Page 4 of To Tame a Wolf

Alexandra woke up to find herself lying on her belly over the back of her own swaying horse. Her hands and feet were bound and tied to the stirrups. Her head pounded with each movement of the animal. She tried to speak but found she couldn’t as a rag was stuffed in her mouth. Nausea rose in her throat, and she stifled a gag.

Turning her head to both sides, she saw her mare’s reins held by the rider in front of her, and Ian’s horse led by the captor in the front position. Behind her, she glimpsed the pup running in the distance trying to keep up. They were traveling in single file with her horse bringing up the rear.

She heard her captors arguing over the best way to capture the McGregor clansman. The man in the lead wanted to follow the tracks Ian had left in the snow, while one of the others argued they should have set a trap and waited for Ian to come back.

Alexandra hoped she hadn’t been unconscious for long. She had no way of knowing how far they were from where she and Ian had stopped to rest. Questions ran through her mind. What would Ian do when he discovered her and the horses missing? Was he close by? Had he seen the riders from the ridge? Would he continue toward the McGregor stronghold alone and on foot?

Her thoughts were startled when a blood-curdling war cry pierced the air. The McGregor charged from behind one of the nearby trees and jumped up. With both hands, he grabbed the back of the captor who was leading her horse and flung him off his saddle. From that point on, everything happened so quickly that time passed in a blur. The McGregor pulled the falling man’s dagger from his belt and killed him with it by the time he hit the ground. Then the McGregor snatched the downed man’s hatchet and threw it at the next captor in line, who had just turned his horse around to see what was happening. The hatchet struck the second man dead center in his chest. The McGregor grabbed the handle of the embedded hatchet and used it to drag him from his horse and onto the ground. Standing with one foot braced against the man’s chest, he used both hands to pry the bloody hatchet loose, before he darted after the lead man who had turned his horse around again in order to flee in the opposite direction. The McGregor grasped the reins of the second rider’s horse, swung himself up into the saddle and chased after the fleeing man. Within seconds, both men were out of view.

Alexandra, her heart thundering in her chest and ears, could not believe what had just happened. The McGregor, like a wild beast, had disarmed and killed two of her captors before they barely had time to realize what was happening. Still dangling upside down from her horse, she had viewed everything from a dizzying, distorted point of view. Her horse had whinnied and side-stepped out of the way, but the mare had not wandered off. Alexandra listened for sounds from the forest and prayed it would be the McGregor who came back for her.

Waiting tensely, she watched the wolf pup investigate the bodies of the two men who darkened the snow. He growled low in his throat and hesitantly sniffed around them, before he padded toward her. The pup jumped up to reach her, but only succeeded in startling the horse into shying away. The mare was used to the smell of the wolf pup since he had been riding with her, but what if the pup’s antics got him kicked or made the horse bolt? Neither option was good. As the pup crouched again ready to spring, Alexandra used a stern tone and yelled “No!” through the gag. He stopped mid-crouch and turned his head sideways as if trying to understand. Before he could jump again, they both heard the hoof beats of a rider coming back.

Holding her breath until she could see who it was, Alexandra let out a muffled sigh of relief when the McGregor trotted up, towing the third man’s horse behind. The wolf pup ran forward to greet him when he dismounted. The McGregor’s cloak and hands were stained with blood, and he stopped and washed them in the snow before he picked up the pup and strode toward Alexandra’s horse. Talking to the pup, he said, “What do you think, shall we leave her this way until we reach the keep?”

Glaring at him, Alexandra wiggled and tried to talk through the gag. The McGregor simply threw back his head and laughed, and then smacked her bottom with his free hand. As Alexandra squirmed and made indignant noises, he took his newly acquired dagger in hand and cut the ropes that kept her hands tied to the stirrup before he walked back around the horse to cut the rope that tethered her feet.

He wrapped his free arm around her waist and assisted her in sliding backward off the horse, and then he cut the cord that tied her feet together. Turning her around, he pulled the dirty rag from her mouth. Alexandra tried to make a cutting remark but found her throat so dry all she could do was emit a croak, which only served to make the McGregor roar with laughter again.

As she turned to walk away, Ian stepped in her path and gently tilted her head up. She winced as his fingertips brushed the hair from her cheek. A black scowl appeared on his face. Alexandra opened her mouth to say something, but the dark look in his eyes made her hold her tongue.

The McGregor walked among the slain men and took the remaining weapons from their bodies. He offered Alexandra a dagger which she declined as she already had the one that he didn’t know about. He looked surprised when she pointed to a bow and quiver. “May I have that if you don’t need it?”

“Only if you promise not to point it anywhere in my direction,” he answered with a grin and handed the bow to her.

“We’ll start out riding their horses since they are younger and won’t get as tired, and then we’ll switch to keep up a good pace. I imagine the others will know the direction we’ve taken once these three don’t show up at a designated meeting time.” He brought over one of her captors’ horses and handed her the reins. He locked his hands together to give her a foot up, but she just stood there dazed and frowned at him.

“Aren’t we going to give them a proper Christian burial?” she asked.

“No,” he stated flatly. Before she could protest, he unlocked his hands and put them around her waist and lifted her up onto the horse.

Seeing him wince as he did this, Alexandra asked, “How could you fight the way you just did when you are so recently injured?”

“In battle lust, the pain ceases to exist. I’ve known men who were mortally wounded but didn’t even realize they’d been hurt until after the fighting was over. Besides, I come from good stock and heal quickly.”

Alexandra shook her head in amazement, and they started riding at a brisk pace. She estimated there was probably half a day’s ride left before the sun set. The gelding she rode was frisky but manageable. Once again, she followed as the McGregor led the way.

They covered ground quickly, even with frequent breaks to change horses. The pup settled down and remained quiet. He must have exhausted himself trying to keep up with her horse when she was captive.

During the ride, Alexandra thought about how close she had come to being back in Niles’s hands. She thanked God for her escape and for giving her a protector, even if that protector just wanted to get back the horses and supplies. She prayed for the souls of the three dead men, but she prayed most of all for the McGregor’s soul for having killed them. She was confused over the matter. She knew there were battles all through the Bible, with God’s people on one side and their enemy on the other, but she also knew that one of the ten commandments was ‘Thou shall not kill.’

Watching Ian’s back as they rode, she noted how tall he was in the saddle and how easily he negotiated his way through the snow. He was an enigma to her. She found she thought of him as Ian when he teased her or gently handled the pup, and as the McGregor when he exhibited the proud, warrior side of his personality.

When they next changed horses, Alexandra asked wearily, “Will we reach the McGregor keep this evening?”

“Nay,” he replied and mounted the old gelding, “we’ll hold up tonight at another hunting hut. If all goes well, we’ll reach the McGregor keep before noon tomorrow.”

Alexandra nodded her understanding and mounted her old mare. Although she was nervous about her reception when they reached the keep, she was ready to be done with all this. What she wouldn’t give to soak in a steamy bath and to have squeaky, clean hair.

****

Night approached, and they still had not reached the hut. As the warmth of the sun disappeared, the temperature dropped dramatically. The McGregor took her reins again because it was difficult to follow him in the dark. There was no moonlight to brighten the snow, but somehow he knew exactly where he was going, and it wasn’t long before they came upon another shelter. This one had an enclosed shed for the horses. Thankfully, extra grain had been in the bags of the slain men, and as before, they cared for the horses before entering the hut.

The interior was very dark, but Ian was familiar enough with its layout that he moved about and started a fire. Alexandra stood just inside the doorway and waited until it was light enough for her to see before she stepped in to investigate. The hut was similar to the last one, except it also had a table and a pile of straw in one corner.

Alexandra put the supplies she carried on the table and emptied the unfamiliar bags they’d taken from the three horsemen. She found they contained food, much the same as the fare they already had, with the exception of several dried apples and some beans. Her stomach growled loudly, and she put her hand against it and glanced at the McGregor. He grinned. “I’m hungry too, lass. At least we don’t have to worry about running out of food.” He pulled up a chair to the wobbly table.

They ate in relative silence, eating this time until their stomachs were satisfied. The pup was also given a larger portion of meat. The dried apples were slightly tart, but tasted delicious. When they finished, Alexandra repacked the remaining food, and Ian took the fireplace cookpot outside to fill with snow.

Once again they found themselves huddled before a fire sipping on hot herbal tea. The wolf pup entertained them by acting wild and crazy. He ran around the room chasing shadows and growling. He ran back and skidded to a stop at their feet. Alexandra was utterly surprised when Ian got down on the floor and played with him. Teasing the animal with a one-inch diameter stick, he let the pup grab one end and then shook the stick and tried to take it back. The pup clamped onto it and refused to release his prize. Alexandra laughed when Ian picked up the stick and swung the puppy in the air. Dropping the pup onto his lap, he pried the piece of wood from his mouth and threw it across the room. The pup sprinted after it and brought it back, nudging the wood into Ian’s hands.

“What are you going to name this rascal?” he asked and threw the stick one more time.

“I don’t know, he’s certainly very happy, isn’t he? Maybe that’s what I should call him, Happy.”

“Happy?” He laughed. “Are you kidding? For a wolf? What about Warrior or Killer or Beast? You know, you’re never going to be able to tame him.”

Alexandra smiled. “I’m not going to try to tame him. I’d let him loose right now if I thought he’d live. I guess I’ll take it one day at a time. What’s wrong with the name Happy? I think it’ll suit him just fine.”

“Aye, I can see your point. Meet Happy, he’ll happily tear your leg off, or I see Happy’s happy to be covered in the blood of his enemy,” Ian joked.

Alexandra clapped her hands and whistled. “Here Happy!”

The wolf pup dropped his stick and trotted over to her. He turned his head inquisitively, and she laughed, reaching down to pet him. “See, he likes his new name.”

****

Ian moved the straw from the corner of the room and spread it in front of the fireplace. He kicked through the pile several times to separate and fluff it up. She moved the chairs back to their original position by the table while Ian stoked the fire one last time before they went to sleep. After he arranged his fur cloak over the bed of straw, Ian lay down and extended his hand just as he had the previous night. This time she didn’t hesitate. She placed her hand in his to steady herself as she sat down and spread her cloak.

Ian wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. He tucked her close in front of his body with her head pillowed on his arm. Alexandra was surprised how much softer the floor was with the straw under them. She was also very aware of Ian’s hard body pressed against her. His breath brushed her neck, and tingles ran up and down her spine. She was not nearly as tired tonight, and it was hard to relax and to keep still. Was Ian sleeping? He was a strange man. She was amazed someone so large, who fought so ruthlessly, could also be very gentle. Did he have any family?

“Stop fidgeting, woman.”

“I’m sorry.” She shifted to yet another position. “I’m not very tired tonight.”

“Why don’t you tell me more of this Niles?”

She was silent, considering whether to open herself up to the pain of remembering. Perhaps the more he knew, the more he could help her convince his laird of the nature of the man who plotted against them both. Where to begin?

“I was devastated when my parents died. Niles arrived shortly after their burial. Pleased by his good fortune, he strutted around like a gloating peacock. He took control immediately. He fired staff that had lived their whole lives on the estate. Several were beaten or flogged for imaginary crimes and replaced by people he knew. The more I protested, the more he seemed to enjoy it. He locked me in my room for weeks at a time with little to eat for punishment. The butler was caught sneaking me bread. Niles accused him of thievery and had his right hand cut off.” Her throat tightened at the memory.

“I felt so guilty and blamed myself. I don’t know what happened to the poor man after he was thrown off the estate.” She paused, wondering if there was a way she could find him and apologize.

Ian’s arm squeezed her waist and he said, “I’m sorry.”

“After that, the servants left as soon as they could. Only a few brave ones like Aggie stayed on. I began catching him looking at me with both hatred and lust. I told you I was twelve?” she asked.

“To make a long story short, one of the young maids was found dead on the property. Her naked body was discovered beaten and broken. Niles made a big speech about how the killer would be hunted down and brought to justice, but he looked at me and smiled, and I knew. I knew he was responsible.”

“I started placing large objects in front of my bedroom door. It was the only way I could sleep. One night, despite the obstacles, he broke into my room. He was drunk, luckily for me, but I still couldn’t get away. When it came down to it, he couldn’t…” Alexandra struggled to find the right words and waved her hand in the air, “perform…”

“I understand,” Ian said dryly.

“He was furious and pummeled me with his fists. My last thought before I passed out was that I was going to die. The only reason he didn’t kill me is that if I die before I marry, the entire estate goes to the church. He would have lost everything.”

“So he is a coward who preys on the young and innocent,” the McGregor said through gritted teeth.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You are safe now. Put your mind at ease and rest,” he said.

Eventually, her mind quieted. She was warm and secure in his arms. She woke in the morning to find she was not facing away from Ian but was nestled with her face against his neck. Somehow, her right leg had come to lie between his thighs. Mortified, she slowly tried to withdraw it without waking him. He stirred a little and turned toward her, effectually trapping her leg and most of her lower body under him. Murmuring something unintelligible, he started nibbling along her neck and up her jaw. Sweet Lord, that feels so good. Moving from her jaw, his lips closed over her mouth, and he caressed her with his tongue before slipping it into her mouth to stroke hers. Ian pulled her tighter under him with one arm, while the other hand moved up to cover her breast. A jolt of sensation went straight to her lower stomach and served to break her paralysis.

“Stop!” she said breathlessly and pushed against his chest with both hands.

He was an unmovable rock. With a deep sigh, he hung his head and rested his forehead against her shoulder briefly before he rolled over onto his back. He flung one arm across his face and didn’t move other than to continue breathing deeply.

Alexandra scooted backward out from under the cloak as fast as she could until she could stand. She too was breathless. She watched him warily, but he remained motionless, his face hidden from her view. Abruptly, he stood up and without looking at her, stalked out of the hut. Alexandra froze and stared at the closed door. He hadn’t taken a cloak out with him, so he probably wouldn’t be gone long.

Gathering her wits, she started packing their belongings. The wolf pup ran circles around her while she made porridge from the oats and leftover apples. Minutes later, the McGregor returned and announced the horses were ready. She glanced at him when she pushed a bowl of food his way and noted he was already acting as if nothing had happened. They ate in uncomfortable silence. Alexandra felt the need to talk about it, but she didn’t know exactly how to broach the subject.

The sun was rising over the horizon as they led the horses from the shed. They began the day riding the older horses. Alexandra followed holding the reins of one, while the McGregor held the other two. This day was warmer by far than the last two days. Spring was still a month or two away, but she was already heartily sick of the snow and cold. Wishing for the smell of green grass and fragrant flowers, she imagined what her surroundings would look like on a fair summer’s day.

She watched the McGregor’s tall back as they rode and tried to keep her thoughts away from that morning, but the memory flooded back. She was having a hard time accepting how he had made her feel so alive and on fire. The only other person to have touched her so intimately was Niles, and that whole incident left her scarred and uninterested in knowing more about what happened between men and women, which was probably why it was such a surprise to know that Ian’s touch made her feel so different. She never expected to have to fight her own feelings. Her life was planned out, she reminded herself. She wanted to be a nun and live in peace at the abbey with the other women, serving God by helping the sick and the poor.

The McGregor did not talk much, and only when he needed to convey information about the upcoming trail. Alexandra wondered if he was angry. It was undoubtedly a good thing they would be arriving at the McGregor keep that very day, God willing. But how often would she see him?

After several hours of riding, they broke through the trees and onto a large rolling meadow that was at least a mile long and half a mile wide. The McGregor called a halt, and they took a break at the meadow’s edge. The open field looked like a lake. The wind had blown patterns of waves, like crests on water. Alexandra played her imaginary game and envisioned how beautiful the field would be in the summertime covered with tall blowing grass, dancing wildflowers, and a multitude of butterflies. She lifted Happy from his pouch and set him to run free while she stretched her legs.

The McGregor stared at the tree-lined meadow and appeared to be watching for something. She looked at him inquisitively.

“We’ll change mounts now.” It was an order. “I don’t like making us vulnerable out in the open, but we’ll also save a lot of time cutting through rather than going around.”

Alexandra nodded and gathered the pup. She mounted the young gelding she’d ridden the day before. He danced with her extra weight before settling. They trotted side by side into the meadow, the horses high-stepping through the larger snow drifts. They reached midpoint in the field, when she heard the McGregor curse.

Looking over at him, she saw his attention was to his left. There, coming out of the west side of the woods, were ten riders galloping straight toward them.