Page 37 of Wolf Heir (Highland Wolves of Old #3)

Coinneach still planned to have the wedding ceremony with Aisling in the meadow to honor his parents, who had raised them all those years. But Hamish wouldn’t hear of it. He told Cook to make the most lavish meal for the feast, and they would celebrate for days.

Aisling wore the most beautiful kirtle of pale blue that set off her red hair. Elspeth and Blair both wore green gowns, as the women who sewed clothes at the castle honored them with kirtles as well. Even Nelly, who was so much like a sister, wore one too.

Then the procession got on the way, with Coinneach wedding Aisling in the inner bailey.

They promised to run as wolves after the feast in the meadows.

Once they were wed, though the mating had made it official, he kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

She was just as exuberantly kissing him back, and everyone laughed and cheered at the union of Hamish’s true son and Aisling.

This time, Blair, Tamhas, Magnus, Elspeth, and Nelly sat at the head table along with Aisling and Coinneach. He thought about how much his life had changed with Aisling in it as several pack members toasted to the happy couple. She made him complete.

Hamish leaned over and said to Aisling, “Here, I planned to add you to my company of archers. But Coinneach wouldn’t hear of it.”

She smiled at Hamish. “If we are in a battle, I can help your archers fight the enemy.”

Coinneach reached over and took Aisling’s hand in his. “Unless you are with child.”

Hamish laughed. “You better work on that faster.”

Coinneach looked at Aisling and said, “Do you have anything to share?”

“I was going to wait until after the wedding.” She sighed, sounding exasperated with him.

“Your mother said…”

“Aye, she said we will have twins in the spring.” Then she patted Hamish’s hand. “And you will have grandbabies.”

“A grandson and granddaughter,” Hamish said, as if it were his word and it would come true.

Cullum said, “I will be a great uncle. That has a nice ring to it.”

Then the brothers got into a discussion about the color of their hair and what color their eyes would be.

Once the meal was through, they all moved the tables to the back walls and danced.

Even Hamish danced with Blair, forgiving her for leaving his baby son for someone to find, but understanding her fear and young age, and that she truly had saved his life.

Tamhas spent the whole time in Nelly’s company.

Elspeth and Magnus had eyes only for each other, as it should be.

Coinneach wondered if Hamish would ever mate again.

If his brother would ever mate. Blair too.

If his brother and Nelly would finally be a couple.

Aodhan preferred his warrior and bachelor status.

Even Alasdair had arrived with his new bride, Isobel, a Viking war maiden who had escaped her clan for a better life. Coinneach couldn’t believe it, but everything that had happened in his life of late was a surprise.

“What are you thinking about, my love?” Aisling asked Coinneach. She was ready for them to run as wolves and then retire to their own chamber for some wild lovemaking.

“I was wondering if certain people would find their own mates.”

“Hmm, maybe I can help with that.”

“I canna believe you are still working in the kitchen.”

“I like cooking, and now I am Cook’s favorite assistant, as she can get anything she wants if she asks me to get it for her. Besides, I’m no’ the lady of the manor until you are chief. Once that happens, hopefully many years in the future, I will be overseeing all the staff.”

“Hamish wants you to do that now since he doesna have a mate.”

“Well, I suppose I can do both jobs.”

“Until the bairns come.”

She smiled. She was so thrilled they were going to have twins and hoped everything would turn out all right. Her mother had been worried about her, given what had happened to Coinneach’s mother, Orla. And both Blair and Elspeth worried that she would lose one of the twins.

“Let’s slip away and run in the meadow as wolves.”

He smiled at her. “Aye. Do we tell anyone we’re going to run?”

“Nay, if they figure it out, they can join us.” She took his hand and they left the great hall.

But they were seen right away. Once they had removed their clothes, shifted, and left the castle, several others did the same, and they were soon joined by many members of the pack.

They howled with joy.

They were glad they had gotten rid of the poison that Morag, Osmund, and Rupert represented in the pack.

Here, Coinneach thought he would get a job as one of the warriors at the pack, but he had also become a son of the chief and mated with Aisling, elevating her own position.

She couldn’t be happier to have her mother and all the others who had become family to her.

But especially Coinneach, who was the brawest wolf of all.