Chapter 17: Seventeen.

Calum's bike was speeding full throttle along the road, his mother would absolutely kill him if she got wind of the speeds he was driving at. He was thrashing the miles that separated him from the port where the ferry docked at lunchtime, and his homeland, which had become all the more sacred to him now. He couldn't believe it, he finally discovered where she was, which was right under his nose all along. To make matters worse, it took him a whole fucking week to make the journey! It was like nature had turned against him, bringing a storm so severe that the planes couldn't fly and making the seas so rough that the ferry refused to travel. But, finally he was on his way and he was nearly there, she was almost within his grasp and now he knew her name, Colt Merrier.

The first call he made after working it all out, was after he left the little pub for the last time, and made his way back to his flat, frantically checking the whole way that he hadn't been followed by a certain wolf. When he was sure, he dialled the number, but it wasn't the number to Alasdair he called, it was in fact, to his Uncle Colin. Calum knew, he needed his Uncle's sway, especially as he was going to go up against the Campbells, who intended Colt for Bruce. He had explained everything, that the American woman was his, and that until he could make it home, he needed his Uncle to act. To clear away the other wildcats from the clan lands, and to give him a heads up that, when he found out, Arthur Bruce would likely cause hell over this. Colin agreed instantly though, not only delighted at the opportunity to one up both the Bruces and the Campells, but because he finally was seeing a way forward, where Calum would act like the clan chieftain he was supposed to become. Calum's only lingering concern after the conversation, were the rumours his Uncle informed him, he had heard about a lion, that had set up camp with his mate.

This led to his second call, Alasdair.

His oldest friend confirmed that there was indeed a lion shifter staying with Colt. They were close, although exactly how close he was unable to determine. The man seemingly helped her warn off her unwanted suitors, and according the rumours Angus was spreading, they were at the very least fuckimg one another, and possibly even engaged. But, as yet no ring had appeared on her finger, and the lion had developed a reputation for flirting heavily with all the female locals. Alasdair had also given Calum more hope when he mentioned that the dark skinned man would blatantly flirt with *his* Iona as well as Colt, and the three had been seen on regular occasions out dining together. If he was still openly flirting with her cousin, then maybe he hadn't fully selected a female, yet.

The lion it seemed, from the jist of his and Alasdair's conversation, was putting a lot of backs up, as he paraded around with the two females as if they were his own pride. All the more reason for Calum to get home, and fast.

Thus, finally on the right island, Calum was wasting no more time. He was being battered by the wind as he pushed his bike past its limit, eating up the road, that was now all that separated him from his mate. It was late evening when he finally reached the Strath, but rather than finding himself relaxing, he found he was getting more worked up by the minute. He didn't stop in the village, ignored his mother's door when he passed it, nor did he even give the harbour a second glance when he passed the coastal town it was situated in. He only had one focal point on his mind. Calum was going to Bay Croft, to finally claim what was his.

He pulled off the main road, barely having slowed enough to stop the bike from skidding over when it hit the gravel on the corner. He drove the machine as fast as he could towards the end of the smaller road that led down to the house Colt had taken on. He knew it well, it had been empty for years and as a child he used to hunt mice in the byre, or rabbits ot the long unkempt grasses of the fields and the machair. He tried not to think about the amount of times he had passed it in the boat, glancing over as the work was being done in the past few months, or when he just missed a view of the owner as she went about her life. How did he not realise, he chastised himself, that she was the one doing it, his mate, his Colt.

Even now a week later, her name still sounded in his head like a purr. He was fucked, and he knew it. He would do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, it was like in finally gaining her, he had lost his own will power he silently mused to himself. He figured the thing he was most looking forward to wasn't actually claiming her, though that was a very close second. But, he couldn't wait to make her laugh, he actively craved it. To be able to hear her in the full throes of laughter, and knowing he brought her such a carefree and joyous moment. In fact, he craved all her care free moments, maybe it was because of the pain he knew too late about Amy being in, that he did so. But, whatever the reason, Calum Macgregor knew he would take the utmost pride in bringing his true mate as many moments of joy as he could.

He struggled to gulp, when his mouth dried out altogether at the exact moment Bay Croft Cottage, came into view. The lights were on downstairs, as he drew in closer to the house. His eyes noticed a figure moving about and he realised, she must be able to hear the bikes engine. All of a sudden he felt under dressed. He wished he smelled better, a full day of nervous and excited travelling had left him wishing he had, had a shower. Suddenly he was second guessing himself again, was this the best way to approach her?

Up until he remembered what happened the last time he second guessed himself. Then he felt annoyed, angry even, that not only did she have him thinking she was dead, have him running around Northern Ireland, like a headless fucking chicken to find her. When she was then here, not all along, but, for at least the last eight months when the croft was sold. His mate even let a fucking wolf mark her, an unstable one at that by the sounds of it, and now if the rumours were true she was shacked up and fucking a lion.

Slowing the bike to a stop, he killed the engine and all but ran to the door, hammering on it in his suddenly overwhelming, anger and frustration.

His anger only grew when mid thump, the door was thrown open, to reveal the rumoured lion, he had heard so much about.

"Where the fuck is she?" Calum all but roared.

Felix looked at the frantic man with a raised brow, then crossed his arms, leaning on the door frame and casually crossing his ankles, in the most relaxed 'can't be bothered' stance Calum had ever seen.

"Who?" He asked, with a casual smirk.

Calum could feel his claws extending into the palm of his hands, at the lion's dismissive tone.

"Colt!" He shouted past the lion, deciding to ignore his presence. "Colt!" He called again, her scent was barreling at him through the open doorway, and never in his life had he experienced such exquisite torture. He wanted to drown in that scent, to fall head long into its depths, and never surface again.

When there was no answer he redirected his gaze back to the lion, who had noticeably stiffened, but hadn't changed his stance, he almost looked bored. If it weren't for the slightest ticking of a vein in his temple, Calum would have thought him completely unaffected. No wonder he ruffled the local's feathers, they liked to think of themselves as important, and this man's attitude screamed, that he just didn't give a flying fuck.

"Where is my mate?" Calum demanded desperately, while his chest heaved, as he failed to control his breathing.

That comment finally shook Felix's calm composure, all the others spoke of a wife, or a fiance. The term mate was specifically never used. It was one of the things that irritated him most about the locals, they treated Colt like a business transaction.

"Your what now?" He asked, straightening up.

"My mate! Where the fuck is she?" He demanded again, anger rising every time he had to repeat himself.

Felix could see the strange wildcat's agitation. He wasn't lying, he was being one hundred percent honest. But, the lion was completely baffled as to what was going on, and how this latest lunatic could believe that Colt was his mate.

"Look, I won't pretend to understand what is going on here. But Colt, has had more than her fair fucking share of crazy mate drama. She isn't here, and by the time she does get back, you better not be either." He spoke sternly, his protective instincts raising steadily.

Calum roared at the top of his lungs, needing somehow to release the tension from his system. This man wanted to protect his mate, for whatever reason, and he wouldn't make an enemy of him, unless he needed to. When he finished screaming, his body was doubled over, as finally his breaths began to regulate, and his heart rate calmed.

He looked up at Felix, who was still stood their unmoving, "I have been looking for her for over a year. Please, tell me where she is," he begged, throwing his pride to the side, and beseeching the lion to take mercy on him.

"What? How?" Felix asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Colt, has only been here for eight months. How is that possible?" Felix demanded.

Calum scrubbed his wind beaten face, "In Ireland. I found her there, the winter before last. But she didn't scent me, I don't know why. But, before I could get to her she dived into the sea and disappeared. I didn't know she was here till last week, then I couldn't get home, because of the fucking weather, and now, now I'm here. I'm desperately trying not to buy into the rumours about her sleeping with you, especially after being mated to a wolf, as well. Please, I don't even know what she looks like, properly," he begged Felix to understand. "I thought she had drowned. I had to identify bodies for fuck sake! Six women who had drowned, six women too fucking many. I had to find her though, and now I have. Please, I can't do this any more. Just tell me where she is, I need to see her."

Felix faltered. The pain on this man's face, the truth in his voice. The way his story potentially matched up to Colt's time with Maeve, but mostly, the horror he had endured moved him.

He sighed, "I don't know how this is even possible." He scratched his head, "Fuck, she is going to kill me," Felix muttered to himself. "Colt works at a pub, in the village *The River's End*" Felix spoke quickly, before he thought better of himself. "And, we aren't sleeping together, haven't done so for a long time now. We're just friends." Felix nodded, unsure why he felt the need to console the angry broken stranger in front of him.

Calum's eyes lit up. He had spoken to Alasdair earlier that day, about a potential get together in that very pub. How he kept missing Colt, he had no idea.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" He gasped, turning towards his bike, just as Felix's large hand came to rest on his shoulder, claws extended just enough to be threatening.

"You should know though," he began, "I meant what I said, Colt has had enough crazy mate drama. If you harm her in the slightest, her five wolf brothers won't even find the slightest trace of you to punish. Understand?"

The threat was clear, but Calum didn't care. He was on the last step of his journey to find her. And he planned to spend the rest of his life making the woman as happy as possible.

*Author's Note, I know I have a few readers in Tennessee, where the news has reported dangerous floods just now. Please take care and be safe if you are in an affected area. B x.*