“Hm. Perhaps Màthair and Da sent extra blessings from above tae protect ye.”
He said it so solemnly that I burst out laughing, startling poor Lucy.
“When are ye goin’tae gie it up?” I gasped, trying to catch my breath.“He’s a good husband and a loving Da. Wi’oot him, I wouldnae huv yer precious wee angel.”
“Ah dinnae ken, Euphemia,” he admitted, genuinely baffled.“Every time I lay ma eyes on him, my insides burn.”
I stilled, carefully pushing the needle into the cotton.
“Like in yer heid—or yer heart?” I asked, a quiet thought stirring.
“Baith,” he said, scratching the back of his head.
The MacDonald clan—and two others—had once carried wolf blood. The only origin we’d ever traced led back to a Shetland Viking. The records were damaged, the knowledge scattered and lost to time.
My gaze drifted to Lucy.
We’d assumed she was the beginning of a new pack—but what if our closeness stirred something older? Something sleeping?
“It’s probably nothing,” I said lightly.“I used tae want tae bash his heid in wi’a chamberpot.”
He hummed before smiling softly at Lucy, stroking her red curls.
Can he smell our mate?Madadh asked, lifting her head, watchful as Ranald cradled Lucy.
I’m not sure, I replied, the instinct to protect my brother rising without thought. Yet beneath my words, we both felt it—my hesitation. The doubt.
My gaze drifted to the clock on the mantel, and I found myself counting down the minutes until Thaddeus appeared. Man and beast never missed a single beat within our bond.
Madadh grunted softly, restless—but she always was. And no matter how much she pretended otherwise, she was always pleased when he came running back to us.
The door burst open, and Thaddeus stood in the doorway, confusion flickering across his face. His gaze went first to Ranaldand Lucy, then to me. He hesitated—just a breath—before I reached for him through the bond, smoothing reassurance into the tightness I felt there.
“Good afternoon,” he murmured, crossing the room.
He bent to kiss Lucy’s cheek, and Ranald leaned back instinctively, though he kept her extended between them. Thaddeus didn’t seem to notice—or if he did, he chose to ignore it.
“Good afternoon, my love,” I murmured as he turned to me.
His lips found mine, brief but familiar, and he breathed me in as they brushed against my mouth.
“Dae ye huv nae shame in front o’ma wee angel?” Ranald muttered behind us.
We ignored him.
“Are you all right?” Thaddeus whispered near my ear.“I felt… something.”
“Fine,” I said lightly.“I just pricked my finger with the needle.”
I leaned back and watched them bicker over Lucy—nothing new there. But when Ranald grinned at me and handed her over to her father, I decided I was imagining things after all.
He pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before leaving. He’d be back for Lucy soon enough.
“Was your brother like this when Moire was a baby?” Thaddeus asked, his gaze following Ranald out.
I thought about it for a moment.
“Naw. He was a few years younger then.” I smiled faintly.“He’s more mature now. Maybe he tries harder wi’Lucy because oor parents arenae wi’us.”
