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  Megan wasn’t sure she could even begin to relax with him so close. As much as she hated to admit it though, she did feel very comfortable lying next to him.

  “It’s disconcerting with you so close. It makes it hard to think.”

  “I take that as a good sign. At least you are not totally indifferent to me.”

  “You know. I think you have an ego as big as that lake out there.”

  Seamus bellowed with laughter. Megan had to admit that she enjoyed his laugh. The easy banter felt comfortable; it seemed as if she had known him for all her life, instead of two days.

  “Not quite, a ghrá, but it could use a bit of stroking now and then though.”

  That she doubted very much. But she let it go and changed the subject. “You knew my uncles growing up, didn’t you? So tell me about your life.”

  Seamus did just that, starting with when he was a boy and some of the trouble he and Donovan had gotten into growing up. It surprised her just how close her uncle and Seamus were. She asked him many questions about himself and not once did he hesitate to answer them. She laughed so hard at some of the stories, she wondered if she might have broken a rib. Before she knew it, the sky had started to lighten.

  “I better get you back to the cabin before your father comes out with a shotgun. How about I let you catch a few hours sleep and then we can go for a walk in the woods? Maybe even have a picnic lunch.”

  Megan thought a picnic was a terrific idea. She wasn’t able to remember the last time she had been on a picnic. “That sounds great.”

  Seamus was up. He helped her to her feet before she could even think to move. They walked to the cabin hand in hand. Much to her surprise, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. A power washed over her, threatening to buckle her knees. Instead of following her instinct to pull away, she leaned into him and returned the kiss.

  As she responded to him, he deepened the kiss. When he finally pulled back, she moaned in protest.

  “You better get in there, or I will be breaking my promise and dragging you back out to the clearing without giving you a chance to say no.”

  Megan wasn’t sure she would say no if he had picked her up and carried her back. That single kiss turned her on more than any before. She hadn’t dated many men, had sex with even fewer, but their kisses paled in comparison to Seamus’s.

  “Thanks for the wonderful stories, and I have to admit the company was pretty good too. I’ll see you later.” With that, she turned, opened the door and slid inside before she changed her mind. In her room she flopped down onto the bed, smiling. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to be mated to Seamus. He definitely seemed to enjoy my company. To be honest I’m beginning to like having him around. He’s not as bossy as he was the first time I met him. It didn’t take long before she dropped off to sleep with thoughts of Seamus in her head.

  Seamus walked back to his own cabin. He could have transported himself over, but he needed the time to clear his head. He lost track of time when he was with Megan, which was not so bad, but while he was with her he had let his guard down, and he could not afford to do that. Anyone could have snuck up on them unnoticed, and that was something he would be better off keeping in mind.

  He knew that members of the group that had kidnapped him might be out there somewhere. Letting his guard slip was not an option, no matter how distracting he found Megan. In fact, being that he was involved with Megan he needed to be more on guard that ever. These maniacs had kidnapped her once, and they would not hesitate to do it again.

  Chapter Seven

  Megan awoke to the smell of coffee, bacon, and the tantalizing aroma of warm maple syrup, she knew was for her uncle’s scrumptious buttermilk pancakes. When she looked at the clock on her nightstand, she saw she had only slept for four hours. Ah well, she was up now, so she might as well go in and have breakfast while she still had the chance to enjoy her Uncle Sean’s cooking. She went into the bathroom, took her shower, got dressed, and headed into the kitchen.

  She stopped dead. There was Seamus sitting at the table—eating breakfast and joking with Donovan. As she walked in, he looked up and grinned at her, she could not help but grin back. Her stomach did a flip-flop and her knees went weak. No man should have a smile like that; it should be outlawed. The way just a look could affect her amazed her. She continued into the kitchen on wobbly knees. She filled a cup with coffee and reached for a plate. Seamus was there, handing her one, at the same time scooping some eggs, hash browns, and bacon on it for her. I could get used to this. She never had someone treat her as though she were the only person in the room. Now she was looking forward to their picnic later that day even more.

  She sat when Seamus held out the chair next to his. Patrick and Sean gave her one of those ‘Look who’s being treated like royalty’ looks. She ducked her head, as she knew her face had turned a few shades of red.

  Seamus leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Ignore them a ghrá, they’re just jealous. No one pulled out their chairs.”

  All three of her uncles roared with laughter. Surprised by how Seamus got along so well with them, she wondered how he survived all those years alone. The banter around the table made it seem as if Seamus was part of the family.

  Her light-hearted mood plummeted when her father walked in, looking none too pleased. “Well, isn’t this a cozy scene?”

  Donavan looked up, grinned and said, “And a good morning to you, too. Did we not get enough sleep, or are you always in such a chipper mood when you get up?”

  Scowling, Jim said, “Is this going to become a habit…this having everyone over for breakfast?”

  Megan couldn’t believe her father’s animosity. “Dad! What is the matter with you?” Then she began to wonder if he knew she was out most of the night with Seamus and that was the reason for his foul mood. She had never seen him act so unsociable before.

  “Nothing’s the matter with me. I just don’t feel we should forget the fact that we don’t know anything about what Seamus has been doing for the last seventeen years. Yet everyone seems to have forgotten that but me.”

  Megan noticed Seamus’s look and admired his cool response.

  “Jim, I am truly sorry you do not trust me, but that is not going to stop me from coming over here. As much as I would like you to feel comfortable with my being around, you are the only one who can do that.”

  “I don’t want you around,” Jim said, as he stomped over to get a cup of coffee.

  “That is a shame, because I intend to be around quite a bit,” Seamus said.

  Smacking the cup down onto the counter so hard it shattered, Jim swung around and said, “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  Donovan put his hand up in the air to stop anyone from saying another word. “Jim, I would like a word, if you would be so kind as to step outside.”

  Not giving her father a chance to argue, Donovan wrapped his large hand around his arm and walked outside, forcing her dad to go with him. Her dad’s face retained its tight anger as he stumbled out the door.

  Megan didn’t understand her father’s animosity toward Seamus and his rudeness mortified her. She turned to Seamus to apologize for her father’s actions.

  As she opened her mouth, Seamus put his finger across her lips and said, “No, a stór, you will not apologize to me for your Da’s actions. It is not your doing so do not let it worry you.”

  “It’s just…I’ve never seen him act this way.”

  “He will get over it in time. For now, let us enjoy our breakfast.”

  As the door slammed shut, Seamus eavesdropped on Donovan and Jim’s conversation. He was sure Patrick and Sean were doing the same by the look of disgust on their faces.

  “What is your problem Jim?”

  “My problem? I can’t believe your letting that man around your family without knowing what he’s been doing or where he’s been in the last seventeen years. Someone told those butchers about Bernadette and Megan, and I don’t want him near my daugh
ter until I know it wasn’t him.”

  “Seamus saved Megan and brought her home to us. If it were not for him, we might have lost them both. He was in that hell hole for over a month before they even brought Bern and Megan in.”

  “You don’t know that for sure. How do you know what he told you wasn’t just some cover story to get Meg back so he can experiment on her?”

  “Listen to what you are saying. Why would he need to experiment on our own species? He does not need to collect us to study us. Do you have any idea of just how powerful his family is? If the O’Kelly’s wanted to study their own kind, all they would have to do is ask for volunteers and they would be flooded with applicants.”

  “So why didn’t he contact anyone after he escaped?”

  Donovan continued. “He is a born leader, and he set out to destroy all documentation of us. He thinks these people have somehow placed some sort of tracking device in his body, and he refused to lead them to any of his family or friends. The other problem is that whatever drug they used on him during his captivity left him without the ability to communicate telepathically.”

  “Are you sure he’s telling the truth about that?”

  “Yes, Megan used to be able to communicate that way with me—until she was kidnapped. She has not since, so yes, I am sure, and besides, you know I have the ability to discern when someone is lying. Now, we have a few other things to discuss, so let us go back in the kitchen and have our breakfast in peace. Then you and I need to talk in private. And please, be a bit more cordial to Seamus.”

  “I still don’t see why he has to be around all the time.”

  “I will explain it to you after breakfast.”

  They came back into the house. Seamus could still feel the animosity flowing off Jim. The rest of breakfast was more solemn then before Jim arrived, but at least there were no more outbursts.

  When everyone finished, Megan and Seamus stayed and cleaned up while Jim and Donavan went into the den. Sean and Patrick disappeared outside.

  “They always disappear when it’s time to clean up.” Megan grinned as her uncles ducked out of the house.

  “Well, I promise I will always stay and help,” Seamus said.

  “How about I cook and you clean up? That’s the part I hate the most.”

  “If you wish, but once you come into power you can do either by just thinking it.”

  Megan’s hands stilled as she thought about Seamus’s statement. Why was she spending the time washing up if all her uncles had to do was think it clean and it was? “So why don’t you just clean this mess up for me?”

  Before she could blink, the kitchen was spotless, with the exception of the mug she had in her hand. The reality of it caused her hand to tremble. “You’re very…accommodating for a man who’s used to being on your own.”

  “That is one thing you will learn about our people. We will do anything for our mates, short of letting them do something that will put them in harm’s way.”

  Megan bristled. “So, if you felt I might get hurt by me doing something, would you try to stop me from doing it?”

  “No, I would not try. I would stop you from doing it.”

  Oh, you’re in big trouble now, bub. “And what would you do if I wouldn’t stop because I felt it wouldn’t hurt me?”

  “Then a stór, I would say you will have one very large altercation on your hands.”

  Megan didn’t know why, but she was ready for a fight. Maybe her father’s rudeness started it. Even though it should be her father she should be arguing with, she opted to antagonize Seamus. “You’re going to find I don’t like someone telling me what to do.”

  “I will take that into consideration, but you will find I can be persuasive.”

  Now her irritation escalated to burning anger directed at Seamus. Who the hell does he think he is? He has no right to tell me what I can or can’t do. “We’ll see about that.”

  “I have always loved a challenge.”

  “So I’m a challenge now?” Her anger ramped up a few more notches.

  “Sweetheart, you have been a challenge since I first met you.”

  “You arrogant so and so.” She gripped the mug so hard her knuckles hurt.

  “Arrogant? I do not think telling you the truth is arrogant.”

  “You’re digging yourself into a deep hole, Seamus. One you’re going to have trouble getting out of if you keep talking.”

  “So are you telling me I better change the subject?”

  If he didn’t, she’d likely smack him one and walk away telling him to go to hell. She didn’t care what the Fates said; she would not be his mate. “Now that might be a very good idea.” She turned her back on him and started washing the mug she still had in her hand, lest she throw it at him.

  Instead of changing the subject, Seamus walked up behind her and trapped her between the sink and him, putting his arms on each side of her. She stopped dead, her hands still in the sudsy water. He was so close she could feel his breath on her hair. Her heart started beating double time, and she didn’t know what to do. He lifted one hand, pushed her hair from her neck and let his lips brush it instead. Her legs felt like jelly, so she grabbed the edge of the sink.

  “Seamus! Please let me go.”

  “What is it? You asked me to change the subject and I did. Do you not like what I am doing to you?”

  He brushed another kiss on her neck. She felt as if she would melt on the spot. She was having trouble thinking. She knew if he did it again, she wouldn’t be able to think at all, not that she was sure she wanted to.

  Yes, she loved what he was doing, but she was confused. She needed time to understand what was happening to her. Not for the first time in her life, did she wish she had her mother to talk to. Now her feeling of loss was greater than ever before.

  “It’s not that I don’t enjoy what you are doing to me at this moment, it’s just… it’s confusing me, and I’m not sure how to deal with it.”

  Seamus took a step back and let his arms drop. “I am so sorry, a ghrá. I keep forgetting all this new information and new sensations are bombarding you. I will try to be more considerate in the future.”

  She was both relieved and sorry that his arms no longer surrounded her. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. All I’m asking is you let me catch my breath now and then. Sometimes all these sensations are overwhelming. It seems the closer I get to my birthday the stronger they get. When you’re around, they seem to be amplified.”

  “I can only tell you that all you have to do is say the word and I will stop. The more I am around you, the stronger the pull to you is as well. I will give you all the time and space I can, but you must also understand this is no easier on me. I may know all there is to know about what is happening, but I have never experienced this kind of magical pull either. So if I come on too strong at times, please just tell me to back off and I will.”

  “Thank you, now can we get things ready for the picnic you promised me last night?”

  “Not to worry, I have already seen to all of it. Whenever you are ready to go, we can be off.”

  Within the hour, they were ready to go. Seamus let her family know where they were going. He had everything planned out. He had found the perfect place, one that was private, but also one he knew would be safe just in case his pursuers could still find him. He and Donovan had worked out a plan if anyone other than them happened by. He was taking no chances with Megan; he had seen firsthand what those butchers could do to his people, and they had captured her once already. He was not going to let it happen again; especially now that he found out she was his mate.

  “Where are we going?”

  “A small area I found in one of my runs.”

  Megan smiled. “Promise me you’ll tell me more about our people today.”

  Her smile thrilled him. It was nice to see how relaxed Megan seemed to be. As he watched her, he wondered how much different she would be if she had never lost her mother. “I will tell you anything y
ou want to know.”

  “Great, what’s it like when you change form?”

  “Did you not ask me that once already?”

  She shook her head. “No, not how does it feel to change, but what is it like when you do. Say you are a wolf, do you still see and feel the same as you do in human form or is it different?”

  “Ah, now I see where you are going with this. The best way to answer is to say yes and no.”

  Megan smacked him on the arm. “Now that’s a lot of help.”

  “Well, give me a chance to finish answering before you start beating me up for the Goddess sake,” he said, rubbing his arm as if she had actually hurt him.

  Her “Sorry” did not sound like she meant it.

  “It’s just no one seems to give me a straight answer sometimes.”

  “Megan, a ghrá, I will always give you a straight answer, even if I know you will not like the answer I give. Is that fair enough for you?”

  She thought about that for a second. “Yes, thank you. Now please explain your yes and no answer.”

  “When I am in any form, I will take on that form’s persona, but I still keep my own persona so you get both at one time. Yet my instincts tend to lean toward the form I am in, such as in wolf form, I have a tendency to react to aggression with aggression instead of talking it out. It can be a bit disconcerting at first, but once you get used to it you will have no trouble at all.”

  “So basically you can understand what’s happening, but you would react differently than if you were in human form.”

  “Aye, that is exactly it.”

  Chapter Eight

  When they arrived at the place Seamus had picked out, the beauty of it captivated Megan. The mountains rose up behind the small meadow filled with grass and wild flowers. Beyond the meadow, the trees became so thick it looked as if night had fallen within the forest. Here and there, she could see outcroppings of rock formations. She could imagine herself running as a wolf—free of all boundaries, catching whiffs of rabbits, deer, and elk, and then bounding after them with not a care in the world. The beauty and the familiarity of it mesmerized her, so when Seamus touched her arm she jumped.