Chapter Sixteen
“W olves have something of an oral fixation.” Callum’s voice is as rough as sand.
“They. . . what?”
The fire has just been tended to. It casts its glow onto the side of Callum’s face and turns his skin bronze.
“It’s bad when we’re pups, worse when we’re adolescents. When we’re adults, it becomes more of a sex thing.” My cheeks flame, and Callum brushes his knuckles against one of them. He brings his lips to my ear, and his warm breath caresses my skin. “Wolves like to bite.”
The hotness in my face spreads and surges lower. I don’t know why such a thought would cause this reaction within me. He takes my hands in his.
“When you had a fever, Blake told me that before the first few shifts, the changes that happen to a half-wolf are akin to what full Wolves go through during adolescence.” His expression becomes somber. “Your fingernails... You’ve been biting yourself... I should have taken care of you. I should have offered you a vice for that particular fixation. I’m sorry, Princess. I forgot what it was like.”
My forehead furrows as I try to make sense of what he’s saying. “I... Callum... I don’t want to bite you!”
“No?” Outside, the wind rattles the window and its soft haunting song drifts through the mountains. “I think you do, Princess.” He runs the pad of his thumb over my lips. Gently, he forces entry, and the taste of salt and heat floods my mouth as he pushes down on my tongue.
An ache bursts between my legs, and something coils so tightly inside me that I think I may erupt. A whimper escapes me, muffled, as something wild within me urges softly.
Bite.
The wolf shines in Callum’s eyes as he watches me, and the strange reaction I’m having to him that I’m trying to suppress. He steps closer, and slides his thumb further back. I should push him away. I should pull back. I should not be fighting the urge to sink my teeth into him with every ounce of my willpower.
My breathing quickens. Sweat beads upon my brow. Heat pools between my thighs, and Callum’s nostrils flare.
“No? Very well.” He huffs a soft growl, and pulls his thumb away. “I have not been as attentive as I should have been.” His voice is hoarse. “It’s a primal act. I worry I’ll lose control of myself. The fever...” He shakes his head. “It troubles me. But if you need me, come to me.” He takes my chin between his thumb and finger. “No more biting yourself, okay?”
***
When evening approaches, rain drums against the castle walls. The torches flicker, as Callum and I make our way to the feast. I’m wearing my new dress. It’s long-sleeved and blue, and I catch Callum trying not to stare at the low neckline
Noise hits us as we reach the doors to the Great Hall—raucous voices, the clatter of crockery, and music. We pause beside a man who plays the bagpipes, and I’m almost deafened.
The space is packed. I can’t even see the alpha table at the back. Blake must have invited people from the village, because many wear Lowfell’s black and grey tartan. I think there are more people from Glas-Cladach, too, who must have traveled for the festivities. Their kilts and dresses are wet from the rain, and the air is hot and damp.
“Ready?” asks Callum, threading his fingers with mine.
I nod. My shoulders bump against people’s arms, as we weave through the crowd. Callum greets Wolves, his voice loud and warm. A shriek makes us both stiffen, and we both laugh when we realize the source of the sound was the small boy, Alfie—a disgruntled-looking Arran confiscates a goblet of wine from him. Elsie, beside him, takes it off him quickly, then catches my eye and grins.
“Looking superb, tonight, Aurora,” says Lochlan as we reach the alpha table. He leans back in his chair, and the collar of his shirt shifts. Candlelight flickers over the edge of a tattoo on his collarbone.
I return his smile. “Thank you.”
Blake is on Lochlan’s other side, talking to Jack, but his gaze flicks up. Callum’s hand tightens around mine. We take our seats beside Lochlan.
The tension between Blake and Callum is palpable. Neither of them acknowledges the other, yet Callum’s biceps bulge against his sleeves, and Blake’s fingers flex by his butter knife.
Both relax as food is brought out—large platters filled with salmon that must have been caught from the loch, steamed potatoes, and green vegetables. Goblets are filled with rich red wine. Lochlan makes small talk about his clan. The air is alive with music, laughter, and the loud unruly conversation I’ve become accustomed to in the Northlands. Everyone is in high spirits.
“So, Lochlan.” Callum puts down his fork. Blake turns his head in our direction, his goblet of wine halfway to his lips. “Are we finally going speak about the reason you came here? I’m presuming you want something in return for supporting me when I challenge James for the throne?”
A slow smile spreads across Lochlan’s face. “I have three conditions for my support.”
Callum leans back in his chair. “Okay.”
“I want Fort Dubh-Clach, the territory Sebastian took when he was looking for Aurora. It was mine before Kai, my beta, rose against me and claimed it as his. I doubt he’s alive now.” His kohl-lined eyes glimmer in the candlelight, and he smiles. “If any of his clan survived, they will pledge themselves to me. They were mine, once. The transfer will be peaceful.”
Callum inclines his head. “I have no problem with that, though we’ll have to win it back when I’m king. The fort will be under the control of whoever has taken over the Borderlands.” Callum glances at me. “Do you know who the new lord will be?”
I shake my head. “Sebastian had no family. One of the lords of the nearby castles may have—”
“His name is Alexander,” says Blake.
Something inside me freezes at the name. The memory of a man packed with muscle, his breath sour with wine, his hand gripping my thigh, flashes behind my eyelids. “If you’re talking about Sebastian’s bastard brother, he... he died a while ago. It must be someone else.”
Blake looks at me curiously. “I assure you, he’s alive, and has laid claim to the Borderlands in his brother’s absence. My spy told me.”
I shake my head. He’s wrong. He has to be. I lean forward so I can see him properly, beyond Callum’s big bulk. “My father will never accept him as a lord.”
“He might, given the right persuasion.” Blake arches an eyebrow at me, and I take a sip of wine so I have something to do with my hands.
“So, that’s why he wants you, Rory,” says Callum. He runs a hand over his jaw. “Fine. Done. I’ll personally hand you his head while I’m at it. What else do you want?”
“I want to know if Kai, or any of the other Wolves from that clan, are alive.”
“Kai is dead.” Blake’s tone is even, but that thread of shadow tightens. He’s lying. He runs a finger along his butter knife. “They’re all dead. My spy told me that, too.”
Lochlan’s eyebrows pinch together. “That is not what James seemed to think. If Alexander has Kai, and the lovely Aurora is here with us. . .”
Callum straightens in his chair. His fist clenches around his fork. He suddenly looks every bit the fearsome king he wishes to become. “Be very careful about what you suggest next.”
Lochlan chuckles. “I’m not suggesting we actually trade Aurora for the prisoners, Callum. But if there are men, women, and children from my clan who are still alive, she could be used to trick Alexander into thinking otherwise.”
I swallow. “You think he’s holding children captive?”
“I do.” He leans against the table so he can meet my eye. “Will you help me get them back, Aurora?”
“No.” Callum’s tone is final. “Rory will not be dangled like bait before him. When I’m king, I will make his death my priority, and if there are any prisoners that can be saved, we will get them out. But we must get James out of the way first.”
I can’t suppress my frown. It’s not as if I would suggest barraging recklessly into harm’s way, but if children’s lives are at risk and there is something I can do to help, it’s worth a conversation. I touch his wrist. “Callum. There may be—”
“No.” A muscle flexes in Callum’s arm beneath my fingertips. “And that’s the end of the matter.”
I narrow my eyes at his tone, his posture. “I’m not a member of your clan, Callum,” I say under my breath.
“No. But I’ll look after you all the same,” he fires back.
“I’ll send word to my spy,” says Blake, before I can retort. “Let’s find out if Kai is alive first. There might be something that can be done before we take any drastic measures. Jack?”
“I’ll ride out tonight,” says Jack.
Blake nods. “In the meantime, you’re welcome to stay in my castle, Lochlan. But Callum and I have grown fond of our little Southlands pet. We’ll kill you together if you decide to negotiate yourself a trade behind our backs. Callum likes to take a more forceful approach, whereas I...” The corner of his lip lifts as he runs a finger along the blade of his butter knife. “I like to play.”
Lochlan laughs. “It’s so nice to see you two getting along at last. Particularly after the other night.”
Callum makes a low sound in his throat. “I wouldn’t say that. But he’s not wrong.”
Lochlan ignores the two territorial alphas. “You’re safe around me, Aurora. I swear it.”
There’s something sincere in his expression, and I believe him. Yet I can’t pretend I’ve not noticed hostile glances throughout the evening from others within his clan. “What was your third condition?” I ask.
“Ah, it’s a simple one,” says Lochlan. “I merely wish for an audience with you, Aurora. In private. Tomorrow. Just you and me. What I have to say is for your ears only.”
Curiosity rises within me, while Callum frowns. “Whatever you have to say to her...” A woman walks through the doors to the Great Hall. A crease forms on his forehead and he snaps his gaze to Blake. “You didn’t tell me you’d invited Claire.” His voice is low.
Blake runs his finger around the rim of his wine glass. “I didn’t.” I feel his intrigue ripple through me.
I frown as the woman walks toward us. She has dark hair, half tied back and half loose down her shoulders. She wears breeches and a loose shirt beneath a blue-and-green tartan coat, and there’s a sword strapped to her belt. Most of her skin is covered, her clothing hugging an hourglass figure, and she walks confidently—as if she knows many of the Wolves in the hall have stopped their conversations to look at her. Her eyes are bright, her expression unreadable.
I recognize her name from somewhere.
“Claire,” I say softly. I recall the time that Blake told me James liked bold women. “Isn’t that—”
“James’s former lover.” Callum’s tone is dark as his posture straightens. “Aye.”
Tension curls in my gut because she could be here on behalf of our enemy.
It doesn’t ease when Lochlan leans back in his seat. “I heard you tried to bed her at one point, too, Callum.”