Belle
My eyes fluttered open, pain forcing me awake. I groaned loudly, then cursed. What else was a girl to do when she felt this bad?
“It’s okay, Mo chroí, I’ve got you.”
I smiled, cuddling into Sandy’s warmth. “Thank you for saving me.”
“I didn’t do it alone,” Sandy said quietly, which I was grateful for, since even my damn ears hurt. “Cam was here and he helped Wyatt and his men. Actually, it was Cam who killed that rogue Alpha. I was too busy trying to get that damn silver off you.”
“I thought I was a goner,” I mumbled against his hard chest.
“I couldn’t lose you,” Sandy said as his arms tightened around me. “Belle, were you aware that you were so allergic to silver? We nearly lost you because of it.”
Turning to look up at him I snorted. “How would I know that? It’s not as if we try it on to see how it affects us. I’ve always steered clear of it.”
Sandy grinned and that’s when I noticed the blood covering his chin, his gums raw and seeping red drops that ran down his face. I reached up, touching his face. “Oh my gosh. What happened to you? You’re hurt.”
“Silver,” Sandy said, shrugging. “I didn’t have time to transform so I used my mouth to get it off you.”
I knew the pain must have been immense and he’d done that for me. “I have no words right now and anyone will tell you, that’s so not me.”
“We both need to heal so do you think you can change? We can just lie here together until you feel better.”
“Are you hurt anywhere else?” I asked, noticing him grimace as he moved.
He shrugged again. “Just my hip and leg but it’s almost healed. It’s you I’m worried about.”
I tugged on his hair, pulling his head to mine. “Can I have a kiss first?”
“You can have a kiss anytime you want, my beauty.”
Our lips met in a soft caress, our tongues twirling together for the briefest of moments before he pulled back. “We’ll have a lifetime of kisses; first we need to get you back to full strength. We’ve got a date at your scenting ceremony.”
“Pfft.” I shook my head, causing me to immediately feel dizzy so I stopped. “I don’t need a ceremony to tell me we’re mates, Sandy.”
“I know you don’t,” he said smirking. “But I want to do things right and that includes the scenting ceremony and then Cam performing our Clan’s bonding ritual. It’s nothing too elaborate, well, not for us.”
“What does that mean?” I queried as I stared into those sexy-as-sin eyes.
“Cam’s the one that has to do the Alpha Dance after we’re mated. It’s quite a performance and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”
“Sounds intriguing,” I murmured. “Sandy, before we transform can I put your mind at ease? I know we are mates, I get that, but I was scared and stubborn. I thought you were like the rest and would let me down and I didn’t want to be hurt again. I know better now.”
“I’m sorry you were hurt,” Sandy said as he ran a finger along my lips. “But those others let you down because you weren’t soul-mates. I won’t ever leave you and I’ll always be by your side. Now, can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” I said, knowing his words were the truth. The other guys I’d been with knew I wasn’t theirs, not truly theirs, and that’s why we’d broken up. This, what I felt between Sandy and me, now that was something completely different.
“Will ye come home with me?” Sandy asked, his face showing how worried he was.
“I think I will. The thought of leaving here scared me something fierce, but I’m yours and I’ll go wherever you go. If that’s Scotland then that’s where I’ll be.”
“Oh thank the goddess a thousand times,” Sandy laughed. “If you had said no I would’ve stayed here to be with you, but that thought scared the shit out of me. Not seeing the Highlands every morning, not being Beta, crap, I think I would’ve died a slow death.”
“No need to worry. I’m not letting you go. Not after just finding you, Scotty.”
Sandy grinned, the smile wide and showing me again the damage done to his mouth. The pain he must have endured broke my heart. “Let’s transform so we can heal and then maybe we can spend some time alone. Don’t think I haven’t sensed we’re being watched.”
“Wyatt and his men are keeping watch to ensure our safety.” Sandy tilted his head, a cheeky glint in his eyes. “But I’m all for some time alone.”
“Good.” I tried to move from his lap, and failed. Damn, I was much weaker than I’d thought, or maybe it was because I was in Sandy’s arms that I hadn’t realized the extent of my injuries.
“Wait.” Sandy kissed my forehead before gently laying me on the ground.
At first I couldn’t change, my beast and I having to work for long moments to engage my transformation. Sandy’s Wolf sniffing and whining as I moaned in pain. This was the worst I’d ever experienced, every single joint, bone, and muscle seeming to be on fire as I slowly transitioned from human to beast.
Finally, after goddess knew how long, I collapsed onto the ground, exhausted.
Time passed slowly, or that’s how I perceived it, my beast lying prone as it healed us both. Sandy’s reddish Wolf stayed firmly at my side, licking my face or simply wrapping its huge body around my much smaller one. The feeling of complete peace and security he gave was like nothing I’d experienced before.
I guess that’s what having a soul-mate feels like.
Now that I had it I’d fight to the death to keep it. Nothing, and I mean nothing would separate us ever again.
I dozed, or thought I did. I wasn’t quite sure if I slept or slipped in and out of consciousness, but finally I awakened feeling stronger. I waited, not wanting to chance another excruciating transformation. Only when I felt almost back to normal did I stand, changing back. Thankfully, this time was almost like normal.
Sandy’s change was far quicker than mine and he was already waiting on me, pulling me into his arms and hugging me tightly.
“We’re going to have to forego some alone time,” he murmured against my hair.
“What? Why?” I asked quickly, my body desperate to feel his magical touch again.
“Darling.” Sandy held me at arm’s length, staring down at me. “The scenting ceremony starts in just over an hour. You’ve been out for the count for a long time.”
“No.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Really?”
“Yes,” Sandy confirmed. “I’ll walk you home and then you’ll have to hurry and shower, so will I, and then we’ll meet at the ceremony. Here.”
Sandy picked up a large blanket, wrapping it around me before grabbing another and throwing it around himself. “Wyatt had these dropped off for us earlier.”
“Thanks.” I pulled the cover tight. Parading through the camp naked wasn’t high on my list of “to do” things for the day. Or rather, night, as I realized it was getting darker by the minute.
Sandy’s arm snaked around my shoulders as we walked, and talked. Nothing deep, just general chat as I asked him question upon question about his home. He told me everything I wanted to know, and more. Mostly about the hijinks he and some of his friends got into.
Even as Beta, he had a fun side to him which I loved. I wasn’t exactly unknown for my own escapades and I thought we were even better suited to one another than I’d previously assumed. That settled my heart and soul in ways I couldn’t quite put into words, but I just knew that things were meant to be.
When we reached my cabin, my Aunt Avery was pacing around outside. “Belle! At last! I thought you were going to miss the ceremony.”
“I’m here now,” I said, turning to look up into Sandy’s face. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Aye, that ye will, lass.” Sandy’s brogue was showing as he bowed before me. “Never doubt my love, Belle. From now ‘til eternity.”
My insides did something they’d never done before . . . they went all warm and fuzzy. Me? Warm and fuzzy? Never thought that would ever happen.
“I love you too, Scotty,” I replied, my voice husky as I tried to push thoughts of his naked body from my mind.
Hey! It was hard. I’d seen his body and it was hot with a capital freaking H.
Sandy walked away as my aunt grabbed hold of me, crushing me to her in a hug. “I thought I’d lost you! Don’t you dare do that to me again.”
“I didn’t exactly have a choice in the matter, Aunt.” I shook my head at her. “Now, can I get inside and shower? I stink and I’d rather this not be the scent my mate has to endure at the, you know, scenting ceremony.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” my aunt gushed, dragging me inside. “Maddie’s been going crazy with worry but I’ve told her she’ll have to wait to see you.”
“No, call her and tell her to come over,” I threw over my shoulder as I made my way to my room. “I’ll be busy later.”
“Belle!” Aunt Avery chuckled as she grabbed her phone. “I’ll call her now.”
The next hour passed so quickly with me getting showered and trying to calm down my excitable friend. Maddie just wouldn’t shut up. I was used to it, but I found it hard to concentrate as my thoughts flew again and again to my sexy Highlander.
“You didn’t hear me,” Maddie said, probably for the tenth time. “Your head is up in the clouds.”
“Not in the clouds,” I joked. “It’s most definitely thinking of Sandy.”
“You’re so lucky to have found your mate,” Maddie babbled, throwing herself back onto my bed. “I wish I’d found mine.”
“You will, when the time is right,” I told her soothingly.
Maddie sat up, her face white as one of her hands shot to her mouth before she squawked. “Oh, you’ll be leaving! What am I going to do here all by myself?”
“You won’t be by yourself,” I reminded her. “Lila is here and . . .”
“It won’t be the same!” Maddie wailed dramatically. “Do you think I could come for a loooooooooong visit?”
I nodded. Anything to calm her theatrics. “Of course. I’m sure that would be fine, but I’ll ask Sandy just to make sure.”
“Really? You will?” She jumped up, hugging me. “Thank you! I’ll have to get packing.”
“What? Why?” I asked, suddenly confused.
“I’m coming with you when you leave,” she said, smiling like the cat that caught the canary.
“I thought you meant come for a visit . . . well . . . later sometime.”
“Nope,” Maddie replied, shaking her head. “I’d hate travelling alone so it makes sense I come with you now.”
“Won’t your mom and dad have something to say about that?” I asked quickly.
“Don’t care,” Maddie scowled. “I’m coming and that’s that.”
I gave up. When my best friend was in one of these moods it was impossible, and I mean utterly impossible, to change her mind.
I hoped Scotland knew what it was in for.
Pushing all thoughts of tornado Maddie heading for the Highlands, I fluffed up my hair. I’d kept it loose and left my natural curls to wave down my back. As I stared at my reflection I had a vision of Sandy grabbing a handful of my hair and tugging my head back to place kisses along my throat. Wow! My body shuddered at the mere thought of his touch.
Damn, this mating thing was strong ju ju.
“Belle!” Aunt Avery yelled. “Come on! You’ll be late!”
“Guess it’s time,” I whispered, suddenly scared that Sandy wouldn’t show and I’d be left standing like some loser waiting on the guy that got away.
“No,” I told myself firmly. “He’ll be there.”
“Of course he will,” Maddie babbled, tugging me toward the door.
I followed, my heart fluttering and my stomach full of knots.
Aunt Avery led the way, Maddie beside me, and both of them twittering away like birds, excitement in every word. Damn. I wish they’d just stop. Just for a minute so I could gather my thoughts, but then again, maybe it was better I didn’t have time to think.
If I did I might just turn and run.
Why? Quite simply because I was terrified. Of my intense feelings for Sandy, at the thought he’d decided in the past hour that I wasn’t his mate and he’d not be there. Plus a gazillion other thoughts that would take over if I had the time. Oh wait. I’d just thought them and my feet were still moving forward.
Go figure.
The sounds of voices and excited chattering told me we were almost there. I lifted my head and inhaled, searching for that damn sexy Highlander’s scent. There! I found it. He hadn’t run. He was there and I knew he was waiting for me. I could sense him. His excitement, his nervousness, and his love.
Every single emotion I felt deep inside me and it calmed me like no words could. The sensation of feeling him, mind, body and soul was like nothing on this earth. It was simply amazing.
As we broke through the trees to the clearing we used for the ceremony, I ignored everyone, searching for him. When I caught sight of him my heart stuttered hard in my chest. “Oh my.” I almost squealed at the vision before me.
He was standing with a tall man with black hair, both of them dressed in kilts and a white loose shirt that had cord lacing at the neck. Wow! That was the only word I could use. Just wow!
Sandy was sex on legs as he abruptly stopped talking to the other man—who I presumed was this Cam he’d spoken of—and he turned to search for me. Our eyes locking and a huge smile on his face.
That’s when he used the mind-link again. Calling me to him.
“Come to me, my beauty,” his voice in my head sounding throaty and filled with lust.
I sped up, leaving my aunt and Maddie staring open-mouthed at Sandy and Cam. I barely heard Maddie’s comments as I walked toward my future.
“Wowzer! If the men all look like that in Scotland I’m never coming home.”
My aunt chuckled as she answered my friend. “I don’t blame you. I might just have to come visit too.”