by Kenna McKay
They stripped and gave their clothes to Brochan before shifting. Ross alternated between sniffing the ground and the air, trying to track his mate. They turned left at the main road and followed it to the outer edge of town. The last farm on the right had been for sale the past year. The house and barn had fallen into disrepair, but his nose was telling him Mac had taken her there.
He lumbered up the drive and saw the car hidden in some brush near the barn. The chains holding the doors closed had been cut and hung loosely. One of the tigers shifted back to human and approached the doors. There was a whimper from inside the darkened barn. Ross was ready to barrel through the doors and do some damage, but Maddock held up a hand.
“One moment, Laird Fraser,” he whispered. “Let me find a window and see what we’re dealing with. I’ll report back in a moment.”
Ross fought the urge to go to his mate and waited impatiently for Maddock to return. When the tiger came around the side of the barn, he looked rather pale. He put a restraining hand on the barn doors.
“He’s been torturing her,” Maddock whispered. “It has to be below freezing out tonight, and he dumped a bucket of water over her head. It looked like he’d done it several times judging by the size of the puddle beneath her.”
Ross growled.
“Easy, laird. It looks like he’s bruised her cheek, but aside from that, she seems to be whole. I donae ken how long she can remain in the cold without taking sick or dying. He disnae seem to have a weapon on him. The element of surprise might be the best attack.”
Ross agreed wholeheartedly. He nudged Maddock out of the way, not even waiting for the tiger to shift. With a mighty roar, he burst through the barn doors, shattering them on impact. Mac gave a cry and backed toward the rear of the barn as Ross and the tigers approached. Not wanting to take another chance with his mate’s safety, Ross attacked Mac. One swipe of a paw ravaged the other man’s side.
The coward pissed himself and began begging for his life as Ross dealt the killing blow. As much as he would have loved toying with his prey a little more, getting Shay to safety was more important. Her lips were turning blue and she was deathly pale. Ross shifted back to human, and accepting his kilt from Brochan, donned it quickly.
“Shay, can you hear me?”
“I-I’m c-cold. N-not deaf.” Her teeth chattered, and her breath frosted the air.
He smiled a little as he accepted his shirt from Brochan. As much as he didn’t want anyone else to see her naked body, he needed to get her out of the wet clothes and into something dry.
“Turn your backs,” he demanded as he untied Shay and helped her stand.
As swiftly as possible, he undressed her and slipped his tee over her head. It wasn’t adequate, but it was better than cold, wet clothes. Lifting her into his arms, he walked briskly toward the waiting SUV in the driveway. Thankfully, Brochan had cranked the heat, and by the time they reached the castle, some of the color had returned to Shay’s face.
“Tell Alisdair, I appreciate the assistance, and I’ll call him tomorrow. Right now, I need to tend to my mate.”
Ross jumped out of the SUV with Shay in his arms and raced through the castle doors, barking orders for a hot bath to be drawn. He had no idea what she would wear once she’d been sufficiently warmed. While Shay soaked in the tub, he made arrangements for clothing. He hated leaving her side even for a moment, but he wanted to properly take care of her. A good mate provided for their soul mate. His bear needed to prove they were worthy of her.
He knocked on the bathroom door. “Shay, are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“I donae have clothing for you as yet, but I’m going to leave a clean shirt out here, along with a pair of my sweats that I’ve cut off. They should fit, or close enough for the night. By morning, I’ll have something better for you.”
“Thank you, Ross. For everything.”
He touched the door before leaving her to finish her bath. He stacked the clean clothes on the edge of her bed and closed the door behind him. If she wanted to talk to him, he’d listen. But until she requested his presence, he was going to give her some space. She’d been through a horrible ordeal, probably had thought she was going to die. For all he knew, she wanted some quiet time alone. Whatever she wanted, whatever she needed, he’d make sure she had it.
Ross did what any self-respecting bear would do under an undue amount of stress. He raided the kitchen.
He was on his fifth honey-dipped biscuit when Shay slowly entered the kitchen, almost as if she were afraid she wouldn’t be welcome. He nudged a chair out for her to sit, not wanting to make any sudden movements. Shay eased onto the chair and picked up a biscuit, nibbling on it. Her color looked much better, but there was a haunted look in her eyes.
“Do you want to talk?” he asked.
“He was trying to freeze me to death. He kept fetching water from the well and said he wouldn’t stop until icicles were hanging off my nose.”
Ross had a few choice names for Mac Craig. None of them fit for a lady’s ears.
“He said that he was going to leave me there for the animals to find.”
Dying had been too kind. Maybe he should have played with him a little more, made him suffer as he watched his guts spill onto the ground.
“But even when I thought you’d lost my trail, I held out hope that you would find me.” Her gaze lifted to his. “Do you know what I thought, when I heard you roar the first time, after I’d been thrown into the trunk?”
“What, lass?”
“I thought...my mate is coming for me.”
He reached out and took her hand, marveling at how soft it felt. “I’ll always come for you, Shay. Will you stay with me? Will you remain in the highlands as my mate?”
She nodded.
“We’ll need a human ceremony to appease the authorities and keep you here legally. I donae think they’ll care if you’ve been bitten by a bear. I can contact the Registrar in the morning and see if we can get things pushed through quickly. Being alpha, and a laird, has to have some sort of perks.”
“I don’t need anything fancy. A civil ceremony is fine.” She looked down at herself. “A dress would be nice though.”
“You’ll have it. Give me your sizes, including shoes, and I’ll have the local shops deliver some options for you in the morning. You can pick as many things as you want. Keep it all.”
She smiled. “Thank you, Ross.”
“You should get some sleep, lass.”
“Will you come upstairs with me? I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“I’ll sit by the bed all night if you wish.”
“Would you hold me while I sleep?” she asked.
“Aye. I’d be honored.”
He took Shay’s hand and led her upstairs. They climbed into bed and he held her close, hoping that it would be enough to keep the nightmares away. He would be surprised if she didn’t have any after what she’d been through. Mac had tried to kill her twice in one day. It was a wonder she hadn’t dissolved into tears. His Shay was strong. A perfect alpha’s mate.
No matter what might come their way, he’d never fail her again.
Chapter Seven
Shay stared at the simple gold band on her finger. Their morning had been a whirlwind of activity. First, they’d had to file paperwork for both their marriage and the immigration office. Then, somehow, Ross had managed to get them an appointment for a civil ceremony. She barely remembered it. Shouldn’t a woman remember her wedding day? Too often today she’d thought about the fact she almost hadn’t lived long enough to marry Ross. They were dismal thoughts to have on her wedding day, but last night had reminded her of her mortality.
“Ross, are shifters immortal?”
“Nay, lass. We live longer than most, but we donae live forever.”
“So, I’ll grow old and die, but you’ll keep living?”
“You’ll no’ get away from me so easily, sweet wife. When
I claim you, it will give you a longer lifespan. Most shifters die shortly after their mates do, having lost the will to live.”
“Will you claim me tonight?”
He tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you sure you’re ready for that, lass? We have our entire lives ahead of us. There’s no need to rush the claiming. You’re legally my wife, but I would never ask more of you than you’re willing to give.”
“I’m ready, Ross.”
He caressed her cheek. “Then it seems we have a claiming to finalize. How fast can you get upstairs in those heels?”
She grinned. “Faster than you.”
Before she’d uttered the last word, she took off for the stairs, squealing when Ross scooped her up and dashed up the stairs with her in his arms. Instead of going to the room she’d slept in the night before, he went to the door next to it. Her first glimpse of Ross’s room—their room—showed dark furniture and gray walls. She gave everything a cursory glance, focusing more on the large bed. The hand carved posts climbed toward the ceiling and the bed had been freshly made. The scent of clean laundry was in the air as he tossed her onto the mattress.
“Last chance to change your mind,” he said as he began unfastening the buttons on his shirt.
“Never.”
“Then get naked, wife.” He growled, and she watched as his fangs dug into his bottom lip. It seemed her sexy shifter was more than a little excited.
Ross had already stripped himself bare before she even had her dress unzipped. Despite the wild look in his eyes, he waited patiently for her to finish, his gaze devouring every inch of her. Shay reached for him, needing to touch him. Her fingers skimmed across his chest and down his abs. His skin was hot to the touch, and she wondered if it was a shifter thing.
“Lass, you can explore me anytime you want. As long as it’s no’ right this minute. I donae have much control at the moment.”
She fell back onto the bed. “Then come get me.”
With a growl, he pounced. His mouth ravaged hers as his hands traced every curve of her body. Shay couldn’t remember ever wanting someone so much. His mouth blazed a trail down her neck and across her collarbone. Her breasts ached for his touch.
“Touch me,” she begged. “Make me yours.”
Ross took the rosy tip of one breast into his mouth, sucking and licking until her toes were curling. Pleasure zinged through her from head to toe. His fingers teased her folds, lightly brushing over her clit. She gasped at the contact and arched into him. Ross sank his fingers into her wet channel and she couldn’t hold back her moans of pleasure. He stroked her slowly, letting the sensations build. Her body felt overly sensitive as he teased her other breast, taking the nipple in his mouth.
“Ross, please. I need more.”
He growled softly, the sensation making her clit throb.
All too soon he pulled away and she cried out at the loss. She watched as he sank to his knees beside the bed and pulled her closer, pushing her thighs wide. Hunger and lust burned brightly in his eyes as he looked his fill of her. His hot breath fanned across her thigh as he drew nearer.
Ross’s tongue traced her slit before he sucked her clit into his mouth. Shay fisted the bedding to keep from reaching for him. He sucked, licked, and teased her until she was begging for more. Shay was mindless with pleasure when he lightly bit her clit, sending her over the edge. It was the most intense orgasm she’d ever had and her legs shook from the force of it.
“Are you ready, wife?” he asked. “Ready to be claimed?”
“Yes. I want you, Ross. All of you.”
His eyes flashed golden as he came over her, bracing his weight on his arms. She felt his cock brush against her. Shay wrapped her legs around his waist, opening herself to him further. She could feel his muscles tremble from the effort of restraining himself.
“Don’t hold back, Ross. I can take whatever you give me.”
He thrust forward, filling her completely. Shay reached up, tangling her fingers in his hair, and pulled him down for a kiss. His fangs scraped her lip as he began a slow, steady rhythm. His strokes were long and deep, and she felt them all the way to her toes. Shay could feel another orgasm building, the feeling intense. Her body strained for release, but it remained out of reach.
“Hold onto me,” Ross said, his voice holding a hint of growl.
She wrapped her arms around him as he nuzzled her neck and then kissed her shoulder. She braced, knowing she was about to be marked and claimed. When his fangs broke through the skin on her shoulder, the pain nearly took her breath away, but it was quickly followed by a warmth that filled her until she was crying out in ecstasy.
Ross came with a roar that rattled the windows, then rolled them so that she lay across him.
Shay giggled. “If you do that every time, we might have to invest in better windows. I thought you were going to shatter the glass.”
“Now that would be a first. I donae think the housekeeper would be very pleased.”
“You do not usually roar during sex?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Lass, I have no’ once been tempted to roar. Being with you is different from anything I’ve experienced before. I’m sorry I had to bite you.”
“I was expecting it. And now I’m yours in all ways. Aren’t I?”
“Aye, lass. You’re mine by human and shifter laws.”
“So, how much rest do you need before you’re ready to go again?”
He laughed. “With you? Give me about two seconds. Be prepared to be thoroughly loved all night, lass. I’ll no’ let you out of bed until your legs will no longer hold you.”
“Promise?” She smiled.
“Aye. You have my word.” He paused. “Before, when we were talking about mating down in the kitchen, it seemed like you dinnae feel worthy of me. Why is that?”
“You want to talk about that now?”
“It seems important.”
“I grew up in a trailer park. I had nothing growing up, and didn’t have much more than that when I struck out on my own. You could have done so much better than me.”
“Nay, lass. My bear kens that you’re the one for me, and I always listen to my beast. He’s never been wrong before.” He kissed her softly.
“Getting to live here, in this beautiful castle, makes me feel a little like Cinderella.”
“As long as you’re my Cinderella. A castle seems like a paltry gift compared to what you’ve given me, lass. I’d build you a hundred more, if it pleased you.”
“You please me, Ross. I need you. Only you.”
“Then you’ll have me,” he murmured as he rolled them once more and claimed her all over again.
~ The End ~
If you enjoyed the character of Alisdair MacLeod, you can read more about Kenzy and him in Macleod’s Baby. The rest of the ambush, including Maddock, have stories in the Highland Shifter Tales.
If you enjoyed Laird Fraser’s Cinderella, I hope you’ll take a moment to leave a review.
About the Author
Kenna McKay is a lover of all things Scottish—especially men in kilts! There's just something sexy about Scotsmen. The Scottish burr, perhaps? Their rugged good looks? Maybe it's not just one thing, but everything combined into one mouthwatering package.
Kenna didn't start out wanting to be a writer, but she's loved the written word for as long as she can remember. Writing stories from a young age, it wasn’t until 2014 that she decided she wanted to be a published author.
If you’d like to hear from Kenna, when she has a new release, please take a moment to sign up for her newsletter.
Other Books by Kenna
Highland Shifter Tales series
MacLeod’s Baby
Sexy & Kilted
Tiger’s Claim
The Highlander’s Secret Baby
The Highlander’s Temptress
Kilted Wolves series
Ranald’s Mate
Her Billionaire Stepbrother’s Baby