His Tainted Mate (Alaskan Tails #3)

Chapter 10

ELLE

The days turned into two weeks as Elle prepared to leave Hobart for good with Rab and head to her new home in the Highlands. Her bond with Rab deepened with each passing day. They explored Hobart together, revisiting Elle’s old haunts and discovering new ones, their love growing stronger with every shared moment.

Trudi welcomed Rab into their small family with open arms, forging a friendship with him that mirrored the sisterly bond she shared with Elle. The four of them—Hamish, Trudi, Rab, and Elle—laughed together over meals and shared stories that lasted late into the night.

For Elle, the journey back to Hobart had been more than a homecoming—it had been a reaffirmation of the bonds that anchored her to this world. As she and Trudi stood together on the balcony, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of gold and crimson, Elle felt a profound sense of gratitude for the twists and turns that had led her to this moment. She had faced darkness and uncertainty, but she had emerged stronger, more resilient, and more alive than ever before.

In the quiet moments that followed, as the harbor below them hummed with the rhythm of life, Elle knew that this place was no longer her home. Her home lay in the highlands of Scotland, but more than that, it lay with the man she knew to be her fated mate.

As night descended over Hobart, Elle nestled against Rab's chest, her heart at peace amidst the symphony of the harbor’s sounds. She closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace and the knowledge that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

For in the embrace of love and acceptance, Elle had found her sanctuary—a haven where her tainted past and unsullied present converged, the future shimmering with promise and possibility. And as she drifted into sleep, cradled in Rab's arms, she knew that their journey together had only just begun.

TRUDI

The morning sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as Hamish and Trudi stood outside the building where Elle’s loft was located, their suitcases packed and ready by their sides. It was a bittersweet moment, filled with a sense of anticipation for the journey ahead and a pang of sadness at the impending farewell.

Rab and Elle joined them on the sidewalk, their expressions a mirror of conflicting emotions. Hamish, tall and rugged with a gentle demeanor, clasped Rab's hand in a firm handshake.

"Take care of her," Hamish said gruffly, his voice thick with emotion. "If she’s anything like her sister, she’s going to be a handful, but she'll be worth it."

Rab chuckled softly, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "I will, Hamish. Thank you—for everything."

The two men exchanged a nod of understanding, their bond forged long ago as warriors from the same clan. Hamish turned to Elle next, enveloping her in a bear hug that spoke volumes of the affection he held for her.

"You look after yourself out there. You and Winter try not to stir up too much trouble," Hamish murmured into her ear, his voice gruff with unspoken sentiment.

Elle returned the embrace fiercely, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I’m not making any promises," she teased, her voice catching with emotion.

Meanwhile, Trudi stood beside Rab, her gaze locked with his as she fought to contain her own swirling emotions. She had grown close to Rab during their time together in Hobart, forming a bond that transcended mere friendship. They were family. Now, as they faced the inevitable parting, she struggled to find the words to express herself.

Rab reached out and squeezed Trudi's hand gently, his expression softening with understanding. "Take care of yourself and Hamish," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sadness.

Trudi nodded, her throat tight with unshed tears. "Thank you, Rab, for being there for Elle. I’m trusting my sister to you.”

“And I don’t take that lightly.”

Trudi nodded. “She may not admit it, but I think she was always waiting for you. I think she’d given up believing she’d ever find you. I think her soul was tired and wanted to leave. She needed you."

“And I needed her.”

As Rab and Elle turned to leave, Trudi found herself grappling with a sense of loss tempered by the knowledge that their paths would always be intertwined. She felt Hamish’s arm wrap around her as they both raised their hands to wave at the departing vehicle that was taking Elle and Rab to the airport, where one of Sean’s private planes would return them to the Highlands.

The drive to the airport the next day was a quiet affair, the city slowly awakening around them as they navigated the familiar streets. They were to take another of Sean’s planes back to Alaska where they planned to make their home. Trudi gazed out the window, taking in the sights with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation for the journey ahead.

"You okay?" Hamish asked softly, his gaze flickering to Trudi's profile.

Trudi turned to him, offering him a small smile. "I will be," she replied honestly. "It's just... saying goodbye is never easy, especially after everything."

Hamish nodded in understanding, his fingers finding hers on the gear shift. "We'll make new memories, Trudi. Together," he said earnestly, his voice filled with determination.

Trudi squeezed his hand gratefully, her heart swelling with gratitude for his unwavering support. "I know," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm grateful for this—for us."

Alaska greeted them with open arms as they touched down on its rugged terrain—a landscape marked by towering mountains and expansive wilderness that stretched as far as the eye could see. Trudi was surprised that she now thought of this place as home. Oh, she’d built a business here, but Tasmania had always been home. But now this remote corner of the world and the man who had chosen to embrace it and her was home.

Trudi marveled at the untamed beauty and familiarity of their surroundings, the crisp air tinged with the scent of pine and the promise of adventure. Their home was a beautiful bed and breakfast known as The Refuge. It had been that and so much more for so many, and she and Hamish had ensured it would always be. Located at the end of the main street in Mystic River, its windows overlooked breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and the swiftly rushing river.

"I never thought I could be happy any place but the Highlands, but I was wrong. This is home," Hamish said softly, his arm around Trudi's shoulders as they stood on the porch, taking in the panorama before them.

Trudi leaned into him, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the way the town and its citizens had embraced their return. "It's perfect," she murmured, her voice filled with wonder.

And as they stepped inside their cozy sanctuary, Trudi knew that they had returned to more than just a place to live—they had found a haven where their love could flourish amidst the wild beauty of Alaska.

As they watched the northern lights dance across the Arctic sky in the quiet solitude of their home, Hamish and Trudi forged a new life together—a life shaped by love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds that had carried them through trials across oceans and continents.