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  He was kidding himself if he thought Keira would just settle in here. “A like-minded woman. I can’t wait to meet her. Do you think she’ll help me escape?”

  Lachlan removed his hand and she immediately missed the warmth. “You’re no’ a prisoner, lass. I’ve told you that.”

  “So you’ll let me leave?”

  “Of course not.”

  She didn’t feel like arguing with him but she did wonder in what universe “not being a prisoner” and “not being allowed to leave” were two different things.

  #

  Later that evening, Lachlan sat at the table in their smaller conference room, Keira beside him, as they looked over the status report Iain had put together. Lachlan still felt a combination of pride and happiness that Keira wanted to take part. She’d make a good Alpha Female as soon as she accepted her fate.

  In the meantime, Iain’s report was thorough and a little disturbing. He’d included information on how ready the Scottish troops were as well as his best guess of the readiness of the English troops. And he was right—the Scottish mobilization had fallen behind.

  Lachlan still didn’t want to believe that in the 21st century the English and Scottish were going to war again. Because of that, he’d neglected the subject, hoping it would go away. He’d focused on the world-walker search instead, something far more interesting to him. But he couldn’t ignore the English any longer.

  Lachlan had called up a mere five hundred wolves, while Iain estimated Sebastian had five thousand. Lachlan had access to plenty more wolves, he just hadn’t thought he needed them. He’d have to muster them now.

  “How does he plan to march north without having the government after him?” Keira said. “They won’t take kindly to an army traipsing across the countryside. And I doubt he has enough planes to transport all of them to our doorstep.”

  She’d said ‘our’ doorstep. Lachlan put his arm along the back of her chair.

  “No planes,” Iain said. “He just has trucks like these.” Iain brought up still shots of army trucks that had to be thirty or forty years old if they were a day. Sebastian probably bought them surplus.

  “This’ll be as much a public relations campaign as a war,” Keira said. “Has he made any public statements?”

  “No,” Lachlan said. “This is between the wolf packs. He knows that.”

  “It won’t be, once his wolves start moving north.” Keira shifted in her chair so she could face him. “You can get out in front of that. Make a statement yourself and make him the bad guy. Then when the government comes calling, they’ll be breathing down his neck, not yours.”

  Iain propped himself on the edge of the table. “It’s not a bad idea. And she’s right—non-wolves will be involved, whether we like it or not. Better to do it on our terms. Plus, I don’t think Sebastian will think of it.”

  Lachlan rubbed his thumb across Keira’s shoulder. “So we have an advantage—my mate’s brain.”

  Keira shot him a glance while Iain laughed.

  “This seems like the perfect moment for a quick kiss,” Lachlan said. “Too bad you won’t let me. Yet.” He gazed at her lips, partly enraptured and partly curious about what she would do.

  Keira slowly moved her hand upward, finally touching her mouth with her fingertips. Heat rushed through him and he licked his lips. She sucked in her breath.

  Iain cleared his throat. “Let’s finish this up so you two can find a room.”

  “No. No, we can’t.” Keira’s voice didn’t have much strength to it. She looked away.

  A room sounded really good to him. His mate didn’t seem as immune to him as she pretended.

  “Call for more troops.” Lachlan couldn’t stop looking at Keira, even while he tried to finish up their meeting. “Talk to Mattie about the press conference; she’s American like Keira, and Americans have a lot more experience with that sort of thing. And send an email to General Wilson’s secretary to get me fifteen minutes on the General’s calendar. I should let her know what’s happening. Maybe it’ll keep her from bombing the lot of us.” General Wilson was the Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces.

  “Good thinking,” Iain said.

  Lachlan stood, the chair scraping against the floor. “Keep me updated with the progress.” He pulled Keira to her feet. In a flash, he realized he’d never had a room prepared for her. What were the chances she’d be willing to stay in his room that night? All the wolves would expect it, though everyone knew non-wolf mates sometimes needed to be wooed. More important was what Keira thought.

  Then all of a sudden, he remembered something else he’d forgotten. “What time are our sisters getting in tomorrow?”

  Iain crowed. “I forgot all about that. Aunt Lorna’s coming too. Did you tell them about Keira?”

  “When would I have told them?”

  “Oh, you two are so in for it.”

  “Your aunt is coming to visit?” This didn’t seem like the best time for house guests.

  Lachlan slid his arm around her. “Not to visit. She and Moira have been away, visiting my sister Greer in London, and they’re all coming home tomorrow. But she’s not really our aunt. She’s our late mother’s best friend. Almost like a second mother now that our own mother’s gone.”

  “Greer and Moira will both be with her. With the impending war, we wanted them all back here.” Iain stood as well then leaned back against the table. “Aunt Lorna and Moira live here with us. Greer lives in London. Who knows why.”

  “You know why.” Lachlan tugged Keira a little closer, unable to resist. “She can’t help but stay there as a little dig against our cousin.”

  “And yet she refuses to meet with him,” Iain said.

  “And that’s on purpose, too.” Greer had a stubborn streak a mile wide and she knew how to hold a grudge. Staying in London and purposely snubbing the English Alpha was exactly the sort of thing she’d do. Lachlan was just glad she’d never held a grudge against him.

  Lachlan pulled Keira toward the door. “We’ll see you tomorrow. If they arrive before we get up, give them our excuses.”

  “What?” Keira said.

  Iain just laughed.

  #

  Lachlan didn’t release Keira even when they were clear of the room and while she knew she should pull away, she didn’t. She’d never felt so comfortable having a man touch her and hold her. She didn’t want it to stop. At the same time, she knew it would be that much harder to leave if she let him get under her skin.

  “I have to apologize,” Lachlan said.

  “Uh-oh.”

  “A lot happened today, and in all the ruckus, I didn’t think to have a room prepared for you.”

  She stopped walking. “What does that mean?”

  “I think ye’ll have to stay with me.”

  Keira sucked in her breath. “You know I can’t do that.”

  The hand that had been behind her back settled on her hip while he brushed some hairs back from her cheek with the other. “I know you feel this thing between us. You haven’t been as good at hiding your arousal as you think.”

  She felt a warmth in her cheeks. “Even if that’s true, it doesn’t change anything. We aren’t right for each other. Sleeping together would just make everything worse.”

  He took a small step forward, his body nearly bumping hers. “How so?”

  “You know.” When he didn’t say anything, she continued. “Sex creates the illusion of intimacy. We’ll feel like we have deep feelings for each other even though it’s only lust.”

  His head dipped, his face coming within centimeters of hers. “This isna lust, lass. This is mating fever. And it’ll lead to a love as lasting as any. I know the difference.”

  “Dragon slayers don’t get mating fever.” They were human that way. Like humans, they fell in love and out of it, married, divorced, had their hearts shattered into pieces. They didn’t get a mating fever that led to an everlasting love. She couldn’t even imagine such a thing.

>   “Mates do. You might not be a wolf but by being my mate, you’ve a touch of the fever yourself. It varies based on species and even from person to person. But based on your reaction to me, I’d say you’ve got it good.” His hand cupped her cheek. “What would it hurt to share my bed tonight?”

  Chapter 5

  Lachlan’s hand slid down Keira’s throat to her collarbone then edged lower. Heart pounding, she grabbed his forearm and held it in place before his hand could close over her breast. “I already told you what it would hurt.”

  “You spouted a lot of scientific nonsense that has nothing to do with us. If you’re truly as immune as you say you are, then sharing my bed shouldn’t affect you at all. And if you’re not immune, then maybe I’m right. Maybe we’re mates and you’re drawn to me in spite of what you keep telling yourself.”

  “I don’t jump into bed with men I’ve just met,” Keira said. “If you can’t find me a place to sleep, I’ll find a corner somewhere and sleep on the floor.”

  Lachlan reeled backward. “You don’t really think I’d let my mate, the future Alpha Female of the UK, sleep on the floor?”

  “I’ve slept in worst places.”

  “Not when under my care, you haven’t.” Taking her arm, he led her forward.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll sleep in my bed. I’ll find somewhere else to bunk.”

  Some part of her wanted to protest but when it came down to it, it was a good idea. And it was his fault for not finding her a bed in the first place. “Don’t you have servants?”

  He glanced down at her. “Of course. But it’s late. They’ll have all gone home to their own rooms by now.”

  “So this place isn’t as medieval as it looks.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  They were silent for several minutes as Lachlan led her through the labyrinthine hallways. She’d always been good with finding her way around, so as they walked, she paid attention to the turns and the landmarks she saw. She wasn’t planning an escape attempt immediately but it didn’t hurt to be prepared.

  When he opened a wooden door much like the others up and down the hall, they stepped into a luxurious suite. Apparently it paid to be Alpha. Besides being large with high ceilings, the décor was plush—thick rugs on the stone floors, a massive fireplace that looked like it was used regularly, and a four poster bed high enough off the floor that a shorter person would have to jump up to get on top of it. The coloring supported the lush but masculine vibe with deep burgundies, various shades of brown and tan, and touches of gold throughout.

  “The bed’s a king size,” Lachlan said. “If I promise to stay on my side of the bed, maybe we could share it?” He closed the door behind them.

  “The only problem I have with that scenario is that I don’t trust you to be in the same bed with me and not make a move.”

  Lachlan bent by the fireplace, threw some newspaper onto the grate and piled a few sticks on top, then pulled out a very long match. “You’re no doubt right.”

  “Did you really just agree with me?”

  He struck the match and held it under the newspaper. “Have I given you the impression I think you’re often wrong? If so, I apologize.”

  Keira walked to where he knelt, watching as he fed more sticks to the fledgling fire. The daytime had been warm enough but already she could feel the cold of the fall evening creeping in. A fire would be welcome. “It seems like we’ve been at odds since I got here.”

  “It doesn’t have to stay that way. I want a partnership with my mate.” He patted her foot then grabbed another stick. “We’ll get there. All in good time.”

  And once again, he confounded her. A chill stole over her as she realized what she’d already known—he meant every bit of what he’d said. He really did think they were mates and he meant to keep her trapped here until she agreed with him.

  She needed to call her guild contact.

  “We’ve forgotten something. My suitcase is still in the trunk of my car. I could go get it.”

  He laughed. “Right. You’d never come back again.” He stood, the fire burning steadily. “No need. Mattie thought of it. She and Colin brought both the suitcases here, since they weren’t sure which was yours.”

  He pointed toward the far wall next to the door. Sure enough, her suitcase sat neatly next to Gillian’s. “You thought of this but not about a room?”

  “Mattie thought of it. She texted me to let me know but we were in the middle of dinner. I didn’t think about the rooms and she and Colin must have assumed you’d sleep with me, because she didn’t ask.” He stepped closer, trailing the back of his forefinger down her cheek. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

  With just that simple touch, her heart started to pound and her body turned liquid. “Oh, it’s far too late.” She stepped away and walked to her suitcase. “I’m going to need some privacy.”

  He gazed at her until she finally stood and looked back at him. He blinked and looked away. “Privacy. I’ll leave. Will ten minutes be enough?”

  Just barely. “Yes, that’s fine. Where’s the bathroom?”

  He pointed to a door on the far side of the bed. “Don’t be alarmed. It’s not medieval.”

  Thank goodness for small favors.

  A few minutes later, she locked herself in the bathroom with her pajamas, toothbrush and cell phone. First things first—she needed to call Harris. She dumped everything else on the vanity and went to the far side of the bathroom to dial.

  With his damned werewolf hearing, Lachlan would probably be able to hear her if he came back before she finished. So she’d better call quickly and get off the phone before he got back.

  While the phone rang, she looked around the bathroom. He hadn’t been kidding—it looked like the bathroom of a luxury hotel, not something carved out of a centuries-old castle. A large, deep tub sat beside a shower stall big enough for two. The vanity had two sinks and mirrors that opened up onto shelves. Half of the shelves were empty.

  Everything in his suite was big enough for two. He’d made this all for his mate.

  Harris picked up before she had a chance to think about that. “You’re early,” he said in his usual gruff tone.

  “It’s Keira. There’s trouble. I can’t talk long. Has Gillian called in?”

  “No.”

  Damn. “We got separated. I’ve been captured by the Alpha Werewolf of the UK, and he’s convinced I’m his mate. I can’t get ahold of Gillian. I think something may have happened to her.”

  “Does this wolf have you in chains? Why haven’t you gone after her?”

  Here was the tricky part—Harris couldn’t know that she and Gillian had gone after Damon Knightley. Last they’d told him, they were still tracking down leads on Knightley but hadn’t turned up anything. “We tried. He had some of his wolves track her scent, but then they lost it. We’ve no idea where she’s gone but it looks like a dragon took her.”

  “Did you see a dragon?”

  “It’s the only thing I can come up with. She wouldn’t have left me otherwise and her scent trail disappears as though she were taken into the air.” She purposely didn’t answer his question. “Can you track her phone?”

  Harris grunted. “I’ll call you back.” Translation—he’d check on the phone and let her know if he found anything. If he didn’t find anything, he wouldn’t bother to call.

  “I’ll answer if I can but the situation here is tenuous.”

  “Then leave. You know damn well he can’t hold you if you want to get out.”

  Something in her balked at the idea. He was right; of course he was right. But she wasn’t quite ready to leave.

  “I’ve got to go before he comes back. Call me if you find anything out about Gill.”

  Harris grunted again then hung up.

  Keira brushed her teeth while changing into her pajamas and managed to get out into the bedroom just as Lachlan opened the hallway door. He stopped in the open doorway and looked at
her as though he wanted to eat her up.

  Her faded cream-colored pajama top and plaid shorts were nothing to get excited about. So what was he staring at?

  Lachlan slammed the door behind him. “Do you know what you’re wearing?”

  Keira deposited her clothes on top of her open suitcase, taking care not to let him get behind her as he paced closer and closer. The last thing she needed was a repeat of that afternoon when she leaned over the trunk of her car. “Uh…pajamas?”

  He tugged on the bottom of her shorts. “My plaid.”

  Oh, crap. Really? Of all the plaids in the world, she had to wear his? “I guess you think that means something.”

  “Sure it does. It’s fate. Just like you hunting down Damon in the middle of my home instead of all the other places you might have found him.” The tips of his fingers clung to the hem of her shorts. “What did you say you wanted with Damon?”

  “That’s dragon slayer business.”

  “I’ve heard that before.” He didn’t take a step but somehow got even closer to her, his gaze intent on her lips.

  “And you’ll hear it again. I can’t tell you.” She tried to step back but his grip on her shorts was stronger than she’d realized. “Let go.”

  “Never.” The word came out soft but with plenty of conviction. “Do you have any idea what it does to me to see you in my plaid?” He took a step into her.

  She backed up and found herself flat against the wall.

  Lachlan leaned his forearm against it next to her head and leaned even closer. “I think a good night kiss is in order.”

  She heard her heart pounding in her ears and her mouth went suddenly dry. This was a very, very bad idea and she knew it. But oh, how she wanted to kiss him. And the wanting made the idea that much worse.

  As he moved closer, he braced his other hand against the wall, right by her hip. He wasn’t touching her anywhere, but she felt like he was. Every inch of her skin felt alive. Alive and yearning.

  His nose bumped against hers as he moved his mouth into position. Then he hovered there, his lips just a breath away from hers.