Page 54 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
Hunter clenched his jaw, trying to keep his emotions in check. “I daenae like her either,” he muttered. “But Elena’s needs have to come first. She wants Margaret here. I cannae let Margaret’s darkness threaten anyone under me roof, least of all Cassandra.”
His eyes flickered with a painful resolve, his hands resting on his desk, knuckles white with the tension of his thoughts. “I daenae have a choice, Daniel.”
Jessica, who had been quietly observing, finally reached out and placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. Her touch was gentle, but there was a firmness to it that let him know she understood, even if it pained her.
“Hunter, I ken this isnae easy for ye,” she said softly, her Scottish brogue thick with sympathy. “We understand yer reasonin’, but ye need to make sure that ye’ve thought this through.” Her voice softened as she continued, “If ye feel Margaret poses a threat to Cassandra’s safety, then it's best she stays at McAllister Castle and nae return here.”
Hunter looked down at the desk, his mind racing. He knew what they said was true. Cassandra had brought light into the castle, something he hadn't realized he’d been missing until she was gone. But Cassandra's safety came first—he couldn't afford to put her in danger. Margaret’s cruelty had already caused enough harm, and Hunter would be damned if he allowed it to hurt anyone else.
"I daenae want to lose Cassandra," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "But I cannae let me priorities slip... Elena is me heart. I’ve already lost too much.”
He looked up at Jessica and Daniel, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and determination. “Ye may think me wrong, but this is what I believe is best. I cannae risk it."
Daniel met his gaze, the frustration still lingering, but now tempered with understanding. “I ken, Hunter. I really do,” he said, his voice quieter now, but still firm. “Just ken that we’re with ye. But daenae forget what Cassandra brought to this place. She was good for us... and for ye.”
Hunter took a deep breath, trying to reconcile his feelings. The decision had been made, but the weight of it still pressed heavily on him. “I willnae forget,” he whispered.
Jessica nodded, her expression softening with empathy. "Then we stand with ye, Hunter." She gave his shoulder a final reassuring squeeze before standing up with Daniel. “But ye need to make sure that this decision to keep Cassandra away doesnae break ye, aye?”
Hunter nodded slowly, watching them leave. Alone again, he felt the weight of his choices pressing down on him, but he knew, deep down, that he had done what was necessary.
Hunter lay tossing and turning in his bed, restlessly turning over thoughts of Cassandra in his mind. Days had passed since she left, but he could not shake the feeling that something was missing.
He could still feel the warmth of her presence, the way her laughter had filled the hallways, the way she had lightened even the darkest moments. But now, all that remained was a hollow ache in his chest that he couldn’t ignore.
A sharp knock at his door cut through the silence of the night. Hunter stiffened, irritation surging through him as he swung his legs off the bed. He grabbed his kilt from the chair beside the bed, quickly draping it over his naked body before heading to the door. With his jaw clenched, he swung the door open, expecting nothing more than a servant or another intrusion, but instead, Margaret stood there, her eyes lowered in a feigned innocence.
Margaret stepped forward, her voice soft and smooth. “I thought ye might be lonely, Hunter,” she purred, her eyes flicking up to meet his. “Might ye’d want some company.”
Her lips curled into a subtle smile as she batted her lashes, her gaze lingering on his bare chest. Hunter’s stomach turned as he stared back at her, disgusted by the sight.
Hunter’s voice came out low and hard as he clenched his jaw. “I daenae desire ye, Margaret,” he said, his words sharp with anger. “Go back to yer own room. Ye’re nae welcome here.”
His tone left no room for debate, but Margaret only tilted her head, seemingly unbothered by his refusal.
Margaret pouted, a childish gleam in her eyes. “Do ye nae remember, Hunter?” she said, stepping closer, her voice a sickly sweet whisper. “Ye’ve had me before, so why nae once more for old times’ sake?”
She placed a hand on his chest, pressing against him, but her touch only made him more furious. Hunter’s pulse quickened, his anger boiling beneath the surface.
Hunter’s patience snapped. He stepped back, his voice now a shout as he glared at her. “I said, go back to yer room, Margaret!” he growled, his hands trembling with restraint. Without giving her a chance to respond, he slammed the door shut, locking it with force. His chest heaved as he stood there, heart pounding with frustration and fury.
It wasn’t just Margaret that was causing his anger. It was the constant ache for Cassandra, the regret for letting her leave, and the impossible weight of the choices he had made.
Days passed since Cassandra’s departure, and Hunter found himself feeling more irritable and a shell of his former self. That day he wandered the halls of the castle, lost in his thoughts.
His steps led him toward Elena’s nursery. When he pushed open the door, Elena’s face lit up as she dashed toward him, throwing her arms around him in an embrace.
Hunter knelt down and wrapped his arms around Elena, feeling the warmth of her small frame against his. "How’s me wee lass today?" he asked softly, his voice full of concern. Elena pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes and smiled. "I feel good, Da," she replied, her voice filled with innocence. But then her brow furrowed, and she asked, “Will we ever see Mistress Cassandra again?”
“I daenae ken, lass,” he said.
"Did she leave because I became better?”
Hunter’s heart twisted at the mention of Cassandra. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Tis nae yer fault she left, lass. Cassandra was nae meant to stay here, Elena," he said gently. "She was just visitin', lass. It was her time to go home." He hoped the answer would satisfy her, but the sadness in her eyes told him it wouldn’t.
Elena’s small face turned serious as she asked, "Why dinnae she stay? She was kind to me, Da. I liked her."
Hunter fought to keep his composure as he stroked her hair, not wanting to upset her further. "She’s needed elsewhere, lass," he said, his voice softer now. "But ye’ll nae forget her, will ye?" He hoped Elena would remember Cassandra fondly, even though she couldn’t stay.
