“It looks like I’m just in time.” Iain set her case down near the front steps leading into the keep and palmed the hilt of his sword. “If you’d like, stay and watch.”
“I’m definitely watching, and be careful.” She lifted onto her toes and kissed his chin. “No one is allowed to hurt you, and if they do, they’ll have me to answer to.”
“I’ll be sure to inform one and all.” He clasped her jean-clad hips, rubbed his body against hers and marked her with more of his delectable scent.
“You are one territorial bear.”
“It can’t be helped.” Grinning, he backed away, removed his sword from its sheath and strode toward his brothers. He warmed up, swinging his blade in a wide figure eight. His shoulders and arms, so thick and strong, were packed with muscle and she’d adored every inch of them this past fortnight. She couldn’t have asked for a more precious time with him.
Luckily her duties for her own clan were being taken care of by Daniel.
Finlay eyed Iain as he advanced, his weapon held high. “About time you turned up.”
“You sound mad, and you also appear rather on edge.” Iain jumped into the fray and brought his weapon down on Finlay’s. “What’s up?”
“I’ve had trouble with my bear these last couple of days.” Finlay battled him, landing one hard blow after another. “He’s getting antsy, clawing for the next full moon. I’ve already shifted twice today to calm him. Kirk’s in much the same fierce mood.”
“Fierce would be putting it mildly.” Kirk struck Iain and the clash of their blades clanged around the yard.
“Hey!” she called out. “No hurting my mate.”
“Aye, I should warn you both.” Iain swung at Kirk. “No one is permitted to hurt me. Orders from my chosen one.”
“Good to see you’re back, Iain.” Across the yard near the armory, a man in his mid-forties wearing tan trousers with a chunky black belt and a dark button-down shirt, strode toward Iain and his brothers, a glinting blade in his hand. A woman walked at his side dressed in a pleated blue skirt and a cream blouse, her wavy black hair swaying in a soft bob on her shoulders. The man had to be Michael, Iain’s father. The similarities between him and the three battling brothers were too striking for him not to be.
Her phone buzzed and she pulled it from her pocket and answered it. “Hey.”
“Hey back at ya.” Daniel’s deep voice rolled over her, made her miss home. She’d had the odd call from him and Dad, each time insisting they were fine. They’d both updated her on the Mathie case each time they’d rung. Keeping her in the loop was important, not that they’d had any new information other than that Owen and Ewan Mathie still remained under the radar.
“How are Emma and the baby?”
“Emma’s just taken our little boy to the doc for his eight-week checkup and she won’t be back for another hour. Where are you now?”
“I’ve just returned to Ivanson Castle but I need some time to get to know Iain’s parents and clan. I’m coming home in another week. Let Dad know for me.” She leaned against the stone wall, in the cool of its shadow and rubbed one sweaty palm on her jean-clad leg.
“You sound a little nervous.”
“I ran from their son for five years. What’s not to be nervous about?”
“I met them when I scouted out your new digs. They weren’t condemning of you at all when we spoke, only excited that Iain had finally found you.”
The woman next to Michael with the soft bob walked past a center well trailed in ivy. She was headed on a direct course toward her.
“I have to go. It appears I can’t hide out any longer.”
“Sure, but take care, and don’t fight the pull.”
“Don’t fight what p—” A beeping sounded in her ear. Daniel had hung up on her. Unusual.
Iain’s mother stopped before her, her smile radiant. “Welcome to Matheson Castle. I’m Megan.”
“I—ah—I’m sorry for the anguish I caused you and your kin these past five years. I mean, this is a momentous moment for me, meeting you.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, and I knew Iain would eventually find you. Everything happens in its own time and usually for a very good reason, something I’ve learnt well over the years.” Megan squeezed her hands and looked into her eyes. “Iain was so determined to find you, just as his brothers have been in their search for their mates. They long for what Iain has now gained, a strong and loving woman at his side.”
“Thank you.” Megan’s words touched her heart.
“Are you all right?” Iain met Kirk’s hard strike then darted a look at her. “Come out of the shadows, love. I’m about to lose my focus with you out of my sight. My brothers will soon notice my distraction and take advantage of it.”
She stepped into the sunshine. “Is that better?”
“Infinitely.” His sexy grin made her heartbeat pound.
Finlay and Kirk circled him.
“Watch out. Your brothers are preparing for a dual attack. Keep your eyes on them, not on me.”
“You’re a far more appealing sight than them.”
His brothers advanced from opposite sides.