Page 86 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

Alba's cheeks warmed.

"And judgin' by the look on his face when he said it, I wouldnae test him." Morag stood, gathering her supplies. "I'll send Orla up with some breakfast. Light fare—bread, weak tea, maybe some broth. Ye need tae eat, but carefully."

"Thank ye, Morag."

The healer paused at the door, her expression softening. "Ye take care now, me lady.”

Then she was gone, leaving Alba alone with her thoughts and the letter still clutched in her hands.

He sat with me all night.

Alba pressed the letter to her chest again, closing her eyes and letting herself feel the full weight of what was happening between them.

It was dangerous. Complicated. A betrayal of everything Calum expected, everything the Covenant represented.

But sitting there in Lachlann's bed, surrounded by his scent and his care, holding words he'd written just for her—Alba couldn't bring herself to regret it.

She opened her eyes and carefully placed the letter back on the bedside table, where she could see it.

The first of many, he'd promised.

And despite everything—despite the danger, despite the complications, despite the guilt that whispered she was being selfish and reckless⁠—

Alba found herself smiling as she settled back against the pillows to wait for his return.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

"The northern route needs constant surveillance."

Lachlann's finger traced a line across the map spread before him, marking the path with deliberate precision. Around the war room table, six of his most trusted soldiers leaned in, their expressions grim.

"Aye, me laird," Malcolm said, studying the coastline. "But that's a lot of ground tae cover with the men we have."

"Then we double the patrols." Lachlann's jaw set. "I dinnae care if it means shorter rest periods. After what happened with the archer and with Thomas' betrayal, we cannae afford any weaknesses."

James stood at his right shoulder, arms crossed. "What about the southern coves? They're more hidden. Better fer sneakin' boats in and out."

"Which is exactly why they need watchin' too." Lachlann marked three positions along the southern coastline. "Post men here, here, and here, rotatin’ shifts every six hours so they stay sharp. And I want signals set up. If anyone spots anythin' suspicious, I need tae ken about it immediately."

"And the prisoners?" one of the younger soldiers asked. "The kidnappers and Thomas? What's tae be done with them?"

Lachlann's expression hardened. "They stay locked up until I decide their fate. Triple guard on that dungeon. No one gets in or out without me kennin’ about it. And I want different guards every shift, nay chance fer anyone tae get comfortable or make deals."

"Ye think there might be others?" Malcolm's hand went to his sword hilt. "Other traitors?"

"I dinnae ken." The admission tasted bitter. "But I'm nae takin' any chances. Thomas was bribed once. Someone else might be tempted if Torquil offers enough coin."

The men exchanged uneasy glances. The idea that one of their own could betray them—could let enemies into their home, could help kidnap a woman under their laird's protection—had shaken everyone's faith.

"We need tae be vigilant," Lachlann continued, his voice firm. "Question everythin'. Watch fer anythin' unusual. And if any of ye have concerns about another guard, ye come tae me or James immediately. I dinnae care if it's yer best friend or yer braither, we cannae afford divided loyalties right now."

"Aye, me laird."

Lachlann turned back to the map, marking additional patrol routes with quick, efficient strokes. "The eastern forests need coverin' too. That's how they got Alba out, through the trees where our wall patrols couldnae see. So, we extend our watch intae the forest itself. Teams of two, never alone, checkin' every path that leads toward the coast."

"That's a lot of men spread thin," James observed quietly.

"I ken that." Lachlann's fingers pressed flat against the map. "But until we ken what Torquil's plannin', until we can be certain there are nay more traitors in our midst, we have tae assume the worst."