Birds twittered somewhere outside and the dawn’s rising sunshine streamed through Alec’s window and spilled over Annella’s closed eyelids. She wriggled and stretched in bed, her mate’s warm and fresh pine scent floating around her. Blinking her eyes open, she flopped onto her side and grinned at her mate as he slept soundly on the blue suede settee, his bare feet protruding over the end of the padded armrest and one forearm flung over his eyes. He must have been exhausted to have slept in such a position.

Black fur cover pushed back, she snuck across to him and knelt on the plush white carpet, cupped his bristly jaw and reveled in the tingles racing across her fingertips. She leaned in and licked his lower lip. This man held the other half of her soul, just as she held the other half of his, their bond one that had crossed the centuries and defied even time itself. She couldn’t ignore it, wanted only to keep chipping away at his resolve until he’d fully caved into her. Aye, ’twas a solid plan, one she intended to continue with.

“What are you doing?” He moaned, opened one eye and glared at her.

“I missed you.” She touched her lips to his, blew a soft breath across his tongue then kissed him, captured more of his delicious essence and fairly thrummed at the decadence of him. This felt so very right. All she wanted to do was indulge and never stop.

“Annella.” He mumbled her name against her lips. “You can’t kiss me like this.”

“I think I can.” She grasped his shoulders, ran her hands down his sides, over his hips and his dark green leather pants. With a giggle, she pinched his butt then kissed him again.

“You are so annoying, my mysterious sprite.” Breaking their kiss, he swung his feet to the floor and stood. “Do you wish to join my clansmen for breakfast in the great hall or for me to bring a tray up here?”

“A tray here please. I still need to travel to the dream realm. I fell into such a deep sleep after our kisses last eve that I didnae have the chance to do so. Will you watch over me while I’m away? I very rarely leave without someone to guard my body and force my return should it be needed.”

“Of course. What should I expect?”

“My breathing becomes shallower and my heartbeat slows. Sometimes my skin cools and my lips go a little blue. All you need to worry about though is if I cease breathing altogether. Should that happen then shake me, and dinnae cease doing so until I’m back.”

“How long will you be gone?” He gestured for her to lie down on his bed.

“However long is needed, although I will be as quick as I can.” She laid down, rested her head back on his soft white pillow as he perched next to her on the luxurious mattress.

“You’ll truly return if I shake you?” He picked up her hand, pressed his lips to her palm.

“Aye, for you I would do anything to return.” Slowly, she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Relaxed, she cleared her mind, then embraced the dark. She drifted deeper into sleep then rose and floated through the darkness. One star twinkled, then another and another. She soared higher, to the place where Father and Ronan’s stars usually blazed. All wispy-white, she breezed, yet still there was naught. No Ronan. No Father.

Why? So many days had now passed and she should have been able to find them resting at some point. Mayhap… Nay, she’d never allow herself to consider that they no longer lived. Duncan knew of her skill and simply ensured they didn’t rest, or else she’d missed them during the times when they had been able to catch a few winks. That was all.

“Annella!” Alec’s voice swamped her. “You’re crying. Wake up.”

She descended, breathed deep as she settled back inside her physical body and blinked her eyes open. Her mate still sat beside her, her braid now unraveled and one of his hands fisted around the long length. Carefully, he slid his other arm around her back then lifted her up and settled her on his lap, tucked her head under his chin and her check against his chest. He held her close, his heartbeat thumping against her ear as he rocked her. “I’m fine, Alec.”

“No more crying.”

“I couldnae find them and the thought of their death, of them being taken away from me, it hurts, terribly.” She wiped her tears away and looked into his eyes. “You have chosen to deny our bond and I fear I will have naught to live for if I ever discover they are truly gone. I would wish only to join them beyond the veil, to leave this Earth behind so I might be with my loved ones once more. Do you understand? Should I ever leave this Earth, then know ’tis because I had no other choice.”

“I won’t let you leave me, and we’ll find them, that I promise you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “They wouldn’t dare die and leave you alone, not if you only intended to hunt them down beyond the veil.”

“Aye, I can be rather persistent when I’ve set my mind to something.”

“So I’ve noticed.” He searched her gaze, such a myriad of emotions swirling within, but most of all, his need for her shone the greatest. “If you ever need a listening ear, then ask Cherub to bring you through one of her portals. I’ll always be here.”

“Your offer is a good one.” Better than any he’d offered her so far.

“I should go and secure us some food.” He set her on her feet as he stood then walked out the door and left without a backward glance.

With a long sigh, she collected what she needed from her traveling sack and strolled into the bathroom. She flapped out a pair of tan pants and fastened the ties at her waist, tucked in the hem of her cream tunic and slipped on a buttery-soft tan rawhide vest. Knee-high leather boots back on and sword belt and wrist dagger fastened, she splashed her face with warm water at the basin, plaited her hair once more and returned to the bedroom for her ribbon. The thin strip of blue silk lay on his pillow where he must have tossed it after unraveling her hair. She knotted it around the end to secure her braid in place.

“Here we go.” Alec returned with a tray holding two steaming tankards and a plate stacked with bacon slices, eggs, crusty bread, and a bowl of sliced apple set to one side. He placed the tray on the side table tucked in one corner then crossed to his oak chest of drawers, slipped on a black tunic with ties at the V neckline and donned a black leather jerkin, fastened his sword then hid various other weapons around his body.

Comfort settled within her as he did. To not be armed in any way always rattled her, and clearly it did so with him too. He disappeared into the bathroom and she set to work making his bed, plumped his pillows and straightened his sheets before sitting on one of the two wooden backed chairs before the table.

With his jaw shaven and his silky black hair brushing his shoulders just the way she liked, he emerged, pulled a brown canvas satchel out from under his bed and stuffed clothes from his dresser into it. “Start eating without me.”

“Nay, I shall wait.” This would be the first breakfast she’d ever share with him and she didn’t wish to miss a moment of it.

“I feel like I’ve forgotten something.” Frowning, he glanced about his chamber.

“Might I recommend you pack the rest of your chocolate bar?” She certainly hoped he would.

“You could.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Except that might make our trip enter into dangerous territory.”

“Pack it. I dare you to do so, or are you scared of me?” She leaned over one of the steaming tankards and breathed in the unusually earthy-sweet aroma within. Its scent reminded her somewhat of the chicory plant with its bright blue flowers. She’d come across it from time to time in the forest. “What is this hot drink called?”

“Coffee. I already added milk and sugar to sweeten it. Take a sip and taste it.” He opened his bedside drawer and took out the chocolate bar, slipped it inside his bag and closed the flap before taking the seat opposite her. “You also don’t scare me in the least.”

“I should.” She smiled, her heart lightening. “Thank you for packing the chocolate.”

“I didn’t pack the chocolate for you.”

“Of course you didnae.” She picked up the tankard with a pretty motif of a flower on the front and sipped. The hot brew warmed her belly, the taste so different to anything she’d ever tasted before. So many new and exciting things existed in this time, and she couldn’t wait to discover all that she could.

“Do you like it?” He sipped from the other tankard then let out a long sigh of contentment.

“I would like anything you brought me.”

“Is that right?” He raised a curious brow. “What about a dead rabbit my bear hunted down and dropped at your feet, blood still dripping from its carcass and between my teeth?”

“Provided you then shifted, skinned and cleaned the rabbit then brushed your teeth, I’d be fine with you doing so.” She picked up a fork and stabbed some of the bacon and egg then layered it on top of one of the bread slices. Bread folded over, she picked it up and chewed. “Father calls me his wild child, even though Ronan is far wilder than me, so if you wish to hunt rabbit, then I would gladly join you and your bear when you do.”

“There’s nothing I can say which is going to deter you is there?” He blew out a long breath then sipped his coffee.

“I adore wearing lad’s clothing, climbing trees, roaming the forest, and riding across the grassy moors. I am no’ your typical lass, although I have breasts and the body of a woman. I can see to your needs, ensure you want for naught during a coupling.”

“I have no issue with you wearing lad’s clothing, but what we did last night will never happen again.” With a grunt, he slapped some bacon and egg on his own piece of bread, folded it in half and bit into it. “This conversation about coupling also needs to stop.”

“I’m slim of build, always on the move and forget to eat at times, would never be a woman who could remain at the hearth, but—” She shook her head, her heart heaving. Aye, if he truly wished a woman who thrived on being safe within his keep’s walls, she’d fail him terribly at that.

“Don’t. I can see what you’re thinking.” He grasped her hand across the table, brought her fingers to his lips and kissed each tip. “I find you immensely appealing, would want a woman exactly like you.” He pressed her palm against his chest, his gaze softening. “You’re nothing like I ever expected, yet everything I could ever desire in a mate. I also find you far too desirable for my liking.”

“You hold the strength and the heart of a warrior, your love for your kin shining through You are everything I could ever desire in a mate too.”

“You missed the killing part and my beastly bear.” He nudged the bowl of apple slices toward her. “Keep eating. You’ll need the energy for later in the day.”

“Aye, Captain.” She scooped up some apple and bit into it. “Can I speak to you of one of my most secret desires?”

“No.” He gulped a mouthful of coffee. “Sharing secret desires is absolutely forbidden.”

“You dinnae wish to know what I desire doing?” She certainly wished to share her dreams with him.

“No.” He gulped another mouthful.

“I shall tell you anyway.” She plucked another apple slice from the bowl, leaned across and popped it into his mouth. “I secretly dream of climbing Ben Nevis. ’Tis the highest mountain in all of Scotland and only a few days’ journey from my home on the shores of Loch Alsh.”

“It’s also the highest mountain in all the United Kingdom and first scaled by James Robertson in seventeen-hundred and seventy-one. The plaque says so once you reach the top.” He finished his coffee, stood and shoved his chair in. “Ben Nevis is also a popular destination, and if you use the Pony Track from Glen Nevis, you can ascend to the top with far more ease.”

“Please, dinnae tell me you have climbed it.” Surely, he hadn’t. She jumped from her seat, grasped his hands.

“I’ve climbed it.” He dipped his head, touched his lips to her ear. “I do so once a year. My bear needs the hard trek and adventure, as do I.”

“Oh my.” Jealousy and longing speared through her. “Will you take me the next time—”

“No.”

“Wait.” She snorted under her breath. “You need to cease saying no to me all the time. My request wasnae a bad one.”

“No is a very safe word, particularly around you.” He slid one finger under her chin, his gaze locked tight with hers. “We should never have kissed last night, or this morning. I’m sending you the wrong message and I need to cease doing so.”

“You are doing no more than showing affection, as those who are mated do.” She slid her hands over his chest, rested her cheek against his shoulder and allowed his warmth and strength to surround her. “I adore your kisses, in case you were no’ aware.”

“As I adore yours, but they truly must stop.” He stepped back and she growled under her breath. Her mate needed to see the truth standing right before his eyes, the same truth that lay glaringly obvious to her. Never would he harm her. ’Twas impossible for those who were soul bound to bring harm or pain to the other. Even when he spoke of dismissing all that had grown between them this past month, he still reached out to touch and connect with her. ’Twas clear to see he needed her, just as much as she needed him.

“Go and gather your things. I saw Cherub and Kirk downstairs and they’re readying themselves to leave.” He motioned toward her bag.

“Aye, we must leave.” That she would give him. ’Twas certainly time to begin her search and find her kin. No more could she delay. She collected her bag, folded her belongings inside, slung it over one shoulder and joined him at the door.

“Pass your bag to me.”

“I can carry it.” She couldn’t help but touch one finger to the new mark she’d stamped on his neck. Caressing downward, over his broad shoulder and rigid bicep, she smiled. “I shall carry yours too when your bear needs to track my kin and you wish to remain unhindered by your things.”

“My satchel straps around my waist, has magnetic tabs that hold it in place. You don’t need to carry my things at all.” His shifter eyes heated, his gaze a molten pool of liquid gold as he gazed at her neck and the mark he’d stamped upon her. “I should shift now, let you meet my bear, but I’d rather do so when Kirk is around and he can ensure your safety should something go wrong.”

“Your bear could never harm me.”

“He’s demanding, violent and hostile. I want you to take extreme care when I release him, and I mean that, Annella. If he makes even one wrong move and harms you, then that’s it. I’ll call off my offer to aid you in your search and find you another of my clansmen to do the job.” He twirled her around, flipped her bag off her shoulder and onto his. “Also, when I ask you to hand me something, you do it. That’s a direct order.”

“Aye, Captain.” She giggled, opened the door and gestured for him to go through. “Grumpy bears afore ladies, I believe.”

Grumbling, he marched past her and down the burgundy and blue carpet runner then waited for her at the top of the stairs.

She bounded in beside him, pushed him back against the wall and stomped on his booted feet to gain some height, fisted his shirtfront and kissed the man who’d brought desire and love flaring back to glorious and vibrant life within her. “You are mine, just as I am yours.”

“I said no more kissing.” He took her with him, her feet still balanced on top of his as he stepped to the other side of the hallway and pushed her against the wall. Trapped, he smoothly slid one palm around her nape, dipped his head and sucked her lower lip into his mouth. He rolled his tongue around her lower lip, moved to her upper lip and plumped it between his lips, then he devoured her, his kiss hot and wild and all that she needed, yet also not nearly enough.

“There you two are.” Cherub skipped up the stairs in a navy riding habit, her white fur cloak swaying from her shoulders. “Kirk and I have collected some food from the kitchens and have all we need for our coming trip.”

Kirk grinned as he strode upstairs in Cherub’s wake, the hem of his loose-sleeved white tunic fluttering free underneath his fur-lined jacket, his kilt belted at his waist and two bags in hand, one which must be filled with the promised provisions. “You two appear as if you’re getting along quite well.”

“She’s my mate. What do you expect?” Alec snapped at Kirk as he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her forward. “I’ll need you to supervise my first shift. If my beast hurts her, shoot him.”

“You got it.” A chuckle from Kirk. “Although it’s impossible for us to hurt our chosen ones and you need to remember that.”

“Shoot. Gun. Here.” Alec pulled a metal weapon with a small barrel from his bag and slapped it into Kirk’s hand, a weapon she’d never seen before, although he’d clearly called it a gun, whatever a gun was. Well, it hardly appeared as if it would harm him. ’Twas all smooth edged and without the bite of a blade to it, nor the speared head of an arrow. “The tranquilizer is loaded and you know what to do with it.”

“I’ve got you covered.” Kirk slid the gun inside his fur jacket’s inner pocket. “Not that I’ll need it.”

“I’ve already harmed her, so trust me, you need it.”

“You didnae harm me, no’ when I asked you to take my dagger and see if I bled.” She rubbed her cheek against Alec’s wide shoulder, her ability to touch him comforting her so very much. “What does a tranquilizer do?”

“That gun, when aimed and shot at someone, will release a dart holding a sedative. The dose within it is strong enough to bring my beast down, within just a few seconds. I always make sure one of my teammates carries it on any mission we set out on. I’m unpredictable, Annella. I can turn in an instant and you need to take the utmost care around me. I can’t stress that enough.”

“I understand.” She reached up on her toes and kissed his jaw. “I should like you to turn in an instant, and instead of saying you dinnae want me, to instead say you do.”

“That’s not happening, my annoying sprite.”

“Aye, I’m your annoying sprite, and dinnae you forget it.” She stepped away from him and hugged Cherub. “Thank you for bringing me here to Alec’s time. My chosen one is still adamant we willnae be completing the bond, but I still hold the hope that I might be able to sway his mind.”

“You’re going to adore the moment you complete the bond. When you two join together in all ways, you’ll create the merged link of the mind, one that’s inherent in our men’s shifter blood. Only then will either of you truly be at peace and Alec’s bear more settled. A happy man makes for a happy bear.”

“Excuse me. I’m right here,” Alec grumbled, yet such hungry hope swirled within his gaze even as he frowned at her.

“Cherub is my princess and so very wise. You’d be foolish if you didnae listen to her from time to time.” She poked his chest. “No more arguing. I wish to begin our search and find my kin. Father and Ronan need to be freed, and that is all I can think about right now.”

“I wholeheartedly agree.” Cherub held out her arms to them both as she glanced at Alec. “You need to take ahold of me. Only those connected to me in some way can travel safely through the portals I open, and if you let go at any point in time, expect a rather rough ride and an equally rough landing.” She glanced over her shoulder at Kirk. “Are you ready, my tempting bear?”

“Always, my elusive imp.” He slid his arms around her from behind and nipped her ear. “Let’s head out.”

“We’ll find them, somehow and some way.” Alec nodded at Annella as he gripped Cherub’s arm.

“Aye, we shall. There can be no other way.”

“I agree,” Cherub bit out with determination then with a swish of her fingers, she opened a portal and the four of them fell away into the dark abyss, all connected as one.

Through time and space, they traveled and a few minutes later arrived on the rise of a forested mountain, one side sweeping downward toward the inner channel of Loch Alsh. A cold wind whipped around and through her, the towering tree she’d been bound and gagged within rising high right beside her. A shiver chased down her spine and she swiftly shook off the uneasy feeling. She had no time for such trepidation.

She swished past Alec and hunkered down next to the fire pit where rocks had been arranged in a circle and the ashes within had all but blown away. Carefully, she touched a finger to a dry pool of blood, now a muddy brown in color. Father’s blood. It had been spilt right here, Ronan’s likely as well since her brother would never have surrendered with any ease. “This is the place.”

“You’re not alone.” Her chosen one crouched next to her, his big body blocking the worst of the wind. “Never alone.”

“Find them, please.” She caught his hand, pressed his fingers to the dried blood. “Release your bear and track down our enemy. Duncan MacKenzie must pay for what he’s done.”