The Black Wolf

by Fela Dawson Scott

  Dwight rolled over, the stones that cut into his back making him grumble. It had been a long while since he had slept upon the ground, and he longed for the comfort of his own bed. When sleep did come, dreams plagued him, causing Dwight to rouse and stare at the night sky that peeked through the canopy of trees. Visions of Kolyn haunted him even when awake, and restful sleep was not easy to come by. "I'll have you yet, my Kolyn. I'll not be denied what I've been promised."

  That said, he once again closed his eyes, though sleep never did take his thoughts from the MacGregor. Anger warmed him when the cold, forest earth should have chilled him. Like a criminal, he crept into the village, hiding his face from any who might recognize him. He no longer wore the MacGregor plaid with pride no colors graced him at all. He was a man without a clan, without a family. Without Kolyn. "I'll not be denied."

  Dwight knew if he was patient he would find an opportunity. Then he would have Kolyn. Until then, he would continue to follow her, to watch her. Then he would seize her. She would learn that Dwight MacDougal was not a man to be scorned.

  Well, so far we haven't heard a peep out of our MacGregor. Do you think she actually took to heart what I said?"

  Geoffrey looked up from the pint of ale he studied. He shrugged. "Could be, Ian. She'd be smart if she did." Silently, he prayed she had. He felt guilty. He had discovered who Kolyn MacGregor really was and had not told Ian. Many times he thought of their meetingof her soft voice, her heather scent, her flaming red hair. He couldn't blame Ian for having fallen for her when she was here. No man could be immune to such beauty.

  Kolyn's tears had haunted him, tearing at his tough warrior heart, softening him to the point of weakness. Was she really disappointed he had not killed her? What made her so sad? "You certainly have been a moody sort lately, Geoff. What's been on your mind?" Geoffrey pulled his thoughts back from the dangerous ground they were on. "Moody? Me?" Geoffrey feigned hurt, trying to change the subject. "And what about you, my friend? Sulking about like a wounded puppy, you are. It's time you forgot the woman."

  This brought a frown to Ian's face, where only moments before a smile had lurked. "I can't, Geoff." "Why not?"

  Ian ran his hand over the night stubble of his chin. "I don't know." Geoffrey asked the one question he had avoided. "Do you love her?" Dark eyes looked at him, filled with emotion Geoffrey rarely saw, causing his own guilt to magnify. "I think I do love her." "You lads are much too serious-lookin'," Leslie said, interrupting their conversation. "You need another drink." She turned to Ian and slid onto his lap. "Perhaps you need Leslie t' put a smile on your face?"

  Ian pushed her from him with gentle persistence. "Not tonight, Leslie." Leslie's lower lip pouted, and she leaned forward, slowly unbuttoning her blouse to allow Ian a better view of her breasts. "I know Leslie can make you feel good, Ian," she whispered huskily. Something caught Ian's eye and he reached out to touch it. He noted Leslie's smile as his long fingers plied between her breast, but her smile disappeared when she saw he was looking at the ring she wore on a string about her neck.

  "What's this, Leslie?" She shrugged and tugged on the string to get the ring back from Ian. "Just somethin' I found." "You found this?" He had not intended his words to sound doubtful. Leslie's look turned nervous. "Aye, I

  found it. Do you want t' buy it?" Ian nodded and produced enough coin to prompt Leslie to take it off. He turned toward the fire for better light. He recognized the ring of the MacGregor. Leslie giggled and put her money away. Satisfied, she turned to leave.

  "Where did you get this, Leslie?" "I told you. I found it." She sounded defensive. "Where," Ian repeated, trying to be patient, "did you find it?" "It's mine. I had a right t' sell it." Leslie backed off a step or two, and Ian gentled his look as well as his tone. "It was yours. Now it's mine, and you get to keep the money, Leslie. I just want to know where you found it."

  "What's the matter, Ian?" Geoffrey too felt Ian's change of mood. A dangerous mood. He reached out for the ring, and Ian placed it in his hand. Leslie spoke up. "That girl . . . Lynn. She left it behind. Hid under her bedding. I figured it was mine since she never came back for it."

  "Lynn," Ian said. Geoffrey stared down at the ring of the chief of the Clan MacGregor. Bloody hell.

  Ian didn't say anything else. He just stood and left. Geoffrey followed right behind. "What are you goin' to do?"

  Ian stopped, his hand resting on the pommel of his saddle. "I suspected it was she when the storeroom was robbed, but I've known for certain since the day we rode to Gregor Castle. Yet I still don't know what to do.''

  "You knew?" Geoffrey's shock was apparent. Then he laughed. "What's so funny?" Ian frowned, but Geoffrey's laughter did not stop. "You bloody well could have told me. I've been feeling damn guilty about not telling you."

  "Then why the hell didn't you tell me?" Ian tried to be angry with his friend but couldn't. Then he too laughed. Long and hard. "That woman has turned us both into fools."

  Geoffrey agreed, but a seriousness claimed his good nature. "She did what she thought she had to do." This brought Ian around to face Geoffrey straight on, his gold eyes questioning. "What do you mean?"

  Geoffrey swallowed hard, not liking the feelings inside him. It was strange for him to take her side against Ian's. But he would not back down. "Damn it, man. She did no less than you or I would do in the same situation. This feud has been laid upon her. Look at her lands, they're in sad condition. The lass knows nothin' but hate. What do you expect from her?"

  "I would expect her not to sleep with me to kill me." "You look unharmed to me." "She tried three times to kill me, and you think that's all right?" Ian looked fierce. "She's a persistent lass, I'll say that." The fierceness vanished, and Ian laughed. "Bloody persistent!" "Aye." Geoffrey laughed with him. "And mighty comely too." Ian turned serious again. "I can't get her from my mind, Geoff. She lives with me day and night, every blessed minute."

  "Go see her, Ian." "And say what? She's made a fool of me. She's made a slave of me! I no longer have control of my will. I'll be damned before I go see her." Geoffrey did not reply, but let Ian think of his own foolishness.

  "I'm already damned," Ian said finally.

  Chapter Twenty

  The fire had burned low, and the room lay cast in shadows and darkness. Kolyn did not move to stoke the fire. She sat huddled in her chair. Waiting. It was clear to her now what she had to do. She couldn't stay. Emmett was mad. Where she would go, what she would do, she didn't know. Only that she must go.

  Tears started fresh, her thoughts moving to Andrew. She couldn't risk taking Andrew with her. It would be difficult enough without him and to take him would place him in danger. He would be safer with Father McCloud.

  Determination swept through Kolyn, and she brushed her tears away. She had cried too much lately. It was time to take her life into her own hands, to stop Emmett.

  Kolyn stood and picked up the small tapestry bag she had packed earlier. Second thoughts, even now, and fear caused her tenacity to lag, but she drew a deep, cleansing breath and crossed to the door. She opened it. The hall was dark and quiet. She stepped out. Instantly, her heart began to pound against her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

  Each step seemed to take forever, the long hallway going on and on. The stairwell loomed before her, the single torch on the wall sconce casting shadows over the stone steps. Her legs were shaking and threatened to buckle as she stepped down, but she worked her way along using the cold wall as support. She reached the bottom, the huge double doors of the back entrance only a few feet away.

  Slipping through the entrance, she carefully made her way through the castle grounds to the village, each noise, each shifting shadow, each imagined danger stretching her nerves to the edge. Kolyn slipped past the cottages, her heart stopping when dogs barked in alarm. She thought she would never make it through the village, the manor, and small cluster of stone homes.

  One last glance over her shoulder and she bid all she had known in her li
fe farewell, then ran across the open meadows and disappeared into the safety of the forest. Taking a moment, she crouched down to gather her thoughts and catch her breath. She pulled her plaid tighter about her shoulders, the chill that shook her from the fear in her heart, not the night's cold. Kolyn closed her eyes to think. To decide what her next move should be.

  "You should not be wandering out alone, lass. 'Tis dangerous." Kolyn started at Dwight's voice, his presence the very thing she feared. She tried to gather her courage and wits. "It seems my home has turned into a prison. I thought it best to leave, Dwight. Do not stand in my way." He laughed, the sound sending a chill over her. She looked for an escape. "There'll be no one t' rescue you this time, Kolyn."

  Suddenly, anger saved her from the fear. "I need no one to rescue me, Dwight."

  "I've risked much, lass." His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "I'll not leave without you." "You will," she said in her most defiant voice. "Now." "I cannot." A thousand thoughts rushed across her mind. He was no longer reasonable. She didn't know what to do. She studied his face, obscured by darkness. Yet she saw enough to see the emotion etched upon it.

  "Do not do this," she said softly. Pain filled his eyes. "I'll not hurt you, lass. I love you." "Dwight," she choked out, "you are hurting me more than you can ever imagine." "I'll be good t' you and you can learn t' love me." It was a statement, yet Kolyn heard the question in it. He wanted her to say she could love him. "Never," she whispered. Dwight stepped closer and grabbed her by the arms. "Do not say that."

  "Never," she said louder. "Never!" His grip tightened. "You can love me, Kolyn. You will."

  Dwight leaned down, his lips seeking hers. Kolyn turned away, but his hand caught her chin and forced her to look back at him. His eyes were angry. "Do not turn away from me again." "Or what?" she challenged, refusing to give in to her fear.

  He forced his kiss on her, but she clenched her teeth against his searching tongue. When he finally intruded into her mouth, she bit down. Dwight yelled and pulled away. Kolyn shoved him with all her strength. He stumbled back. She tasted his blood. She ran. It was too dark to see, the cloud-covered moon giving little to no light to guide her. Instinct placed her steps, taking her away from Dwight. Suddenly, arms reached out and pulled her off her feet. A hand clamped over her mouth to keep her cries silent, a strong arm held her securely.

  Dwight ran by, then stopped, standing so close she could hear his heavy breathing. He looked about, staring right into the darkness that hid Kolyn from him. She struggled against the man who held her, but to no avail. After a moment, Dwight went on.

  The man lifted Kolyn and carried her away. They came to a horse and he whirled Kolyn around. Before she could mutter a sound, he stuffed a filthy rag into her mouth, then tied her hands. He lifted her into the saddle, then climbed on behind her. As they rode back through the village Kolyn tried to get a look at her captor. She twisted around, but his face was cloaked in darkness by the hat he wore, the brim pulled low over his brow. He forced her back around.

  When they arrived in the MacGregor courtyard Kolyn became confused. Then afraid.

  She was hoisted upon his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She kicked and screamed, but to no avail. The man took her inside and up the stairs. He put her down and untied her. As soon as her hands were free she swung at the man, his hat flying off as he ducked her fist. She stilled when she saw his face.

  "Did no' think you'd be seein' me, Lady MacGregor?" Kolyn snapped her mouth shut and tried to gather her composure. "No. I guess I hadn't." "He's been quite informative, dear sister." She turned to her brother. It shouldn't surprise her so that he was the culprit behind this whole matter. She chose to say nothing to him. He just smiled at her silence.

  "How fortunate for me that Donald came to our village, and even more, that he saw you. He was very helpful so I asked him to stay. He's already proved quite useful, wouldn't you say?" Again, she did not reply. "You interfered in me business an' took me dog." "Yes," Emmett drawled. "Donald wasn't very happy about that, Kolyn. Perhaps next time, you'll think twice before you interrupt a man doing business."

  "It's not a business!" Kolyn felt her anger return as she thought of the poor dog and the abuse this man gave him. "It's a cruelty, and he should be whipped for his treatment of animals." "Bloody bitch," Donald sneered, stepping closer to her. Kolyn moved away, but found herself trapped between her brother and his new conspirator. She turned to Emmett.

  "Tell him to get out," she demanded. He did not. He patted the bed for her to sit beside him. She sat. Emmett took her hand into his, his touch surprisingly gentle. "You ran away. I told you not to." The hair on the back of Kolyn's neck rose. She tried to pull her hand back, but he held her tight, though he made no attempt to hurt her. She did not trust he wouldn't.

  "You give me so little choice, Emmett. I fear your madness." "Madness?" he said, his voice soft, belying the hard anger that filled his eyes. "Aye," she whispered, wishing she had not said it. Emmett looked at Donald, who stood close by. Too close for Kolyn's comfort. "She thinks me mad." His and Donald's laughter echoed about the room, mocking her, robbing her of what little composure she had. She stared down at her lap, unable to face the madness that consumed her brother.

  "What should I do with you, Kolyn?" He reached out and cupped her chin, forced her gaze to meet his. "You know I must teach you a lesson." She swallowed hard, trying to think, but couldn't. She blinked back tears, refusing to allow herself to cry. "You needn't worry, brother. I can see now it was hopeless to try and run. I'll not do it again." This made him grin, but his head shook back and forth anyway. "I know you won't try it again, but that's not enough. You must pay for your actions."

  A loud ringing in her ears deafened her, and she fought the terror that rose inside her. "What . . ." Her voice faded. "What will you do?" "What do you suggest, Donald?" Kolyn too looked at the man, waiting for his answer. He was a coarse, ugly fellow, something she hadn't noticed upon their first encounter. She had been too engrossed in saving the dog to pay much attention to the man's appearance. But now she did. His slow smile made her cringe.

  "I could beat her," he offered, his hand clenching into a fist as he thought of it. He licked his lips as if the mere thought brought him pleasure and delight. The grip on Kolyn's hand tightened. Slowly, Emmett pulled her closer. His breath was hot on her face and she thought she would be sick.

  "Should I let him beat you?" She knew he really didn't expect an answer, so she gave none. Kolyn concentrated on keeping her fear under control. Emmett whispered in her ear. "I think I will." Kolyn struggled to pull away, but he jerked her head back with a handful of hair. "You may beat her, Donald. And I want you to make sure she loses the bastard she carries inside her."

  His cold eyes looked to Donald. "Make certain she loses the brat," he said again. "I want her to know better than to cross me." "No," Kolyn cried out, tears choking her. "You can't, Emmett!" He looked down at her, his face so hard and unfeeling Kolyn knew she could never reach him. All compassion was gone. All feelings of kinship and love were destroyed by hatred. Emmett placed his hand on her growing belly.

  ''Do you want to feel the bastard child Lord Blackstone has put in my sister?" She squirmed to get away from his hands. Even more so from Donald's. They laughed as they touched the roundness. "Kill it, Donald." Emmett all but threw her from him. Kolyn landed in a heap on the floor at Donald's feet. He kicked her. "Do not," Emmett interrupted him, "mark her face. My sister still has a promise to keep. Don't you, dearest Kolyn?"

  She crawled over to the side of his bed. "Please, Emmett. For God's sake, you cannot kill my baby." "And why not?" He'd asked the question so casually, as if he honestly couldn't see any reason why not. She was horrified by what she saw. "Please, you cannot." Emmett seemed to like her begging. "You should have thought of this before you went against my will." "I promise, I'll never cross you again."

  "Never?" She shook her head to stress her promise. "Never again." A gleam of satisfaction came
to his face.

  "Why do you beg for the life of this bastard child, Kolyn? I would think you'd like to be rid of it." Tears spilled onto her cheeks, blurring the vision of her brother's twisted soul. "'Tis but an innocent child within me, Emmett. He knows nothing of this hatred. Why must the child pay for my sin? I cannot let you harm my baby."

  "How noble," Emmett snickered. Then he pushed her away. "Beat her, Donald." Kolyn screamed as Donald dragged her across the floor. "Do not harm the brat," Emmett called out. "As long as the bastard and his brother live, she will do as I say." Kolyn remained huddled in the corner of her room for hours. Her tears had long dried up, the pain eased into a dull throb. Donald had done as Emmett had said. He hadn't marked her face. Her body had suffered his abuse, yet she thanked God her baby had not been harmed. She had been a fool risking Andrew's safety and that of her unborn child.

  Gently, she rubbed the swell of her stomach. She wondered for the first time if she would have a boy or a girl. A small flutter of joy stirred her heart. She had been a mother for five years, yet this would be her first child to come from within her. She recalled Blair giving birth to Andrew. Kolyn had cut the cord and cleaned the blood from him. She had loved him with all her heart from that first moment of his life.