“That’s true, but it’s closer to Inverness,” Ian said.
“Angus, does the castle have to be located here?” asked Slate.
“I don’t know, but it would be better if it were,” Angus said.
“Why don’t you move it?” asked Kieran.
“Move it? A castle? I don’t think it can be done,” said Colton.
“No, Kieran’s right,” said Logan. “I read an article about it not too long ago. Do you know how many houses have been moved? In the early days, when a family wanted tomove, their house went with them; now it’s usually done to save an historic building from demolition.”
Slate nodded in agreement. “Dire Enterprises’ construction division has moved a number of buildings through the years. Of course the method has changed but we do it in circumstances just like this. If you want, Ian, I can look into the viability of moving the castle,” he offered.
“Ay, that would be amazin’ if it could be done,” Angus said.
Ian, glancing at Colton and, getting a nod of assent, said, “Itwouldbe amazing to be able to preserve our history for future generations. Slate, please go ahead and find out.”
“Ay, once it’s done, then your coronation can tak’ place there,” Angus beamed.
Colton glared at a snickering Logan, Dakota and Zane, knowing the teasing that would be coming his way about his ceremonial role as the king’s consort. Not that he could blame them; he knew if one of his brothers was in his place, he’d be first in line with the jokes. Turning to Angus, Colton said, “We were planning to visit the castle in a few days. Would you like to join us?”
Angus’ eyes sparkled at the offer. “Ay, thank ye. It’ll be a pleasure to see it again. Now if we’re done wi’ business, the pack has cooked its traditional feast to celebrate our victory.”
“Oh how exciting,” David said to Zane, smiling, “I wonder if there’s dancing?”
“Ay, there’ll be music and dancin’. Ye can join in, if ye want,” Angus replied.
Shaking his head, David said, “I’ll just watch, if that’s okay.”
“Ay,” Angus smiled, leading the group over to wooden tables scattered around a huge bonfire.
Dakota sniffed at the mouth-watering smells of different foods on the tables and couldn’t wait to try them, hoping to get recipes of the ones he thought his brothers would like most. Leaning into Slate, he murmured, “I can’t believe we’re going to taste some Scottish Wolf traditional dishes.”
Giving his mate’s hand a squeeze, Slate responded, “Maybe something you can include in your book.”
Laughing, Dakota was touched his mate had remembered the cookbook he wanted to write. “Hopefully! It would be a real coup if I could. As far as I knew, all their recipes were lost when humans supposedly wiped them out.”
“Then this is a fortuitous turn of events,” said Slate. “Because if you have any trouble obtaining recipes, I’m sure the king’s consort could help you out,” he chuckled.
“Yup, love those family ties,” Dakota said, laughing, as he took his seat at the center table along with the rest of the group.
~/~/~/~/~
It had taken Tyson all day, but he finally arrived in Tuscany and was now headed for Brenda, who had dinner waiting for him. Thinking back on his day, he was relieved at how easy his assignment had been, but he wasn’t going to tell his sister that. Instead, let her think he was able to pull off the hit of the century. Though his sister never admitted it, Tyson knew she was afraid ofMichael and had expected him to betray her at some point.
Getting the kill order told him she was right to be suspicious of her partner, but now he had to be careful not to give her a reason to do the same to him. Staring out the car window as it sped toward the Convent of the Sisters of the Four Gods, he thought about David. Tyson remembered what David told Michael before the battle, but had he really been rejected by his mate?
The huge, white wolf he caught a glimpse of before dodging the blade of a kilted warrior diverted his attention from Michael and, from that point on, survival was uppermost in his mind. It was just luck that Michael stumbled past him in his human form, catching his eye. After throwing off another attacker, Tyson ran into the woods, easily picking up his boss’s scent. Then, it was just a matter of time until an opportunity presented itself for the kill.
Tyson came out of his reverie when the car stopped and he got out. Looking up at the imposing stone building, he realized how far he and Brenda had come. His sister greeted him and, after kissing her on the cheek, they hugged each other. “Good to see you again,” he murmured.
“Hello, Ty, I’m so glad you could visit me. I hope you’re hungry because dinner is ready. We’ll eat in my quarters, if that’s all right,” Brenda said.
“Perfect,” Tyson replied, following his sister through the door and up the stairs.
Passing a priestess-in-training, Brenda smiled, but said nothing until they were behind the locked door of her rooms. Then, whirling around, she lunged into herbrother’s arms, hugging and kissing him. Finally, drawing back, she said, “I’m so glad you weren’t hurt. Did he put up much of a fight?”
“Nope, I snuck up on him from behind. He never saw it coming, but I did let him know you were alive and I was your brother.”
