Raw and Unedited
Highland Wolf:
True Mates Generations Book 5
Chapter One
Julianna Anderson wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand. “That was a lucky shot.”
Her opponent, Chase Harris shot her a flirtatious grin, his blue eyes sparkling. “So you say.”
Anger simmered to the surface, and her wolf begged to be let out. No, she told the she-wolf. This is an exercise for humans. As a member of the Lycan Security Team for New York, she had to hone both her human and wolf side. For the last six years, she’d been assigned the Special Investigations Division that watched over the clan and its members.
In the last couple of months, however, she’d taken on a new role. When her sister, Adrianna, ascended to Alpha of New Jersey, she needed help training her own security team, and Julianna had volunteered right away.
“You are not concentrating.” Her brother-in-law, Darius Corvinus, stood behind her, his voice soft so only she could hear him. Not only was he her sister’s mate and husband, but he also was her co-trainer.
“Not with you yappin’ in my ear like that, Darius.” She gritted her teeth then waved a wrapped hand at Chase. “C’mon, Pretty Boy, try again.”
“Aww, you think I’m pretty, Anderson?” He shot her another panty-melting smile. Well, maybe any other girls’ panties would have melted, but not Julianna. No, he already tried to charm his way into her bed and while it was tempting, she didn’t shit where she ate.
“Suck my dick, Harris.”
“You know, for a girl, you sure do tell people to suck your dick a lot.”
“Are you guys gonna fight or what?” Angela Hall, one of the other trainees, said with a bored expression as she tossed her cornrow braids over her shoulder.
Julianna liked the spunky young she-wolf, as she reminded her a lot of herself when she began training. “You know Harris. All talk, no action. Hey!” No sooner than the yelp escaped her mouth, she found herself flat on her back, with Chase hovering over her. Recovering quickly though, she swept a leg under him, sending him crashing down to the ground. Her wolf howled in triumph. “That was a dirty move.”
“Yeah, well our enemies aren’t always going to fight fair.” Chase got up, then offered her a hand.
Fucking hell, she hated to admit it, but he was right. Refusing his hand, she stood up on her own.
“Everything okay here?”
All at once, the trainees stood up straight and turned to the source of the voice. Julianna brushed the blades of grass stuck to her yoga pants and then smirked up at her sister, who was descending the porch steps of the old Victorian mansion. Only Adrianna Anderson could look regal while eight months pregnant. Darius immediately rushed to her side to hold her hand.
“For God’s sake, Darius, I’m pregnant, not an invalid,” she said, her tone annoyed.
“You should not be up and about,” he scolded.
“Have you forgotten that nothing can harm me?” Since she was pregnant with her True Mate’s child, Adrianna was invincible. No one knew why, exactly, but that was just the way it was.
“Yes, I know.” Darius sighed. “But a fall could still hurt you. And I do not want you in pain.”
“I know, but nothing’s going to happen to me.” She smiled up warmly at him, then turned to the recruits. “Good morning everyone,” she greeted. “I trust that training is going well.”
“Yes, Primul,” they all said in unison, using the traditional honorific Lycans called their Alpha.
“Good.” She turned to Julianna and winced. “Did you hurt—”
She covered the cut above her lip with her hand. “It’ll be good in a few hours.”
“How about a break?” Adrianna cocked her head toward the house. “You guys have been at it since dawn.”
The training was tough, but it had to be. There was so much more at stake, now that the mages, their archenemies, had resurfaced after thirty years, and then attacked them repeatedly. Julianna’s wolf growled at the thought of those evil bastards and what they did. It was only the thought of stopping them once and for all that kept her going these days, especially when she was reminded of the events of the past. No, don’t think of it. Don’t think of that. Don’t think of them.
“Julianna?” Her sister’s look was that of concern. “Are you—”
“I’m great,” she said. “We don’t need a break.”
The collective groans from the trainees made her whip her head back and narrow her eyes at them.
Adrianna placed her hands on her hips. “In that case, I’m ordering you to take a break.”
She very well couldn’t ignore a direct order from her Alpha. Well, Adrianna technically wasn’t her Alpha, since Julianna was born into the New York clan. Their father, Grant Anderson, had been the Alpha then and she’d always been part of his clan. But their mother was also Alpha of New Jersey before Adrianna, and Julianna was now helping Adrianna so, well, frankly, she didn’t know where she belonged, really. Not anymore.
Squashing those dark thoughts threatening to weigh her down, she pivoted to the house. “Fine. Let’s go inside.” As she followed Adrianna and Darius, she winced. “Jesus, how can you move? You look like you should have given birth yesterday.”
Adrianna laughed, her mismatched eyes—one blue and one green—sparkled. “I manage. I imagine when you get pregnant, you’ll carry it better. Taller women always do.” While she and all her siblings inherited the heterochromia from their mother, Adrianna and their youngest sister also got their petite stature from her, Julianna was tall and athletic, like her brother and father.
“Highly unlikely, since I don’t plan on ever getting pregnant,” she snorted.
Adrianna raised a brow, but said nothing, and instead motioned for her to take a seat at the kitchen table. Her sister then poured some coffee from the pot, sat beside her, and then pushed the cup toward her. “Julianna, Darius told me that you’ve been … off, lately.”
“Off?” It was hard not to sound defensive because comment caught her off guard. How did he—
“You are distracted,” Darius said. “And unfocused.”
Her nostrils flared and she narrowed her eyes at him. Even her wolf seemed offended by the implication that she was not competent.
Once upon a time, she truly hated Darius’s guts, but that changed when he nearly died to save all of them from the mages. He also showed them all that he truly loved Adrianna. Julianna was now his biggest fan and co-conspirator, especially when it came to protecting Adrianna. Her sister would often joke that she didn’t know if she preferred them to be enemies or friends, especially when they fussed over her.
Right this moment, however, she really wanted to claw his eyes out. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Adrianna’s eyes dropped to the cut on her lip and Julianna instinctively shielded it by placing the coffee cup on her lips. The damn liquid was hot and burned her throat as she swallowed, but she didn’t dare show them any sign of weakness.
“Julianna.” Adrianna reached over to put a hand on her shoulder. “Do you need to talk about something? Ever since what happened at Lucas’s ascension ceremony—”
The deep melancholy was there again, creeping in, but she wouldn’t let it take over. Never. Her wolf growled as that heavy feeling was present enough for the animal to feel it. The bottom of coffee cup met the table with such force that it cracked the porcelain. “Shit!” She rushed toward the sink, tossing the cup as hot brown liquid seeped from fracture. “Sorry. I’ll fix that.” She took a deep breath, but didn’t dare turn around to face them. How could she, when they could see right through her?
“Adrianna? Darius? Are you home?”
Spinning around, her eyes immediately tracked toward the newcomer standing in the kitchen doorway. She had been so distracted she didn’t even hear him arrive.
“Lucas, you’re early.” Adrianna got to her feet, but before she could even take one step, her twin brother quickly crossed the room and accepted her hug, then motioned for her to sit down. “For crying out loud, not you too.”
He put up his hands defensively. “Hey, Sofia’s a month behind you, but she’s already cranky if she has to get up and grab the TV remote.”
“How is Sofia, these days?” Adrianna asked.
“She’s healthy.” He frowned. “But, if her captain didn’t force her to take maternity leave, you know she’d be chasing down suspects until her water broke.”
Julianna guffawed. Her NYPD detective sister-in-law was tough, and she could totally see her doing that, which is why she respected Sofia so much.
“Hey Julianna,” Lucas greeted as he came over to the sink. “How’s—” He frowned when his gaze dropped to her swollen lip. “What happened?”
“Training,” she said with a shrug. “What’re you doing here?” Adrianna seemed to have expected him, but Julianna certainly didn’t know he was coming by to visit.
Before he could answer, a loud, frustrated sigh drifted into the kitchen. “Ugh! Why hasn’t the cellphone company fixed the signal around here? I’ve been trying to post this photo since we got off the highway!”
Julianna stiffened as she heard the voice of her youngest sister. Sure enough, Isabelle Anderson strutted into the kitchen like she was on a catwalk at Fashion Week, dressed head to toe in designer clothes. “You know, the world won’t stop revolving if you don’t post photos to your social media pages every ten seconds.”
Isabelle flipped her long, glossy hair over her shoulder. “This is my job, Julianna. People expect to be updated on the latest trends and fashion.”
“Job?” she sneered. “Right. Being a walking talking billboard—”
“Okay, children.” Lucas massaged the bridge on his nose. “Stop before I make you both stand in the corner.”
“She started it!” wailed Isabelle.
“Did not!” Julianna stuck her tongue out at her.
“I don’t care who started it, I’m going to end it.” He shook his head and rubbed a hand down his face. “Why do I always sound like Mom around you two?”
Adrianna cleared her throat. “Isabelle, why don’t you come upstairs with me? That’s why you’re here, right, to help me with the nursery?” Getting up from her seat, she made her way to the younger woman and linked her arm with hers.
“I have so many ideas!” Isabelle clapped her hands, seemingly forgetting about Julianna. “I saw the cutest bassinet at ….” She trailed off as they walked out the kitchen, but not before Adrianna signaled to her husband, who followed them.
“Can you guys ever be in the same room without starting a fight?” Lucas said in a warning voice.
It’s not that she hated Isabelle; she was family, for God’s sake and she loved her youngest sister. But, they were as different as night and day. Isabelle was vain and vapid and never took anything seriously. Julianna, on the other hand, was single-minded and focused.
“She was the one who—” When Lucas gave her a warning look, she scowled. “I get it. She’s your favorite. You and Papa both.”
His jaw hardened. “Julianna, that’s just not true.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Isn’t it?”
“Look,” he began, his tone gentle. “No one is mine or Papa’s favorite. But Isabelle … can’t you see? She’s always needed a little more help and attention. You, on the other hand, you’ve never needed our help. Remember when you had that science fair and Mama forgot to help you because she was stuck in Chicago during that snowstorm? When she got home, she was so apologetic and what did you do?”
The corner of her mouth tugged up involuntarily. “I showed her the volcano I made from the stuff I found around the house.”
His face lit up. “See? You never complained, never got mad, didn’t even cry. Instead, you pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and got things done.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve always been independent and wise beyond your years. Which is why I came here.”
She shot him a confused look. “You came here because of me?”
“Yes.” He motioned for her to sit on the table.
She took the seat she previously occupied. “What’s this about?” Lucas’s demeanor had changed, as she often observed he did when it was a matter of clan business. The man standing before her now wasn’t just her older brother, but also, the Alpha of the most powerful clan in the world.
“As you know, the mages haven’t resurfaced in the past couple of months. Not since my ascension ceremony.”
As if by sheer willpower alone, she stopped the cold sweat threatening to form on her temples at the mention of that particular event. “I don’t think they’ve given up.”
“Not by a long shot.”
“And the third artifact?” The mages were trying to collect three artifacts that once belonged to a powerful mage, Magus Aurelius. It was said that when all three were brought together, the mages would gain magic and power that no one had ever seen in a thousand years. No one was sure what that power would be like exactly, but if the mages wanted them bad enough, then it had something to do with the killing all the Lycans in the world and enslaving humanity. As of the moment, the mages had one of the artifacts, while the Lycans had another. The third was still a mystery.
“No leads,” he said. “Cross has been searching for months.” Cross Jonasson was a hybrid—half-wolf and half-warlock—who could travel long distances and bend matter to his will. He had been tasked with finding all of the artifacts before the mages did.
“What can I do to help, then?” Just thinking about the artifacts made her nauseous. But, if Lucas needed her, then she wasn’t going to back down. But how could she even begin any search for the artifacts? Where would she look?
“I want you to to be my envoy,” Lucas said. “And meet with other Alphas to begin forming alliances.” Although Lycan clans all over the world were loosely connected and governed by a central body—the Lycan High Council—they didn’t have any formal connections or partnerships, unless it was through marriage. Even then, there was no agreement that one clan would come in aid of another. Not that the clans didn’t get along, but in these modern times, wars or being exposed to humans simply weren’t as big an issue as it had been before, so alliances were no longer a necessity.
“Lucas, I’m not exactly the diplomatic type.” Indeed, she was the opposite of diplomatic. “Why not send someone else? Someone who’s a people person. Like Jared or Aunt Cady?”
“They can’t, they’re needed here. Don’t underestimate yourself, Julianna. You can be very persuasive if you want to be,” he said. “Besides, all you have to do is meet with the Alphas as my official representative and get the ball rolling. I’ll take care of closing the deal. I don’t like the idea of sending you out when the mages could attack at anytime, but I know you’ve trained well as part of the Lycan Security Force and can handle yourself.”
She chewed on her lip. “But what about Adrianna and Darius? They need me too.”
“I’ve talked it over with them, and they said that they’re willing to spare you if you want to go. Think of it as a chance to travel and see new things, at the very least. I mean, c’mon, Julianna, I can’t ask anyone else.” He took her hand. “Papa and I can’t trust anyone else.”
His words totally gobsmacked her. True, Lucas and Papa never coddled or indulged her, and now she realized was that was because they knew she was capable. Frankly, that meant a whole lot more to her than having them taking her side in a petty argument with Isabelle. Her wolf practically preened at the praise from its Alpha. “Of course.” She nodded resolutely. “I’m here. Whatever you need.”
“Good.” He took something out of his pocket—a small velvet box. Opening it, he presented her with a necklace. The chain was thin, made of gold and there was a small medallion at the end. There was a face of a wolf on the front and in the back, a strange-looking seal with a tree, a crowned red wolf, and vines on a field of green and silver. “Cross found that seal in his research. He says it’s the original New York clan coat of arms. We haven’t needed to use it in decades, but I thought this would be appropriate.” He paused. “He also infused it with magic so that the chain grows when you shift so you don’t have to worry about destroying it.”
She wrinkled nose at the medal. “But what is it?”
“Just a small token the signify that you’re my envoy,” he said. “Some clans still recognize the symbol, so I thought I’d have it made for you.”
She took the necklace and put it over her head, then tucked it into her shirt, the gold warm against her skin. “When do I start?”
Lucas smiled at her. “I’d like you to leave in a few days. And, since I wanted to make it easier on you, I thought I’d have some people to go along with you on your first two destinations.”
“Great,” she said. “Who and where?”
“Elise and Reed. You’re going to Scotland first and then England. They’re headed there for a delayed honeymoon of sorts. Elise told me she and Reed have been wanting to go back to pay their respects. I thought it would make sense and you all could go along.”
The cold sweat finally did break out on her forehead and the back of her neck. Goddammnit. And from the look on Lucas’s face, it seemed like he thought it was the best and most logical idea ever. She swallowed. Unfortunately, there was no way she could back out now. Not when Lucas and Papa put so much faith in her. “Great,” she croaked. “When do I leave?”
When she first called Elise to ask her if she could join their trip, Julianna had hoped she would say no.
“Of course you can come,” Elise had said enthusiastically. “I haven’t seen you since … well … I guess since that night we came back. How have you been?”
That night we came back. Elise made it sound like they had gone on vacation or something. “Good. Fine. Yeah, been busy. Helping train Adrianna’s wolves. So … you don’t mind if I come along?”
“Not at all. It’s been ages. Besides, alliances with other Alphas? That sounds like a good idea.”
It’s not that she didn’t want to see her. In the short time she and Elise spent together, she grew to like the hybrid who could shoot electricity from her fingers. No, the problem was she and her mate , Reed, reminded her of that event she just wanted to put behind her and forget altogether.
Event was perhaps too mild a word for what happened, which was, that she, Elise, and Cross had had been transported to the year 1820 by the one of the artifacts of Magus Aurelius.
The three of them spent two weeks in Regency England, though when they returned, only a few minutes had passed for everyone else. Also, much to their surprise, Reed Townsend turned out to be Elise’s True Mate and had been transported back to the future with them, though he had arrived three months before and had been waiting for her return all that time.
Everyone celebrated and welcomed them back, of course. They were amazed by their stories, and of course, amused by Reed’s impressions of the future. And it was a good thing, because they were distracted and didn’t notice Julianna pull away from them.
And that’s when it began.
Somedays she would have dreams of the past that were so real, she woke up in a cold sweat. Other times, something would trigger her memory, like a commercial for a period film or passing by an antiques store. And worse was when it would just pop out of nowhere and she felt it: a realization that everything and everyone she got to know those two weeks were gone. Eleanor. Jeremy. Bridget. The dowager. Yes, even little William, Reed’s young nephew. All dead. Turned to dust by now.
“Miss Anderson?”
The driver’s voice jolted her out of her thoughts, though that heaviness still weighed on her chest. That’s right, she was here, now. In the present. Waiting at the private airstrip so she could start their journey. She placed her hand over her chest, feeling for the small, gold disc that hung from the chain around her neck. Lucas was counting on her. “Yes?”
“They’re here.”
Peering out of the SUV, she saw the limo pulling into the tarmac. She knew who was coming to the private airstrip, so she didn’t even bother to wait as she pulled on the door to open it. When she saw them exit the limo, her heart burst, realizing how much she missed them. “Elise! Reed!”
They both looked at her, their smiles warm. Elise and Reed now lived in San Francisco, as she was the Alpha’s daughter and he pledged to their clan. They flew commercial to New York and now they would all fly together to Scotland. The use of the plane for their trip there, to London, and back to New York was a delayed gift from Julianna’s father, Grant Anderson, former Alpha of New York.
Before they could say anything, she pulled Elise into a tight hug. “It’s so nice to see you. Oops!” She stepped back when she felt the bump poking at her stomach. “Hey, momma, you popped!” It was obvious that pregnancy hadn’t had any bad effects as Elise had the gorgeous glow of happiness.
“She had and she’s beautiful,” said Reed in that elegant posh accent of his. “How are you, Julianna?”
Pasting a smile on her face, she said. “I’m great.”
“I see you haven’t cut your hair as you threatened a million times,” Reed noted.
Doing a perfect imitation of Isabelle, she grabbed her braid and flipped it over her shoulder. “It’s growing on me.” Julianna had always worn her hair short, as it was easier to maintain. When they had been transported back to to the 1800s, Cross had used his magic to grow it out so she could fit in. When they came back, she was ready to cut it, but part of her just … couldn’t. Whenever she took a pair of scissors to it, flashes of Jane—the maid who was assigned to help her dress and get ready each day—came back to her. The young woman had been so sweet and so talented at styling hair. She always complimented Julianna and told her how she envied her long, thick black hair.
But Jane was gone. Just like everyone else.
She cleared her throat and pushed those thoughts away. “Thanks again for letting me horn in on your babymoon.”
“Babymoon?” Reed asked.
“You know.” She pointed her chin at Elise’s bump. “Last chance to get some alone time before the baby comes.”
“Ha! My parents and siblings are so excited and preparing to come visit us all the time that I doubt we’d even have time with the baby when he or she comes.” Elise glanced up at the waiting plane. “Should we get going? We want to get there by morning, right?”
They all boarded the plane and settled themselves into the plush leather seats as the steward offered them champagne and juice. Soon, they were soaring over the clouds, and would comfortably cruising for the next seven hours or so to Glasgow. It was late, and so the steward served dinner not too long after take off.
“Traveling takes a lot outta me.” Elise let out a long, loud yawn after they finished eating. “Well, almost anything takes a lot out of me these days.”
“You should get some rest, love.” Reed placed a hand on her belly.
“There’s a private room with a bed,” Julianna said, pointing toward the rear of the plane. “Go ahead and use it.”
“How about you?”
“I don’t really need to sleep, plus I have to catch up on some work but these,” she motioned to the chairs, “turn into lie-flat beds. No, don’t worry, they’re comfortable. Much more comfy than all of trying to fit into that double bed in the back.”
Elise looked like she had no strength to protest, so Reed got up with her and helped her to the bedroom.
Since they had a couple more hours to go, Julianna took out her laptop, trying to concentrate on the files Jared had sent her about the first Alpha she was to going to meet. Callum MacDougal was in his sixties, and had been Alpha of Caelkirk for the last twenty-five years. He had a Lupa, Kirsten, and six children.
“What are you doing?” Reed asked when he came back into the main cabin.
“Just reading up on our hosts.”
He sat down on the chair opposite hers. “Anything interesting?” She turned the screen to face him and his brow furrowed. “Oh, I’ve read the same file from the Lycan High Council, I think. Did you also get Cross’s research?”
“I don’t think so.” She scrolled to the end of the report. Really, it was all boring and dry facts.
“Since he was doing research on the artifacts, he went ahead and looked up what happened to the London and Caelkirk clans after … I disappeared.”
For a second, she saw his composure slip. While she had only known those people from the past for two weeks, but Reed had known them his whole life. Surely whatever she felt was magnified ten times for him.
“Since you didn’t get Cross’s research, I think you’d be happy to know that Bridget found her True Mate.”
“Oh.” Bridget Macdonald was Reed’s Scottish cousin who came to London the same time they did, searching for her True Mate. “She mentioned something about meeting him the night of your ball. Who was he?”
“His name was Connor MacDougal, and I actually met him.” There was a fond smile on his face.
“Huh.” She leaned forward. “Who was he? Was he nice? Good enough for her?”
He chuckled. “I only met him that day for a few hours and we mostly talked about how to defend ourselves from the mages. But, he seemed like a decent fellow, and because he’s her True Mate, you can be assured he was good to her.”
Of course he was. Julianna had seen it all her life—how True Mates acted around each other. Her mother and father, for example, adored each other and it was obvious there was nothing either wouldn’t do to make the other happy.
And she really was happy for Bridget. There were times when she couldn’t sleep at night, when the weight pressed on her chest so bad she couldn’t breathe, that she liked to think that everyone from back then had gone on to live fulfilling lives.
“You know, it’s all right to miss them. All of them. Eleanor. Grandmama. Jeremy and William.”
Her head snapped toward him, and she realized that this was the first time since she came back that she’d heard their names out loud spoken. She hadn’t dared; couldn’t, fearing her chest would be crushed with the weight of the reality of them being gone. “I—” The tears burned at her throat, making it hard to speak.
“It’s all right.” His tone was so gentle, like a warm fuzzy blanket over her. “What you went through … I imagine no one else can relate. At least Elise has me and I have her. I’m sure you’re not close enough to Cross to confide in him.”
True. Though they had gone through that event together, it wasn’t like she and Cross were immediately BFFs now. Heck, she hadn’t even seen him at all since that night.
“Do you know I thought all three of you were complete lunatics that morning you first came to Hunter House?” Reed’s mouth was quirked into a smile.
The chuckled escaped her throat at the memory. “Cross had to go find us some clothes to wear and he didn’t realize he stole ballgowns.”
“I thought your manners were atrocious.” He shook his head. “I hope you’ll forgive me for being insufferable the entire time.”
“Meh, there’s nothing to forgive.” She waved a hand. “You were a product of your time and upbringing. And we were these weirdos who came out of nowhere.”
As the hours wore on, Reed spoke more about his family, the past, and of course, his impressions on being in the future. Julianna found it all fascinating, especially when he spoke about encountering things like computers and cars. They they had never really sat down and spoken at length before, and she had to admit, though her first impression of him hadn’t been great, she could see he was a man of integrity and had a big heart.
“The only thing I’m disappointed in is that over two hundred years later, prejudice still hasn’t been eradicated.” He frowned. “Why should it matter what—”
“Excuse Miss Anderson, Mr. Wakefield.” The steward stepped out of the galley. “We’ll be landing in about an hour. If you’d like to freshen up, I can serve breakfast anytime before then.”
“Oh dear, where did the time go?” He tsked at his watch. “I’ll go see if Elise wants to eat. Actually, I’ll know she’ll want to eat.”
“Me too,” Julianna said.
The steward nodded. “I’ll get the food ready then.”
“Thank you.” With one last smile at Julianna, Reed left to go back to the bedroom.
Julianna headed to the washroom to so she could do her business and splash water on her face. When she came out, Elise and Reed were already seated. After the quick breakfast, the plane landed in Glasgow Airport. From there it was a four-hour drive to Caelkirk in their rented SUV. Since Reed didn’t know how to operate a car and Elise couldn’t in her advanced state of pregnancy, Julianna volunteered to drive.
“I can see why your mother loved it here. It’s beautiful,” Elise remarked as she popped her head between the front seats.
Julianna had to agree. The Scottish landscapes were beautiful. “Did you visit here a lot?”
“I’ve only been three times,” Reed said. “Twice when I was younger and then …”
“I’m sure you had a lovely time,” Elise finished.
He let out a guffaw. “Yes, I did, if you define ‘lovely time’ as being plagued by pranks from my mother’s relatives for being a ‘Sassenach.’” But there was a fond smile that touched his lips.
She slowed the vehicle when she saw their exit approaching. “So, are we going to stay with the clan?”
Elise nodded. “Dad took care of everything and contacted the clan on our behalf.”
“He told their Alpha the story of me being adopted and never knowing my true nature until I met Elise,” Reed continued. “And that I was probably from the Caelkirk or London clan and wanted to research my roots.”
It was too dangerous to let everyone know where Reed really came from, so they concocted a believable story to explain how he just suddenly appeared. Everyone who knew about it agreed it was better to keep it a secret, just in case the mages realized how powerful the dagger truly was.
“The Alpha agreed to host us at Castle Kilcraigh and allow us to tour the grounds,” he continued. “According to Cross’s research, he’s Bridget’s direct descendant.”
“I’m really glad Bridget met her mate,” Julianna said. “And you said that Connor guy was okay?”
“I only met him for a moment,” Reed confessed. “But he seemed a decent sort to me.” As they drove past a moss-covered wall, he announced, “We’re here. Look.”
Julianna whistled. “Wow.”
When Lucas told her that they’d been invited to stay at Castle Kilcraigh, she didn’t think it was a literal castle, complete with a moat, stone walls, turrets, and spikes. She quickly turned her eyes back to the road and pulled into the front. When she parked the car, they gathered their things and began to walk toward the entrance, where a man in a tweed suit was waiting for them by the door.
“You must be our guests from America. I’m Gerald MacDougal, Beta of the Caelkirk Clan.” The Scottish brogue was a bit difficult to understand, but his tone was welcoming. The Beta had a warm smile, and reminded Julianna of a friendly uncle. However, because of her training with the Lycan Security Team, she couldn’t help but sense the presence in his wolf, which seemed wary of the three strangers.
“Thank you for welcoming us and allowing us into the territory,” Reed greeted back. “I’m Reed Wakefield, this is my wife Elise, daughter to Liam Henney, Alpha of San Francisco, and Julianna Anderson, envoy and sister to Lucas Anderson, Alpha of New York.”
“Thank you for welcoming us,” Elise said.
“Nice to meet you all,” he said as he shook hands with Reed, then did the same with Elise. When he turned to Julianna, his took her offered hand, but didn’t let go. His bushy brows drew together. “Do I know you?”
“I don’t think so?” There was no sexual interest or malice in his tone, only genuine confusion. “Have you ever been to New York?”
“No, but it’s like … I could have sworn …” He scratched at his chin. “It’s like I’ve seen you before.” Letting go of her hand, he shook his head. “I’m sorry my Alpha’s not here to greet you. He and his son had a sudden meeting in town, and he’s not sure when they’ll be back. But, don’t you worry, we’re all ready for you.” He nodded to the older woman walking toward them. “Mrs. Carter, she’s the housekeeper around here, will have your things sent up to your rooms. Unfortunately, I’m about to pop into a conference call myself, but please feel free to look around the grounds. I’ll be out around two and we can take a tour of the castle after we have tea.”
“Excellent idea,” Reed said. “I would like to go for a walk.”
“I’ll join you. It’ll give me a chance to stretch my legs.” Elise slipped her arm through Reed’s
“I’m pooped.” She had been awake for seven hours and drove for another four hours. Anyone would be tired, even a Lycan. “If you wouldn’t mind, I need a shower and a nap, but that tea and tour sounds great.”
“It’s all settled then,” Gerald clapped his hands together. “Julianna, you can follow Mrs. Carter, and we can all meet here at two.”
“Come right this way, Miss Julianna.” Mrs. Carter was already headed toward the grand staircase. “I’ll show you to yer rooms.”
“Thank you.” She followed the older woman and climbed the staircase. On the landing they passed magnificent stained glass window, before turning right toward the east wing. For a moment, she hesitated. It was obvious that although the outside and the roads had been modernized, all the interiors and furniture were antiques. She was afraid that being here would remind her of the past and bring back that heavy, dark feeling. To her surprise, it didn’t. Maybe it was because this wasn’t Huntington Park or Hunter House or anywhere she’d been before in 1820.
Her wolf, too, was acting curiously. It was sniffing its head in the air, trying to catch a scent. When she breathed in, she took in a faint scent of malt, pine, and earth.
“Here ya go,” Mrs. Carter said cheerfully as they entered the bedroom. “Hope it’s to your liking, miss?”
To her relief, the bedroom was nothing like the rooms she stayed in back in 1820. The bedrooms in Eleanor’s home, Hunter House, and Huntington Park were all sumptuous and elegant. This room was cosy, and had a more rugged and masculine feel, decorated in rich mahoganies and reds. A tartan bedspread covered the enormous four-poster bed. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to get refreshed, but if there’s anything you need, just give us a ring.” She nodded to the intercom on the bedside table.
“Thank you, Mrs. Carter.”
As soon as she was alone, she unpacked, took a shower and went down for a short nap. Her alarm went off at exactly one-thirty. She decided to leave her hair down and after getting dressed in a sweater, leggings, and knee-high boots, then made her way downstairs to the foyer. Gerald was already there, and once again, he was looking at her curiously. Before he could say anything, Elise and Reed came in from the front door.
Gerald turned to them. “Did you have a nice walk?”
“We did.”
“Good. We can start in the library where I have tea set up.” The Beta led them down the hallway on the right. “Here we go.” He opened the last door and led them in toward a sitting area by the fireplace. Julianna’s stomach growled at the smell of fresh pastries and tea.
“Let’s—oh.” Gerald stopped in his tracks, looked at the fireplace and then at Julianna. “I thought I had … but how …”
With her thoughts totally on the scones, jam and—holy shit—real clotted cream on the table, she didn’t even notice everyone staring at her.
“Oh.” Elise’s mouth was open. “Oh my.”
Frowning, she followed her gaze.
Holy. Fucking. Moly.
Her gut twisted as a dark, heavy feeling began to seep into her, right to her bones. The painting. More specifically, her portrait.
Back in 1820, the London Clan had a guest from Italy—Signore Rossi, an envoy for the Prince of Florence. He also happened to be an artist, and had begged to paint her portrait. Julianna sat for it, seeing as she didn’t really have a choice back then. She recalled all the hours she spent, sitting still for Rossi, and the way his eyes sparkled as he exalted her beauty and features, to the point of being uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that she thought Rossi wanted to sleep with her or anything—no, Rossi was more like an adoring grandpa. But, she was uncomfortable because she never saw herself as beautiful. She knew that her face was too angular, and compared to her mother and sisters, she was almost masculine. A plain Jane. And maybe that’s why she always strove to excel in other ways.
But—oh—this painting. Was that really her? It looked like her, but … it was like a completely different person. This person was beautiful and sensual, but something in her smile and eyes was almost mysterious.
“Are you all right?”
Elise’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. “I’m great. Dandy.” Deep breathes. Take deep breaths. “I should—I need—I’m—” Spinning around, she dashed toward the door like she it was her motherfucking salvation. However, before she could cross the threshold, she bumped into something very solid. Fuck!
“Whoah!” Her body was falling back, but a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. Her knees, however, went weak. Her wolf froze, but as soon as the scent hit its nose—peat, malt, and pine, just like the faint smell she detected earlier—it went crazy, rolling around the ground and yowling. “I—” Another deep breath. But it was no use because when she looked up and saw a pair of bright green eyes, all the air rushed out of her lungs.
“It’s you,” he said. “It’s really you.”
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