"Nay." The word came out heavy with regret. "They'd already been sold and moved on before I got there. But I saw enough tae ken what Graham's daein'. And I saw ye."
Their eyes met, and something passed between them.
"So ye went there tae save yer people," Mhairi said softly. "And instead ye saved me."
"I'd dae it again," Alpin said firmly. "Because nay one deserves what was done tae ye."
Mhairi's throat tightened. She looked away quickly, blinking against the sudden burn in her eyes.
"I'm nae brave. I was terrified the whole time."
"Bravery isnae the absence of fear, lass. It's fightin' even when ye're scared senseless." Alpin's voice was gentle now. "Ye fought on that platform. Ye fought when they tried tae take ye away. Ye fought me in the forest until ye were certain I wasnae goin' tae hurt ye. That's brave."
They rode in silence for a while after that. The sun continued climbing, warm on Mhairi's face. Birds sang in the trees. The steady rhythm of hoofbeats was almost soothing.
Almost.
Because there was one thing Mhairi couldn’t stop thinking about. One thing that gnawed at her with every mile they traveled.
"Alpin?"
"Aye?"
"Graham said..." She had to force the words out. "He said me faither sold me sister too. Isobel. She's only sixteen, but he said in another year or two..."
She couldn’t finish. Couldn’t say the rest of it out loud.
Alpin's expression darkened. "He said this at the auction?"
"Aye. When I was pleadin' with him tae let me go." Mhairi's hands tightened on the reins until her knuckles went white. "I dinnae ken if it's true. Graham could've been lyin' just tae hurt me. But what if he wasnae? What if Isobel?—"
"We'll find out." Alpin's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "As soon as we reach the castle, I'll send men tae investigate. Quietly. If yer sister has been sold, we'll locate her."
"And then what?" Mhairi's voice cracked. "If me faither truly did this, if he sold both his daughters, what can anyone dae He's the laird. He has rights over us."
"Rights." Alpin spat the word like it tasted foul. "A father has a duty to protect his children, nae sell them like cattle. If he's donewhat ye fear, then he's broken every law of kinship and clan. And I'll make damned sure everyone kens it."
The vehemence in his tone startled her. "Ye'd go against another laird? Fer me sister?"
"Fer any lass bein' sold against her will." Alpin's jaw was set, his eyes hard.
Alpin opened his mouth like he wanted to say something else, but Callum suddenly raised a hand, cuttin' him off.
"Hold."
The group came to an immediate stop. Mhairi's heart lurched into her throat as she watched Alpin's demeanor shift in an instant—from thoughtful to alert, his whole body going still and focused.
"What is it?" His voice was low, barely carrying beyond Callum.
"Noise in the trees. East side." Callum was already scanning the forest, his hand on his sword. "Could be naethin'. Could be?—"
"Movement!" One of the rear guards called out softly. "Signs of recent travel. Multiple horses."
Alpin's jaw tightened. Without raising his voice, he made a series of quick hand signals. Immediately, his men spread out—two moving to flank their left, two to the right, the rest closing in tighter around Mhairi.
The precision of it was stunning. No one questioned. No one hesitated. They just... moved. Like they'd practiced this a hundred times.
"Callum." Alpin kept his voice low and controlled. "Take two men and scout ahead. I want tae ken what we're dealin' with."
