Captain Liam's Treacherous Mate

An Idea

"Would ye prefer that I ask for a tray to be brought up?" Liam asked Maisie. Her face was slightly swollen and red from crying. Liam wasn't sure that she wanted to be seen in such a state.

Maisie debated on a tray, but she did not want to chance being alone with Liam for so long that she would not be able to hold her secret inside. Maise lifted her head and shook it slowly. She pulled away from the comfort of Liam's embrace. "It is alright. I am alright," Maisie shook her head slightly and regarded Liam.

Liam was unsure what to do. Maisie said one thing but felt another. The mate bond was strengthening, and her feelings became a bit clearer. Liam did not want to argue with her and chance that she would draw into herself and away from him. So,

Liam only nodded and walked to the door of the room. He opened it and waited for Maisie to follow behind.

As they made their way to the great hall, Maisie was once again amazed at how many of the pack members were allowed to eat within it. The tables were full and most of the people looked to be warriors or castle workers. Liam guided Maisie once more to the center table. Each of them took their seat and began to plate their food from the large bowls that were placed in the middle.

Jokes and laughter filled the great hall and helped to lift Maisie's mood. She had not realized that she needed it as much as she had. Liam regarded her quietly. He was unsure how to proceed with her now. His mate appeared to be very guarded. Even though she had gone with him to the ocean, and they had talked, she seemed a million miles away.

Maisie ate quietly. She allowed the merriment of the great hall to surround and envelop her. All the while she had not noticed that Alpha Rowan was also keeping a watchful gaze on her. Mate or not, the circumstances around how Maisie Gibson came to be within their territory still did not sit right with Rowan. Rowan needed to make sure to have someone keep an eye on Maisie while she was on their land. Liam would be blinded by the mate bond.

Rowan wondered why she had not asked to get a message out to her uncle yet. Maisie seemed content to be within the walls of the castle, but not alert anyone as to her where she was. Rowan made a mental note to do some digging into just who her uncle was. The following day he would send out someone to find out any information that they could.

Maisie had finished her food and sat back in her seat. She waited for Liam to finish as well before she asked to return to her room. She was suddenly tired after being upset earlier and was finding it harder to keep her eyes open. Liam agreed to return her to her room once more. Same as the previous night at dinner, Maisie walked over to Rowan and bowed. She waited for his dismissal of her before taking Liam's extended arm.

Liam threw a glance at Rowan. Rowan nodded in understanding. Liam wanted a word. Rowan leaned over to his wife and kissed her gently before letting her know that he could be found in his study if anything should occur. Fiona smiled and nodded as she looked back to the other who sat at the long table.

Rowan walked to the study that used to belong to their father. Rowan had not changed one thing about it. It looked as if it had his entire life. Rowan walked over to the large desk and with him he took a glass of brandy and sat down. He put one on the other side of the desk for Liam as soon as he met him there.

Liam walked through the door and closed it soundly behind him. Liam walked over to the chair that was seated across from Rowan and let his weight fall into it. He then leaned forward and grabbed the glass of brandy. "Thank ye," Liam said as he held up the glass towards his brother.

"What is bothering ye, brother?" Rowan asked Liam. Liam took a long drink of the brandy before putting it on the arm of the chair. He regarded the dark liquid in the glass for a moment before responding.

"I am unsure how to continue with Maisie. She is a very guarded woman," Liam finally admitted to his brother. Rowan nodded in understanding. He had figured as much. He had not witnessed many words from her himself.

"Perhaps she would do well in a more intimate setting, rather than being in the center of a large clan," Rowan offered. Rowan still wanted Liam close by until his next expedition, but he might need some time with his mate so that they could sort through whatever was keeping Maisie to herself. Rowan also admitted to himself that he wanted them close in case Maisie was not telling the truth about who she was. Rowan did not say that to Liam though.

"What are ye thinking?" Liam asked Rowan.

"There is that cottage just outside the main gates, the one that Cindy MacDougal used to live in before her son was killed in battle," Liam nodded as he recalled the cottage. Their mother had made sure to always keep the cottage ready in case Cindy wanted to return to it once the children were older. Cindy had fallen in love with a warrior from the MacKenzie Clan instead and no longer resided at Douglas Castle.

"Is the cottage still in decent condition?" Liam asked. Rowan nodded.

"I believe so," Rowan answered his brother. They continued to drink in silence as Liam thought about moving him and Maisie to the cottage. He did not want to do anything that she would be uncomfortable with.

"I will need to ask Maisie," Liam finally said as he drained the last of his brandy. He set the glass back on the desk. "Thank ye for the drink and the conversation, brother," Liam said to Rowan. Rowan nodded his head in response as Liam pulled himself out of the chair and left the study. Rowan decided that he would have a guard watch over the cottage. He would, of course, not inform Liam of the guard. Rowan knew that the mate bond could be strong and did not want to chance that Liam would inform Maisie or be upset himself.

Liam walked down the hall and passed the room that Maisie was currently staying in. He slowed his pace and put his ear to the door. He had not felt any strong emotions from their bond since leaving her to make his way to Rowan's study. He hoped that she was finally getting the rest that it seemed that she needed.

Liam pulled his head away and decided that he would ask Maisie about the cottage after supper that evening. He hoped that it would help their bond as well as for Maisie to see that Liam's intentions were pure. He only wanted to get to know his mate and to strengthen their bond and to one day hopefully be able to marry. The through surprised Liam. He never would have imagined that he would have that thought. But it was true. He hoped to one day marry Maisie, and possibly have her with him on his next expedition. He knew that he would not be able to leave her behind.