Sold to the Highland Savage – Extended Epilogue
Six months later
“Me laird, we’ve got somethin’.”
Callum’s voice cut through the training yard. Alpin lowered his blade and turned. The look on Callum’s face made his pulse quicken.
“What is it?”
“Inside. Privately.”
Alpin followed him to the solar. Once the door was closed, Callum pulled out a parchment.
“A messenger from our scout near Dumfries. He spotted women being moved through town three days past. Under heavy guard, headin’ north.”
Alpin’s chest tightened. “How many?”
“Five. All young.” Callum unfolded the parchment. “And one matches every detail of Isobel Munro. Dark hair, grey eyes, right age. The scout heard a guard call her by name.”
“He’s certain?”
“He heard them use her first name. Isobel.” Callum pointed to the map. “They’re movin’ slowly, stoppin’ at inns. If we ride hard, we can intercept them before Glasgow. Two days, maybe less.”
Two days. After six months of searching, they finally had a real chance.
“Who’s guardin’ them?”
“Eight men. Professional soldiers.”
“Graham. Even wounded, the bastard’s still movin’ women.”
“Aye. But we ken where they are now.”
Alpin’s mind raced through plans.
They needed warriors, but not too many. A small, fast group that could move quickly and strike hard.
“Gather twenty of our best,” he said. “I want men who can ride fast and fight hard. And I want trackers who ken every road between here and Glasgow.”
“When dae we leave?”
“Tomorrow at dawn. That gives us time to prepare and still reach them before they get tae the city.” Alpin looked at the map again, calculating distances. “Are ye goin’ tae tell Mhairi?”
The question hung in the air.
Tell her now and risk breaking her heart if something went wrong? Or keep it from her until Isobel was safe?
“I’ll tell her,” Alpin said. “She deserves tae ken. Where is she?”
“Last I saw, she was in the gardens with Freya.”
***
Alpin found her in the gardens, walking among the late summer flowers. Six months of marriage had only made her more beautiful.
His wife. And soon, God willing, her sister.
“Alpin!” Mhairi’s face lit up when she saw him. She said something to Freya, who nodded and walked back toward the castle, leaving them alone. “I didnae expect tae see ye until this evenin’. Is everythin’ all right?”
“Better than all right.” He took her hands, pulling her close. “We have news. About Isobel.”
Her breath caught. “What kind of news?”
“A scout spotted a group of women bein’ moved through Dumfries three days ago. One of them matches Isobel’s description perfectly.” He watched her face carefully. “Dark hair, grey eyes, the right age. And the scout heard one of the guards call her by name.”
Mhairi’s hands flew to her mouth, tears already gathering in her eyes. “She’s alive. She’s really alive.”
“Aye.” He pulled her against his chest, letting her cry. “And we’re goin’ tae get her back.”
“When?” The word was muffled against his tunic. “When dae we leave?”
“I leave, tomorrow at dawn with twenty warriors.” Alpin stroked her hair gently. “Ye stay here where it’s safe.”
She pulled back to look at him, her grey eyes fierce despite the tears. “Alpin, nay, I have tae…”
“Mhairi.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I ken ye want tae be there, but it’s too dangerous. There will be fightin’, possibly bloodshed. I need ye here where I ken ye’re safe.”
“But she’ll be frightened. When ye find her, she’ll nae ken who tae trust.”
“Then I’ll tell her I’m yer husband. That ye’re safe and waitin’ fer her.” Alpin touched the ring she’d given him, the one with her family crest. “I’ll show her this. She’ll ken it’s real.”
Mhairi’s jaw was set, clearly wanting to argue, but she nodded slowly. “Ye promise ye’ll bring her home? Nay matter what?”
“On me life, I promise.” He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her mouth. “I’ll bring yer sister home, Mhairi. I swear it.”
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. They stood like that fer a long moment, the garden quiet around them except for the distant sounds of the castle.
“I should let ye go,” Mhairi said finally, though she didn’t release him. “Ye need tae prepare.”
“I have time.” He wasn’t ready to let her go yet either. “Walk with me?”
They walked through the gardens, her hand in his. But Alpin noticed she seemed nervous, her fingers twisting in her skirt.
“Mhairi?” He stopped and turned to face her. “What’s wrong?”
“Naethin’s wrong.” She looked up at him, and there was something in her expression he couldn’t quite read. Anticipation mixed with fear. “I just… there’s somethin’ I need tae tell ye. Before ye leave.”
His heart began to pound. “What is it?”
She took both his hands in hers, squeezing tight. “Dae ye remember when we talked about havin’ children? About buildin’ a family?”
“Aye.” The memory was vivid. Late one night, tangled together in bed, talking about the future they wanted. “Of course I remember.”
“Well.” Mhairi drew in a shaky breath. “I think… nay, I ken… Alpin, I’m with child.”
The world seemed to stop.
Alpin stared at her, his mind struggling to process the words.
With child. Pregnant.
They were going to have a baby.
“Ye’re…” He couldn’t finish the sentence. His throat had closed up with emotion.
“Aye.” Mhairi’s smile was tremulous, uncertain. “About a month along, Donnach thinks. I’ve been… well, I’ve been sick in the mornin’s, and me monthly courses stopped, and the healer confirmed it yesterday.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “We’re goin’ tae have a bairn, Alpin.”
For a moment, he couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. Could only stare at this woman who had given him everything, who was now telling him she carried his child.
Then he swept her into his arms, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. Mhairi let out a surprised laugh, her arms wrapping around his neck.
“We’re havin’ a baby,” he said against her hair, his voice rough with emotion. “God, Mhairi, we’re really havin’ a baby.”
“Aye.” She was crying and laughing at the same time. “Are ye… are ye happy? I ken it’s soon, and with everythin’ goin’ on with Isobel, the timin’ is nae the best, but…”
“Happy?” Alpin set her down carefully, cupping her face so she could see his expression. “Lass, I’m more than happy. I’m…” He couldn’t find words big enough. “Ye’ve given me everythin’. A home. A future. And now a child.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “How could I be anythin’ but happy?”
She let out a sob of relief. “I was so worried ye’d think it was too soon. That ye’d…”
“Nay.” He kissed her fiercely. “Never. This is…” He pulled back to look at her, really look at her. His wife. The mother of his child. “This is perfect.”
“Even with the timin’? With Isobel and Graham and everythin’?”
“Especially with all of that.” Alpin placed his hand gently over her stomach, marveling at the knowledge of what was growing there. “It means we’re buildin’ somethin’ good out of all that darkness. A family. A future. Hope.”
Mhairi covered his hand with both of hers. “I wanted tae tell ye before ye left. So ye’d have another reason tae come home safely.”
“As if I needed another reason,” he smiled, although he understood what she meant.
The stakes had just gotten higher. He wasn’t just a husband anymore. He was going to be a father.
The weight of it settled on his shoulders, but it didn’t feel heavy. It felt right.
“Can ye… can ye feel anythin’ yet?” he asked, pressing his palm more firmly against her stomach.
“Nay, it’s too early fer that.” Mhairi smiled through her tears. “But in a few months, Donnach says I’ll start tae show. And then a few months after that, we’ll feel the bairn move.”
A few months.
By then, God willing, Isobel would be home safe. Graham would be dealt with. And they could focus on preparing for their child without the shadow of fear hanging over them.
“Daes anyone else ken?”
“Just the healer. And now ye.” Mhairi bit her lip. “I wanted ye tae be the first tae ken. Properly, I mean.”
“Thank ye.” He kissed her again, slower this time. “Thank ye fer this.”
“Ye’re me husband. The faither of me child.” She touched his face gently.
They stood like that for a long moment, his hand on her stomach, both of them marveling at the life growing there.
A child.
Their child.
Made from love and hope and the fierce determination to build something good.
“Alpin?” Mhairi’s voice was soft. “Promise me somethin’.”
“Anythin’.”
“Promise me ye’ll be careful tomorrow. That ye’ll come back safe.” Her eyes were fierce. “This bairn needs a faither.”
“I promise.” He pulled her close, one hand cradling her head, the other resting protectively over her stomach. “I promise I’ll come back tae ye. Tae both of ye.”
They walked back to the castle together, his arm around her shoulders, her hand resting on his chest.
Inside their chamber, they lay together, Alpin’s hand resting on her stomach.
“What dae ye think it’ll be?” Mhairi asked softly. “A lad or a lass?”
“I dinnae care, as long as the bairn is healthy.”
“Ye’ll be a wonderful da, Alpin.”
“I hope so. I want tae give our child everythin’. Safety. Love. A home where they never have tae be afraid.”
“Ye already are. Just by bein’ who ye are.”
Mhairi fell asleep with her head on his chest.
Alpin stayed awake, his mind churning. The following day he’d ride out to rescue Isobel. But he would have even more reason to survive.
Because he was going to be a father.
***
Dawn came rather quickly.
Alpin dressed quietly, trying not to wake Mhairi, but her eyes opened before he’d finished with his sword belt.
“I’m awake,” she said. “I want tae see ye off.”
They walked down to the courtyard together. Twenty warriors sat mounted, horses stamping in the early light. Callum was at the front, his expression focused.
Alpin turned to Mhairi, taking both her hands in his.
“I’ll be back in less than a week,” he said. “With yer sister.”
“I ken.” She rose on her toes and kissed him. “I love ye, Alpin MacDougal. Come home safe.”
“I love ye too.” He placed his hand over her stomach one last time, marveling at what lay beneath. “Both of ye. I love ye both.”
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On no you can’t leave the story there!!! Next book please
Sorry to keep you hanging dearest! Next book is coming, I promise. It’ll be worth the wait 😉
Yeh I hope this story is going to continue.
So glad it caught your interest, dear Shela! The story is definitely continuing 😉
Great story. Can’t wait for the continued release!!!!
Thank you so much my dear Vicky! This means the world to me! 🌹