De Wolfe in Disguise: De Wolfe Pack Connected World

by Jennifer Siddoway

  He clicked his tongue while maneuvering the horse over to her. As he approached, she slowed her horse.

  “The lands here are beautiful,” Rebekah told him. “I’ve never been beyond the marches, but the mountains are simply breathtaking.”

  Leonidus looked out to the scene she’d been admiring. “The landscape changes throughout the region. In the winter, this path is almost inaccessible as it is completely covered with snow. I agree though, there is nothing quite like the view from here on the mountainside.”

  “Do ye come this way often? I imagine ye must travel a great deal within the service of the De Wolfes.”

  “On occasion,” he admitted. “Though most of my time is spent on the border, or in Questing.”

  She pursed her lips in thought before responding. “Do ye miss yer family? It would be hard to be away from them so often.”

  “I’m without a wife,” he informed her, sensing that was the information she was truly after.

  “And what about the travel? Wouldn’t it grow wearisome after a time?”

  Leonidus shrugged as he eased back on the reins to give his horse a brief reprieve. He was acutely aware of his own men holding back along the path and giving him and Rebekah some privacy. A swell of gratitude rose inside him. “On the contrary, I enjoy the freedom it allows. I’ve seen things and been places I would have never had the opportunity to otherwise.”

  “I should have liked to travel,” she responded dreamily.

  He nodded. “This will be quite an experience for you, stepping out from beyond the marches.”

  “It is,” she agreed. “I miss my father already…and Henry. I’m actually quite anxious about what will happen when we reach Rule Water Castle.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s hard to explain. I’ve heard of the De Wolfe family all my life, the valiant defenders of the English border…now that I’m faced with the prospect of actually meeting them, I’m terrified. What if I dinnae please my future husband? What if I’m an embarrassment?”

  “Who are you worried about, your intended?”

  Rebekah’s body stiffened. “Nae…the lion.”

  “Atticus,” Leonidus clarified. “I can understand that, he does have a formidable reputation.”

  “Is any of it true?”

  “He has a bit of a temper. But it is almost always reserved for the defense of the ones he loves. Atticus is fiercely loyal, and once you join his family, he will adore and protect you, too.”

  “But what if he doesna approve of me?”

  Leonidus quirked an eyebrow at her. “Do you think he would allow you to marry his son if he did not approve?”

  “What are ye saying?”

  “Lord De Wolfe has already given his blessing to your union. You have nothing to be afraid of. His son is a lucky man to have you,” he told her softly.

  She smiled. “That’s kind of ye to say.”

  “I mean it. You’ll be a fine lady in the De Wolfe household.”

  She took a deep breath and said, “I hope so. What can ye tell me about my future husband?”

  After clearing his throat, Leo asked, “What do you want to know about him? If he has a handsome face? I’m afraid I’d be a rather poor judge of that.”

  Rebekah laughed. “I meant to ask whether he is kind. How does he treat his men? Is he just and fair?”

  Surprised by her question, Leonidus drew back for a moment and then nodded approvingly. “I-I’m very content, your ladyship.”

  “And ye are fond of the De Wolfes?”

  “They are a part of who I am. I cannot imagine a life without them. As far as your future husband, there’s not much to tell. He’s a warrior, my lady. He has great skill in battle and spends most of his time serving the militia.”

  “I suppose that’s to be expected,” Rebekah mused. “But there must be something else ye can tell me.”

  Leonidus tried to decide what he could tell her. He didn’t want to give her false expectations. “He is very much like his father in a lot of ways. He values honor and family above all else.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “Then we are kindred spirits,” she responded. “I value family and honor also…but I also value kindness and laughter. My greatest hope is that there will be love and laughter in our home.”

  Leonidus smiled. “Lady, the more you speak, the more I am convinced you and your future husband will be happy together.”

  “Why do ye say that?”

  “The De Wolfes are a very large and powerful family to be sure, but they are also very close. Your hopes and dreams are one and the same.”

  “And what about ye?” Rebekah asked him. “What is it ye wish fer?”

  “I can think of nothing better. It is the simple things like family that make life worth living.”

  “Thank ye, Leonidus. You’ve given me hope. It is a small comfort to ken that I’ll at least have one familiar face in the castle. Otherwise, I would be terribly lonesome.”

  Taking hold of his reins, Leonidus smiled and continued down the winding mountain path.

  Chapter Nine

  Rebekah stared at the road ahead, it twisted through a narrow opening between the mountains. The brilliant autumn colors made it look as if the entire hillside was ablaze. She was perfectly content to ride with Leonidus and enjoy the view while continuing their conversation. He was the silver lining to her entire life being upended. Her heart was glad to know there were such kind people among the De Wolfe household.

  Such a kind man would not be working fer a monster, she thought to herself. There were sure to be others as well.

  As the horses trotted along, she looked over at Leo. “How much longer till we make camp? My legs are getting sore.”

  He glanced up at the sky and then back to her. “There are a few more hours till nightfall, my lady. But if you need, we could stop to rest.”

  Her smile widened. “That sounds wonderful.”

  “It will have to be after we’ve made it through the pass, though. It’s a prime location for raiders.”

  “Raiders?”

  Bentley, who was riding just ahead of them, shifted in his saddle and glanced back. “Yes, lady. Sometimes robbers will hide in the trees above and set upon unsuspecting travelers.”

  Rebekah blanched. “That’s horrible.”

  “You needn’t be afraid,” Leonidus told her. “I highly doubt anything will happen, but I like to be prepared.”

  She nodded in acknowledgement and cast a wary gaze toward the trees before continuing on. They rode for several more minutes before her horse stepped on a fallen tree branch, snapping it.

  As the crunching sound echoed, she could almost feel the beast shudder in fear. The mare shook its head and stamped the ground, refusing to go forward.

  “Easy,” Rebekah tried to soothe the animal.

  Suddenly, the horse reared and she was jolted back in the saddle. She was almost thrown, but managed to right herself.

  Lottie gasped from the cart beside her and reached out protectively. “Hold on, lady! The horse is spooked.”

  “Whoa, there,” Leo chided while riding up to try and help.

  “Someone help her!” the maid cried out in terror. “The lady almost fell.”

  Leonidus was about to respond, when out of nowhere, his horse’s ears pricked up.

  The other warriors were on guard instantly and started backing up toward them. Everything was deathly quiet as Leo and Caius scanned the trees. They glanced at one another briefly before unsheathing their swords, and Rebekah knew they had trained for such a moment.

  “Stay here,” Caius commanded her. “Something’s wrong.”

  “I don’t believe this,” Bentley groaned. “I can’t go anywhere with the two of you without getting into trouble.

  Rebekah’s heartbeat quickened as her eyes flitted across the trees. The wagon had come to a halt while the men investigated. Lottie clutched the silver crucifix around her neck and said a prayer.

  Lady Maxwell gulp
ed as she glanced over at her. “Dinnae worry, Lottie. I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  Lottie nodded, while staring back at her wide-eyed.

  Rebekah wasn’t sure if she believed her own words but decided to keep calm unless the circumstances changed. She felt uneasy looking at the trees, and a part of her wondered if there could be a sinister plot afoot.

  Caius, Leo, and Bentley formed a protective circle around the women and their horses, with the wagon in the center. The warriors’ bold reaction did not ease her discomfort, if anything, it made it worse. She suspected the men clearly knew something she did not.

  “What’s happening?” she asked them quietly.

  Leo silenced her immediately by holding a finger to his lips. “Shh…”

  Before she could respond, a cry rang out and an arrow whizzed past her and imbedded itself in a nearby tree.

  “It’s an ambush!” Leonidus cried. “Men, take your positions!”

  As they all drew their swords, she could hear the rumble of footfalls thundering on the hills–raiders. The horse she was riding backed up and started stamping the ground. When it reared a second time, Rebekah cried out in surprise. “Ahh!”

  “See to the horses!” Leonidus ordered.

  The moment her horse landed on the ground, she leaned forward and grasped its neck. She knotted her fingers into the horse’s mane and glanced around for anything useful she could arm herself with.

  The band of thieves came pouring out of where they’d been hiding in the trees, and Lottie’s prayer grew louder. Once they were in sight, Rebekah recognized their colors—the Johnstones. Blue and green tartans were draped proudly across their chests, and a frightened gasp escaped her lips. The De Wolfe soldiers held their position bravely, and once the Johnstone raiders fell on them, a loud clashing of swords rang out.

  Rebekah watched in terror as the battle took place right beside her. Her gaze darted between the warriors and she began to panic. The noble De Wolfe soldiers who had been so kind to her… Leonidus…they were fighting to protect her. Her heart wrenched at the thought of anything happening to them. They were putting their lives at risk for a lass they’d only met the day before. Their bravery struck her as the truest form of chivalry. She knew if one of them should fall, she would never forgive herself.

  Rebekah could barely make out what was happening. She glanced around frantically, trying to catch sight of Leo, but couldn’t find him anywhere. He was kind and good, and she wanted more than anything to see him make it out alive.

  Please, let him live, she begged.

  Eventually, she found him engaged in a fight. Her stomach clenched with fear, but it quickly became apparent Leo was far superior in both strength and skill. He could wield a sword easily, and barely had to change stances in order to defeat the Scottish foe. The power in which he swung the blade was truly formidable.

  Rebekah had seen her brother fight many times, but watching him spar in the courtyard with his friends was nothing like this—this was deadly. She was relieved when Leonidus gained the upper hand, and she could breathe easy for a while.

  Aye, he does have strong arms, Rebekah thought. And strong hands…

  Rebekah’s initial fear from the encounter became something different as she found herself wanting more. Something powerful rose up inside her, but she could not identify it. All she knew, she wanted Leonidus safe and for his arms to be wrapped around her.

  Lottie screamed as one of the Johnstone men managed to break through the line. The man had already climbed onto the wagon and was coming toward the maid. The De Wolfe warriors must have noticed him as well, but they were already fighting, and could not get to her in time. He threw Lottie off the cart, and she landed with a painful groan before his eyes settled on Rebekah. Her blood ran cold as he came toward her. His face was twisted into a sneer as he approached her.

  Rebekah gripped her reins and pulled back on them, screaming, “Nae!”

  She tried to ride off, but there was no clear path for the horse to travel. As she was trying to figure out what to do, the man jumped onto the horse behind her. No amount of screaming or resisting could break him off. She fought against him with all her might, but his arms wrapped around her like a vice. The harder she fought, the tighter his grip became.

  “I’ve got ye, Maxwell whore,” the man hissed into her ear.

  “Let me go!”

  As the he held her captive, he took hold of the reins and charged the horse out of the fighting. In her peripheral, she saw Leonidus turn at the sound of her voice. Within the blink of an eye, they were riding off into the trees. She screamed as loud as she could for the only person she could think of. “Leo!”

  Leonidus called after them, but she couldn’t see anything beyond the thick trees. The man’s arm held tight around her waist, and Rebekah’s mind raced through a hundred different scenarios of what was going to happen when the horse came to a halt.

  Would he try to ransom her? Hurt her? For all she knew, they could be planning to send her back to Castle Caerlaverock in pieces.

  “Where are ye taking me?” Rebekah asked.

  “Shut up,” he snapped at her.

  Over the sound of the galloping mare, she could hear hoofbeats getting closer. The wind whipped through her hair as she turned and saw Leo riding Shadow frantically through the trees behind them. Rebekah faced forward once again, and thought back to when Henry showed her a technique of how to escape an attacker.

  “Use yer elbow, aim low into the gut.”

  Henry’s words still echoed in her ears, and it made her miss him all over again, thinking how her brother was protecting her even now beyond the grave. She pictured the movement clearly in her mind and listed off the steps to remind herself before taking any action.

  Low…into the gut, she repeated silently. Ye can do this.

  She would only get one chance, so Rebekah took a deep breath and gathered all her strength. In one giant shove, she threw back her arm and elbowed the man in the stomach. He loosened his grip momentarily as he let out a pain-filled cry, and she ripped herself free before crashing to the ground.

  She landed hard on her shoulder. “Ahh!”

  A jolt of pain shot through her as she crawled over to the side of the path. The man who had abducted her, cursed furiously and drew back the reins on the horse. It reared up and turned back, its hooves crashing down toward her threateningly. Rebekah’s eyes grew wide as she averted being crushed. Then suddenly, Leonidus came galloping up beside her.

  “You will not be taking her!” he announced, while brandishing his sword.

  The man sneered at him as he drew his own weapon. “And I suppose ye’re going to stop me?”

  Rebekah panted as she scurried behind Leo’s horse. The man charged him, but Leonidus stood his ground, sword already sweeping down to meet him. She watched them exchange blows, by the way the Johnstone was desperately trying to block Leo’s sword, it was obvious who had the upper hand. Leonidus was an expert swordsman.

  With a final, sweeping blow, Leo managed to disarm him.

  The man held up his hands. “Go on and take her, she isn’t worth the trouble.”

  Leo growled and took a defensive position in front of her. “Who sent you?”

  “They’re Johnstones,” Rebekah told him.

  Recognition and understanding crept into Leonidus’s features, and she noticed his jawline tighten. “You were after the girl…”

  A wicked grin spread across the man’s face. “Aye. We heard about the Maxwell lad getting himself killed. Without their alliance, Laird Johnstone saw an opportunity. We cannae have that ruined by getting the De Wolfes involved.”

  “You go back and tell your laird that if they attack the Maxwell lands again, they will deal with the full wrath of the De Wolfe family. We will take it as a personal insult to his son’s new bride.”

  “Why do ye care? She’s just a wee lass.”

  Leo sneered at him and gestured up toward the hills. “I suggest you leave
the horse and disappear before I change my mind about killing you. Now, go!”

  The man spat at him and then dismounted before running off into the trees. As soon as he was gone, Leo climbed out of his saddle and knelt beside Rebekah. His eyes were soft as he cupped her cheek. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded shakily and gazed back at him. “I’m so sorry, Leonidus. This all happened because they were after me.”

  He cradled her face between both hands. “You have nothing to apologize for. I was the one who encouraged Caius to take the higher path, so really, the fault is mine.”

  Rebekah’s heart thudded harder than she’d ever felt before. There was nothing she wanted more than to throw herself in his arms and let him hold her until they were safely back with the others.

  “It doesna matter whose fault it is. Ye came fer me.”

  “Of course, I did. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

  As he brushed her hair aside, Rebekah noticed his sleeve was stained with red. “Leo, ye’re bleeding!”

  He glanced down at it and shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”

  She was about to respond when Caius came riding up. “Leo! Lady Maxwell! Thank God you’re safe, we’ve been looking everywhere.”

  “One of them tried to take her,” Leonidus growled.

  Caius frowned, but nodded in response. “Yes, I assumed as much. It’s a good thing you were there to see it, or who knows what could have happened.”

  “Are either of you hurt?” Bentley added.

  Leonidus waved him off and helped Rebekah to her feet. “All is well. It was a reckless attempt on their part, which means the Johnstones must be desperate. The sooner we get back to the Wolfe’s Lair, the better.”

  Rebekah watched him climb back onto the saddle and then offered her his hand. “Come, ride with me back to the wagon. Daniel can retrieve your horse. I’m not letting you out of my sight for a single moment.”

  She smiled and gave Leo a gentle nod before placing her hand in his and letting him pull her up onto the horse, in front of him. As she slid onto the saddle, Rebekah could feel the warmth of his body against her back. When he gripped the reins by wrapping his arms around her, she could feel the muscles in his stomach flex.