“And I expect my brother to show respect in his sister’s home,” Oria retaliated.
“Remember that when it comes to my home,” Wolf said.
Oria pointed to a table to the right of her. “Join us or not.”
Wolf went to the table, his men following, and he whipped off his fur cloak and dropped it on the bench, then to everyone’s surprise he sat next to Raven, while his men made themselves comfortable at the other table.
Raven almost moved closer to her da when Wolf sat close enough to her for their arms to rest against each other, but she stopped herself. She wouldn’t show this man an ounce of fear even if he did send tingles of dread racing through her. She could feel his taut arm muscles through the sleeve of his dark wool shirt and could see the soft, leathery covering he wore over it fit his chest snugly as did the wool shirt. She feared his scent might be offensive but he smelled mostly of pine and campfire smoke.
“I can’t wait any longer, daughter, I must know what happened to you all these years,” Parlan pleaded.
Fear was something that had been a constant when Raven had first been on her own, but time had taught her how to face it rather than run from it. She turned to Wolf with a smile. “You must be curious to know as well, since you searched for me and failed to find me these last five years.”
She fought to keep the lump of fear that rose in her throat from enlarging when he turned his eyes on her. Never had she seen such intense dark eyes. They weren’t black, but one would think they were, they were such a deep brown color. They were eyes that lacked fear and were filled with self-assuredness. This man was confident in his worth, his skills, and his power.
“I am most curious,” Wolf said and held her eyes with his until she turned away.
“It’s a short tale. I dressed like a lad and joined a band of,” —-she paused and looked to her crew— “misfits. They taught me how to survive.”
“I’m grateful to all of you,” Parlan said with a nod to her men.
“How did you become their leader?” Wolf asked, fighting and strength ways of retaining leadership within his tribe. He also doubted that her tale was a short one. There was more to it and he intended to find out.
“When she proved herself wiser than us,” Clive said with a jovial laugh.
“Much wiser,” George agreed.
Wolf remained silent as talk went on around him, listening while he carefully kept watch on his surroundings. He had taken note when he first arrived at the way her crew of motley men stood ready to defend her. They were a loyal lot and he’d have to keep that in mind. They also obeyed her well and he wondered why. She had to have done something to win their loyalty, another mystery about his wife he intended to solve.
What had surprised him the most, though, was to see that she was far more beautiful than he had expected. One glance at her captivated the eye and held it, her features were that striking. It wasn’t a soft beauty she possessed but more of sharp angles and curves melded to perfection. Her pale skin was in direct contrast to her long dark hair that shined with a silky softness and had him wanting to reach out and touch it, a surprising thought. She was also taller than he expected, the top of her head reaching past his chin. It was difficult to tell much about her body, the shirt beneath her plaid a bit big for her. Her plaid was cinched tight at her narrow waist and from what he could make of her legs, they did suggest a slender build.
It would not be a chore to bed her—when necessary. But first there were things he needed to know.
Wolf reached for his tankard and swallowed the entire contents, easing the thirst that had plagued him. It was quickly refilled and he drank half the contents this time. He ate from the food offered, the flavor far better than he expected.
He caught his sister, Oria’s eye. She was a beauty, though opposite in coloring to Raven, her hair a honey blonde, her features soft, and she was shorter in height. It pained him to think of all the years they’d missed together, she having been abducted from their home when a mere baby and taken to Scotland and sold to William and Clare of the Clan MacGlennen. The couple hadn’t known she belonged to the Northmen and it had been a shock to him when he had discovered her here. Even though he had helped Royden save her life when she’d been taken captive by a man once loyal to him, she still didn’t seem to trust him or show any signs of truly accepting him as her brother.
“You feel well, Oria?” he asked, though she looked well enough.
“I do,” she said with a soft smile. “I am well and I am happy.” She turned a broader smile on Royden. “That is all due to the love I have for my wonderful husband.” She turned back to her brother, her smile fading. “That would not be so if he was to be taken from me.”
“Royden isn’t going anywhere,” Raven assured her and turned to face Wolf. “Your brother gave his word to honor the agreement. And I was told he is a man of his word.”
Wolf brought his face close to hers. “Unfortunately, your word couldn’t be proven as honorable, since you and your crew are nothing more than a band of thieves.”
Raven’s men shot to their feet before Royden and Arran could, and Wolf’s men did the same.
“Disparage her again and she’ll gladly make herself a widow, while we see to your men,” Clive warned and grinned at Wolf’s men, a little more than an arm’s length from their leader. “You’d never reach him in time. The knife she holds to his side will see to that.”
Wolf looked down, shocked to see the point of the blade nearly pressed to his side. He hadn’t even seen her move. “You better know how to use that, wife.”
“Trust me, I do,” she warned.
That her hand was steady and her startling blue eyes showed not an ounce of fear, told Wolf she’d use the weapon without pause. It annoyed him that he’d been caught off guard, and by his wife, and that she was skillful enough to see it done. He’d have to keep that in mind.
She raised her hand, signaling her men without taking her eyes off Wolf, and they sat. “I gave my word and I will honor it. Now you have proof of my word, since I could have easily killed you and between my men and my brothers your men wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“My warriors are far more skilled then your men,” Wolf said.
“Then how is it that one of my men holds a knife to one of your warriors?” Raven asked with a smug grin.
All eyes turned to see Wolf’s warriors glancing around, except one. He stood stock still, anger flaming in his eyes.
“He’s under the table, holding a knife between my legs,” the warrior said.
Arran laughed, though it did nothing to ease the tension. “I think your warriors have met their match.”
“Brod,” Raven called out and by the time she turned her head, Brod was back at the table, slugging down a tankard of ale.
Her men laughed and sat, refilling Brod’s tankard when he was done and returning to enjoy their food.
With grime faces, Wolf’s men sat and quickly reached for their tankards.
“It is good your men show me their skills,” Wolf said, his words measured so as not to show his anger. “They will make me fine warriors.”
That got Raven’s men’s attention, though they held their tongues.
“My men will be no warriors of yours,” Raven warned. “My men stay my men. Or did you forget?”
“Forget?” Wolf’s brow scrunched, then went wide.
“He remembers,” she said with glee that sounded far too victorious.
Wolf nodded. “You had protection for them put into the agreement with the proposal you offered. They remain free of my dictate and free to stay with you.”
“That’s right,” Raven grinned and reminded. “And you are a man of your word, so you say.”
Wolf stood and his men stood with him.
“Taking your leave so soon?” Raven asked, her smile remaining victorious.
“I’ll return,” Wolf said and stepped around the table and grabbed his cloak.
“See you tomorrow,
” Raven called out.
Wolf stopped and turned to glare at her. “You’ll see me tonight. I’m your husband and it’s your duty to share my bed—and that starts tonight. And since you are a woman of your word, I expect you will honor it.”
* * *
Highlander Oath Of The Beast
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About the Author
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Also by Donna Fletcher
Highland Promise Trilogy
Highland Oath (Prequel)
Pledged to a Highlander
Entrusted to a Highlander
Oath of the Beast
Cree & Dawn Series
Highlander Unchained/Forbidden Highlander
Highlander’s Captive
My Highlander
Cree & Dawn Short Stories
Highlander’s True Love
Highlander’s Promise
Highlander’s Winter Tale/Highlander’s Rescue
The Pict King Series
The King’s Executioner
The King’s Warrior
The King and His Queen
Also by Donna Fletcher
Macinnes Sisters Trilogy
Highlander’s Stolen Heart
Highlander’s Rebellious Love
Highlander: The Dark Dragon
Highland Warriors Trilogy
To Love A Highlander
Embraced By A Highlander
Highlander The Demon Lord
Warrior King Series
Bound To A Warrior
Loved By A Warrior
A Warrior’s Promise
Wed To A Highland Warrior
For a complete list of Donna’s titles, visit her website.
Entrusted to a Highlander Page 31