There was one other way to rectify the situation. She would sit at the head table with him, his brothers, and his sister. Then Mege and the other lasses, who might show some interest in Alasdair, would see it was a lost cause. And so would Cleary and Baine if they had an interest in Isobel.

  7

  That afternoon, the dynamics had changed again between Isobel and Alasdair. To her surprise, Hans pulled her away from speaking to Elene and Bessetta before they sat down in the great hall to eat and told Isobel she was sitting next to Alasdair at the head table.

  Bessetta smiled brightly. “It’s about time my brother came to his senses.”

  Elene smiled just as cheerfully. “Enjoy your meal and everything else.”

  Isobel swore her face was bright red with embarrassment. But then she wondered if Alasdair had not been pleased that she had spoken to Cleary and Baine at the meal this morn. Or mayhap it was because of the interest the two brothers had shown in her.

  She and Bessetta walked to the head table and then Isobel sat down next to Alasdair. “Did you want me to sit by you so you can keep me out of mischief?” She smiled at him, hoping the lasses who desired a mating with the wolf would believe they had no chance. Though she didn’t believe she had made enough of an impression on him that he would want to mate her either. But she wasn’t above playing the game.

  “Aye.”

  “You know some of the women who are interested in vying for your attention will be envious that I’m sitting beside you and that they dinna have the pleasure.”

  He laughed. “If I had been interested in any of them in return, they would be sitting here with me instead.”

  His words surprised her. She really had thought he was trying to keep her from causing any further trouble with the newly turned wolves.

  “Lorne says you’re doing a great job guarding the keep.”

  “It’s easy. No one is sneaking toward the castle to fight you.” She was glad for that.

  “Most likely if anyone tried it, they’ll come at dark. Though we never leave anything to chance. If we didn’t post guards during the day, that’s when we’d have an attack for sure. But we also have wolf patrols at night. For us, we can still see what’s going on at night when my enemies are at a disadvantage and our wolves can keep a lower profile.”

  “I agree. Lorne didn’t mention to me that he would put me on that duty.” She figured he just hadn’t gotten around to it. Maybe he scheduled guards to do it for a longer period of time so they wouldn’t have sleep issues as much with switching back and forth from day to night duty.

  “He asked me if I wanted to have you serve as a wolf on guard duty at night, but I said no. I want you to be at the croft at night and you and Conall can keep your family and the crofters safe, should you encounter trouble.”

  “Thank you.” She appreciated that Alasdair would want her to keep her family safe at night. It was probably true that should they have trouble, the enemy would arrive when everyone was sleeping. She was glad his telling Lorne not to put her on wolf guard duty wasn’t because he wanted her watched while she pulled guard duty, or because he thought she couldn’t fight as well as his Scottish warriors.

  But his comment that she would continue to stay with the crofters meant he wasn’t interested in taking her as a mate or she’d be staying at the keep instead. She felt a modicum of disappointment because of that.

  “How many enemies do you have?” The clan her family had joined had been powerful, so they didn’t fight with other clans very often.

  “Too many to count. Does that make you want to leave and find someplace that is less—dangerous?” He drank from his tankard of ale.

  She laughed. “I’m sure we ended up in the best place we could have since you are wolves also. And we will be eager to help your cause, but also most of your pack seem to have no animosity for us, which is always a concern.”

  “Other than the lassies who are glaring daggers at you.”

  She smiled. That she could deal with. “Why do you have so many enemies?”

  “Others want what we have. ‘Tis easier to steal from others than to put in the hard work to build it yourself.”

  “The castle.” Land, power. She understood that.

  “Aye. We have allied with clans who are enemies to others, and so we have made enemies of those. But you canna survive without making alliances. Because of what we have and how prosperous we are, I have had several offers to wed lasses.”

  Isobel raised a brow as she lifted her tankard of mead to her lips. “None suited? Or are you still pondering a new alliance or an old one?” She was disappointed with the notion that he might end up with someone else that he already had his sights set on.

  “They are no’ wolves, so I’m no’ interested. The woman I will mate will have to be a royal wolf. One who can have my royal bairns. I have no intention of turning a woman, nor of dealing with the fallout with her family when she canna see them when she wants, or they wish to see her, and she is having trouble with her shifting. Nor do I want to have offspring who are not from royal lines. Life would be so much harder for them because they would have shifting difficulties also as they grew up.”

  “Aye. I agree. I had talked to the bairns about never shifting in front of humans, ever. And when they were running as wolves with either Conall or me, they were never to show themselves to humans. If they ever came across one, they were never to bite him or her.”

  “Sage advice. We tell our young ones the same.”

  “But we are all royals so we can shift at will. I have told you my story—how my father, mother, uncle, and aunt died, and how we were living among people who were not of our clan. What about you? How did you become clan chief? Did your da rule the clan before that?”

  “My parents died young in a skirmish with other clans. My uncle, my da’s brother, never had a mate or offspring. He was in charge of a pack of ten. During a battle with another clan, he was killed. I was older and for some time had been helping him to run the pack as if I was his son. I immediately ended up taking over the pack and expanding it as soon as I could. We needed more wolf numbers, but we had to ensure they were wolves that would go along with my rule, or we would have just had infighting and chaos.”

  “Like when I decided to bite Cleary and Baine without your approval.”

  Alasdair smiled at her. “You remind me of me—in a good way. Sometimes impetuous, but fair minded and protective of kin.”

  They talked about the plans he had for his people, growing their wolf numbers, finishing the wall, adding the portcullis, and expanding the castle. She wanted to be part of all of it. She swore the meal lasted much longer than it normally did, and she figured she was the reason for it, though no one seemed to be eager to get back to work so it might have been a good thing. Except that the women who didn’t like her already were still eyeing her with animosity.

  When they finished eating the meal, Alasdair and Isobel walked outside of the keep together, both bound to do their duty. But she felt lighthearted, eager to see him tonight at the loch. She couldn’t wait.

  After the meal, he had to speak with his brothers about business while Isobel went up to the wall walk to pull her guard duty.

  To her surprise, the dark-haired Mege came up the stairs to see her. “You are naught but a wild Viking—dangerous to our own people. Dinna think your kind will mate our pack leader.”

  “If ‘tis something we both feel the need to do, we’ll do it.” Isobel had no intention of pretending it might not happen.

  “Accidents do happen out here.”

  Isobel raised a brow. “And you think if I should ‘accidentally’ suffer an accident, his lairdship wouldna realize someone had done it on purpose to injure or kill me to keep me from mating him?”

  Mege shrugged. “People are being injured or killed all the time. Just so you know.”

  “Thank you for the warning. I canna imagine you are the one who would actually do the deed though. Would you put one of your kin up to it? It would be a shame should that happen, if he gets caught at it and is punished for the misdeed instead of the one who came up with the idea. Though he would still be punished for committing the wrong.”

  “You think you’re so clever.”

  “Aye. I am. When you have to work as hard as I did to stay alive and to ensure my kin did also, you have to be prepared for anything.” Isobel had been so glad that Alasdair had taken her and her kin into his pack. Everyone seemed to like them, showing no animosity for them being Icelanders, but now this? She couldn’t believe she’d stirred up so much attention among some of the eligible maids because the laird had showed some interest in her.

  Mege finally said, “You willna sit at the head table with him this eve.”

  As if Mege could decide such a thing! “Why is that? If Alasdair wishes me to, I will. If he doesna, then I willna. So mayhap you are right. We will know for sure this very eve, will we no’?”

  Mege scoffed and then turned on her heel and hurried off down the stairs to the inner bailey and headed inside the keep.

  Isobel always watched her back so if someone was out to get her, she would be guarding for trouble, as long as no one put her own kin in danger because of her.

  Then she began watching for any sign of anyone approaching the castle, but she suspected nothing would happen out there. Not until night, if anything was to happen. Now she was more concerned about herself with regard to Mege and her family or her friends though.

  Once she was relieved of her duty, she headed downstairs to see if she was sitting with Elene to have the evening meal, or with Alasdair, which would irritate Mege even more. Mege caught her eye and was glaring at her as if she thought Isobel would heed her words and tell Alasdair she wouldn’t sit with him if he asked her to.

  Alasdair smiled at her, wordlessly telling Isobel where he wanted her to sit. Bessetta actually came to her table and said, “My brother wants you to join him at the head table.”

  Hans spoke to Alasdair and then he came to speak with her.

  Isobel was surprised both his sister and his brother would speak with her. Maybe Hans wasn’t going to tell her to sit with Alasdair. When Hans joined her, he said, “Unless Alasdair says otherwise, he wants you to sit with him at the head table.”

  “I told you so,” Bessetta said.

  “I’m glad to.” Isobel smiled at Elene and then went with Hans and Bessetta to the head table, dying to give Mege a look that said she was sitting with the laird, so what was she going to do about it? But Isobel figured the woman was angry enough already and instead pretended she didn’t care how Mege viewed this.

  When Isobel sat next to Alasdair, he said, “I’m glad you decided to join me.”

  “I couldna presume you wanted me to sit beside you for further meals.”

  “Well, I do. Rory said Mege went to talk to you on the wall walk earlier today when you were pulling your guard duty.”

  “She did.”

  “No one can get away with much without someone noticing something.”

  “You are having me guarded?” she asked, surprised, but pleased that he would think of her safety like that, if he had.

  Alasdair smiled. “My brothers are watching out for you, it seems. They said that they’ve heard from several that Mege has been spreading rumors about you being dangerous to the pack. So Rory wanted to make sure she wasn’t threatening you.”

  “She was, but I can take care of myself.” Even though Isobel felt that way, she wasn’t going to pretend Mege hadn’t threatened her, because if she followed through with it, someone in the clan was going to die for it. Maybe Isobel, or the person who came after her. She was sure Mege wouldn’t have the courage or the ability to try and kill Isobel herself. Though Mege would be the instigator and she and her kin would be banished if any harm came to Isobel, she figured.

  “No one threatens anyone who is under my protection.”

  “It doesna mean she will carry through with her threat—”

  “That was?”

  “I could meet with an accident.”

  Alasdair cast a stern look in Mege’s direction. She had been watching Alasdair and Isobel but quickly looked at her meal.

  “I dinna want to involve your kin in this. I will be careful to watch my back,” Isobel said, though she did worry about her own kin should Mege or her family or friends take the interest the laird was showing to Isobel out on her family.

  “Aye, you will. But I canna have you harmed by someone in my clan either. I will be discussing this with Mege and her family to set them straight if anyone thinks to do anything.”

  “Thank you.” Isobel was glad he didn’t act as though it wasn’t important, just in case Mege followed through with her threat.

  “So tonight, I’ll be at the loch.” He raised a brow to wait for her response.

  She smiled. “I’ll be there to guard you.”

  But the expression on his face said he didn’t want her to be there so that she could guard him. If Mege knew where they would both be tonight, she’d probably want to kill them herself!

  8

  Alasdair was glad his brothers were watching out for Isobel. He would be too, but whoever wished her harm was keeping it quiet around him. That Mege would even threaten Isobel like that, whether it was a case of just bluffing or not, was enough to make him want to banish her from the pack. He was a fair leader, he felt, but when it came to the safety of his people, all his pack members, he took something like that seriously.

  After the meal, he called a meeting with Mege and her father, mother, and three brothers. He didn’t want them to leave the pack. But he had to make it clear that whoever he chose for a mate, it would be his decision, and no one would stop that from happening. And if they couldn’t live with it, they were free to leave the pack now.

  “Word spreads throughout a pack so quickly, I’m sure you have some idea why I’ve come here to speak with you,” Alasdair said.

  “Whatever the Viking woman has told you, she lies,” Mege quickly said, as if he would believe her word over Isobel’s.

  “If you wish to leave the pack, you are welcome to. If any harm comes to Isobel or her kin, I will hold you and your kin responsible for it,” Alasdair told Mege’s da. Mayhap he could control his own daughter. In any event, Alasdair wanted them to know that he wouldn’t allow any harm to come to Isobel or the others.

  “What was said to start this dialogue?” Mege’s da asked, sounding puzzled.

  “Ask Mege. She has threatened Isobel, stating an accident could befall her if she pursues seeing me further as a prospective mate. ‘Tis my decision, no’ anyone else’s,” Alasdair said.

  Her da agreed. “Aye, as it should be.” He gave Mege a dark look.

  Alasdair assumed he’d speak with her and set her straight. But when he considered her brothers’ expressions, he knew she had approached them about wanting Isobel harmed. They looked guilty enough and he smelled their worried scent. Not only that, but they glanced from him to their da as if they knew he’d give them the devil over it next.

  Their da eyed them with concern.

  “We dinna want to leave the pack,” Mege’s mother said. “My daughter knows her place. If there is any trouble between her and anyone else you might consider as your mate, we will deal with her.” She cast a dark look at her sons. “None of us will stand in your way. We welcome the north wolves to the pack. They will help us to fight our enemies. They bring new blood to the pack. It is good.”

  “Aye,” Mege’s da said. “The family of the northern region has endured hardships we have no’ had to face once we joined your pack. We willna leave unless you wish it. I, and my kin, will protect them with our lives, just as we pledge the same to you and your kin and the rest of the pack.”

  Alasdair inclined his head to the mother and father. Alasdair looked at the brothers. They inclined their heads to him, telling him they would do as he asked. Then Alasdair stood and everyone in the family rose to their feet.

  “I dinna believe I need to say anything further to you about this,” Alasdair said.

  “Nay, you should never have had to speak to us about this in the first place,” the da said. “We will take care of matters here.”

  Alasdair nodded, but he didn’t bother to look at Mege. She was lucky she was still part of the pack. She showed no sign of remorse and she had lied to make Isobel appear to be the guilty party. At least her parents could tell she was lying, and they would have words with their sons also. He would not have that kind of behavior in his pack. They needed to be united as a pack.

  Despite the family’s assurances, he felt troubled that it had come to this in the first place, all because of a woman’s spitefulness.

  But then he thought of seeing Isobel at the loch and he smiled. She made the world right for him all over again.

  He stalked out of the keep and Hans intercepted him. “Is everything all right?” Hans asked.

  “Aye. It is now.”

  Hans smiled. “You havena had trouble like this for some time, not within the pack. Sometimes you need to have a wee bit to awaken the senses.”

  Alasdair chuckled. “Aye.”

  “Are you going to the loch, perchance?”

  “Aye.”

  “Do you need anyone to guard your back?” Hans asked, still sounding like he worried about him.

  “Nay. We have this covered.”

  “Isobel and you.”

  “And her nephew, if we should need him.”

  “Aye, and Dawy and Agnes are good fighters. But if you need our help, howl, and we will come to your aid.”

  “Thanks, brother.”

  When Alasdair went to the loch to swim, he hoped Isobel would come out of the croft to join him. But when he finally arrived there, he smelled Isobel’s wild wolf scent. He took a deep breath and hurried through the Rowan bushes to join her if she was there and hadn’t just been in the area recently.