Chapter Thirteen

Morning light drifted through the open window, alighting upon the long, trim leg draped across Alex's waist. The fire had long since burnt out. Crisp air chilled his lungs. He could see his breath with each exhale. Still, he did not feel cold. Cora's body warmed him to his core. What's more, all he had to do was think of the night before and heat coursed through him. She had been wild with the strength of an animal kept just beneath the surface. They had preyed on each other's bodies, loving the other without restraint.

She stirred beside him. He snuggled close, savoring the warmth that came off of her in constant waves. Her lids lifted and sleepy blue eyes looked up at him. He smoothed her tangled, golden hair away from her porcelain skin. She had the face of an angel, the strength of a predator, the soul of a saint, and the passion of a woman unleashed.

"Dear God above, but I love ye." The words fell from his lips as naturally as the breath that followed.

She threw her arms around him, squeezing hard. "I love ye, too."

The might of her arms choked the breath from his lungs. "A bit too hard," he blurted, straining to say the words.

"Forgive me." She loosened her grip. "I forgot."

He arched his brow at her. "Ye forgot that ye could likely break me in half."

Blushing, she said, "I could. Does that bother ye?"

He shook his head, pulling her warm body fully onto his. Her breasts pressed against his chest. "Ye're a miracle, my miracle," he said, growing serious. He stared into her sky blue eyes and then slowly kissed her with all the love and desire he felt pulsing though him.

Her skin burned, beckoning his touch, but he drew away. "I want to savor every inch of your body. But first, I must replenish my strength to keep up with yours." He sat up, taking her in his arms, and then he swung his legs off the side of the bed and cradled her.

"Will ye come downstairs with me?" he asked.

A spark glinted in her eye. For a moment he thought she would join him, but then she shook her head. "Nay, my love, not today. Forgive me, but I'm not ready."

He smiled and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I'm a patient man." Then he set her on her feet and crossed to his wardrobe. From inside, he withdrew a sapphire blue tunic. He turned with the dress draped over his arms.

"I had this made for ye when ye first arrived." He set it on one of the chairs near the window. "There it shall remain. And when ye're ready, ye can dress and surprise me one morning in the great hall."

Cora touched the fabric, a soft smile curving her lips. "I love it." She threw her arms around his neck. He cupped her face and looked her hard in the eye. "Ye've made me whole," he breathed. Then he kissed her long and hard. Tearing his lips from hers, he set her away from him.

"Truly, if I do not eat, I am going to fall flat on my face."

She helped him dress, tying the inner cord of his plaid tightly around his waist. Then she buckled his belt around the outside and draped the extra folds over his shoulder. "There," she said. "Go be laird, but do not forget about me."

He smiled wickedly. "There's no magic strong enough to will ye from my mind, not after last night."

He turned back when he reached the door. "Shall I have your things moved here until your door can be repaired?"

"Nay," she said.

He turned away not wishing her to see his disappointment. If she were not ready to leave the comfort of her room, he would not force her.

"I can move my own things."

He looked back at her with unconcealed surprise.

"And ye need not rush to have the door fixed. If ye don't object, I want nothing more than to share this room with ye."

His heart raced. Crossing the room, he kissed her, slowly at first and then deeper. "Food can wait," he said and tossed her on the bed.

THAT NIGHT CORA FOLLOWED Alex again down the staircase to the hidden door. This time, however, he joined her as they both stepped out into the night. She allowed him to lead her to the stables where he showed her the progress they had made since her coming. She stayed just inside the gates, fearing the wolf within her would make the animals nervous, but she admired how Alex managed them. The horses strained to reach him, leaning out of their stalls. Even the barn owls swooped down to be closer. Cora could not blame them. She wanted nothing more than to disappear in his arms. His presence alone chased away fear.

She laughed when he flinched. One of the owls had flown down from the rafters to make a nest of his thick, black hair. "Is there something on my head?" he asked, straight-faced. Her laughter rang out. She forgot herself and crossed the stables. Standing on the tips of her toes, she plucked the owl from his head and opened her palms to set it free. But instead of flying away, it jumped to her shoulder.

"Ye've made a friend," he said.

She smoothed the bird's soft feathers against her cheek. "I've not had a friend for a long time."

Promising to return, she blew kisses to the animals before following Alex outside. They crossed the courtyard arm and arm. All was quiet. Everyone slept but for the garrison who kept watch atop the tall battlements. Passing through the front gate, he led her up the steps of the keep. She had not been inside the great hall since the morning they arrived. Fresh rushes lined the floors, mingling with the scent of lavender. She could not hide her delight when she saw her tapestries lining the walls. The chairs and tables were crafted of sturdy oak, but she noticed none of the pieces were painted or adorned with fabric.

"Ye could use a woman's touch in here."

He ran his thumb down her cheek. "All in good time."

Her arms stretched to reach around his neck. She lost herself in his exquisite eyes. He kissed her, tenderly at first, but then it deepened. Their hearts thundered in her ears as he pressed the back of her thighs against one of the long tables.

"Not here," she said when she felt him tug on her skirt. "I've not seen any of your servants since I arrived, and even then I do not believe I spoke a word to anyone. I would rather their first real impression of me at least be dressed."

"The tour is over then." He brought his arm under her legs and carried her beyond the high dais and up the stairs to his rooms where he made her forget all about being lady of the keep.

THEY LAY WITH LEGS entwined. Alex's even breaths calmed her soul. She loved to watch him sleep. She leaned over to press a kiss to his lips but then froze. She sat up and trained her ear toward the hidden door. Someone had just entered from the outside. Her heart pounded. Feet padded up the stairs. Her head jerked back to Alex. She considered waking him, but then she changed her mind. In the end, she was stronger, faster, and naturally better armed than her beloved.

Easing from bed, she tiptoed toward the door. She froze, catching the intruder's scent. It was unmistakably that of a wolf like her. She dashed toward the door and jerked it open. The intruder retreated. She raced down the stairs. Reaching the empty landing, she kicked the door open and stepped out into the snow. Only strides away, stood a man. He was tall, taller even than Alex with the same coal black hair. His shoulders stretched broad and bare. A plaid hung low on his hips and his bare feet sunk into the snow.

"Who are ye?" she said.

"I would ask ye the same question, but I believe ‘tis safe for me to assume ye're my brother's new wife."

She gasped. "Ye're Murdock?"

Alex's brother was a wolf?

He eyed her, his head cocked to one side as he closed the distance between them. He did not stop until their bodies touched. She stared up into his luminous blue eyes that glowed with an inhuman light.

He cupped her cheeks in his large hands. She had to meet his gaze. He gave her no choice. He resembled Alex with his strong jaw. His appeal might have been undeniable were it not for his eyes. They mirrored darkness. The weight of his troubled heart surrounded her. He was hard. Despite how she searched, she could find no trace of joy in his eyes. He leaned close, causing her to tremble, and pressed his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. Her breath hitched when he stepped closer still and the hard strength of his body pressed against hers. His heart beat strong and even in her ear, and his scent surrounded her with its male potency. She felt his hot breath on her skin and shivered though she felt no cold. He shifted his head then, once more looking down at her. His hand stroked down her cheek with a gentleness that surprised her.

"Ye're goodness," he whispered.

Tears suddenly burned her eyes. His sorrow filled him soul-deep. He jerked back, and mimicking his older brother's habit, he raked his hand through his long black hair, turning his broad back to her. The strength of his body made her shiver. As strong as she was, she knew Murdock was stronger. She searched her mind for something to say, but her lips were dry. Fear of his unthinkable power kept escalating in her mind. Unable to read him like she could normal men, she could not tell whether his heart was good.

Free of his grasp, she took a step back toward the door. But he flashed past her, blocking the doorway with his large frame.

He scowled down at her. "Alex doesn't know."

She couldn't breathe. Her heart pounded in her ears. If only she could grab hold of his shoulders and toss him away like she could any other man. Once more, he raked his hand through his hair. He looked down at her. Now, only worry clouded his eyes. "I don't want Alex to know."

His anxiety softened her heart. What he wanted from her was clear—her silence.

"I am your sister now." She squared her shoulders, trying to appear in command. "Your secret is safe."

She turned away. He was too much for her, too intense. She pushed through the doorway, mounting the stairs. But then curiosity got the better of her. She turned back and peered out the door spying a massive, black wolf where the man had stood, a bunched plaid discarded at his paws.

"Ye should tell him," she said, catching his luminescent gaze just before he launched forward off his hind legs. Seconds later, he stood at the outskirts of Daonnan Forest. He turned back and looked at her once more before he disappeared into darkness.

She climbed back into bed beside Alex and held him close. He stirred in his sleep, wrapping his arms around her.

"Are ye alright?" he whispered.

"Aye," she said, relieved his human senses could not detect the lie on her lips.

She laid awake all night thinking about Alex and Murdock and how she wished Murdock had the courage to face his brother. Eventually, she must have fallen asleep because she awoke to an empty bed. Judging by the sun it was time for the morning meal.

Her glance shifted to the window. Draped across the chair was her sapphire tunic. She rose and grazed her fingertips over the deep blue wool while she breathed deeply Alex's scent.

"Hypocrite," she said out loud. Alex had asked for her trust and still, like a coward, she hid, locked away from the world, no different than Murdock. She took a deep breath. Love was stronger than fear. She tore her worn kirtle over her head and pulled on the fresh clothing. Smoothing the folds into place, she found the belt he had left for her embossed with the MacKenzie coat of arms.

Throwing her shoulders back, she took a deep breath and opened the door, striding out into the hallway. She would be caged no longer—this time she would choose life.