Cara changed and placed her slim hand on Liam’s burley one. “Liam, ‘tis my life to risk. You risk yours enough in the protection of your…our people. If this will rid the world of Ramsey and his evil then I want to try. It’s a risk I am willing to take.”
Liam pulled Cara to him. He leaned his forehead against the top of her head and breathed in her clean scent. “Please, Cara, do not ask me to watch you put yerself in danger. I am not strong enough to do it. If something happened to ye I’d never forgive myself.”
“And if you die protecting me I will never forgive myself. If one more woman is forced to suffer and die the way Young Alice did and I do nothing to stop it…it will be my fault. If I can stop him I can save those women. Please, Liam. We have to try.” Cara then looked to Darren. “Darren, this is the right thing to do. If you are all near then he cannot harm me. I am stronger now too and I will protect myself.”
Darren nodded. “Liam, it is a good plan. She will be in little danger.”
Liam scowled. “What is your plan wolf?”
James cleared his throat. No one made him nervous. He’d stood toe to toe with some of the most powerful and evil men in his clan and never flinched, but Liam McNeal exuded a power that was far greater than any he’d ever encountered. He was, for the first time in his life, second guessing himself. “Laird McNeal, Ramsey is mad. He has sent half of his men to follow your horses. He made sure they were the men he least trusted, my men. He has only ten men with him now. He is extremely paranoid. Every whisper or laugh he thinks is directed at him. He is enraged more than not and he is always filled with an unquenchable lust. It would take very little to bring him here. He believes that Cara can cure his lust. He wants her above all else. He is becoming desperate. He will come for her and with so few with him you could kill him.”
“We could. Where do you stand in all of it then?”
“I will do anything you wish. My men will fight with me and you or if you are not sure of us we will go on to make sure no one escapes.”
“Nay.” Darren put in. “I think it would be best if your men held Cara. Perhaps the claim that she was found with the horses would convince him. Understand that if she is harmed though, that we will then kill every one of you.”
James nodded. He knew that if Cara was injured in any way that his life would end. He was willing to risk it if it meant destroying Ramsey.
“I still don’t like it.” Liam insisted. “There is too much at risk.”
Cara stood studying James. She spoke to Darren, but never took her eyes off James. “Is he the one?”
“Aye.”
“How? He seems too young.”
“Aye, that he is, but it is him.”
She eyed James a while longer and seemed satisfied because she nodded and turned to Liam. “I think it will work. We must try.”
Liam gave Cara an agonizing look. “I still do not want to risk it. You are my life Cara. If I lose you I will not survive it. I will not want to.”
Cara smiled up at him. “I love you Liam. I will not risk that. I will be as safe as I can. I want to do this.”
He nodded and looked again to James. “I want to meet with yer men.”
James nodded.
They discussed when they would meet again and departed. Cara was afraid, but she tried to hide it. Liam however, knew and he shared her fear.
10
It was late the next morning when the plans were finished. Ramsey was close and they planned to spring their trap the very next night. They scouted the area and took their places shortly after the sun began to set. Cara was to travel a short distance with James and the wolves before they were to meet Ramsey and his troops. When the fight started James and his men were to protect Cara and keep her from harm. Cara watched James’ men carefully. If she was to be harmed it would be by one of them, but none seemed sinister to her. they all were powerful and seemed dedicated to the task that was set before them. James caught her eye and smiled warmly.
“Do not be afraid, Cara. These men will protect you with their lives as I will. None of us wish to see you harmed.”
Cara felt her fear lighten and she nodded. “What should I do?”
“Just stay calm.” He winked at her. “Your fear is needed Cara, but I don’t think it will be too hard to bring it about considering. It wouldn’t do for you to seem to comfortable though. You must be afraid. The scent will drive Ramsey mad. He will not be thinking clearly. I hope he will then make a mistake and we will be able to kill him.”
Cara shuddered. “Nay, fear will not be a problem. Can I trust you?”
“Aye. You must. If I tell you to do something you must not hesitate. There will be confusion. If I suspect that you are in danger I will need you to react immediately. Can you do that?”
Cara nodded and shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“Aye. I’m not accustomed to running around in nothing. I’m still uncomfortable.”
James was shocked. He smiled at her blush brightened face. “You should try to change only a part of yourself. A little fur would provide heat and …concealment if you wish.”
Cara narrowed her eyes at him. “I did not know that was possible.”
James shrugged. “It’s worth a try. Some can do it, others can not.”
James didn’t know if Cara had the ability or not, but the distraction would do her good.
For the nest hour Cara struggled to change only part of herself. At one point she sprouted a tail and another time her tongue lolled out of her mouth. Several times she thought she heard one of James’ men snigger at her. she cast a disgruntled look in the direction of the offending sound, but none of the men seemed to be laughing. Still she narrowed her eyes and allowed a low growl to escape her throat before she turned and began her experiment again.
It was dark when they stopped. James didn’t feel comfortable bringing Cara into camp. He spoke with his commander and instructed him to go ahead to Ramsey, in hopes the evil Laird would be so excited to have captured Cara that he would come to her.
After waiting an hour he finally heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Ramsey himself strode through the brush, followed closely by his guards, and directly to Cara. Before anyone could stop him he slapped her with enough force to send her sprawling in the grass.
“You whore! You were to be mine! Now you are just a dirty little whore to that cat!” he sneered and reached for her. He pulled her to her feet and pressed himself against her softness. He moaned and captured her mouth.
James stood stock still. He knew they could not attack until Cara was free of Ramsey, but it looked as if Ramsey would take her now where she stood. He closed his eyes and tried to think clearly. The smell of Cara’s fear was so strong that it was making it hard to think. He cleared his throat.
“My Laird. The others will be searching for her. we must move on.”
Ramsey narrowed his eyes on James. “Nay. Let them come. I have what I want now. No one will dare take her from me. You will travel at my side to protect us and then you will be her personal guard. We will be spending a lot of time to gather, the three of us.”
James tried to with hold the shutter that coursed through him, but at the smirk on Ramsey’s face he knew he had failed. Ramsey planned to defile them both then. No, James would not allow that monster to touch his person or that of Cara. He knew then what it would cost him to save Cara.
“I will travel with you, but I will not take part in what you have planned. I will not submit to your perverted whims.”
His statement had the desired effect. As soon as the words left his lips he saw the rage build in Ramsey’s eyes. Ramsey threw Cara at one of James’ men and lunged at James. Ramsey changed in the air before James could. James found himself on the ground with Ramsey’s teeth at his throat.
The glade erupted as soon as Cara was out of Ramsey’s grasp. Liam leapt to protect Cara until she could change. In moments most of Ramsey’s guards lay dead on the forest floor. Liam’s men were in
jured, but none were hurt badly. They counted the dead and realized that Ramsey was no where to be found. It was as if he’d vanished. One moment he was trying to kill James and the next he was simply gone.
Cara shuttered as the impact of that knowledge hit her. “He’s still alive. He’ll come after me again.”
James nodded. “I believe he will. He is obsessed. You will need to be careful.”
Cara nodded as big tears rolled down her pale cheeks.
“I will hurry home. Perhaps I will be able to claim my place as laird and we will atlases begin to heal the scars Ramsey has inflicted upon our people. Laird McNeal, I hope that we can put the past behind us now and focus on a future of peace.”
Liam nodded his dark head. “Peace between us has never been done, but I am willing to try it if we can. I hope we will have many years of peace between us.”
Liam then turned to his men. “Lads we must make for the castle. Ramsey is still out here somewhere and we must get Cara to safety.”
Cara turned to thank James, but found him already walking toward the forest and away from her. “James?”
He turned a questioning look to her.
“Thank you. I would like to speak with you about what all you have done for me in my life.”
His smile was dazzling. “My Lady, I would like nothing more than to spend and evening sharing my tales of bravery, but it will have to wait until all is settled.”
Cara laughed. “That it will. Hurry home then and I will eagerly await your tales.”
Cara then turned to a scowling Liam. “Oh, Liam, don’t be jealous!”
Liam looked offended. “I am not, nor have I ever been jalousie!”
Cara’s laughter bubbled from her and floated on the cool air. “Liam, I do love you,” she said and threw herself into his arms. He kissed her head and held her for a moment before he set her away from him.
“Lass, I’m sorry we could not rid you of that monster, but I vow that I will keep you safe.”
“I know you will, my darlin’ man. I know you will.”
The group changed and ran toward McNeal Castle and home. It took them only a day and a half to reach the gates. Cara felt apprehension grow with in her as she neared the place she would now call home. Questions plagued her as she walked slowly beside Liam. He probed her mind and tried to reassure her, but her brain would not accept his attempts to calm her.
The massive gates groaned as they opened and Cara jumped.
“Cara ye must calm yerself.” Liam’s words stroked across her mind like a whisper.
“I can not. What if they do not accept me?”
“They haven’t the choice. You are the lady of the castle now. None will dare treat you poorly.”
Cara stopped. Were there women here who would hate her for taking Liam? Did he have lovers that would expect him to continue his amorous pursuits of them?”
Darren looked back at her. His black tipped orange coat gleamed in the sun. he stared at her a long moment before she felt the warmth of his laughter fill her mind. Liam hissed at him, but Darren only laughed harder until the great cat collapsed on the ground and rolled. The others soon followed suit and Cara could feel the mirth in the air as if it were solid. She turned to look at Liam and knew that if a tiger could scowl he would have been doing so.
“What is it?” She sent the question to him, but he shook his huge head and refused to answer her. she then sent the question to the others, hoping one of them would stop laughing long enough to answer her. the answer came from Euan.
“There are no lovers to worry over Cara. You do not yet understand the ways of our people.” He began to giggle again and Deaglan picked up where he left off.
“Once we have found our mate we are unable and unwilling to have another.”
Cara was puzzled. “He only found me a few days ago.”
“Nay Cara,” this from Darren. “He knew you were his mate before your birth.”
Cara turned wide eyes upon Liam. He’d hung his head and refused to look at her.
“So he hasn’t…”
Balor spoke then. “Nay. He hasn’t had the will to try.”
“Or the ability!” Evan put in.
Cara understood then. Liam had suffered without her. he’d been unable to function as a man. Oh how he must have been ashamed not to be able to have fun with the lasses as the others did. Then she wondered…
“Is he alone in this affliction then?” She asked brazenly.
The men were all quiet. None wanted to admit that it was a common enough affliction.
“Well?” She demanded.
It was Darren’s calm voice that filled her mind. “It happens to us all upon finding a mate. We are unable to take another, even if that mate is taken from us. There is no desire to be with another.”
The sadness in his voice told her that he too suffered from this loneliness.
“But what about before Liam claimed me? You said that you were all suffering.”
“Aye Cara, we were. For some of us it was harder to resist because we have been so long with out the feeling of desire your scent provoked in us. Now we have felt it and it was again taken from us. It is a cruel way to live. There are times that is seems it is too harsh to endure.”
Cara was at a loss for words so she simply began to walk to the gates. The men followed her. Liam caught up to her and walked beside her through the gates of their new home.
A great cheer erupted from the crowd as they entered. The men changed and began exchanging greetings with those who stood inside the walls. Cara froze.
“I would like for you all to meet Cara McIntosh, soon to be Cara McNeal! She is my mate and I have brought her home!” Liam exclaimed for all to hear. The crowd again erupted in joyous cheers.
Liam looked to Cara. “Change so the good people can have a look at ye.”
Cara backed up and shook her head.
Liam frowned and strode to her. “Cara these are to be yer people now. Yer own clan. They would like to know ye as ye truly are as well as the tigress.”
Again Cara shook her head.
Liam blew out an aggravated breath. “Why not?”
She spoke to his mind. “I would like to meet them in more than my skin if you don’t mind.”
Liam’s laughter echoed off the high walls of the Castle and filled the yard will mirth. “Cara, my lass, I understand and I’m sorry for not realizin’ it sooner.” Then he spoke to the crowd. “Cara would like to freshen up a wee bit before she is introduced. She is unaccustomed to our lack of modesty.”
A round of chuckles followed Cara into the Castle, but she didn’t care. She was led to a massive room dominated by a large bed with deep green curtains. She would have known the room belonged to Liam even if she hadn’t been told. Everything was oversized.
“Liam?”
He raised his brows at her.”
“Is this to be my room as well?”
“Aye Lass, it is.” Then he frowned. “Do ye wish to have a room of yer own? I will admit that I would prefer ye stay with me, but if it is yer wish you can have another.”
Cara smiled and laid her cool hand against the warmth of his chest. “Nay Liam. I do not wish to be parted from ye.” She paused not knowing how to continue.
Liam lifted her chin and forced her to look at him. The uncertainty he found scared him. “Cara love, what is it?”
“I won’t be able to get into that bed without help.”
Liam frowned down at her and then he looked around his chamber. The bed was huge and very tall. The chairs that sat before the hearth were made for a mad of great size. He doubted her feet would even touch the ground when seated in one. He understood her discomfort and smiled down at her angelic face.
“We will have steps made for ye lass, and a chair to fit yer wee self. You have only to ask Cara and I will give you anything. I want only your happiness and the happiness of our daughter.” He smiled as he said the last part because it drew a pretty frown from her perfect mouth.
“Daughter? I thought you’d be wantin’ a son first.”
Liam shrugged. “It matters not what I wanted first. A daughter is what we’ve been given and I am happy with that.”
Cara stood puzzled for a moment before understanding dawned on her. Her hand flew to her still flat belly and she smiled up at him with tears shimmering in her green eyes. “Oh Liam.” She whispered and allowed him to pull her into his embrace.
“Are ye happy then Cara my love?”
She only nodded against his chest.
“Are ye tired Cara? Do ye want me to order you a bath and something to eat?”
Cara shook her head fiercely and met his eyes. The desire he saw swirling in the depths of her eyes made him catch his breath. “I want you to love me in that big bed Liam.”
He scooped her up and tossed her in the middle of the bed. She squealed and laughed as he pounced on her and began kissing her wherever he could reach. Her giggles turned to moans quickly as he began removing her clothes.
11
Several hours later Cara and Liam entered the great hall. They were greeted by a chorus of cheers, congratulations, and good wishes. Cara felt welcome and happy. Food was spread out upon the long tables and, to her great embarrassment, Cara’s stomach rumbled loudly. Her cheeks burned when Liam leaned down and whispered in her ear.
Highland Tigress (Tiger Series) Page 8