That was when he heard the noises. Ones he wished he could block out, close his ears to the sounds of battle ahead. Women’s screams, children’s terrified cries, a dog’s frenzied barking, but above it all, he heard the one thing he’d dreaded the most: Kirsty’s voice loud and clear as she yelled, “Noooooooooo.”
Kirsty wandered back to the cabin, a smile as wide as the River Clyde on her face, Leia still at her side. She couldn’t believe how well her introduction to the camp had gone. With her trusty Shepherd beside her, lending her some kind of inner strength, she seemed to have pulled off the impossible: acceptance by a Pack of Wolves.
Dang! She couldn’t quite grasp how it had happened, but it had. She remembered all the tips Skye had given, and she’d passed through the camp talking to everyone she saw as if she met Shifters every single day. She was proud of herself and couldn’t wait to share it with Kade. Now, if he’d only come back, she’d decided she was going to slacken her tight control and possibly, maybe, have a hot night of passion with him.
Her cheeks flushed just thinking of the sexy Alpha. Her heart fluttering wildly in her chest as her stomach somersaulted a time or two. He certainly had an effect on her that she had no control over and the way everyone spoke about him, well, he seemed an all-around good guy. Not some bawbag jerk. No, he was a stand-up guy and it seemed like he was all hers.
Wow, she couldn’t quite believe her luck. Or maybe this was all just a dream and she’d wake up soon in the cold farmhouse that used to be home.
“Stop it,” she muttered as she pushed open the door, finding Skye waiting on her.
“How did it go?” Skye asked, her eyes not quite making eye contact.
“It went well, surprisingly well, but I put that down to having Leia with me.” Kirsty patted her dog’s head. “She seemed to know I needed her and found me. With her beside me, I had a confidence I didn’t know was inside me. So, it went much better than I anticipated, all down to your expert advice too, I might add. Thanks, Skye.”
Skye blushed, scarlet. The red covering her face the darkest crimson Kirsty had ever seen anyone blush. “Och, it was nothing. I was just trying to help. You’re going to be Kade’s mate so you need to start off right. Are you hungry? I’ve made some scones, they’re just out of the oven.”
Kirsty’s hand flew to her chest, grinning widely. “Are you kidding? Fresh made scones are my favorite . . . well, one of my favorites. Lead the way, and I hope you’ve got lots of butter and jam.”
“I do,” Skye said with a ghost of a smile. “I’ve got blackcurrant, strawberry, blackberry, and a couple others too. I make my own so there’s always a good supply in the larder.”
“I’ve just died and gone to heaven,” Kirsty said dramatically. “You can never leave, ever, ever, ever. You’ll be working here until you’re old and grey, Skye. I mean it.”
“I’m happy working here,” Skye replied, looking over shyly. “I was a little worried you might not want me here. Not every woman wants another in their kitchen.”
“I’m not one of them.” Kirsty sat down at the table. “Firstly, I’ll take all the help I can get, and secondly, you were here before me. It’s not right to come in and tell you to get on yer bike. That’s just not on. Not in my book anyway. You have nothing to worry about, honey, I promise.”
“Thank you,” Skye said as she brought over the still warm scones, pausing with them mid-air, head cocked to the side.
At the same time, Leia’s ears pricked up, a second before her hackles rose right along her back. Kirsty looked between the two, Leia’s growl sending shockwaves of alarm through her. “What’s going on?”
Skye’s eyes widened, her face chalk white, the plate with the scones dropping to smash on the stone floor. “Rogues! Rogues are here!”
Kirsty didn’t think twice, bolting for the stairs and her backpack. “Cartridges for my shotgun are upstairs. I’ll be right back. Stay inside, Skye, don’t go out there. I’m ordering you to stay inside. Okay?”
She knew that Skye was a Wolf, but she was under no illusion that the girl would be a match for rogues. She had obviously gone through something terribly traumatic and she would freeze. Kirsty knew it; she could sense it in the girl, so she had to protect her at all costs.
She had already killed two rogues with her dad’s shotgun. She would kill as many as she could this time too. First, she had to ensure Skye was hidden and safe, and then she would go and help the Pack.
Tearing down the upstairs hallway, she thudded against the door, banging her shoulder hard. She barely felt the pain, too intent on retrieving the cartridges for the shotgun. Grabbing the box from her pack, she pushed as many as she could stuff into all her pockets, in her jacket, jeans, and then held the box in her hand as she ran back downstairs.
Skye waited for her, terror in her eyes. “Skye, is there a cellar or something here?”
The girl nodded so Kirsty pushed her. “Go, go there now and lock yourself in. Do not come out until it’s safe. I’ll come back for you, I promise I will. Now go and take Leia with you.”
“Where are you going? You need to come with me.” Skye was openly crying now, tears streaming down her face, Leia whining and pacing back and forth.
“I can’t do that, Skye. I’ve got to go help the Pack.
