The hike would be about two hours, sixty minutes each way, just like Christo had said. It wasn’t something that seemed particularly pleasant, but with nothing but time on my hands right now, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to just… be free. Besides, I felt good out here, so this certainly wasn’t a hardship.
I tucked the pamphlet back into my pocket and adjusted my backpack as I kept walking. I’d been nervous as hell going out to eat alone, not just because I wasn’t a social person but also because I was in a strange city with a different culture. But I’d quickly learned that residents of Búraló were open and friendly and all too anxious to let me know about their history and the folklore that surrounded the town.
And I’d had a few too many pints of ale, the brew making me feel loose and happy and especially anxious to hear all they had to say. I’d heard the stories of the village, when it was established, how many residents called it home.
I hadn’t been surprised to know that the wolf was an integral part of what they believed in Búraló, not with all the statues and engravings that surrounded every nook and cranny. It was almost like they worshipped the wolf, or Lycan, as they called them. There were stories about these great, powerful creatures that roamed the forests of Scotland, that were fierce and dangerous, territorial but protective in every sense of the word.
The villagers spoke with such awe and pride that it was hard not to fall in love with the mythical creatures that not only struck fear in these people, but also this reverence and love.
And I was pretty sure the ale had been talking last night, because my lips had gotten loose as I pried and picked for information about my family. Why not try to get some “dirt” while everyone was so happily giving out the free information?
But to my disappointment, no one had anything useful to say aside from many people who lived deep in the woods kept to themselves, and apparently my grandparents and mother had been just that.
Recluses to the nth degree.
But even if the villagers couldn’t help me out, I was hopeful—maybe too optimistic—that I’d find out something with public records. Maybe I’d find other residents who were home deep in the woods. Maybe they’d be able to help me.
Because at this point I had nothing else to lose.
7
Caelan
I was pretty sure I broke a couple bones, definitely fractured them. My body was black-and-blue, but I wanted this. Asked for it.
I’d needed it.
And Odhran delivered tenfold. The shifter hadn’t spared me anything in that ring, and I’d gone tooth and nail with him, not holding anything back.
I’d been aware of the rest of the Guard stopping their training and watching, seeing us beat the shit out of each other, but despite my power and size, Odhran was soulless and had centuries on me. He’d been in countless battles and had a body count under his belt in the hundreds.
And so I limped up the stairs and out the door that led to the training center. I knew a few ribs were cracked, but they’d be healed by morning. And I was spent, so wiped out there was even the possibility I’d be able to fucking sleep.
But first I needed to see Ainslee. I needed to apologize, needed to tell her I loved her and things would work out. Even if I didn’t know if that was the truth.
After heading into the kitchen and guzzling two bottles of water, I went upstairs. Lennox and Tavish were heading my way, no doubt having gone down to the rec room to play those stupid video games they were obsessed with. And one look at my face had Tavish rolling his eyes.
“Ye’re gonna piss her off even more. Leave her be,” Lennox said. It was clear he’d read my mind.
But all I did was keep walking away, moving ahead of them, and lifting my hand to give him the finger.
“Classy,” he muttered.
I didn’t bother looking over my shoulder at him and Tavish as they went down the hallway toward their rooms.
“She was upset. I want tae check on her.”
I heard Lennox grumble about how I was overbearing. But they were ones to fucking talk, seeing as they were just as protective of Ainslee as I was.
When I stopped in front of her bedroom door, I had a little bit of doubt that even just speaking to her right now would be met with resistance, that she’d see it as me being too overbearing. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t make sure she was okay.
I knew this was hard on her. How couldn’t it be? I tried to put myself in her shoes, picturing myself being kept from my mate. But it was different for females of the Otherworld.