do whatever it took to get to the real truth. He was lying – I was sure of it. First, however, I had to be sure that Mack was really alright. I whirled away, back up to the bedroom. The instant I located her with my Voice, sharp relief flooded through me.

You’re running away.

I have to, she sent back.

She was scared and I didn’t know why. You don’t have to just join another rural pack, Mackenzie. Come to the Brethren. I swallowed down my own desires in order to be the bigger person. Your boyfriend is joining us, after all – you won’t be alone.

When she didn’t answer, I sat down heavily on the bed. I suddenly knew what she was doing. I couldn’t let her. You’re not joining another pack, are you? You’re going rogue.

Silence bounded back at me but she was still there. She was still listening. I desperately tried another tack.

You know