Page 132 of Evil Hearts

“Lachlan…?” she blinked, the last traces of her dream leaving her, before her eyes flew open, “Oh god! Lachlan! Wh-what are you doing here? What did I say?” she paled, “What did you hear?”

“There’ll be time fer that later, lass,” he whispered, clearly worried about something. “Have… have you seen Munro?”

She frowned, noticing something else in his gaze. He looked genuinely afraid—an expression that she would’ve thought impossible for his features before that moment—and she suddenly forgot about her own embarrassment and shook her head.

“No, not since you two left,” she admitted. “I fell asleep right after that. Why?” she asked, “What happened?”

“Munro ran off after I dragged him out of town,” Lachlan bit his lip, guilt trembling in his voice. “I just…I told him it was better we didn’t see you.”

“Oh… I see,” she looked down, her chest beginning to hurt at his words.

“L-lass, I didn’t mean it because I don’twantto see you,” he frowned. “The opposite, in fact. I can’t get ye out of my mind.”

“Then why wouldn’t you want to see me?” Katarina sat up. “I can’t get you out of my mind either!”

“Aye… it’s our paths, as well. And Munro…” he whispered. “Lass, I’m not the type of man to share my woman! When I look at ye I want to take ye, make ye mine! But I doona wan’ to fight my only brother.”

“What aboutmyfeelings?” she glared. “You never asked me howIfelt!”

She’d never felt so bold before, but it felt right.

“How you feel?” he looked up, confusion twisting his features. “How could you not want Munro?”

“It’s not like that! I mean, IlikeMunro,” she sighed, “but it’s so much more with you; so much more intense! It’s… different.I was so ashamed for feeling more for you than him, especially with how interested he’s seemed… but I can’t feel for him what I do for you!”

“It’s different…” Lachlan repeated. “Then ye want me;onlyme?”

“I do!” she smiled.

“Och, what I wouldn’t do to take ye right now,” he drew in a heavy breath and looked away with a frown. “But Munro…” he sighed, “I’m worried about him, lass. He’s never disappeared like this, even after a fight.”

“Then let’s find him together!” she smiled, throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweater.

“Thank ye,” he smiled. “And ye best be ready for after we find him. The things I’ll do to ye…”

She blushed and paused, staring into his heated gaze before turning her face away. If he continued to stare at her that way, there was NO way they were going to get past the bed. Lachlan took her hand and all-but dragged her out the door, hurrying with her out of the inn.

After searching the village and the outskirts, Katarina was beginning to worry just as much for Lachlan as she was for Munro. His gaze had grown desperate, wild with desperation, and his body had begun to tremble with a violent rage. She knew, even after such a brief time with them, how much they meant to one another. Lachlan loved his brother, and the worry was beginning to take its toll.

“He must be out here!” Lachlan growled.

“Lachlan, you have to calm down!” she whispered, running her hand along his shaking forearm. “We won’t find him if we—”

The therion’s head whipped around and faced off into the distance then, his nostrils flaring.

“What?” Katarina looked in the direction he was facing, “What is…”

Then she heard it too.

It would’ve been too faint for human ears—the softest rustling, but a heavy force driving it—but there was no denying that there was something moving in the distance.

Both of them were moving without a word, Katarina fighting to keep pace beside Lachlan. Every step that drove them nearer was rewarded with more heavy rustling, then labored breathing, then mumbling…

Munro’s voice!

“It’s him!” Lachlan bellowed, beginning to call out his brother’s name as they neared the site.

Then…

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