The Highlander Howls, The Beginning

By M.L. Sackett

The lives of the mcGreggor clan is still in great peril with the witch and her evil doers still at large. With their family growing in numbers and Viviane finding a new best friend things are bright for them until terror strikes the heart of the clan and Viviane and Brittney are kidnapped.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M.L. Sackett
• Release date: Apr 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311427038

Book preview

Chapter 1

Present Day

The sky is a crisp blue as the sun rises over the mountains. It’s been three weeks since my life has changed and my family is all together. As we came together as a family, I became whole and with our new addition Viviane appearing on our wedding day things have been a complete joy.

Lily and I are more in love than ever and it feels like all of the years we were apart have just vanished on a breeze. She is more beautiful and funnier than I remember and the joy she feels for all of us just pours out of her. Listening to her give Vivi a bath and all the laughing they are doing warms me heart.

Da, do ye have a moment to have a chat? Robbie looked over to his oldest son Tommy and smiled. When Tommy took it upon himself to be Viviane’s adopted father, everyone else got on board to be her adopted relatives. He loved being a granddad and couldn’t wait for his other children to start having some kids of their own.

Aye son, what be on yer mind? Robbie walked to the other side of his massive mahogany desk to hug his son. He had a habit of hugging his children and his wife as often as he could. They were all getting used to the affection he showed them and started doing the same with each other as well.

Da, I need ye to do something with yer daughter. I think ye should spank her. She is being a bad influence on Vivi. Tommy said with his arms crossed over his chest. Tommy was a big man and even though him and Tabitha were identical twins the only thing they had in common were their hair and eyes. He stood at six foot three inches and weighed in at two hundred and ten pounds of all muscle. His light blonde hair reached the middle of his back. He was often found with it tied behind him. He was a strong but gentle man.

Robbie chuckled and sat on the edge of his desk, She flipped ya ,did she?

Aye that brat caught me off guard. I was minding me own business, talking to Ronan about training the twins with swords. Tommy was pacing back and forth in front of his da. He had his head down and was shaking it back and forth.

Robbie put his arm around his son, Well that’s yer mistake son, Shelby won’t be left out. He laughed at the horrifying look on his sons face as he punched the keypad on his phone.

Yes sweetheart? Lily was in the next room to the office. It was a huge bedroom that her and Robbie have deemed their private quarters until they get the manor house back. She just dressed Vivi and now she was busy tidying things up and getting ready for the day. Since they have gotten married again they have been spending a great deal of time in that room getting to know one another.

Mo Gohial, yer eldest is having quite the problem. Can ye come into the office? Tommy stared his da down, Why da?

Lily ran into the room as Robbie shrugged his shoulders. Sweetheart you finally met her, oh I knew ye would. Vivi needs a mum and I just knew it would happen. What’s her name? She has to love Vivi or it really won’t work out. Where is she at? When can we meet her?" she was talking so fast that she was starting to get dizzy. Robbie was getting ready to grab her when Tommy put his hands on her shoulders.

How he wished that him and Tabby could have grown up with them as parents. If only his parents hadn’t vanished twenty four years ago on the same day they were born. They called it The Vanishing. It was a day of battle and loss. Tommy and Tabitha lost their parents that day but so did many of the other children. Molly his grandmeir lost her husband and two of her eight boys. She was the one to take them and the rest of the orphaned children in and raise them as her own. Three weeks ago him and his twin Tabitha found out that they have parents that were alive and that they have three more siblings. They found out that Molly wasn’t really their grandmeir, that revelation made no difference to any of them because they will always love her as if she is. Now if his stubborn da would man up and spank his little sister all would be right in his world. Mum, slow down, I haven’t met anyone yet. Tis me baby sister.

Lily put her hand to her mouth and giggled. She flipped you?

Tommy groaned, Why do ye both think that? Aye she did and she needs a good spanking.

Dad, Shelby stormed into the office, Oh there you are, you traitor. She put her hands on her hips and glared up at her brother. She was a petite woman of five foot three and only weighed a hundred and twenty pounds. She’s a little spitfire with light brown hair that has red streaks in it. Her emerald green eyes and full dark lashes twinkled right before she flips someone over. She has very light skin because she doesn’t like to go outside without a healthy amount of sunscreen on. She is also naturally beautiful and wears next to no make-up which comes in handy since she has a tendency to be late everywhere she goes.

Me a traitor? How can ye call me a traitor? Tommy put his hand on his chest and stumbled backwards. Robbie and Lily had to move over to the window because they were both trying not to laugh at their children but were failing miserably. Robbies shoulders shook with mirth and getting his words out was seemingly impossible, Now sweetheart, yer brother is just trying to protect ye. He said with a gleam in his eye.

Shelby, how many times do I have to tell ye not to run off without me? Ronan shut the office door with a loud bang. He was yelling and pointing his finger at her. It was his job to look after her after all. He thought she could be a little more cooperative.

First mistake. Shelby whispered as she flipped him onto his back faster than lightning. She sat down on his chest as he stared at her. The laughter in the room almost drowned out what she was saying but unfortunately it didn’t. Ronan you might be my husband and my mate but if you ever point your finger at me in that manner again. I. will. Break. It. Off. She walked over to her mom and dad muttering something about stupid men. She let them wrap their arms around her.

Sweetheart, ye have to stop flipping yer brother in public. He will never be able to find someone if ye don’t. Robbie laughed and kissed her on the top of her head.

Okay dad but can you tell that big butt over there that I would be safer if I knew how to handle my own sword. I mean for kripes sakes Molly has her own sword and she’s like a hundred. She was pointing to her husband. Lily looked from her daughter to her new son in law and started laughing. Ronan was now on his feet growling at her.

I’ll protect ye. Tis me job as yer husband Ronan walked up to Shelby and pulled her to him so he could put his arms around her. She laid her head to his chest and started to cry. Ronan could never stand when a girl cried especially his wife. Something about her crying unmanned him. He would do anything for her, not to have her shed a single tear. Love please don’t cry. How about this, what if I let ye flip me anytime ye want. He cupped her face with his big hands and kissed her lips softly. Shelby shrugged her shoulders. Okay, how about ye teach me how to flip someone and I’ll teach ye some sword work so ye will be safe. Shelby smiled and through her arms around his neck. She kissed him with a loud smack. Deal and you can practice on Tommy. She said with a smirk.

Um, no he can’t. Tommy shouted with his arms crossed. Lily was looking at the fish tank while everyone else talked about how to train Shelby. She watched the fish swim back and forth, back and forth until one caught her eye. The fish were special to her. Sure they were beautiful fish but what they did for her was to help her focus. Each fish was special and represented a different insight. It was something sacred that had been handed down in their clan throughout the generations. The white fish represented the past, the blue helps her to see the future, black was for secrecy, red let her know what evil lurks about, yellow was for the present and pink is for peace. She stared at the blue fish until her eyes turned the same color as the fish. When that happened she was in a trance and it would be able to tell her what is to come in the near future. The future one was tricky because it can always be changed. She awaits, She spoke but just loud enough for Shelby to hear her. Shelby moved faster than normal to reached her mom before Robbie got there. Lily fainted but was caught by her daughter before she hit the floor. Robbie got to them and helped Shelby lay her mom on the coach They were looking at her in awe. Da, what is happening to us?

Robbie looked up from his beautiful wife, I think I know, It’s time I told ye about our first laird and lady Marcus and Aileen Mcgreggor. We need to gather everyone together.

Chapter 2

Matt and Tabby were strolling hand in hand along the path that leads to the meadow. The wind was blowing just hard enough to make the leaves sing. The sky was blue and the flowers were in bloom. The scene couldn’t be any more perfect Matt thought. Tabitha, I want ye to know that I will never hurt ye. He was blushing a bit.

I know that Matt. I trust ye. She did trust him. Her brothers and da and now her new husband. She trusted above every other man that was in her life. From before and even know.

He kissed her hand, Can ye please help me out here. I know we’ve known each other since we were kids and that we have a long life ahead of us. So what I guess I’m asking ye is, will ye please move into me house so we can make it a home? They stopped walking and Matt kicked his feet in the dirt like a little boy.

Tabitha put her hands on his chest and moved them absently back and forth. Having her touch him was more than he could stand. He grabbed her hips and pulled her forward. He had to kiss her or he was going to lose his mind. He put as much love in the kiss that he could without losing control. She responded just the way he wanted her too and kissed him back just as hard until she wasn’t.

She became stiff and still as she looked to the side of where they were standing. She slowly put her hand up to cover his mouth when he was about to speak. Something strange was happening to her, she could see everything clearly and what she saw was men on horseback coming right for them. They were probably still a mile or so away from where they were standing but they were moving fast. We have to go, NOW! she grabbed Matts hand and started running.

Honey, yer eyes, they’ve changed colors. Was all Matt said as he took the lead in getting them back to the pub where he knew help would be. He was a very strong man and if he was there alone or with his buddies he wouldn’t have ran. He would’ve stayed to see what the problem was but with him and Tabitha alone and him without his sword he couldn’t take the chance of her getting hurt. As they rounded the corner they set off the alarm to the back entrance. Once they were inside Matt pulled Tabitha into his comforting embrace. He put his hands on her face and kissed her lips as he looked into her eyes, They’re back to normal, a beautiful blue color that I love.

At that moment three very large pissed off men came barreling through the door. The looks on their faces would make any intruder think again about breaking in.

Oh for the love of Pete, if ye needed alone time, go home. Ronan said as he kept raising his voice. He was mad because he wanted alone time with Shelby and she was just being stubborn about it.

Tommy passed his da to get to his twin, Tabby are ye okay? Tabitha looked at her brother and nodded her head.

We need to go to the office and talk. Tabby has something to share with us all. Matt reached for his wife’s hand as they turned to go back upstairs.

Robbie had an uneasy feeling so he got on his phone to call his twin boys Christian and Anthony. He needed them to come back from helping Molly with her fence.

Dad what’s up? Christian answered as he stopped to get a drink of water and wipe the sweat off his forehead. son, I need ye to bring yer brother and Molly to the pub as quick as ye can. Robbie was getting nervous but he didn’t want to say too much to his new boys. Although he wasn’t Christian, Anthony or Shelby’s biological father. He loved them as if they were his own flesh and blood. Because they were Lily’s kids he loved them even more.

Dad I don’t think that’s going to happen too fast. We’ve got company. Christian lowered his arm but kept his cell phone on so Robbie could hear what was going on. Robbie grabbed his sword and started to strap it on. Without a single word being said from him Tommy, Matt and Ronan followed his lead. They were out the door and running faster than normal to get to their family.

~~~~

So ye be the Americans passing themselves off as Robert McGreggors off spring? He’s a bloody bastard and so I wouldn’t be claiming that piece of arse. Colin Markel chuckled and nodded to the four other men he brought with him. They all sat upon large draft horses that were the offspring from Robbies favorite mare. Ye are on the losing team so ye best decide whose side ye are going to be on. Colin leaned forward on his horse to talk to Christian in the face.

Anthony walked up to Christian with a shotgun resting in the crook of his arm. You watch how you talk about our father! Christian yelled. Robbies heart swelled at the sound of love coming from his son. He ran faster and let out a roar that could be heard miles away. The horse that Colin was sitting on reared up on his hind legs and dropped Colin off and onto his butt.

Robbie, Matt and Ronan rounded the corner to see the group surrounding his boys and Molly. The three pulled their swords out of their sheaths as one. The sound was deafening and it brought the quietness that Robbie would need to talk to them before he cut their heads off for coming after his family. The horse that bucked Colin off bent her head towards her true master. Colin Markell what did I tell ye boy? Robbie roared.

Colin rose slowly from the ground to face the man he has hated his whole life. Listen old man, me mum owns this land now and all the people in it. She is giving ye another chance to leave this place and never come back. That little stunt ye all tried to pull in the forest was nothing short of a work out for us and ye know it. Leave and she’ll let ye live. Stay and ye die but know that yer name will live on now that she knows ye have a son. Colin chuckled and his friends snickered along with him.

You could actually see the steam coming from Robbies ears. Yer mum is the fowlest piece of low life trash that I am going to make sure is banished from this land for ever and so ye know Colin even if that means that I have to kill her to be rid of her and the devils spawn she calls her children. He raised his sword high above his head to bring it down upon Colins shoulders. His eyes glowed blue and a deep roar was building up within him.

Me mums a saint ye bastard and she’s more powerful than ye will ever dream of being. Colin screamed as the sky turned black and the clouds rolled in. The witches cackle was once again upon them.

Show yerself and lets be done with this! Robbies roar came out at the same time that he spoke and the most amazing thing happened. All five horses bent their heads almost to the ground to show their allegiance to their true master.

Not on this day Robert McGreggor, not on this day. Know this I will be coming for one of yer offspring and very soon. So make yerselves comfortable in the manor house that ye covet so much. Ye will never be safe and neither will yer clan. With that she was gone along with Colin and his friends. Robbie went over to the horses that stayed behind and rubbed their noses as he spoke in gaelic to them.

We need to gather the family together at the pub. Tis the safest place for little Vivi at the moment. There are some things we need to go over and I need to tell ye all some very important things about our ancesters. They walked back to the pub after they secured the horses in Molly’s barn. Ronan got on