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The judge nodded. “Go on, Reynolds, I’m listening.”
“Campbell can take the time to try and get to know Winter and realize that he will never force her to submit to his authority. Winter’s loyalty and submission must be earned, and once earned, will never be rescinded unless the person to whom she has freely given it has done something so heinous that he can never be forgiven.”
“What’s to stop me from just waiting and then taking her by force back to Scotland where she belongs?”
Reynolds placed his hand on Winter’s arm, enraging Campbell, but from behind bars there was little he could do about it.
“Because were you to harm or try to remove any member of my clowder, I would hunt you down and kill you where I found you. You might be a highly decorated soldier, but I assure you my methods of holding you accountable would be far more deadly and horrific than you can possibly imagine.”
The two antagonists stared at each other. Both knew exactly what the other was capable of. The air was charged with tension.
“And if she chooses to go with me?”
“Then, of course, she would be free to do so with my blessing, but only if she was not coerced to do so. I understand her father, bastard that he is, currently resides at Curaidh as a guest of your dungeon.”
“He does,” said Sean with a nod.
“He is to be released, and his imprisonment will no longer be held over Winter’s head.”
“You would believe me if I said he would be released?”
“I have no reason to doubt you—you have yet to lie to me.”
“And if you find out I have broken my bond?” Sean asked, truly curious about the lynx standing before him.
“Then I will rain hellfire down on your head and reduce Curaidh to rubble.”
No one said a word for a moment, until Winter stepped up to stand beside Reynolds. “Let’s see if we can’t avoid that, shall we? Judge Freeman if you would assign bail, I will have the money transferred immediately. Then we can take Sean and Hamish back to Trudy’s, where they can collect their things and pay their bill. They will then be made welcome at Windsong, and not as guests of our dungeon, until such time as they have exceeded their welcome.”
“And then what?” asked Sean, genuinely curious as to what would be said and by whom.
“Then you will return to Curaidh—either via your own plane under your own steam or in a box; your choice,” said Winter in a deceptively quiet voice. The judge set the bail and Winter pulled out her cell phone and tapped a few keys. “Gentlemen? I suggest we get back to Windsong. There are things both my alpha and I need to attend to.” Spinning on her heel, she headed back to the SUV.
“Bloodthirsty little thing, isn’t she,” teased Reynolds.
“Apparently, but I find it oddly arousing,” responded Sean, honestly.
“As do I,” quipped Reynolds, provoking Sean to growl. Reynolds responded with a laugh.
Sean and Hamish followed them into the SUV. Sean was impressed by the sheer luxuriousness of the vehicle. Reynolds had to have had it customized. There was no way this was standard or even tricked out by the manufacturer. They made their way back to the bed and breakfast. Watching the way Hamish looked at Trudy, Sean pulled him aside.
“Why don’t you stay here. That way if things go south up at Windsong, we’ll have a way for you to get to our men. I don’t think I’m in danger, but it gives us some room to maneuver,” Sean said in a quiet voice.
“If you’re sure, Alpha.”
“I am.” Sean turned to Colby. “Reynolds, my second is going to remain here with Trudy. I’m afraid I did some damage to my room, which I will pay for, but I want to leave Hamish here so he can ensure the repairs are done to Trudy’s satisfaction.”
“And that way it will be far more difficult for us to murder you both in your beds,” said Reynolds with a smile. “If that’s all right with you, Trudy. I so apologize for the things that were damaged.”
“I don’t mind Hamish staying here at all,” said Trudy, a quiet blush creeping up her face.
Sean couldn’t help but smile. It was beginning to look like both he and his beta would be returning to Curaidh with their mates in tow.
CHAPTER9
SEAN
The drive back to Windsong was quiet, but Sean was captivated by both the similarities and differences between Curaidh and Windsong. True, one was up in the rocky Highlands of Scotland and the other on a small island off the coast of Alaska, but both retained a pristine and rugged beauty that couldn’t be denied.
