Page 61 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
Daniel’s expression darkened as he sheathed his sword.
"I daenae think she acted alone. Her faither Michael must be in the castle or on the grounds. Find him!"
"I’ll have the guards take him to the dungeon when we find him," he said.
"See to it he never gets another chance at this," he ordered.
As Daniel called for the guards, Hunter carried Elena out of the room, away from the darkness and danger. She clung to him, her fingers fisted in his tunic.
"I was scared, Faither," she whispered. He kissed the top of her head.
"I ken, lass. But she’ll never hurt ye again."
They reached his chamber, and he tucked her into his own bed, keeping her close. His mind was filled with only one thought—he had almost lost her. And the woman who had truly cared for Elena, the woman he had foolishly let go, was not here.
Elena's sobs broke Hunter’s heart as she clung to him, her small hands gripping his tunic like a lifeline. "I want Cassandra," she cried, her voice trembling with fear. "I dinnae want her to go away. Please, bring her back."
Hunter’s heart twisted at the raw pain in his daughter’s voice. He brushed a lock of hair from Elena’s tear-streaked face, his hand gentle despite the storm raging inside him. He realized that hehad been worried Elena needed a mother that he could not be, and all along Cassandra was that woman that Elena herself had chosen to be the one to provide motherly love in her time of need.
"I promise ye, lass," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I will bring her back. I’ll make sure she’s here where she belongs, safe and sound."
Elena’s eyes, wide with a mix of hope and uncertainty, met his. "Ye promise?" she asked, her voice small, fragile.
Hunter’s jaw clenched, but he nodded firmly, squeezing her hand. "Aye, I promise. I’ll not let ye lose her." His heart, heavy with guilt and longing, swelled with determination. He would not let Cassandra slip away.
He exhaled heavily, his heart aching.
I cannae make the same mistake twice.
Cassandra was hunched over a small bowl in her workroom, the scent of dried herbs filling the air. Her hands moved with precision as she carefully ground the mixture, her mind occupied by the work, yet a strange restlessness lingered in the back of her mind. The door suddenly burst open, and Cassandra’s head shot up in shock. There, standing in thedoorway, was Hunter, his face pale with worry and his eyes wide with urgency.
Her heart skipped a beat, a knot tightening in her stomach.
"Hunter?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "What’s wrong? Is it Elena? Tell me she’s alright." She stood up, her hands instinctively reaching for him, dread flooding her chest. She had feared something terrible had happened to her beloved girl.
Hunter took a few steps into the room, his eyes still sharp with concern but softening at the sight of Cassandra.
"Elena is safe, lass," he said quickly, his voice urgent yet reassuring. "But it does me good to ken yer thoughts are on me daughter."
"Then what has happened?" she asked.
"It’s Margaret. She tried to abduct Elena. I caught her in the act, but…" He paused, running a hand through his hair as if still processing the chaos. "She wouldnae go quietly. There was a knife, and she attacked Elena. I… had nay choice but to end it. To end her."
Cassandra's face drained of color as the weight of Hunter’s words sank in. "Margaret… she's dead?"
Her voice cracked, her mind racing to understand the enormity of what he had just said.
"Aye."
"And Elena? She’s alright?" Her hands trembled as she clutched the edge of the workbench, struggling to steady herself.
Hunter gave a solemn nod, his jaw tight as he spoke the words that brought some measure of relief. "Elena, she’s safe. I made sure of it." He paused, his brow furrowing as he continued, "Michael ran off after it all happened. My guards pursued him, but we lost him in the woods. I daenae think he’ll be a threat anymore."
Cassandra let out a long, shaky breath, her shoulders slumping as the tension eased from her body. She had feared the worst, and now, despite the tragedy, her heart felt a tiny flicker of relief. "Thank God," she whispered, her mind still reeling from the gravity of the situation.
Hunter took a step closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "Cassandra," he said softly, his voice low, "there’s somethin’ I need to ask ye. I’ve thought on it long and hard, and I cannae wait any longer."
His eyes searched hers. "Marry me. Be with me. Let me make ye me wife, and we’ll build a life, together. I love ye."
