Page 61 of Malcolm

Malcolm gave a short nod, but didn’t say anything.

She, herself; couldn’t look him in the eyes. She wanted to blame her words before on her overthinking, but that wouldn’t be the truth and she lied enough. Something about the air around him had changed since he’d taken the mantel of Laird.He said it wouldn’t change anything, but she could see it even if he didn’t.

He stood straighter, as if something had finally fit into place hardening him from inside out. It wasn’t bad. Just different.

It made her palms sweat and her back tingle. As if, at any minute, the face of their relationship could change.

“Look at me, Eliza,” she slowly lifted her gaze and met his soft one. “There, you should never be afraid to meet my gaze.”

Flinching, she quickly scoffed. “I’m not afraid.”

And she surprised herself with how true that was, she wasn’t afraid of him. He’d never given her reason to be.

He appeared to weigh her words before he nodded. “Good; in three days, I'll be heading to the Ceilidh, and despite our disagreement from earlier, I wish to know if you want to come?” His lashes lowered it wasn’t fair for a man to have such thick lashes.

“The Ceilidh, you will be meeting the other packs Alphas?”

“Yes, I’ll also be talking about the disappearing youths. If someone is kidnapping them for labor, then we can’t be the only ones being attacked.”

“Attacked?” Eliza said, once again felt worried. “Is it that bad?”

He nodded; his expression grim. “I didn’t share this with you earlier, but this has been going on for far longer than I first thought. Our kind being taken, and disappearing has been a dirty secret of the previous Alphas, but since my uncle took over, he’d kept an eye out and security tight; many of those who’d benefited from the crime were gotten rid of.”

Eliza took in what he said. “So, whoever they are got desperate and kidnapped from the campgrounds.”’

“That’s what it looks like. I am going to broach this subject at the Ceilidh, my hope is that the other Alphas aren’t secretlyworking with this hidden enemy. If they are, I might have to declare war on them, to bring them to heel.”

“War?” Eliza suddenly felt panic hit her. “Are you serious?”

Seeing her worry, he softened his tone, “Don’t worry, it’s just one of the many possible outcomes, especially if they are the ones who worked with the warlocks to create cracks in the barrier. Someone on our land made a deal with them; unfortunately, the warlocks were put under an identity hinder; they can only remember the ‘what’ not the ‘who.’”

“Either way…” He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned down. “You do not need to come. These are concerns for my people; you don’t have any reason to be dragged into this mess. We also don’t want anyone to recognize you, it’s not likely but the less people who see you. The fewer people who can point you out to those who may come looking for you.”

“Would you let them take me?” she asked.

“I would die first,” he said with a smile as he removed his hands and straightened. “I would protect you with my last breath.”

“I’ll go,” she said. Was it wise? No. But she wouldn’t let him face their enemies alone, just so that she could remain safe. “I have no intention of sitting this out. I want to see this thing to the end, plus you should take every ally you can get.”

“You’re more than an ally to me, Eliza.”

Lowering her head she purposely avoided the warmth in his eyes. That was something she couldn’t deal with right now. The attraction between them buzzed , and she wanted to reach out and touch him, but something told her the minute she did, she’d be swallowed whole. She glanced up at him, swallowing, “Okay, well, is there anything else?”

He glanced at something behind her before returning his gaze to hers. “Do you mind coming with me for a moment?There is something I need to tell you.” Holding his hand out he waited for her to take it.

Eliza frowned; she didn’t want to be alone with him. She couldn’t trust herself with him; already, she could feel her focus slipping as she thought back to his kisses. Her heart was racing with the memory of them, and she wasn’t sure what she’d do if he kissed her again.

She stared at his hand before slowly placing her hand into his. “Okay.”

Was this a bad choice?

She couldn’t decide.

She’d spent so much of her life taking leaps of faith, and this was the same thing. She was just trusting her instincts, and no matter how warped she became as a person, she was going to continue trusting herself.

At the back of her mind, she couldn’t help thinking back to the two males who’d cornered her outside. Her instincts told her they weren’t her enemy, but she knew she couldn’t trust them. They seemed like creatures who were out for themselves and had no interest in others outside of their nature.

She sighed.

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