“Wolves,” I said quietly, my hand falling to my chest.
“We can leave now, before your symptoms grow worse,” he said.“Or wait until morning.”
Tomorrow would bring more pain—and Uncle Callum would lose his mind. I pushed him back and forced myself upright.
“How far is it?”
His brows lifted as he glanced toward the window, the storm still pressing white against the glass.
“If you climb onto my back… mayhap half an hour.”
Another cramp seized me, wrenching the breath clean from my lungs. I squeezed my eyes shut, riding it out.
I could no longer deny what my body already knew.
The pull.
The heat.
The scent clinging to him like a promise.
When the pain eased, I looked at him once more—then nodded.
The man in the tavern had attacked us both with his words, and when my body reacted, it hadn’t been only for myself. It had been for the Englishman sitting beside me. That realisation alone had sparked a quiet war within me.
But for now, I trusted my gut.
Even if it ached.
? ? ?
I allowed myself to enjoy the sight a moment longer than was considered polite.
Here was the English Laird—standing in over a foot of snow, back bent, waiting patiently for me to mount him.
He twisted his head around.
“Do you need me to go lower?” he grunted.
A sudden, stabbing pain lanced through my abdomen, stealing my breath. That decided it for me. I climbed on quickly, gripping his shoulders as the cramp eased.
“Mush,” I commanded.
He huffed, hands closing firmly around my legs as he straightened.
“You’re lucky you’re my mate,” he said with a sniff before setting off toward the main road.
I grinned and held on around his neck, pressing my face into his hair. It shielded me from the icy air—and let me breathe in his fragrance.
Chapter 19
Thaddeus
The cottage was prepared, but cold and dark by the time we reached it. Each time her body stiffened against mine, I moved faster through the deepening snow. Her pain was intolerable—for both of us. It made Wulfric snap and snarl inside me, restless and furious.
The pantry was stocked. Dry firewood had been laid in every room we would use. My clothes were already set aside in the bedroom. Most importantly, the family who owned the cottage had left for the Lowlands, according to the locals.
It was secluded.
