A Highland Werewolf Wedding - By Terry Spear Page 0,35

got to be in trouble,” Duncan said, pulling out his phone.

Once the car was out of sight, Cearnach nudged Elaine to come with him, though she seemed a little reluctant. He was certain she was unsure about meeting his family when she was kin to the McKinleys and Kilpatricks, and she could see none of them liked that pack.

He licked her face, and then she took a deep breath and ran alongside him as they headed for the gate where Duncan and the other men had turned around and had begun to stalk in the direction of the keep.

“Cearnach!” his cousin shouted from the left tower. “Hell, he does have the Kilpatrick’s cousin. If the little lady is her. Way to go, mon!”

Cearnach suspected his brother Ian would not be pleased.

Turning, Duncan grinned at him and then looked Elaine over. “Here I thought you’d stolen Baird’s bride. Instead, you’ve taken a Kilpatrick cousin hostage?” Then he grew serious and shook his head. “I knew that if you went to Calla’s wedding, you’d start a war between wolf packs. But I am glad to see you safe.”

Start a war? He had saved a wolf—a she-wolf—to his way of thinking.

Cearnach and Elaine trotted into the inner bailey, while two of the men shut and locked the gates as Duncan jogged to keep up with the wolves.

Barking in the kennel started up all over again. This time the wolfhounds let out happy barks welcoming Cearnach home.

“I just didn’t think it would be over a different she-wolf.” Duncan punched in a number and said into his phone, “Ian, we’ve got trouble. Cearnach just arrived home in his wolf form, no sign of his vehicle, and he’s brought Robert Kilpatrick’s she-wolf cousin home with him.” Duncan raised his brows at Cearnach.

“I know. I thought he had only male cousins. She’s definitely all female. Robert said Cearnach took her hostage. She was with Cearnach in the woods and didn’t make a move to go with her cousin, so I’ll let Cearnach explain what’s going on. He’s headed into the keep now. See you in a minute.”

Duncan opened the front door to the keep and followed Cearnach inside. “Glad it’s you and not me this time.” Then he smiled, the look pure evil.

Chapter 9

Walking into the great hall with Elaine at his side, her body pressing lightly against his, Cearnach wanted to protect her from his overenthusiastic kin. The heat from the fire burning brightly at the hearth warmed the air, but with the word quickly spreading through the pack of Cearnach’s return, his laird brother, Ian, met Cearnach, Elaine, and Duncan in the great hall. The large room seemed to grow hotter with every new body that appeared. Not to mention that Cearnach and Elaine were still wearing their wolf coats, damp as they were.

Voices and footfalls added to the chaos as the aroma of lamb stew cooked in red wine wafted in the air. He and Elaine turned their attention toward the kitchen, and he heard her stomach rumbling. He assumed she was as hungry as he was.

She stuck close to him and seemed bothered by all the attention they were getting. The word most likely had spread that Cearnach had trouble with the McKinley clan. And that she was one of them.

Their financial guru of a brother, Guthrie, was running to join them, speaking on his phone. “Yeah, Oran, bring the men in. Cearnach’s back safe. No car, though, and he’s a wolf. He brought a she-wolf home with him.” Guthrie raised his brows at Cearnach and grinned. “No. She’s not Calla. He’s brought a new she-wolf home. Talk to you later when we know more.”

A mob scene ensued, made up of his brothers’ mates, their families, his mother, his aunt, and cousins, as well as at least half of the pack crowding around. They made him appreciate having a family even more, and he realized just how much of a sorry excuse Elaine’s kin were to her.

She deserved a loving, caring, decent family. Everyone did.

The men looked like they were ready to grab their swords like Duncan had done, while the women appeared more worried about the she-wolf in their midst. They crowded in, inspecting her, making sure she had no injuries.

Cearnach wanted to take Elaine to his room so she could shift. But Julia Wildthorn, Ian’s mate and mistress of the manor, motioned to Elaine to go with her.

“Come, I’m sure we can find some clothes to fit you,” Julia said, waving