"There isn't really any point for me to speak about the wedding night." My mother said snidely as she helped me remove my veil, her lips were pursed in distaste. "As you've already had your first night."

Choosing not to say anything, I stood still on the small dais. As maids walked here and there packing up my belongings they would wrap them with white ribbon and would move them to the house I would be living in with my husband.

Husband?

The realization that now I was married, and that now I had a husband took my breath away. A slow ripple of pleasure filled my stomach. Ewan was my husband and I was his wife. I was no longer a Bellamy but now a Mckillian.

"Mom?"

She turned away from directing a maid on how to fold my dress, "Yes," She seemed taken aback by my calling her 'mom'.

"Could you dismiss the servants; I would like to speak with you alone."

She stared at me for a moment, I could see her mind working trying to figure out what I wanted. With a sharp wave of her hand the maids swiftly left the room shutting the door behind them.

I stepped down from the dais, my bare feet made me shorter than my mother.

She crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "What did you want to talk about?"

Taking a deep breath, I clenched my fist by my side, "I know that the family has always seen me as disappointment and would have been pleased if I had suffered an early death."

At these spoken words her mother's expression stiffened, but she didn't say anything.

"Whether this is because I was an omega or because I was a woman, now it no longer matters." I smiled. "I will be honest this is the happiest day of my life. I am no longer a part of a cold, joyless family and shall be now welcomed into a warm one."

I bowed my head, "But I would like to thank you for giving birth to me."

There was only silence until my mother started chuckling. Lifting my head, I forced myself to remain expressionless. As mother shook her head, wiping a tears from her eyes.

Mothers face twisted darkly, her voice came out sharp, intent on cutting. "I'm not the one you should thank." She muttered a curse, before she walked forward and placed her cold hands on both sides of my face her rings pressed into my cheeks causing me to flinch back. "You-you are the very reason everything in my life became joyless, and empty...if it wasn't for you. I..." she stopped dropping her hands to her side she stepped back shaking her head humorlessly.

Her eyes were focused on the carpet she smiled but it was brittle. "I only wish that your Alpha is everything you believe him to be." She lifted her empty eyes to me the deep well of despair and hate swirled there. "I pray that he is everything you want Argo, so that you won't end up like me. A woman who has her own daughter tell her she's cold and joyless." With that she walked past me towards the door pulling it open, she spoke over her shoulder. "The servants will come for you when we are ready for the wedding march."

She let the door shut behind her.

Shaken and left alone I couldn't help the frantic thoughts running through my mind. "I was the reason?" How could I be, I wasn't even allowed to be with the family till I was seven.

But mother had meant it. She'd stared at me with such hate that it caused my flesh crawl, and the hairs on my neck to stand up.

Clenching and unclenching my fingers, I couldn't shake the feeling of fear that rolled over me. For a moment, just a moment I had believed she'd kill me.

**

The wedding march was a long walk to the house that the groom and Bride would be using. It could be a quiet and solemn affair, but apparently the Scots didn't believe in that. Often it was led by the groom, while the bride was already in the room awaiting his arrival.

Sitting at the vanity table, I couldn't fight the nervous feeling in my stomach. Yes, I had already slept with Ewan...on grass, under stars but, but it was now the wedding night. My cheeks were on fire, and my hands trembled as I pressed them into the silken gown.

My hair had been brushed out and down, it curled gently against my face. The heavy makeup had been removed and now I was staring at myself bare. My amber eye were wide, and my lips were pressed together.

Jerking my eyes from the mirror I tried to think of other things, but my thoughts were derailed when the loud sound of music could be heard outside. Standing I walked over to the window, pulling back the curtain to see outside. I covered my mouth covering my smile in surprise. Ewan was currently being tossed in the air by overly enthuse friends. Man and women shouted ribald jokes and Ewan was being pulled here and there kissed by the young and old.

It was supposed to symbolize the end of a mans attempt at sowing wild oats.

Ewan bent down, and pressed his lips to the forehead of a three-year-old girl who giggled before she was picked up by her mother.

Standing in the window, I couldn't help smiling at the sight.

Hearing banging on the door, I jumped and turned around. Chelsey's eyes were bright from excitement. "He's here!" She cried running inside she grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the stairs, "You're not going to leave him waiting all night are you?!"

I laughed, "Maybe?" I said jokingly, somehow today everything felt more joyful and full of possibility. "He deserves to sit out there in the cold for some of the things Roland's shouting."

Chelsey shook her head at my sassy statement, we arrived on the first floor. Both of us greeting Ewans mother who smiled at the sight of me.

"Well Lass are yah goin' ta be taking in my hard headed lad?" Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

"I will but...isn't it better to have some fun first?" I couldn't help asking.

She laughed suddenly giving me a tight hug, pulling back she affectionately flicked me on the chin. "That's a smart lass, give him a run for his coin."

Gaining her permission, I ran to the door only for Heather to jump in front of me with a mischievous look on her pretty face, "Wait!" She turned around without another word she jerked the door open, "If you lads think your shouting and swigging will get you Ewans bride you are wrong 'bout that! We be wanting some music!"

Eyes wide I stared at Heather, she really had guts demanding that Ewan and his Bruthers sing. Walking up behind her I peeked between her arms and flushed when my eyes found Ewans he look over me slowly. Before a fierce look of heat caused his eyes to shine brightly.

"You're a hard one to please Heather Mckillan." Arutur said, he swept a hand through his blonde locks, his grin stretched wide. "Now lads what song do we wish to sing!?" He asked loudly, the men all shouted out choices, he mocked pretended to not be able to hear, lifting a hand behind his ear.

He frowned shaking his, "Tsk, Tsk you men no nothing of a lasses heart."

"And you do?!" A random man shouted, another added. "He knows how to please her body that's for sure!"

"Aye, but it's never lasting long." A woman's voice added smartly.

At that the crowd burst out in boisterous laughter, Heather stepped out "Enough! Thomas?"

Thomas came forward, his cheeks flushed from too much ale, in his arms he carried a violin case. "Hick, Yah Called Perty lady?"

Heather shook her head at his look, "Lad, give the fiddle in your hand a go."

"Ah," Thomas clumsily opened his case, and pulled out his fiddle. "B-but what shall I play?"

"Why, Téir Abhaile Riú of course!"

Thomas smiled a bright one that made him look boyish, "Aye sir." With that he quickly set the fiddle against his chin and started playing.

"Dada dadi daddum." Heather started her sweet voice carrying through the woods, soon another woman added her voice. Their voices smoothly met and cleared the hearts of those around them.

A man stepped forward, and sat on the bench flipping a bucket he started hitting out a rhythm on it, two men stepped forward and sang along.

"Look how the light of the town, the lights of the town are shining now,Tonight I'll be dancing around," Heather lifted her arms above her head and spun, her dress flaring out around her, "I'm off on the road to Galway now.

"Look how she's off on the town," Heather mother stepped out her voices was husky, and she smirked at her daughter. "She's off on a search for sailors though, There's fine fellas here to be found, She's never been one to stay at home."

Heather rolled her eyes, and tried to walk around her mother but two older women stepped forward stopping her. They wagged their fingers at her, "you'll go and it's there you'll stay, and you've work to do in the morning, Give up your dream of going away, Forget your sailors in Galway."

Making a mock expression, Heather ran around them and was grabbed by Roland. who smirked down at her as he spun her, and danced in a circle with her. His deep baritone voice singing the chorus, while others joined them in dancing. "Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú,Téir abhaile riú Mheara, Téir abhail gus fan sa bhail,Mar tá do mhargadh déanta!"

Soon I found myself standing outside bare footed as I clapped my hands, Chelsey had long been grabbed up by Aurtur and was being swinging around, as the kicked high and leapt around.

Heather suddenly appeared in front of me, her face red from the exertion of singing and dancing she grabbed me hand, "Come now and follow me down. Down to the lights of Galway where. There's fine sailors walking the town, and waiting to meet the ladies there."

Taken by surprise I was dragged out to what had been designated as the dance floor. She spun me before shoving me forward where I found myself caught by Ewan. Slowly I pulled away from him, and straightened.

Heather appeared between us her eyes twinkling with mischief and happiness, "Watch now he'll soon be along. He's finer than any sailor so. Come on now pick up your spoons. He's waiting to hear you play them WHOOO!" With a shout of happiness, Heather was off again her voice carrying as she skipped amongst the dancing crowd.

Other lilting voices joined with hers, "Here today and she's gone tomorrow, And next she's going to Galway. Jiggin' around and off to town. And won't be back until morning."

The music surrounded us, Ewan's hand clasped my hand tightly his heat warming my skin. With a grin he pulled me into a reel, at a dizzying speed we jigged into the circle, spinning and changing partners. I couldn't help how my eyes followed his every move.

Every time we came together, I wished he'd grab me up and kiss me but he'd soon clasped another's young women's hand and be off.

When was he going to take me away?!

**

Ewan was captivated by the bright smile that Argo wore as she spun and danced, her feet were bare but that didn't stop her. Her satin night gown spun up, and made her appear like a woodland sprite who'd come just to enjoy the party, her thick curls bounced up and down made her look girlish.

She grabbed Heathers hand, and Chelsey as they danced from side to side before kicking up their heels.

His wife was seeming to get drunk on the dancing, his attraction to her would never fade. He would've taken her to their rooms earlier when he'd first seen her, the light had appeared like a halo behind her. She'd shyly smiled at him, from behind Heather.

Now he wished for nothing but that she enjoyed this moment, soon though he couldn't hold back his passion for her and before he realized it he'd grabbed her hand and they had left the dancing crowd outside.

"E-ewan?" She said breathlessly as she followed him up the steps, stopping at the landing he picked her up. Argo let out a yelp of surprise, and laughed breathlessly as he took her into their now shared room and kicked the door shut behind him.

He slowly lowered her so that her body pressed against his, he wanted to feel every inch of her against him. Her breathe caught and her eyes were wide as she stared up at him. He kept her high enough so that her toes didn't touch the ground.

"Are you going to kiss me now?" Her voice was low, and soft. Her lips trembled, and her lashes fluttered lowering to hide her eyes.

Ewan smiled placing his finger under her chin he lifted her head so that she had to look at him. "Is that what you wish, Mo gra?"

She nodded not speaking. Ewan was more than happy to comply, lowering his head he slowly allowed his lips to press against hers. He tilted his head deepening the kiss, savoring her innocence and her surrendering herself to him as she opened her mouth allowing him to taste more of her.

Her hands curled against his chest, and she kneaded his chest like kitten. Lifting her higher and he walked them towards the bed, they staggered as they fell onto the bed. She pushed his shoulder so he rolled so that she was on top her eyes stared into his.

"I wish for you to make one promise."

"Promise?" Ewan said lifting up on his elbows. She backed away from him, sitting on her haunches.

She nodded, "I want you to promise me that even if you tire of me, you will never lie to me."

Ewan straightened, so that he faced her his eyes darkened with weariness. "I would never lie to you lass, nor would I ever tire of you."

"Promise me." Argo insisted her hands were curled in a fist, and her eyes were dry, but her lips were pressed together. "Even if you say it's impossible. If it does happen be honest with me, don't lie to me."

Ewan knew he shouldn't her demand as a personal insult, he'd felt the coldness that her parents shared. He lifted a hand and pressed it to her cheek, and faced her seriously. "I will never lie to you, on my honor as Laird of my people I will never lie to you. I promise this to you my lady."

He watched as she visibly relaxed, and she smiled her eyes bright with tears. "I believe you." She lifted up and leaning forward she pressed her lips against his.

He felt himself still, this was the first time that she was being aggressive. Her mouth searched his, her novel touches caused his passion to flare. He wrapped a strong arm around her waist, while using his other hand to lift her night gown above her head. She helped him pulling back for only a moment.

Their bodies met once again, Ewan wished that he could slow down and love her till she trembled with need, but she lifted herself her hand finding him she lowered herself onto him. Both of them moaning, they fit perfectly together like two puzzle pieces.

Ewans stared up at her lust glazed eyes her hair was a curtain hiding them from the world; he could feel her heart as her chest was pressed against his.

"I-I love you." Argo wanted to say it, but instead her eyes glowed like gold. Her hands that were laying on his broad shoulders tightened. She wanted to say those words to him, but she was scared. So scared that he would make them worthless later.

Using her thighs, she lifted causing them both to groan, soon with Ewans help they started a slow rhythm that curled her toes. Her body was becoming sweaty with exertion of maintaining their slow pace. Ewan nipped and placed butterfly kissed over her chest.

His arms were like bands of iron that kept her close to him, his heart pounded in his chest. She whimpered as she felt the first rush of pleasure run up her spine, he moved his hands to her bottom pulling her closer.

His eyes were narrowed and he gritted his teeth when she tightened around him, she frantically searched for his lips. Ewan would only allow himself to find release after Argo. once she was done trembling he allowed himself the release he needed burying his head in her neck breathing in her scent.

Lax in their after glow they lay together, Ewans arms wrapped around Argo he could only think of one thing.

How to get Argo to love him?

He would do anything for her to return his love. He let out a self-mocking smile. He would have his work cut out for him. He let his fingers trace her arm, at least half the battle had already been one...she was his.

For now that's all that mattered, she was his.