Final Preview: Chapter Three

RAW AND UNEDITED

HIGHLAND WOLF

TRUE MATES GENERATIONS BOOK 5

 

After what seemed like the longest and most uncomfortable tour she’d ever experienced in her whole life, Julianna was ready to lock herself up in her bedroom. No, scratch that. She wanted to take the next flight back to New York. Seeing as she hadn’t yet unpacked, it would be easy enough to grab her suitcase, hop into the car, and drive away from this loony bin.

Because this was all crazy, right?

The initial shock of seeing Rossi’s portrait hadn’t even worn off before that boorish mountain of a man had his hands all over her and proclaimed them to be True Mates.

Insane.

“Uh, so, the Lupa will have dinner ready at seven,” Gerald said as they re-entered the library after the two-hour tour of the house and grounds. “Kirsten will have a veritable feast prepared. We don’t often get guests here. But it’ll probably just be us family for now.”

“Thank you, Gerald,” Reed said. “The tour was excellent.”

“It’s an amazing place,” Elise added. “Right, Julianna?”

Though the whole tour, Elise was doing her best to coax Julianna into the conversation, but she remained quiet, stewing and trying to avoid the curious looks Gerald had been giving her. “Yeah,” she croaked. “It’s a nice place.

“Glad you think so. I’ll be off then.” With a last nod, he left the library.

The moment the door closed, Elise dashed to Julianna and tugged on her sleeve. “Julianna? Are you okay? How are you feeling?”

She turned her head toward the other woman. “I’m … fine.”

“You just met your True Mate,” Reed said. “You must be in shock. I sure as hell was when I recognized Elise.”

Julianna shook her head. “It’s not true, right? You … your family … I know Bridget and Eleanor said …” Her thoughts were jumbled up. Was she even making sense?

“I’m afraid it is true.” Reed placed a hand on her shoulder. “He’s a descendant of my mother’s family through Bridget and part of the Caelkirk clan, which means he did recognize you as his mate.”

“But how?”

“I can’t explain it, no one can.” Reed paused. “All I know is that one moment everything was fine and then I looked into Elise’s eyes, and the world was different.” Elise blushed and he smiled fondly. “My wolf called her my mate.”

“It’s just …” She paced for a few seconds, then stopped. Looking up, she came face to face with her likeness again. That damned painting. “What are we going to do about this?”

“Rossi’s painting?” Reed asked. “What about it?”

“It’s evidence! What if anyone found out about us? About you?”

He chuckled. “Julianna, how could anyone find out where I came from by looking at this painting? Besides, who would believe us anyway?” He raised a brow at her. “And don’t try to change the subject.”

Fuck. “I’m not. I’m just worried about keeping the fabric of space and time from ripping apart.” No one could know about their time traveling experiences. It was too dangerous, and there was a risk that the mages would find out and try to use the dagger to travel back in time and change things.

“Look, maybe we’re all just tired and jet lagged.” Elise covered her mouth as she let out a yawn. “How about we get some rest and then get ready for dinner?”

Reed placed an arm around her protectively. “You must be exhausted, love. Let’s go find our room so we can get refreshed.” Turning to Julianna, his face turned soft. “Julianna, Duncan seems like a good chap. And you know, as your mate—”

“He’s not my mate.”

“I won’t try to convince you.” Reed let out an exasperated sound. “But I know that he would do anything to make you happy. And maybe … maybe after all you’ve gone through, you deserve some happiness.”

Julianna remained silent and watched them as they left the library. Reed’s words had struck her. Deep. But happiness in a True Mate?

“Ha.” Fat chance.

Sure, she’d seen her parents and some of their family members seemingly jubilant with their mates. But she wasn’t her mother or Adrianna. No, she was far too independent, and she would never stand for it if a man tried to assert their dominance on her or acted like some possessive jerk.

She shivered, thinking of the way Duncan looked at her. Cocky jerk. His bright green eyes seemed to want to own every part of her. Well, she’d be damned before she let that happen.

The light outside was dying now, and the shadows seemed to subtly change the painting, staring down at her as if challenging her.

“Don’t you think you know what’s good for me,” she said, pointing a finger at the painting. “I don’t—ugh!” Throwing her hands up, she stalked away from the painting, and headed out the library. Why the heck was she arguing with canvas and paint? Maybe the insanity of this place was getting to her.

---

“Damnit, Adrianna!” Julianna exclaimed as she tossed her open suitcase on its side, emptying the contents to the floor.

Fashion and clothes weren’t her thing. Shopping was a chore and it only took her fifteen minutes to get ready in the morning. Usually, if she was going to the office, it was a dark colored skirt or pantsuit. If it was fieldwork, then she’d wear whatever she needed to blend in, like jeans or shorts. For formal occasions, she had a dozen black dresses from the same store. She could have sworn she packed at least two of them for this trip, but when she opened her suitcase, they were nowhere to be found. Instead, she found a sexy, low-cut red gown and a flirty blue-green cocktail dress. And heels. For fuck’s sake, she didn’t even own any shoes that were higher than an inch, and these were spiky black ones that made her look like some dominatrix.

There were only two people back in Jersey who could have messed with her clothes and she had a hard time thinking it was Darius rooting around in her underwear drawer. So, it had to be Adrianna. Her sister was always telling her she had the body of a supermodel, and she should flaunt it more often.

With a long sigh, she grabbed the blue-green dress, which was the lesser evil of the two. At least that one didn’t have a slit that came up to her navel. After putting the dress on, she slipped her feet into the shoes. She found herself wobbling for the first couple of steps, but surprisingly, found her stride. Huh, that wasn’t bad at all.

With one last glance at the mirror, she headed outside. Mrs. Carter had called over the intercom to tell her that there would be drinks in the parlor thirty minutes before the dinner. She checked her watch as she descended the stairs. Damn. She was five minutes late and so she rushed down the hallway on the right. The parlor was at the end of the gallery, Mrs. Carter had said, past the armory.

As she passed by a suit of armor guarding one door, she heard the sound of voices from the next room. Suddenly, she realized that she would not only have to face that oaf, but also the other people. Hopefully, no one had said anything about the mates thing or none of them believed it.

Placing her hand over her chest, she felt for the gold disc pressed against her skin. Lucas was counting on her, she reminded herself. Forge the alliance. Then get the fuck out of this loony bin.

As soon as she stepped inside the parlor, her eyes immediately were drawn to him. He was talking to his father and uncle, but it was like he sensed her presence the moment she walked into the room, as his head turned toward her. His sensuous mouth curled up into a grin and heat spread straight to her belly. Her wolf was rolling around, reveling in his attentions.

That stupid ass. Why did he have to be so goddamn sexy? He oozed sensuality, his green eyes darkening as he inspected her from head to toe. Earlier today, she didn’t get a chance to just look at him as she was shocked and angry, but now, in the light of the chandelier, his hair looked more dark blond than the reddish blond she thought it was. That jacket he wore showed off his broad shoulders and tapered down to his trim waist and—holy hell, was he wearing a kilt?

“She’s here!”

“Who?”

“Her! The American!”

“The one who looks like Duncan’s painting?”

“His True Mate!”

Jesus. Motherloving. Christ. Surely it wasn’t too late to back out of the room. And to leave the country.

A young woman rushed up to her and familiar green eyes looked at her expectantly. “Oh, she’s so pretty! Like your painting.” The owner of said eyes giggled, and for a second, Julianna thought Bridget was standing in front of her. However, she looked nothing like blonde and blue-eyed Bridget. No, this girl had wild red curls and green eyes, but the soft burr and laugh was the same. Her chest tightened, pressing into—

“I’ve been dying to meet you. I’m Roslyn MacDougal.” She pulled Julianna into a hug. “I’m Duncan’s sister.”

“She’s the baby.”

Roslyn turned around. “I’m not a baby, Lachlan MacDougal! I’m sixteen—almost seventeen!”

“Really? What about all that baby fat all over your—och!” The man exclaimed as Roslyn reached over and pinched his arm. “Christ, woman! Those pincers are gonna get you in trouble.” He turned to Julianna and smiled. “Well now, hello, lassie. Name’s Lachlan MacGregor.”

She took the enormous man’s hand and shook it. Lachlan looked like a younger, brawnier version of Duncan. “Julianna Anderson.” She tried to take her hand back, but Lachlan’s grip was tight.

“So, you’re Duncan’s mate? Hmmm … they said you look like the girl from the paintin’ but …” He moved closer until his face was inches away. “I’m not so sure. Is it your—”

“What in the bloody hell is going on here?”

Lachlan froze and turned his head but didn’t let go of Julianna’s hand. “Och, Duncan, I’m just trying to see if she’s really the same girl—hey!” He staggered back and released her hand as Duncan pulled him away by the shoulder. “Jaysus man, you didn’t have to pull that hard.”

“Aren’t you a big-shot MMA fighter? Surely it wasn’t that painful?” Duncan’s eyes blazed. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doin’.”

“’Cause you’d have done it yourself?” He ducked as Duncan swung at him. “Oi, stop! Stop!”

Duncan turned to Julianna. “Sorry about my youngest brother, he was born that way.”

“Duncan!” said another voice.

“How about you introduce us to your mate?”

“I’m not his—”

Duncan rolled his eyes and stepped aside. “Julianna, these are my other brothers, Finlay and Fraser.”

Julianna blinked. But she wasn’t seeing double. The two men standing next to Duncan were definitely twins. Both had the same red hair as Roslyn, though kept short, and had blue eyes. “Julianna Anderson.” She held out her hand, but the twins didn’t make a move, looking at Duncan first who gave them a terse nod.

“Nice to meet you, lass,” said Finlay—or was it Fraser?

“I hope you’ve been enjoying your stay so far?” Strangely enough, the other twin had a posher accent.

“Fraser’s a professor of history in Cambridge,” Duncan explained. “Finlay’s our VP of production at the distillery.”

Perhaps that explained the difference in the way they spoke, and Julianna realized that when she shook their hands, one of them definitely had rougher, work-hewn hands while the other’s was smoother but callused at the thumb, like someone used to writing with a pen for hours.

“Oh, Duncan, is this her?” A sweet voice said. “Introduce me!”

Duncan’s expression warmed as he pulled up the older woman behind him. “This is my mother, Kirsten MacDougal, Lupa and Countess of Caelkirk. Ma, this is Julianna Anderson.”

“How do you do, Lady Caelkirk?” Julianna said. “Thank you for inviting us into your—”

The rest of her words were muffled as she found herself in another embrace. “We’re not formal here. Please call me Kirsten. And you’re my Duncan’s mate!” Her smile was so bright Julianna wanted to wince. “I don’t think you look like that painting at all.”

“You don’t?”

“Nay, you’re much more beautiful. And I can’t believe … oh, Duncan!” Kirsten had tears in her eyes.

Callum walked up to them and put a hand around her shoulders. “I think I heard Mrs. Carter asking for you, my love. Somethin’ about the roast.” Before she could protest, her husband dragged her away.

“You did this on purpose,” Julianna hissed at Duncan.

“Did what?” he asked innocently.

She huffed. “Tell everyone I was your True Mate.”

“It’s true.”

“It’s preposterous.”

“Really? And how can you be sure I’m not telling the truth.” He leaned down closer to her until his face was inches from hers. “D’you wanna give it a test?”

Heat crept up her neck. Oh, she knew exactly what he meant of course. The only real way to know for sure was if they had sex and she got pregnant right away. Her wolf seemed to like the idea of having a pup, but Julianna wasn’t so keen. The sex part though … that made her core clench.

“Ah, maybe you would like—”

“Shut. Up.” God, she wanted to smack that handsome face. It was a good thing Reed and Elise entered the parlor, as they were introduced to everyone in the room, and, to Julianna’s relief, Kirsten was distracted because she was fawning over Elise, especially after finding out that she was a pregnant with her True Mate’s baby. Finlay handed Julianna and Reed a glass of whiskey and some juice for the expectant mom.

“Don’t you worry, dinner will be ready soon,” Kirsten said. “I bet you must be starving! I was all the time when I was pregnant with my children.”

“I thought she was going to eat me out of house and home,” Callum chuckled. “But, look at my boys. It’s no wonder she was eatin’ so much, eh?”

“Big strapping lads,” Gerald commented. “The lot o’ you. Me boys, too. We grow ’em big here.”

“It’s the genes,” Reed commented, and he gave a sly smile to Elise.

Julianna, meanwhile, winced.

“Don’t worry, dear, it might hurt a wee bit, but it’s all worth it.”

Much to Julianna’s surprise, Kirsten was looking at her. “Excuse me?”

“I mean, when you have your own—”

“Isn’t that food ready yet?” Callum interrupted. “We gotta get our guests fed or they’ll be thinkin’ we’re poor hosts.” He led his mate away, and everyone followed them toward a connecting door on the right side of the room.

God, I just want this night to end. Julianna downed the glass, allowing the smooth, smoky liquid to coat her throat. Wow. She was a vodka girl herself, but that was good whiskey.

“I know what you’re thinkin’,” a rich, velvety voice said in her ear. “And it’s true what they say about kilts.”

She stiffened, feeling a large hand at the small of her back. “What?”

“That we don’t wear anything under it.”

The man was insufferable. “I wasn’t thinking that.”

“But you are now.”

The rough brogue made her shiver involuntarily, and—damn him—did make her think of what was underneath that kilt. As if reading her mind, he let out a throaty laugh and guided her toward the doorway, which led into a small, but elegant dining room. Though she tried to walk away from him and go to the opposite end, his hand snaked around her waist and pulled her toward a chair near the head of the table, then he sat down next to her.

Gritting her teeth, she sat down, not wanting to be rude. This was it, she thought. We’ve only just met, and he was already acting like a possessive jerk. She avoided his gaze, despite the fact that she could feel his eyes boring into her. She was just glad that Mrs. Carter and her staff had come in and begun serving the food.

“This really is the best whiskey I’ve had,” Reed commented as he took a sip of the amber liquid from his glass. “You say you’ve owned this distillery for generations?”

“Aye,” Callum replied. “Maybe two hundred years back. One of my ancestors actually came from another clan and married into Caelkirk, then brought the knowledge of distilling whiskey into the family.”

“The Three Wolves was mostly a small batch distillery,” Finlay added. “But in the last decade or so, demand has been increasing, especially in Asian markets, and we’ve had to expand a lot.”

“Well, I hope I can purchase some,” Reed said. “It’s not too well known in America yet, but I bet with some marketing, you’ll sell well there too.”

“In that case, I’ll give a case or two,” Callum said. “Not many people can appreciate fine whiskey. You must have it in the blood. Maybe you do have a little Scottish in you?”

Reed nearly choked. “I, uh …”

“That’s what we’re here for.” Elise handed her husband a glass of water. “My father spoke with you about Reed and how we were researching his roots.”

“Oh, that’s right.” Kirsten clapped her hands together. “You poor dear. Abandoned as a child in a Yorkshire orphanage. And then those humans adopted you, right? How did you end up in America?”

“My father had a job offer in Canada.” Reed put down the glass of water. “We moved when I was a teen. Then I was visiting the US when I met Elise.”

“And you didn’t know you were a Lycan until then?” Lachlan asked in a curious tone.

Reed shook his head. “It was a surprise.”

Only a few people knew the truth of who Reed was and where he came from. Julianna had heard some of the story that had been crafted to make Reed’s arrival into the modern and Lycan world more believable, but not the entire thing. She had to admit, it was genius saying that his wolf was latent. After all, her own Aunt Alynna had a similar story when she discovered later in life that she was a Lycan.

“I think he kind of looks like the old London Alpha.” Duncan narrowed his eyes at Reed.

“Really?” Reed said smoothly, betraying nothing.

“Yeah. He’s been gone a while, but I remember him having a similar chin. And he also had dark eyes.”

“Maybe you were born on the wrong side of the blanket—ow!” Lachlan threw a dirty look at Roslyn who had hit him in the back of the head. “Fer feck’s sake, Ros! We’re eating.”

“Don’t be so rude, Lachlan.” Roslyn stuck her tongue out at him. “And stop your whinin’. I’m surprised you haven’t developed brain damage, seeing as we’ve all hit you so much.”

“Why do you think he’s a good fighter?” Fraser quipped.

Lachlan puffed up his chest. “You tell ’er.”

“It’s because he likes bein’ beaten up, always has,” Finlay finished, which earned him a dirty look from Lachlan.

“Oh, can’t you all act civilized while we have guests?” Kirsten moaned and rubbed the bridge of her nose. “They’re usually much better behaved when we have people over.”

Finlay and Fraser chuckled, and despite her earlier mood, Julianna found herself smiling. This reminded her a lot of her own family, except that it was usually her and Isabelle fighting.

“Is that smile for me, darlin’?” Duncan was flashing her a teasing smile.

She returned it with a freezing stare. “No.”

“You look so bonny when you’re mad.”

Did he ever give up?

“What—did I get you all tongue-tied?” He leaned forward, reaching over her as if to make a grab for the dish of potatoes on her left, but made sure to brush against her. His scent permeated the small space between them and her wolf went wild.

Stop it, you horny bitch!

“I haven’t even started. Should I show you how I keep my tongue tied up?”

Warmth rushed through her veins, and her wolf was practically sitting up and begging for him. Fucking hell. “Stop it,” she whispered. “You need to get this straight into that thick skull of yours: I’m not your mate.”

He gave her another infuriating smile. “Whatever you say, darlin’.”

Julianna did her best to ignore him for the rest of the meal, instead, concentrating on her food. While he didn’t try to converse with her, he did his best to make sure she never forgot he was beside her, whether that was brushing his thigh against her under the table or “accidentally” ensuring their hands touched when he asked her to pass something his way. Goddamn him, it was maddening, and her wolf and her body reacted to every little touch.

When everyone had finished dessert, Callum invited everyone for a nightcap in the library, but Elise had begged off because she was feeling tired. Reed didn’t look like he wanted to end the night yet, seeing as he really looked like he was enjoying talking to the Alpha. Julianna couldn’t blame him, as he probably was feeling nostalgic, but she also didn’t let the opportunity pass her.

“I’ll take her upstairs, Reed,” she volunteered. “You go and have more whiskey. I’m feeling tired myself.” She shot up so fast that her chair scraped loudly. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gets into bed safe and sound.” Walking around to their side, she helped Elise get up and practically dragged her out the dining room.

“You know, I’m not that tired,” Elise said wryly.

“Shush, you’re jet lagged and you’re making a Lycan.” She pointed her chin at Elise’s bump. “It’s exhausting. You’re getting sleeeeepy.”

Elise guffawed but also stifled a yawn. “You’re just looking for an excuse to get out of there.”

She neither admitted nor denied it. It’s his fault. Stupid Duncan and his stupid sexy grins. Well, just because he seemed to think they were True Mates didn’t mean she had to fall into that trap. No, she had her own mind, and genes or hormones weren’t going to make her fall for that stupid ass.

 

 

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