The Highlander's Charm

Sixteen

...

Flinn

...

Even with all of his confidence... I do wish that my father would plan things out more when it comes ro our conversations... The awkwardness that strikes us every time he comes to visit me here in my room for our little chats always so looming in its intensity... Especially now... When he has no idea what to talk about other than how many of my tears were on display at our evening meal...

"So... Am I correct in assuming that Baigh has stuck his foot in his mouth again?" Papa finally breaks our silence, his eyes carefully being led all over my face... Most likely observing the year stains and puffiness all over it... The mess I currently am presenting is at least a calm one now that my crying has calmed down to a sniffle... If only because Emory's scent is clinging to the wind as the breeze pushes itself through my window...

I know I should not be taking comfort in his scent... Just as I shouldna taken comfort in his words or his embrace earlier... But it seems as though I canna help it... There is just something about how it lingers on the wind... A quality that causes me such comfort that it almost makes me shiver... "No sir, not exactly..."

My answer only seems to confuse Papa more... And it makes my heart ache with how badly I wish I could tell him...

Tell him everything... That Baigh kissed me... That my heart is broken... That I broke Baigh's nose... And that I broke Emory's heart...

I wish I could be honest and tell him that the only reason I found Emory outside in the first place is that the very same scent lingering on the wind called out so loudly to me that I couldna stay away...

I wish I could tell him that the very same vampire we were celebrating at dinner is meant to be mine and mine alone and I've had to shatter both our hearts just to ensure his safety here in the very same castle I call home.

"If yer not fighting then what was all of that weeping for during supper? And do not tell me it had nothing to do with Baigh. I know all too well the look he gets on his face when he's made a mistake."

"Papa... I really shouldna say... I donna want to cause strife between the two of you..." As much as I do not want to admit to the kiss... I feel as though it may be the lesser of two evils if I find myself pressed... To tell my Father a kiss was stolen would cause him to stop searching my being as though I've suddenly become a stranger of sorts to him... And it would grant me a reprieve, however brief, to cry as much as my heart wants me to over the loss of my soulmate without needing to hide my hurt... For my Father would just assume that I am trying to get over the loss of a friend...

"Nonsense. You'll tell me and you'll tell me now."

...

Emory

...

I canna say that I find myself thrilled that Baigh has chosen to stay with me after ensuring my handhold on the old retired milker is secure... But despite my protests, I know he's likely correct... As much as I don't want it, I'll have need of his help to get back to my room after feeding... Not that I couldn't pick my way back by scent... Just that I donae know if I stay strong enough to make it all the way back on my own... And I would rather not bother the maids again for I think I rather frightened them earlier with my weakness.

Still...

I cannae say that I'm exactly happy to feel his eyes on me as I take my final sips from this fine heifer and start eyeing the next... My plan being that I do not take more than a few swallows from any one cow to ensure that they live in peace and safety while supporting my appetite... Though it may be just a wee bit awkward with someone watching me execute said plan, let alone Baigh...

The one man who had the nerve to sample the taste of my soulmate's lips in a way that I shall never be able to...

"Do ye need he-" at first, it's as if Baigh is offering to help me get to my next donor, his hands gesturing to the nearest cow... But instead of finishing his sentence, he pales, my confusion giving me the last bit of strength I need to stand on my own unassisted while trying to figure out what he's doing, his eyes focusing on something I cannae see.

For a moment, the shifter seems frozen,  but only for mere seconds before the crunch of boots crushing the ground cover of hay... With my ears being more sensitive than his when in the form of a man, I hear them first... But when Baigh picks up on them, he panics, his body twisting around as he starts to run... Only to be stopped by a thunderous roar just behind me... A more angry-sounding order issued from an alpha my ears have never heard... And I just escaped from a war barely even a month ago...

"Baigh, you dirty BASTARD! YOU STAND YOUR GROUND AND DONNAE MOVE!"

...

Flinn

...

When I had told Papa of the stolen kiss I knew he would be mad... But I didnae realize just how mad he would really be considering that he wanted Baigh and me together...

This is why, as I follow after him, I have my mind set on trying to prevent true violence from breaking out, though I doubt I'll be very successful.

My father had gone so pale at the news of a kiss not freely given, and before I could stop him, he noted the scents on the breeze blowing through the window and set out to find his second, pure rage mixed with his normally comforting scent. He had waited only long enough for me to explain that I had defended myself and that Emory had found me in the hall and comforted me to try and explain why the vampire's scent was laid on me just as heavily as Baigh's... An added layer of protection of sorts.... Anything I can say to keep Emory safe here at the castle is absolutely necessary while he's still healing and weak.

"Papa! Stop! I told ye I've already handled it!" I call after my father as I trail behind him, nowhere near fast enough to truly keep up with him being only half his size.

"Go back inside, Flinn! A broken nose is nowhere near punishment enough!" anyone else in the pack would have cowered away and fled back inside if only to prevent being wrapped up in this mess and punished right alongside my now en-suitor, but in all his years Papa has never harmed an omega such as myself and I know with him being angry on my behalf he has no mind about him to start now... I'll get no worse than a firm talking to for disobeying him for not heading back inside and not much else.

My father makes it to Baigh before I can, and while my eyes open wide in fear seeing that Emory is still with him and absolutely in the warpath of Papa's anger, it seems that my father barely even registers the vampire's presence as he starts toeing off his boots, his hands busy beginning to dress himself down as he approaches his terrified beta, "Baigh! You have the nerve to live under my roof! Court MY son! And force yourself on him right before sitting yer arse next to mine at supper?!"

"Papa- It was just a kiss!" I can hear how shrill my voice is... Just the same as I can see the shock on Emory's face as he observes just how volatile pack dynamics can be...

I just hope he understands now why I've had to reject him... To protect him from what's about to happen next... And to protect myself from being pushed from the pack as punishment.

Papa reaches Baigh before he's fully stripped, and his solution to buy himself just a few more seconds of time to avoid the tearing of his kilt is to strike out, a punch so grievous I can hear the crunching of bone in Baigh's jaw... The way the man crumbles and grabs the side of his face giving my father the last moments he needs to be free of all his garments... His shift coming fast and full... The size of his wolf still terrifying to me even though I've been raised by him.

With how startling Papa's wolf is to me, I should have guessed that our guest would also find him... Larger... Than normal...

What I did not think to anticipate though...

Was the fact that Emory has just fled the great war raging beyond our territory's borders.