ROMANCE: BIKER ROMANCE: Werewolf Rider (MC Shifter Pregnancy Romance) (New Adult Paranormal Romance Short Stories) (152 page)

              Shona looked around searchingly and her eyes caught a flurry of movement not far from where she stood. She rushed forward not even considering the possibility that the animal might be a dangerous one. She ran forward and immediately the animal camouflaged behind the thicket of trees took off in the opposite direction. Shona felt a beat of shock as she realized that it was a stag. Even in darkness she could tell it looked eerily like the stag in her dreams. She rushed towards Frazier and mounted him in one swift move. They raced through the forest after the stag.

              The stag darted right, down a steep slope of earth, fallen branches and dried leaves leaving streaks of motion in its wake. Shona urged Frazier downwards but the horse seemed reluctant. “It’s ok,” Shona said, rubbing Frazier’s neck comfortingly. “Come on boy, you can do it.”

              After some coaxing, Frazier managed to sidle down the slope, landing with a quick finish onto flat surface again. Shona spurred him forward with a gentle nudge, afraid that she had lost the stag for good. The animal had become something of a recent legend in the territory of Kinross. It was a large beast and her father and his clan had spent nigh on seven years since it was first spotted, trying to hunt it. The stag had displayed both intellect and resilience, evading capture at every turn.

              This was not the reason that Shona pursued the animal however. What propelled her forward were her murky dreams that stayed with her even after she had woken. She dismounted and walked down. Hearing a rustle of noise, Shona took care to move carefully and quietly. She stepped between two trees and caught sight of a thin stream just ahead of her. The stag was standing on the opposite side of the stream, drinking water. Shona felt as though she had experienced the same moment before.

              Without thinking, she stepped between the two trees and out into the open. The stag raised its majestic head and its large brown eyes fell on her. The moon hung, full and bright in the sky above them. It illuminated everything it touched with its sparse silver rays. Shona held her breath as the stag stared at her with intense concentration. A shiver ran down her back as realized that its gaze was almost… human. Shona stepped forward cautiously but the stag did not run as she had expected. The creature stood there, proud and tall, as though it were waiting for her.

“What are you?” Shona asked under her breath as she continued to edge closer.

              She got to the edge of the stream. There was only the thin trickle of water that stood between them. If Shona reached out, she would be able to touch the stag. It’s antlers were the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. They were dark but there were little gleams of glassy silver that touched its edges. Its eyes were still trained on her as though it recognized her somehow.

“Am I dreaming?” Shona wondered aloud.

              The stag moved its head infinitesimally as though it was answering her question. Shona gave a start of surprise but she didn’t back away. “No wonder no one’s been able to catch you yet,” she said softly. The stag continued to look at her with eyes that were aware and keenly observant. Consumed by the magic of the moment, Shona felt herself grow brave. She reached up, moving her hand slowly towards the stag’s crown. Again she wondered if the animal would bolt suddenly, but it remained stationary. She sucked in her breath as she touched the stag’s gleaming coat. It was tough but there was also a sinewy softness there.

              She was still touching the animal when Frazier’s frantic whinny startled her out of her reverie. She jumped back, breaking contact with the stag. It leapt back as well and with one last look in her direction, it turned and took off into the forest. It took only a few short seconds for Shona to lose its image in the darkness.

              She stood there by the tiny stream trying to process the strange moment, but it did not seem to matter how long she stood there. It didn’t feel any less strange. Finally she turned away and walked back to where Frazier waited patiently for her. She mounted him distractedly and rode back to the castle, with her thoughts running in chaotic circles.

              Shona could hear the music before she entered the castle. It rang through the castle’s stonewalls, echoing down its long hallways. Shona knew the castle well, she slipped in through one of the lesser-known corridors and within moments she was in the main hall where most of the clan’s banquets and feasts were held. She stood behind one of the large stone pillars that circled the hall. 

              Her father sat on the raised dais, behind a long table filled with several large cuts of meat. He was dressed in his finest red tartan and grey furs. To his left sat Lady Macfie. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders, fastened by Scottish pearls that seemed to catch the light with every turn of her head. She was dressed in crimson silks and white furs. Next to her sat Lady Saraid, Shona’s older half sister. She had her mother’s coloring without any of the beauty. Shona had admired her once, before Saraid’s disdain for her had pushed them apart.

              Shona watched as her father took a great gulp of wine and turned to the man sitting on his right. Royce McKenna was younger and shorter than Shona had expected. He did not look like a clan chief’s son, but he seemed to have a knack for making people smile. He bowed graciously as he asked Saraid to dance, making her glow with pleasure while their father beamed in satisfaction. As Saraid and Royce McKenna joined the other dancers in the centre of the hall, Shona watched as her father and stepmother put their heads together, conversing in intimate whispers.

              Standing there in the shadows, Shona realized that that she would never be on the other side. She would never sit with the people she considered her family and share hushed conversations. She would never be invited to dance by a noble lord and she certainly would never be encouraged to do so. Her father had cast her into the shadows, making sure she would never truly be apart of his family.

“Is this what I want?” Shona asked herself. “To stand on the edge, wishing to be included like a dog waiting for scraps?”

              She stared at her father’s face, wondering if his love for her had always been an illusion, or if it was a fickle thing that existed only in the privacy of his own chamber. If that was the case, Shona wanted no part of it. She turned from the scene and walked out of the hall. She didn’t stop until she had reached her bedchamber. When she walked in, she found that Clary was there, waiting for her.

“Where have you been lass?” Clary asked with concern.

“I was out riding,” Shona replied. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to make sure… you weren’t too lonely,” Clary said simply.

Shona appreciated the sentiment but she hated the pity. “I’m fine Clary,” she assured the older woman. “Truly.”

“Then what is that look in your eye?”

Shona dropped her gaze, but she knew that little got past Clary. “Tis nothing,” Shona replied. “I have only made a decision this night.”

“Aye and pray what is it?”

Shona looked up. “I’m leaving Northwick castle and Kinross territory. But most importantly, I am leaving clan Macfie.”

Chapter Four

              Clary tried to convince her to stay but Shona could not be moved. There was a clarity attached to her decision and that gave her the confidence she needed to go through with it. The night of the feast had opened Shona’s eyes to the reality of her life. She was the eternal outsider; whatever affection her father held for her was not strong enough to withstand her stepmother’s dislike.

“This is drastic,” Clary fretted as she bustled about the apothecary throwing things into a large brown bag. “I shouldn’t be encouraging you.”

“And you haven’t,” Shona said. “I’m leaving no matter what anyone says or does.”

“Does that include your father?”

“Aye,” Shona nodded fervently.

“He’s not going to allow you to leave,” Clary pointed out. “You are may be illegitimate, but you are still his daughter.”

“I am his daughter in private,” Shona replied. “Tis not enough for me.”

“And you’re answer is to flee in the night?”

              Shona shook her head. “There is a party leaving the castle soon. They’re heading towards Aberdeenshire with a delivery of horses for Lord Maclver. I intend to be among them when they head out on the morrow.”

Clary raised her eyebrows incredulously. “And how do you plan to escape notice?”

“I’ll be dressed as one of the stable boys,” Shona replied with a confidence she did not feel.

“Tis a risky plan lass,” Clary said with a shake of her head.

“Aye,” Shona agreed. “But it’s my only way out.”

“And what do you intend to do once you’ve set off with the delivery party?”

              “I’ll travel with them as far as the Elsick mounth. Just before they enter Aberdeenshire, I’ll slip off into the forests with Frasier, then I’ll ride South to one of the seaside villages and find work there as a healer.”

Clary sighed deeply. “I don’t like it.”

“Aye I know,” Shona said with a smile. “But I know I’m doing the right thing. I can feel it in my gut.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Clary replied as the continued to bustle around the apothecary.

“What
are
you doing?” Shona asked impatiently.

              “If you really are going to do this you will need a few things,” Clary said quickly as though she knew she was running out of time. “You are a talented healer, you will know what to do with the ingredients I have given you.” She handed Shona the bag with a resigned air. “You will be able to collect a few things on your journey, especially if you’re travelling into the forests. But still, I will feel better knowing you have these with you.”

Shona leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Clary. “Thank you so much Clary,” she said. “I’m going to miss you the most.”

Clary laughed awkwardly and pulled away. She had never been good with open sentiment. “Just be safe.”

Shona nodded. She picked up the bag and turned to leave.

“Wait,” Clary called. “I have one more thing for you.”

“You’ve given me enough Clary,” Shona pointed out gratefully.

“Aye, but this one is the most important thing,” Clary replied as she went to the cupboard and pulled out an old book whose covers looked worn and overly used.

“This book is for… whenever you need some drastic help,” Clary said softly.

“Is it a book of remedies?” Shona asked.

“It is,” Clary nodded. “Tis a special book. Look to it for guidance but use your own knowledge and your instincts. You understand me?”

Shona took the book gingerly and nodded. “Aye, I will. Thank you,” she said before leaving the apothecary for good.

              Shona was up before the sun the next day. It took her only a few hours to gather all her belongings. She wanted to travel as light as possible and that turned out to be easier than she had anticipated. Shona stared down at her brown rucksack, amazed that nineteen years could be boiled down to a few measly possessions. Her mother had left her nothing in the way of a keepsake and she did not wish to take anything that belonged of her father. The only thing that she had that was precious to her was the book Clary had given her.

              In the privacy of her room, Shona leafed through its yellowed pages. There were several recipes for remedies, many of which she recognized, but others were foreign to her. She didn’t have time to dwell on them however. She wrapped the book in one of underskirts and packed it away with the rest of her things. She had managed to bribe one of the younger stable boys into giving her his britches and shirt. She put them on and stared at herself in the grainy mirror in front of her.

              Once she had thrown a coat over herself, she didn’t look quite like a girl, but she didn’t look like a man either. Her hair fell straight over her shoulders, a fiery red that was hard to hide. She found a thick piece of string, gathered her hair into a tight knot and tied it firmly. Then she added a lopsided hat that hid her bun and turned back to her reflection. Except for her sharp nose, her features were soft and decidedly feminine. She stepped towards her dead fireplace and grabbed a small handful of ash, which she proceeded to smear across her face in small strokes. She was subtle in her approach and by the time she was finished, she looked much less like herself.

              With a sigh, she slung the bag over her shoulder and slipped out of her room without a backward glance. As she moved through the castle’s stonewalls, Shona felt a small beat of sadness. She did have affection for the castle, it had served her imagination well and she was sad to leave it. Still, it was not her home, and now that she had become so painfully aware of it, Shona knew that she could not stay.

              The party was getting ready to move out when Shona slipped into the stables. She waited till they had mounted their horses and started for the gates before she saddled Frazier and joined them. She stayed at the back with the horses, keeping her head down and eyes sharp for anything that might give her away. Earnan Baird was leading the small group and Shona prayed that he was not an observant man. Just to be safe she had a dagger hidden in the waistband of her britches.