Page 1 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
CHAPTER ONE
Brilliant, Sorcha. Truly brilliant. That will calm her like a bucket of cold water.
Sorcha quickened her pace down the corridor, the laughter of passing servants carrying heather and ribbons bouncing off the stone walls.
Though the sun had barely risen, Sinclair Castle hummed with wedding jubilation. But Sorcha felt nothing of the sort. Her only focus was on how she could comfort her little sister, Ailis.
The bride.
“Is he nae beast more than man?” Sorcha heard a young maid whisper down the hall, not taking notice of her.
“Aye,” said an older maid walking beside her. “Laird MacLaren isnae kent for charm. Lady Ailis will be lucky nae to be eaten alive by that wolf.”
Sorcha’s grip tightened on her skirts, her heart heavy. She’d heard similar comments about Rowan MacLaren ever since the betrothal was announced.
A man who spoke more with his sword than his voice. A man whose heart had died long ago.
Is a beast like that capable of being kind?
And chances were, if Sorcha had been hearing these stories, then her sister likely did as well. And given Ailis’s sweet disposition, they probably frightened her.
The older maid caught sight of Sorcha, clearing her throat while elbowing the younger maid. They stopped, bobbing a slight curtsy as she walked past.
“Good morning, me Lady,” they both said in unison, keeping their heads down, the younger one slightly red in the ears.
Sorcha smiled, giving a light nod of acknowledgment as she continued down the corridor, the maids’ words echoing in her head.
She practiced another line of comfort as she walked.
“They call him a wolf, I ken. But wolves are loyal, are they nae?”
It sounded ridiculous the moment it left her mouth.
It doesnae matter what I say, does it? Doesnae change anything. Ailis still has to marry that man.
Sorcha stopped at Ailis’s door, a flicker of guilt stirring inside of her as she thought about the rumors. Perhaps young Ailis’s fear was not foolishness, after all.
Sorcha shook the thought out of her head. She just needed to make her sister smile, just once. Then, the day may not feel so hopeless. Maybe Ailis could even dare to be excited.
Wishful thinking.
She took a deep breath, pushing her shoulders back. Raising her hand, she gave the door a gentle knock.
“Ailis?”
No answer.
She frowned and tried again, louder.
“Ailis, it’s me. I’ve come to help ye dress.”
Unease, sharp and ugly, crawled up her spine as she was met with silence again. Was her sister unwell?
Unless…
Nay. Ailis is frightened, aye, but she wouldnae… Would she?
Sorcha barged into the room, chills running along her skin as the cool air hit her.
