Page 27 of Cree & Dawn and the Wolf

“You think another pack of wolves is seeking to claim Tiernan’s pack?”

She made a face he recognized that meant she wasn’t sure. “It could be humans who hunt them. But you heard a howl.”

She explained.

“I suppose it could be humans disguising themselves as wolves,” Cree said at his wife’s explanation. “But the wolves would certainly be able to tell the difference.”

Dawn nodded in agreement.

Cree stood, pacing in front of her. “This worsens our situation.”

Dawn scrunched her brow in question.

“If humans are hunting Clan MacMadadh and are successful, they will not rescue us… they will slaughter us, thinking we are part of the wolves.”

Dawn’s eyes turned wide, realizing her husband was right.

Cree continued to pace in silence and Dawn knew her husband’s thoughts, either way it was bad for them. They could be killed by wolves or humans and how could he possibly prevent either from happening?

Cree stopped pacing. “I need to talk with Lord Tiernan. You said Olwen told him there was someone there to speak with him. Maybe he received news.” He raised his hand to stop her from gesturing. “I know what you think, he won’t tell me anything. But if he knew that I would help defend the clan, he might think differently as well as securing our safety here. Presently, he has been generous to us and with Tade thanking me for helping him, it means his parents have taught him kindness. We know who we deal with here. We don’t know what might await us with others, wolves or humans.”

Dawn nodded, understanding the wisdom in her husband’s conclusion.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked when she stood, and her response had him agreeing. “I suppose you are right. You are safe in the Great Hall where others can see you instead of closed away here in the bedchamber.”

She gestured.

“That is a good idea to speak with the healer again and see if she believes if you have healed enough to take your leave.”

Dawn nodded, her hands continuing to speak for her.

“A healer does know much about what goes on in a clan. You may well learn something from her.” He went to her and took her in his arms. “It is good we have the start of a plan. We will leave here and make our way home. I will let nothing happen to you.”

Dawn smiled and patted her chest then his.

“You will take no foolish chances in defending me,” he ordered, but loved that his wife would do so as she had done in the past, which meant she would do it again. “No unnecessary chances, Dawn.”

She nodded to put him at ease, but, like him, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do to protect him and keep him safe.

A kiss sealed their commitment to each other, and they went to the Great Hall.

As soon as Cree spotted Olwen, he called out to her. “Could you summon the healer for my wife, Olwen, she would like to speak with her.”

“Aye, my lord,” Olwen said with a bob of her head and hurried off.

“Perfect, now I can get to Tiernan’s solar without Olwen alerting him to my arrival.”

Dawn shooed him off to hurry before Olwen returned and as he rushed out, she sat at a table by the hearth to wait for Lynall.

Cree gavea quick rap on the closed door before opening it, startling Lord Tiernan and the man inside. “I wanted a word with you but being you are already occupied, I will wait outside your door until you are done.” He was letting Tiernan know he would not be ignored.

“That is not necessary, Lord Cree. We are finished,” Tiernan said and turned to the man. “Do as I’ve ordered, and we will speak later.”

The older man gave a respectful nod as he passed by Cree. If the clan truly were a pack of werewolves, they were polite ones. Though he had seen politeness used as a ruse to trap people. Somehow, he did not get that sense from Clan MacMadadh.

“How can I help you, Lord Cree?”

“It is I who wanted to offer my help, Lord Tiernan. You have been more than generous and kind to me and my wife, and seeing how thick the fog is I can only imagine how difficult it must be to keep your clan safe from predators. So, I am at your service if you require any help in defending your clan.” A slight smile touched his lips. “Or to help find that little devil of a lad, Tade, since he went missing again?—”

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