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Parking his car behind the building, Brian locked it before knocking on the Wolf Pack Pub’s back door. He sniffed, then snorted at his action which was quickly becoming a habit. His mate wouldn’t be lingering here in Edinburgh. Smiling when he heard the door beingunlocked, he took a step back when it opened towards him
“Hey, long time, no see,” Morgan said, peering out at his friend.
“Ay, I’ve been a wee bit busy,” replied Brian. “Got a minute?”
“Sure, come in,” Morgan said. “My office okay? Or do you want something to eat?”
“Office is fine,” said Brian, brushing pass his friend and heading for the office.
Morgan studied Brian as he sat down in front of Morgan’s desk, trying to discover what was troubling him. He bent down, pulling open a desk drawer and took out a bottle of Macallen and two shot glasses. After filling them, he handed one to Brian. Raising his glass, he said, “To friends!”
“Ay, to friends!” Tossing the whiskey down, Brian grinned for the first time that day as the liquor warmed his body, easing some of the tension that’d been his constant companion since scenting his mate.
“What are you doing in Edinburgh?” asked Morgan.
“Came to see the Shaman.”
Morgan eyed the sea serpent, knowing there was more Brian was keeping to himself. Deciding on a different tack, he asked, “You saw David?”
“Ay, I did.”
“I take it he’s with the Blackwood Pack now. Damn, I guess I need to hire someone to replace him.”
“Ay. Are you okay with Zane claimin’ David?”
Ignoring the question, Morgan asked, “How’s he doing? And don’t tell me ‘guid’…I can guess that for myself seeing he hasn’t been back.”
Smirking, Brian said, “Guid, from what I could tell.” The look on Morgan’s face had Brian’s lips twitching. Finally taking pity on his friend, he added, “David is happy, loved and protected, nae only by Zane, but by the entire pack. Ye should stop by and see for yourself.”
“You don’t think anyone would mind?”
“Naw, but call first or you won’t be allowed up to see him,” cautioned Brian.
“That tight?” asked Morgan.
“Ay, let me say, our David is very well protected.”
“That’s a relief,” Morgan said. “Is that why you came to see me? To reassure me David is okay?”
Brian gazed at the floor, regretting his decision to visit. They’d been friends too long for Morgan not to see something was bothering him but Brian wasn’t ready to talk about his Fated Mate just yet, maybe never. Keeping his mouth shut would certainly save him from pitying stares and snide comments from others when his mate rejected him—as he knew his mate would—regardless of what the Shaman said. Ignoring Morgan’s question, Brian raised his head and asked, “Has anyone new…other than the damn tourists…been in here lately?”
Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “You mean a shifter?”
“Ay, a shifter that has nae been in before.”
Picking up the Scotch, Morgan filled the two shot glasses. Sliding one over to his friend, he asked, “What kind of shifter?”
After swallowing the whisky, Brian slammed the empty glass down, pissed that his friend was pushing him. Getting up, his chair scraping along the floor, he said, “Thanks for the drink,” and headed for the door, realizing his mistake in coming to the pub.
Jumping to his feet, Morgan grabbed Brian’s arm. “Hey, I’m sorry. No excuse except me being an asshole. Please Brian, come sit down and I promise, no more bullshit.”
Hesitating, Brian examined his friends face and seeing Morgan’s regret, turned around and sat down. He too, was sorry for his outburst. Brian knew his friend was curious as to why he was in Edinburgh in the middle of the day instead of out on the loch with a boatload of tourists all searching for him, but he wasn’t ready to say more. Sighing, he made up his mind as to what he’d reveal. “I scented an intruder in my loch but I have nae found him yet. And naw, I dinna know what kinda shifter, so I thought ‘twas worth a shot to ask ye since I was here anyway.”
Sitting back in his chair, Morgan sensed there was more to the story but he wasn’t going to push. “I haven’t seen anyone I don’t know, but I’m not out in front all the time either. I can ask my bartenders if they’ve served someone new.”
Nodding, Brian wasn’t surprised at Morgan’s answer. Itwasa long shot and without knowing what his mate looked like, it was nearly as impossible as finding a needle in a haystack. “Ay,” he smiled at Morgan, “I’d appreciate that.”
