"I was supposed to get married next week?!"

Impossible!

Yet, as I observed Ewan's down cast eyes and the grip he had on his knees. I came to the realization that after my actions of slamming my brother against the wall;the Heir apparent at that. My parents would be more than ready to get rid of me.

"So-, I guess that's it then." My voice was smaller than I thought it should be. So I cleared my throat. "I'm sure this makes you happy?" And now it sounded empty... lifeless, like I felt on the inside.

Ewan placed a hand over mine, apparently my fury had showed itself in the tightening of my fist. He brushed his thumb along the back of my hand, and truthfully it slowly calmed the racing of my heart.

"Lass, I would have rather have our time of courtship extended than for it to be rushed like this..." He sounded sincere, his eyes were on my face but I refused to meet his concerned stare. "If it would please you, I-I could go and request your parents to change the date again-."

"No, it's fine."

I cut him off. If Ewan went to my parents and begged them to wait, it would be even more pathetic for me. Having my future Hus-lov-whatever he was, begging my parents to keep me longer.

Moving my hand from under his, I scooted to the edge of the bed. "I guess I should get a chance to view my future home." I attempted sounding bright, even though my smile felt brittle.

I finally managed to gather enough courage to meet Ewans gaze, with a cheerful one of my own, it felt stiff and broken. "I'll finally be the women of the house."

He smiled, standing up and reaching out he took my hand helping me up, "Well then Lass... shall we go?"

I eagerly took his hand. Willing to do anything that would take my mind off the fact my family was throwing me away, anything.

**

Bellamy lands were many, but instead of building the main house in the center of the plot of acres. Grandfather had, had the main family home built closer to the front while every five acres there was a house or empty plot of land. Woods covered most of it, with hidden paths towards intimately hidden cabins.

He'd dreamed that one day the entire land would be packed with the wolf tribe, and their progeny. Sadly, as I walked along the path towards the mansion and land that was supposedly in my dowry I couldn't help notice the empty echo of the woods.

"Do you not come often to these parts of the woods?"

Pulled from my thoughts I looked up at Ewan. It was surprising that the man grew more handsome outside. Somewhere in my mind, I couldn't help logging away his image as if to hold it for safe keeping later.

Turning away from him, I looked forward. "Yes, and no. When I went through my first half-change during the blue-moon I ran all over. My wolf-if I would call it that-knows every nook and cranny of this place."

"Ah..., so are you saying you don't?" Ewan asked, I noticed he'd drawn closer, but I choose to ignore his subtle movement.

"I do, but-." I left off, how could I explain the emotion of excitement and fear when I came to these parts of our land. For some reason ever since I was seven I'd been afraid to come this far. It was only three miles away from the main house but I always felt weird about it.

"But...?"

Ewan stepped in front of me, and stopped his eyes full of curiosity, "But what?"

I shrugged, "I grew up." My smiled turned bitter, "I lived with my grandmother till I was seven, then suddenly I was sent to live with my parents. Four years later I was being trained on how to serve them."

**

Ewan could see the anger, hurt, and bitterness on Argos face, choosing not to say anything about it he grabbed her hand and picked up his speed. "Let's Hurry, my Bruthers are eager to meet you."

Which was true, it was also something that worried him. If his planned worked, Argo would be living with him and his people. He'd already noticed her ease of being around Roland, despite the mans large build and handsome features Argo hadn't become enamored with the man if anything she'd showed favor more towards Ewan.

Feeling a smile at the knowledge come to his face, he ignored her grumbling about being dragged and quickly brought her to the house.

**

Argo blinked as she stared up at the four tall man looking down on her. Sure, Ewan was clearly the leader in the room, but these man all equally looked capable of taking care of business.

She glanced at her flat shoes, if she was ever going to feel that she was average height she would have to resort to heels.

"These are my closest men." Ewan said proudly clapping a hand on Rolands back. The red-headed highlander let out a large laugh.

"We be your only men!" He said, as he continued laughing while reaching forward and taking my hand. "Here Lass, if he ever gives ya' trouble just call on good'ol Roland and I'll fix him good."

Shyly, she smiled and nodded taking his hand. "Nice to meet you...again."

Roland chuckled at that, "Sure thing Lass."

Stepping back, he made room for the male behind him whose dark looks and smirk put her in the mind of a jokester. "I'm Duff, his younger Brother."

Taken aback, by his statement Argo looked between the two she could see the resemblance except for the eye color which was drastically different.

Duff smirked giving her a knowing look, "We are half-siblings through our father."

"Ah." Catching herself, Argo covered her mouth. Her eyes wide in shock.

Duff laughed, pulling his hand away he let it tap against his waist. "She's nothing like what you said brother, easily tricked she seems quite cute."

Argo flushed, as Ewan let out a bark of laughter and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "Haha, you jest! She is cute, there is no doubt about it."

Duff shook his head in amusement voicing his thoughts to the men behind him. "Men! Here it is, our lairds eyes be covered with roses, and his tongue stinks of flowery words." He clicked his tongue in mock disgust

He was shoved aside by two males, one was blonde with brown eyes, that were soft. And the other was a gangly youth, whose curly brown hair and freckles made Argo inwardly say awe.

Ewan pointed to the two, "These two are brothers, but not mine." He added when he saw Argo's jaw drop, "This big lug is Arutur, and his younger brother Tomas."

Instead of shaking her hand, they bothers nodded their heads in greet, while smiling. The Arutur fellow spoke first, "We've been waiting a long time to meet fiery lass from the meeting."

"Fiery?" Argo repeated clueless until she remembered her behavior that night. She was sure she'd leave this place with permanent red tinted cheeks. "Ah, you were there for that. huh?"

"We surely were." Tomans cut in, "I've never seen a young lass defy her father so."

"Enough with your gushing." Ewan cut in, he pulled Argo behind him, "We have to continue to see the rest of the house."'

He whipped her around, and dragged her towards the stairs and soon they had left the others behind.

*

"Do you like it?"

I turned around at Ewans question, we stood in what would eventually be the master bedroom. Unlike my father's home in the front of the land. This home was embraced by the woods, but still allowed enough sun in through the crack of the trees.

It was comfortable, and it felt safe here.

"I like it." There was no point in lying. The house is nice. "But how long will I be living here before I'm allowed the leave?"

Forcing myself to meet his penetrating gaze I asked again, "Your eagerness to take my father seat has seemed to have dulled. Are you still interested, or are you truly buying into his promise?"

Dropping my gaze, I focused my eyes to the corner of the room. "Sure, it's all nice, but to me it's just another cage."

After the words left my mouth I was prepared for Ewan to sigh, heavily and lay a sympathetic hand on my shoulder and tell me he was sorry but he'd found it easier to go along with my father. I could take it, I was used to disappointment.

But instead he strode forward confidently, and instead of laying a gently hand on my shoulder. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. He forehead pressed into mine. "Lass, my greatest wish is that you cease thinking me a cage or iron bar that prevent you from running."

His other hand moved behind my head, and his breath ghost over my lips. "I will not allow you to keep me in the same box you keep your family. Let me in lass."

Shaking my head I tried to pull away from him, "No, it won't work."

"It will." He said through gritted teeth, before he jerked me forward our lips smashed together. It was painful, and bitter.

Why did he want so much to be let in? Most outsiders who'd even glimpsed my life had immediately made up a reason of some sort of why they couldn't help. Often I would learn that with some passing of green across their palm they eagerly forgot everything they'd promised.

But Ewan felt different, he wasn't a new guard my parents were putting around me to keep my caged.

I wanted to come closer to him, his strength could support me. Still fear ran through me at the thought of allowing myself to trust another changeling.

But for now, as of this moment I would allow him to kiss my socks off. I would also ignore his hand rubbing against my skin, and that fact that my shirt was now on the ground. I'm sure at some point I should stop him but maybe I'll do that when we finally fall on this bed he's backing me into.

Yeah...I'll stop it then.