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Chapter 1

Alaric McCabe looked out over the expanse of McCabe land and grappled with the indecision plaguing him He breathed in the chilly air and looked skyward It wouldn’t snow this day But soon Autuhlands Colder air and shorter days had pushed in

After soto eke out an existence, to rebuild their clan, his brother Ewan had lory This winter, their clan wouldn’t go hungry Their children wouldn’t go without proper clothing

Noas time for Alaric to do his part for his clan In a short ti where he would fore

It was pure cereing laird wanted Alaric to spend ti the McDonalds, a clan that would one day becohter and only heir

Even now the courtyard was alive with activity as a contingent of McCabe soldiers readied to make the journey with Alaric

Ewan, Alaric’s older brother and laird of the McCabe clan, had wanted to send his most trusted men to accompany Alaric on his journey, but Alaric refused There was still danger to Ewan’s wife, Mairin, as heavily pregnant with Ewan’s child

As long as Duncan Cameron was alive, he posed a threat to the McCabes He coveted an’s—Ewan’s wife and Ewan’s eventual control of Neae to Mairin, the daughter of the for of Scotland

And now because of the tenuous peace in the highlands and the threat Duncan Ca David’s throne, Alaric agreed to the e that would cement an alliance between the McCabes and the only clan whose lands rested between Neamh Álainn and McCabe land

It was a good match Rionna McDonald was fair to look upon, even if she was an odd lass who preferred the dress and duties of a man over those of a woman And Alaric would have what he’d never have if he remained under Ewan: his own clan to lead His own lands His heir inheriting the mantle of leadership

So asn’t he er to mount his horse and ride toward his destiny?

He turned when he heard a sound to his left Mairin McCabe was hurrying up the hillside, or at least atteuard for the day looked exasperated as he followed in her wake Her sharapped tightly around her, and her lips trembled with the cold

Alaric held out his hand, and she gripped it, leaning toward hiht to catch her breath

“You shouldn’t be up here, lass,” Alaric reproached “You’re going to freeze to death”

“Nay, she shouldn’t,” Corry”

Mairin rolled her eyes and then looked anxiously up at Alaric “Do you have everything you require for your journey?”

Alaric sh food for a journey twice as long”

She alternated squeezing and patting Alaric’s hand, her eyes troubled as she rubbed her burgeoning belly with her other hand He pulled her closer so she’d have the warmth of his body