“I can see why your mother loved it here,” Elise said as she popped her head between the front row seats and reached over to place her hand on Reed’s shoulder. “It’s beautiful.”
“Did you come here a lot?” Julianna asked.
“I’ve only been three times,” Reed said. “Twice when I was younger and then …”
When he drifted off, she squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sure you had a lovely time.”
He guffawed. “Yes, I did, if you define ‘lovely time’ as being plagued by pranks from my mother’s cousins for being a ‘Sassenach.’” But there was a fond smile that touched his lips.
Julianna slowed the vehicle as she flipped on the turn signal to take the next exit. “So, are we going to stay with the clan?”
Elise nodded. “Dad took care of everything and contacted the clan on our behalf.”
“He told their Alpha the story of me being adopted and never knowing my true nature until I met Elise,” Reed continued. “And that I was probably from the Caelkirk or London clan and wanted to research my roots.”
Aside from getting him a new birth certificate and other papers, the New York and San Francisco clans used their resources and favors to make Reed Wakefield a real, legal person in the eyes of both human and Lycan law. “The Alpha agreed to host us at Castle Kilcraigh and allow us to tour the grounds,” he continued. “According to Cross’s research, he’s Bridget’s direct descendant.”
“I’m really glad Bridget met her mate,” Julianna said. “And you said that Connor guy was okay?”
“I only met him for a moment,” Reed confessed. “But he seemed a decent sort to me.”
Elise could sense that Julianna seemed less tense today, and the fact that Reed was talking about someone from the past was a good sign. Truth be told, she had been anxious the whole time, and she wondered what Reed and Julianna talked about on the flight there. She wasn’t jealous or anything, but she knew that there were probably some things Reed couldn’t open up to her about as he was always afraid of stressing her and their pup out. She had to remember that right now, aside from herself, there were only two other people in the entire world who’d had the same experiences as Reed. And it wasn’t like Cross was around to have a heart to heart talk with. In fact, according to Lara, Cross had not been around a lot at all, as the Alpha and Grant Anderson were sending him out on more missions to try and find the last artifact before the mages did.
“We’re here,” Reed said as they drove past an imposing moss-covered wall. “Look.”
Julianna whistled. “Wow.”
As the estate came into view, she held her breath. While Huntington Park was breathtaking in that perfectly manicured way, Castle Kilcraigh was rough and wild, but still beautiful, just like Scotland itself. It wasn’t as big as Huntington Park, but the stone walls, spires, and turrets evoked a fairy-tale like quality.
Though Castle Kilcraigh itself was old, it was obviously well-cared for and modernized. The road sitting across the manicured lawn was paved, and the car stopped just outside the castle. By the time they exited the SUV with their things, there was already someone waiting for them at the doorway.
“Ye must be our guests from America,” the man greeted. He was in his 40s, tall and slim, and wore a tweed suit. “I’m Gerald MacDougal, Beta of the Caelkirk Clan.”
“Thank you for welcoming us and allowing us into the territory,” Reed greeted back. “I’m Reed Wakefield, this is my wife Elise, daughter to Liam Henney, Alpha of San Francisco, and Julianna Anderson, envoy and sister to Lucas Anderson, Alpha of New York.”
“Thank you for welcoming us,” Elise greeted back.
“Nice tae meet ye all,” he said as he shook hands with Reed.
Elise offered her hand which he shook, but when he did the same with Julianna, he paused. “Do I know ye?” His eyes narrowed at her.
Julianna shrugged. “I don’t think so? Have you ever been to New York?”
“No, but it’s like … I could have sworn …” He scratched at his chin. “It’s like I’ve seen ye before.” Shaking his head, he let go of her hand. “I’m sorry my Alpha’s not here tae greet ye. He and his son had a sudden meeting in town, and he’s not sure when they’ll be back. But, don’t ye worry, we’re all ready for ye.” He nodded to the older woman walking toward them. “Mrs. Carter, she’s the housekeeper around here, will have yer things sent up tae yer rooms. Unfortunately, I’m about to pop into a conference call myself, but please feel free to look around the grounds. I’ll be out around two and we can take a tour of the castle after we have tea.”
“Excellent idea,” Reed said. “I would like to go for a walk.”
Elise slipped her arm into his. “I’ll join you. It’ll give me a chance to stretch my legs.”
“I’m pooped.” Julianna yawned and then stretched her arms over her head. “If you wouldn’t mind, I need a shower and a nap, but that tea and tour sounds great.”
“It’s all settled then,” Gerald clapped his hands together. “Julianna, ye can follow Mrs. Carter, and we can all meet here at two.”
As Gerald and Julianna and Mrs. Carter went their way, Reed tugged her toward the door.
“Is it just like you remember?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Mostly,” he said. “It’s definitely more modern, but there’s something about it … it feels the same.”
She stopped before they reached the outside. “Reed, where are we going?”
“To the family cemetery.”
“Oh.” She placed a hand on his arm. “We don’t have to do this right this moment. How about we wait until tomorrow?”
“No, I want to do this now,” he said. “It’s the perfect
