Page 67 of The Highlander’s Iron Hold

"I-I tried tae stop her, me laird!" Angus stammered, his eyes wide with fear. "She pushed past me and said she was Lady Armstrong and could ride where she pleased!"

"Stubborn, bloody-minded lass," Colin snarled, releasing the boy so abruptly he nearly fell. "Which direction? Exactly which direction, lad, and dinnae ye dare tell me ye dinnae remember!"

"Toward the eastern woods, me laird! The path that leads toward Fraser lands!"

Colin spun toward the nearest guard. "Ye! Why wasn't I informed immediately? What the hell are ye all being paid fer if ye can't keep track of one woman?"

The guard paled. "We thought... she's yer wife, me laird. We didnae think⁠—"

"Ye didnae think!" Colin backhanded the man hard enough to send him stumbling. "That's the problem! None of ye were thinking!"

"She said ye could take yer orders and... well, sir, ye get the gist"

Despite his fury, a flash of admiration cut through Colin's panic. Even angry enough to risk her life, Morag was still fighting him with every breath. But it was quickly overwhelmed by cold fear. The eastern woods bordered Fraser territory, and with their recent raids, nowhere outside of the castle walls was safe.

"Ready Warrior," Colin commanded, already moving toward the stables with deadly purpose. "And send word tae Niven and Duncan. We ride out immediately."

As he strode toward the stables, Colin's mind raced with terrible possibilities. Morag was alone, angry, and riding straight toward the most dangerous territory in the Highlands. If Fraser's men found her...

The gold could buy him armies, but it couldn't buy back the trust he'd shattered. And right now, as he prepared to ride into potentially hostile territory to find his wife, Colin would have traded every coin for the chance to undo the last few hours. As the boy ran toward the stables, Colin stared out at the darkening sky. Somewhere out there, Morag was alone and vulnerable, driven away by his own actions. If anything happened to her because of this fight, because of his failure to tell her the truth from the beginning, he'd never forgive himself.