“No.”Niall refused to let Michael destroy the laird’s legacy.
“Then I’ll take your honey,” Michael said.“I deserve something for the years I’ve labored to make the money the laird gave you.”
“Take it,” Niall said.“But know this.If you step foot on my property again, I will have you arrested.You kidnapped my girlfriend and hounded me.You destroyed my property and dragged my brothers into this entire mess.”
Michael snickered.“Yeah, and it was funny as hell watching you chasing your tail, trying to figure out what was happening.I heard the girl ran home.Too bad.”He sneered.
“You wanted my honey all along, and you didn’t care what you did or who you hurt to get it,” Niall snapped.Admit it, you bastard.Admit it so I have everything recorded.
“What’s wrong with that?”Michael said.
“If you don’t know the answer, then I’m wasting my time.You’re a kidnapper and a thief.Take my honey and leave.But remember this: if I catch you on my property again, Iwillcall the cops and press charges.”Niall stepped away from Michael’s vehicle but didn’t make the mistake of turning his back.He didn’t trust the man.The second Michael discovered the honey he’d stolen was a plain clover blend honey purchased from the supermarket, he’d be dangerous.
Niall watched Michael speed away, the vehicle fishtailing on the gravel before straightening.Michael wouldn’t get away with his skullduggery.Niall would make sure of it.He picked up his phone to call his shifter contact on the local police force.
22
Missing
“Let’sgoforarun,” Scott said almost two hours later.
Niall ceased his pacing by his office desk, his head jerking up to stare at Scott.He slipped his phone into his pocket after leaving yet another message for Suzie.He’d really screwed up this time.His brows drew together, echoing the shock that still rippled through him at the suggestion.“You want to run with me?”
“Great idea,” Liam said.“We’re all edgy as hell, waiting to hear from the cops.I’m sure Angus will field the call for us when it comes.”
“But I’m a bear,” Niall said.
“So?”Scott said.
“I always run alone.Bears don’t mass with other shifters.”
“You’re our friend.Since Suzie likes you, we’ve adopted you.When you fly back with us to New Zealand, you’ll see what it’s like at home.Middlemarch is a multi-cultural town.We have humans, of course, but we’re predominantly a community of black leopard shifters with a snow leopard and a spotted leopard for variety.Also wolves, tigers, and lions.We have human/shifter pairings.The Feline Council is supportive of every shifter in our town.We haven’t had a bear before, but it won’t matter.You’re our friend.You’re Suzie’s mate.Everyone will accept you,” Liam said.“Scott and I are newcomers, and everyone has made us welcome.You’ll see.”
Scott nodded.“He’s right.Saber doesn’t stand for any crap.He’s married to a human, and Emily is amazing.Everyone loves her.”
“Besides, we don’t know the best places to run.Please show us some of your estate.What we’ve seen so far is stunning.”
Niall grinned while praying that Suzie would give him another chance.“I still pinch myself some days that I own this land.”Not a twinge of guilt came to him when he uttered these words, despite Michael’s insulting assertions.His implication Niall had tricked the laird into leaving him the castle and the surrounding estate was ridiculous.
Niall had nothing to prove.Instead, he needed to live his best life, and that was one with Suzie—if she’d forgive him and offer a second chance.
“Let me talk to Angus and tell him where we’re going,” Niall said.“We can run up to the highest point.It’s out of bounds to the gathering, so we won’t run into anyone else.”
“Can we shift here?Or do we need to hike into the forest?”Scott asked, his eyes bright with eagerness.
“We’ll shift in the room off the kitchen.Angus will let us into the garden,” Niall said.
Five minutes later, they burst into the fresh air.Niall led the way, loping past the rose garden, memories of the laird filling him as he took in the sweet fragrance.The old laird had loved his plants and flowers, and Niall had walked with him here every evening.
A ritual of sorts.One that he enjoyed.Back then, Michael had scoffed and pushed away the laird’s invitations to join them.Walking outdoors had been no hardship to Niall.It had calmed his bear.He and Cameron had spoken of nothing important most times.Sometimes, the laird had told him stories about his childhood with his sister.
The old man hadn’t been stupid, just lonely.With added years, Niall saw this clearly.
Niall breathed in the rose-scented air, suddenly at peace.Even his family didn’t pain him as much in this moment.Maybe he’d search out his brothers before he left for New Zealand.They’d leave empty-handed because he’d ensure they understood he would never give them money.Seeing them would help with closure.
When he found the two black leopards were keeping up without difficulty, he increased his speed.They burst into the wildness of the forest, the scent of pine and beech trees exhilarating after being inside.Each of his senses was sharper, and he could hear the small forest creatures—the squirrels and birds.The breeze ruffled his fur, and he ran even faster, enjoying the bunch of his muscles.At the crest of the hill, he halted to study the castle in the valley below.The loch glinted in the sunlight, a jewel surrounded by massive trees.
Scott and Liam stopped beside him, their long tails waving behind them.Two black leopards, and they were his friends, despite their brief acquaintance.Niall felt quiet acceptance and gratitude.Contentment.His life was about to alter, but Angus believed change was beneficial.In the past, he’d grunted agreement when he preferred the status quo.
