Fifty-five.

"You've found your mate?" Samuel asked in complete disbelief, looking at Iona with a mildly disgusted expression.

"Sam, I... I..." Iona floundered, trying to speak, but unable to find the right words.

The entire table was watching them quietly, wanting to help but unsure of how to do so. No one knew how Samuel would react to the news, all they could do was be ready to intercept him should he become violent.

In a small fit of temper, he yanked his napkin from his lap and threw it on the table, Samuel knocked over his own wine glass in the process, the red wine seeping into the tablecloth and highlighting its embroidered pattern as it travelled. His outburst caused Alasdair to hiss, while unconsciously manoeuvring himself between the tense pair, as Iona tried to yank the glass back upright in an vain effort to save the spill.

Samuel ignored Alasdair's primal response, his focus was squarely on his fiancée right now, as she used her own napkin to dab at the wine, "I mean come on, Iona! Why wouldn't you tell me this? I take it, it's this eidjit?" He asked pointing his thumb over his shoulder at Alasdair, without actually sparing him a glance.

Iona nodded in response, flopping back into her seat before rushing out an honest but hushed response, "I knew what you would say, Sam, and we got engaged so I could protect you. I can't do that if you go all self sacrificing on me. You know what you're family is like, and you're my best friend, I will always protect you." She sighed, looking up at him, "Sam, you're the one who made me laugh again, after Mum, and..." She trailed off, not wanting to bring up the loss she and her father suffered any further, "You're the one who always held my hand, when I was down, or when I nearly flunked out of college last spring, it was you who stayed up studying with me. You have always been there for me, and my loyalty is to you, because you earned it, Sam. So, I didn't, no, I couldn't tell you this."

"For fucksake, Iona. Loyalty shouldn't come at the cost of your true mate! I didn't agree to this." Sam shook his head leaving everyone but Calum and Isla confused by his reaction. "Iona, you have my love, and my loyalty also, which is why I won't let you do this. The wedding is off." He announced loudly, causing more than one shocked gasp.

"Sam, no!" Iona called out, as her best friend took her hand smiling.

"It isn't your job to protect me anymore, Iona." He smiled reassuringly at her, "Besides, maybe it's time, I mean we made this arrangement when we were fifteen. I'm not that same lad anymore, and you sure as hell, aren't that innocent girl anymore, Iona." He added with a knowing smirk, "We were each other's shield, you didn't end up engaged to a Bruce, thank fuck, and I well," he paused.

Alasdair watched confused, as Sam laughed off the news, seemingly happy for Iona, and relieved by the change of plans. This was the last thing he was expecting, wildcat males did not take losing their fiancées lying down. They never had, the whole experience was incredibly unsettling, and he only just managed to stifle his hiss when the Bruce clan was mentioned. Forcing himself to be quiet, he waited.

"Sam, you dont have to do this," Iona stated, leaning further towards him when he paused, like she could shield him from his biggest fear becoming a reality with her more presence.

"But, if I ever hope of finding my own mate one day, then I kind of have to right?" He laughed awkwardly, his nerves evident to everyone as he fingered his dessert fork aggetately.

"What about your family, your clan?" Iona asked, trying to make sure her friend thought of all the possibilities before he spoke, and knowing how the outcome of what he was about to do had always terrified him.

Sam frowned slightly, looking down at his lap and then nervously around all the eyes facing him expectantly. After a moment he nodded back at her, "It's time I look to your Auntie's strong example, I think," he stated nodding at Isla with respect and actually catching her off guard, "Fuck them, and the homophobic boat they rode in on. I'm gay," he stated proudly, knowing with all the locals in the restaurant, it would filter back to his parents by the end of the day, "And if they cannot accept me as I am, then they are no worth anymore of my time." He gulped, with a bashful smile.

Iona laughed, only her best friend could phrase it in such a way! She jumped up and threw her arms about him, popping herself in his lap to cuddle him in triumph. The sudden movement knocked Alasdair clean out of the way, yet for the first time, he didn't feel the need to rip her away from Samuel MacTavish. So much made sense now, and he found himself respecting his mate that little bit more for her loyalty and dedication.

"I'm so proud of you, Sam," Iona whispered in his ear, as the man hugged her closer, using her embrace to shield himself one last time; then deciding for the first time since they got engaged, he may just have his best friend back properly, he pulled away from her.

The pair were distracted by Alasdair who loudly cleared his throat. Iona peeked up at him with a scrutinizing glance, as she stood from Samuel's knee and faced her mate.

"And how the hell did you just happen to be here, MacDonald?" She asked suspiciously, before snapping her head around to Calum, "You!" She stated, remembering him playing discreetly on his phone.

Calum just shrugged unashamed, while Colt spoke up, "In the words of my Mom, keep your knickers in a twist, I told him to make sure Alasdair was close by, just in case he was needed."

But this caused the table, including Iona and Alasdair to start giggling at Colt's expense, not one person managing to stifle their laughter.

"What?" Colt asked, confused by the turn of events.

"I think you meant, *Don't get your knickers in a twist,* Sweetie." Isla gently explained, causing Colt to start laughing along with everyone else.

"Damn it! I can't believe I got it wrong!" She flapped in amusement.

"You're bloody adorable, Love," Calum responded, pulling Colt in for a very public display of affection, which went on long enough for Kalvin to feel the need to clear his throat, in an effort to get their attention.

"Your Father, sitting right here!" He added, when the couple still hadn't come up for air.

Colt pulled back from Calum reluctantly, blushing slightly, "Sorry, Dad." She apologised before turning to Iona, "So, um, yeah," she began, trying to get her head back on topic and out of the gutter where she wanted to be, with Calum, preferably naked. "After our session in the spa, I told Calum to ask Alasdair to hang out nearby. Figured, knowing Mom, you would want his support," Colt shrugged.

"Thanks, Colt," Alasdair said with genuine smile.

But, Iona butted in before he could her cousin could reply, "Don't you sound so cock sure of yourself, Alasdair MacDonald," she stated, standing face to face with him, her arms folded, "This whole *'I intend to claim her'* crap needs dropped right now. I am not anyone's property, and I sure as hell won't be running to heel, if and when you click your fingers, do you hear me? You need to...."

Alasdair cut her off before she could finish, grabbing her behind the neck and pulling her towards him. He slammed his mouth possessively against her own, shutting her up with a dominant kiss. Iona submitted to him totally, her mouth parting to allow him entry when he nipped at her lips. His free hand snaked around her waist as he felt her start to wobble against him, her knees beginning to buckle as she gave in to his actions, and he pulled her close, pressing her against his entire body, in delight.

When he ended the kiss, Iona was silently staring at him, while he wore a cocky smirk plastered across his face. Poor Robert was staring awkwardly at Kalvin, each sharing an understanding look of sympathy at what they had just witnessed.

Samuel laughed, "It's all definately for the best anyway; that's the only time anyone has ever managed to shut her up, and there's no chance I would ever have done that." He said, and fake shuddered at the thought.

"Sam!" Iona shrieked.

"Alasdair, take care of that would you?" Samuel joked, waving at Iona dismissively.

"Gladly." Alasdair smirked, pulling a wriggling Iona towards himself again.

"Alasdair MacDonald, you even try it, and I'll bite your bloody tongue off." Iona threatened, pointing her finger at him.

"Don't do something so stupid," Felix piped up amused, "You'd be the one who suffers later." He added with a salacious wink.

"Felix!" Iona cried out mortified, raising her hands to hide her reddened face and causing everyone to laugh.

"That face, there!" Colt stated pointing at her cousin, "Best birthday gift, yet!"

"Oh, piss off." Iona stated, covering her face with her hands, as Alasdair wrapped his arms about her, to offer her comfort. But, Iona pulled away, "Don't you try and play the hero with me, Alasdair MacDonald," she chided him, "Not when this is partly your fault, and yours," she stated before whacking Samuel on the back of the head, "Now all of you, go about your business, I have chocolate cake to finish." She dismissed everyone haughtily, her eyes on the remaining few bites on her plate.

But, before she could sit back down, Alasdair was in her chair, offering his lap to her instead, with a challenge in his eyes.

"You better be kidding me?" Iona spoke in disbelief, her hand raised to her hip.

Alasdair shrugged, and took a bite of her leftover cake, moaning as the icing slowly melted on his tongue, and internally laughing as Iona's eyes narrowed to slits, and he could see her throat constricting as she fought her hiss.

"Chocolate cake, really? That's your limit, Iona?" He asked, goading her further, by popping another small bite in his mouth, "Better sit down then, it's delicious, and almost done."

Iona huffed, and sat down on his knee with enough force to make Alasdair huff.

"Bloody hell, what do you weigh? I should definitely finish this," he joked.

But, Iona snatched the fork out of his hand with a hiss, before turning to Alasdair with a smirk of her own, "By the way, Felix has seen me naked." She stated for pure shock value.

Then she continued to eat her dessert in silence as her mate almost choked on his last bite, and held onto her waist in such a way that she knew she would likely have small bruises; but she didn't care, he was her mate, and she was his, and life just got a whole lot more interesting.

*Author's Note: Personally I would have clawed his eyes out for eating my last bit of chocolate cake.... That is a sacred bond, strong ever maybe than that of two mates I whole heartedly believe. Alasdair got off easy....🤣🤣. I hope you all had a lively festive season, was Santa good to you? We have two delighted little ones, and very full tummies, so he was very very good to us. I cook on Christmas and thankfully it seems to be the one meal a year I dont mess up! 🙈🤣 We went for beef caramelized with redcurrant jelly, and a smoked ham, and all the trimmings.... which sadly never last long enough that I don't have to cook into the new year... I will stop waffling on now. B x.