Taken By The Highland Wolf (The Clan MacGregor Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

spirited that I'm sure it was part demon. My father told me that I was to stay away from the beast until he was broken, and of course no young man with any sense of pride wants to be told that something is too dangerous for him."
    "Oh, please, tell me you didn't," I gasped.
    "Aye, I very much did," he said with a nod. "One afternoon when my father was away and I was to be at my chores, I snuck out to the stables, determined to ride the great brute. It took me longer than I care to admit just to get him saddled. I landed in the dirt more than once. By the time I had him out to the paddock, my resolve was set. I would ride him or die trying."
    "It sounds like that was a very likely possibility," I said.
    "Aye, it was. I swear, the horse lulled me into a false sense of ease, just so that I could climb up onto his back. The moment I was seated, he bucked wildly and tossed me off, then kicked me squarely in the ribs once I had landed. I barely had the strength to roll away. I was eventually found lying in the grass outside the paddock, while the horse stood by grazing peacefully, as if he hadn't just tried to kill me. My father was furious with me."
    "And the injuries you suffer from today," I said, pointing to his face. "I take it they are not from another spirited horse."
    The smile fell from his face and he shook his head. "No, they are not."
    "Can you tell me what happened to you?"
    "I was attacked on the road. The men were not known to me. And though it pains my pride to admit it, they overpowered me, robbed me, and left me for dead."
    "Would you know them again to see them?"
    "Aye, I think that I could identify them if they were before me."
    ***
    I walked toward Alastair's study just as the door opened and Mr. MacAlpin walked out. His mouth turned down in a frown upon seeing me and he nodded curtly in my direction.
    "Miss Gordon," he said tersely.
    "Mr. MacAlpin. I hope that all is well."
    "No, Miss Gordon, it is not. But I'm sure that the MacGregor will tell you all about it shortly. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be on my way."
    "Have a good day," I told him as he brushed past, bumping into me but not stopping to excuse himself.
    I sighed and tried to forget about the encounter. I had enough to worry about without adding the magistrate's rudeness to my pile.
    I knocked on the study door then poked my head inside. Alastair was sitting in his chair with his feet up on the desk. His eyes were closed and he was running his hands roughly through his hair, a sure sign that Mr. MacAlpin had brought him bad news.
    "May I come in?" I asked quietly.
    He opened one eye to look at me, and I saw a bright flash of emerald green before he closed it again.
    "Aye, love," he said wearily. "I could use ye if you've got the time."
    "What's wrong?" I asked as I closed the door behind me and crossed to the large leather chair opposite his desk. "I just met Mr. MacAlpin in the hall. He was looking even more dour than usual, as amazing as that may seem."
    "I cannot blame him for it today, lass. He came here with grave news today."
    My stomach clenched at his words. I already knew what he as going to say, though I prayed I was wrong.
    "There's been another murder, hasn't there?" I asked quietly.
    "Aye, there has. A young woman this time."
    "Was it done in the same way? With the fur?"
    "Yes, it was the first thing they looked for." His feet dropped from the desk onto the floor and he fixed me with his piercing gaze, frustration in his eyes. "Someone is trying to send us a message, and I'm worried that I already know what it is."
    I started at him. "Really? What do you think it is?"
    "I don't think there's much chance of it being a coincidence with the fur. I've a feeling that someone may have learned of our secret."
    "But how can that be? Your clan has done everything it can to ensure that the secret of your true nature is never revealed."
    "Then why the fur, Glenna? What other meaning could it possibly have, if not to taunt us with their knowledge