Page 71 of Wolf Pack

“Aye. We believe the same.”

She touched his temple. “How is your head feeling?”

“Better. ‘Tis good we are wolves.”

“Aye. You’re no’ upset with me for no’ telling you about Ari sooner?”

“Nay. I love you.”

“As I love you.”

The next thing she knew, Alasdair kissed her, whispering in her ear, “Are you ready for me to tell the pack we’re mated?”

She smiled, stretched, and kissed him. “Aye, let’s do it.”

Then they dressed and hand in hand, went down the stairs to the great hall.

She was anxious about how the pack members would receive the news. Even though she could fight any battle, winning people over in a pack was different.

Bessetta quickly headed straight for her,forgetprotocol, and hugged her. “You are my sister now. I’m so thrilled. You will teach me all you know about fighting.”

Some of Isobel’s anxiousness melted away from that little gesture from Bessetta. Isobel said, “I will.”

She looked around to see where her brother, cousins, and the MacEachens were. None of them were there.

“My family isna here. Neither are the MacEachens.”

“They are probably late in arriving.” Alasdair squeezed her hand with reassurance, but then Lorne rushed into the great hall.

“Agnes rode Isobel’s horse here. There’s trouble at the croft.” Lorne’s face was red with anger, and Isobel worried something had happened to the children, or Dawy even.

She hurried off to speak to Agnes, Alasdair right beside her.

Hans, Rory, Erik, and his brothers all raced out after them.

Looking flushed, Agnes was breathing hard, sitting on steps, trying to catch her breath, tears filling her eyes. “They said…they said they would take the children and kill Conall and Leif if you dinna come. A man named Vigge said you were his, and he’d take you home. He didna care about the rest. He only wants you, but he knew you wouldna come unless he threatened them.”

“I will kill him,” Isobel said.

Alasdair said to Lorne, “I want twenty of our warriors.”

“You will have mine as well,” Erik said.

“And mine,” Baldur said, joining them and overhearing the demands.

Alasdair told Rory, “You are in charge of the castle and our people until we return. Shut the portcullis after we leave.”

“Aye.”

Then, everyone hurried off to retrieve their weapons, including Alasdair and Isobel.

“I want to go with you,” Agnes said.

“Nay.” Isobel grabbed her hand before she entered the keep. “You stay here, be strong. We’ll bring them here for safekeeping and kill the brigands before we’re done.”

In truth, Isobel would give herself up to Vigge just so her family would be safe. Did she trust him to keep his word? Not one bit.

“I know what you have on your mind,” Alasdair said as he and Isobel raced up the stairs to his chamber.

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