His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance

Fiona

After that unexpected kiss from Rowan last night, my dreams consumed me once I drifted back to sleep. They were confusing, frightening, and more like nightmares. Something followed me as I ran through an unfamiliar forest, its footsteps deafening. The sound of cracking twigs and the grunt of the chase surrounded me. I tripped over a moss-covered log and went down, stopping my fall with my palms and spider-crawling to evade capture. Once back on my feet, I continued to race through the woods and glanced over my shoulder to find Rowan.

Rowan?

Why was he chasing me?

“Stop, lass. You’re going to injure yourself. Come to me, and I’ll keep you safe,” he yelled to my retreating form.

I peered over my shoulder, saw his beaming face, and came to an abrupt stop. Out of breath, I leaned over, hands on my knees to calm my erratic heart rate and breathing, listening to his slowed steps approaching me. I was dizzy from exhaustion but relieved to no longer be in danger. As I turned to greet him with a smile, a scream stuck, lodged in my throat, realizing I was face to face with the drug-pushing vampire from the club.

The creature threw his head back and cackled, the sound crazed enough to wake the dead, and he looked at me as I stood frozen from fear—unable to speak or move. The vampire’s eyes were solid black orbs, and blood covered his long, sharp teeth and dripped onto his chin. He cocked his head, still regarding me, and grinned before lunging forward, a long black cape floating behind him.

A piercing scream lent the air as I scrambled away from the demon-like monster, stumbling over sticks and rocks, but somehow kept myself from slipping. I resisted the urge to glance behind me and kept running. “Fiona,” my father called. “Wait! Why are you running from me?” I peeked over my shoulder to see my father in his lab coat and a dark-haired fairy smiling beside him. “Don’t you want to meet your mother?” he asked.

The word mother stopped me short. I felt dizzy and was now in a white, sterile room filled with metal beds, strange devices, and vials. “Fiona…” the fairy called out in a sing-song voice. “I’ve missed you so much, my darling child.” I shifted toward the enchanting sound, finding myself alone with a pair of tiny, bloody fairy wings flapping across the floor. As I watched the ghastly spectacle, the wings chased me around the room.

A phone ringing in the distance woke me from my imagined hell. As I sat up, drenched in sweat, I tried to shake off the nightmare, and the noise rang louder in my ears. I reached over and grabbed my cell phone. “Hello.” My voice sounded strange and far away.

“I’m not happy with you, Fiona!” My father’s voice on the other end caused my heart to beat hard against my rib cage.

“Well, good morning to you, too, Father.” I refused to let him know how he affected me.

“Don’t change the subject! Running off with Kat on holiday without telling me is disrespectful, Fiona, and I’ve taught you better.” I rolled my eyes and tried to calm my breathing.

“I left a note.” Every part of me wanted to lambast him, but Rowan’s words echoed in my ears. I had to pretend and muster as much grace and respect as possible. “Listen, Father… I’m sorry I was so hard on you when we last spoke, but I needed time to take it all in.”

“You should have done that alone without dragging Kat with you.” His sarcastic, narcissistic tone was unnerving.

I gritted my teeth and had to stop myself from hanging up on the cocky bastard.

“Father, Kat is my best friend, and I didn’t want to go alone. We will be back soon,” I lied.

He sighed, and I sensed he was buying my bullshit story. “You better be back soon! I expect you both home by Saturday, as I’m off to a convention on the Wednesday before.” Although still half asleep, I mulled over his words, remembering that he was leaving for three days during the full moon, and smiled.

I tried to act put out with him and frowned for full effect, hoping it would help convey my fake disappointment. “That doesn’t give us much time to enjoy New York. It’s a big city…”

“Fiona,” he warned. “Saturday, and I mean it.”

“Fine!” I sighed like a petulant child. “Any certain time Saturday?”

“No… I won’t be back home until Sunday Morning, but I want you and Kat there when I arrive!” So, Wednesday through Sunday, I thought. That should give us ample time to search through everything.

“Is that it?” I asked, holding my breath.

“Yes.” The bastard hung up on me.

However, I now had proof that he would be gone, and we could all go back to the house and hunt for information about Sexflex and perhaps more answers regarding my mother. I showered and dressed before looking for Rowan to tell him about my phone call from Cormac. But first, I wanted to see the files with those photos.

But to my disappointment, I would have to wait… again. When I found Rowan in his office with Rian and Kyra, they informed me he was leaving to find a witch! My head was still spinning from that one. He said it as if he was going to the shops to pick up bread or milk. So, Kat and I found ourselves seated in a home theater with Kyra watching a movie.

A movie turned into two: a chick flick and a comedy that had us all in stitches. It did a lot to improve my uncertain and anxious mood, mixed with the thrill of Rowan’s kiss. I wanted to stop obsessing over it… it was just a kiss, right? Yet, it felt like more. I couldn’t explain with words what that simple kiss meant to me. Simple wasn’t the word to describe what it felt like. It was akin to an explosion in my mind and body. The female part of my brain—or perhaps my hormones—convinced me he was the one. Something shifted inside me when his lips took mine, and I knew I would experience nothing like it again.

I felt a tug within me, a force pulling me toward Rowan regardless of our extraordinary circumstances. You’ve found your soul mate! He is the only one for you, as you are for him. My mind shouted with glee.

“I wish my brothers would get home,” Kyra said, breaking into my wandering musings. “I don’t share their dislike of witches, not that I’ve met many, but I worry any time they interact outside our race with other Creatures of Primordial.” She picked up the popcorn boxes, and Kat followed behind with a trash bag as they cleared our mess.

“They are fine.” I gave her a tight-lipped smile, hoping it was true. Although not one for empty words or platitudes, I wasn’t sure what else to say. “What can I do to help? Sorry, I was daydreaming.”

“You’re fine, and I know they are okay. It’s silly of me to worry, especially after having such a grand time with you guys. Thank you. Rowan seldom lets me out of his sight, so I don’t get to spend much time with females or girls my age.” Kyra frowned for a moment before smiling at us. I joined in, and once we had picked up all the rubbish, we left the theater and headed to the kitchen, where Kyra pulled something out of the freezer. “It’s a casserole my mammy made before she left. All we have to do is heat it. She always leaves us prepared.” She winked. “Mammy is an excellent cook.”

“Good. I’m suddenly starving.” I rubbed my growling stomach.

“Should we set the table?” Kat asked. My thoughts and hunger consumed me too much to be courteous, and I vowed to stop thinking of Rowan.

“Sure. Everything is in the cabinets behind you, and silver is in the drawer below. Thanks.” Kyra set the oven and pulled out some napkins, salt, and pepper.

“What about the lads?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Set plates for them, too. They never miss a meal,” Kyra said and laughed.

And sure enough, by the time the food was ready, Rowan and Rian strode into the kitchen, grinning while a short and beautiful female trailed behind. However, her demeanor differed from theirs. She inclined her head to acknowledge us, but her obstinate expression and stiff posture spoke volumes.

“Set another plate out, Kat,” Rowan announced. “Viona, this is Fiona and Kat.” He held his hand out toward us. “And this is Viona. She has been generous and agreed to check out our wounded pack members.” Viona made a sound like a grunt and rolled her eyes.

“And I should head that way. You don’t have to feed me,” she said while staring between me and Kat, her eyes narrowing. “I’m not too keen on breaking bread with werewolves, hybrids, and fairies.” She crossed her arms and glared at Rowan before I saw Viona throw Rian an icy glare so frigid I felt it in my bones. He seemed to share the sentiment, and I heard a low growl deep in his chest.

“You know we are peaceful, Viona,” Rowan assured her. “And it’s not hybrids and fairies. As far as we know, Fiona and Kat are both part human and fairy, if that helps.”

I stood with my mouth agape, wondering how she knew. She is a witch, I reminded myself, staring at her in awe. She was so tiny, but something told me she was fierce—a force to be reckoned with.

“No, sorry, Alpha Wolf. They are not both hybrids.” She pointed at Kat. “The blonde is pure fae.” Kat dropped the plate, and it crashed on the kitchen tile.

“How do you know?” I asked before realizing I had spoken while Kat scrambled to clean up the mess of broken porcelain scattered around her. Kyra was quick to join in to help.

“Duh,” she said and rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “I’m a witch. I know these things.”

“That must be why Cormac has been doing experiments on her,” Rowan said, his deep voice sounding severe. “Pure fairy blood must have been like a dream come true for that wicked bastard.”

Viona laughed with sarcasm. “You didn’t know you were a fairy?” she asked Kat before the color drained from her face. “Wait, just a feckin minute! Did you say Cormac… As in Cormac Quinn? And he has been experimenting with you?” Her face contorted into something like disgust and fear.

“It’s a long story,” Rowan answered for a shaken Kat. “Fiona is Cormac’s daughter and removed their wings when they were young, probably babies. Or so it appears, but they don’t remember.”

Viona took several slow, cautious steps backward. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.” She tossed her head, her long flaming red locks bouncing. “I want nothing to do with this or Cormac Quinn.” As she turned to flee, Rian crossed the room in two strides and grabbed her arm.

“Wait, damn it! Since when are you afraid of—”

Before Rian could finish his sentence, Viona cast her eyes down at the fist surrounding her arm and, in an instant, Rian let go, jumping away from her. “Fuck!” he yelled, cursing in obvious pain. “Damn you, witch!”

She leaned in close, glaring at Rian with eyes tinged a strange shade of purple and her chest heaving. “Never touch me again, little spare wolf, or next time, I’ll cause you more than some discomfort!”

“Wait! I’m sorry about my brother, Viona. But we need you, and you owe me a favor!” Rowan held up his palms and approached the witch with caution.

“Yes, and I will return that favor, but not when it has anything to do with that devil of a man, Cormac Quinn. Sorry, Rowan. But what kind of fool has the man’s daughter over for supper? He’s a notorious hunter!” She shook her head and tsked at Rowan.

Meanwhile, Rian had moved away from the witch, cradling his injured arm and scowling at her. His jaw hardened, and his eyes held pure animosity.

“You will heal soon, young wolf.” Viona threw him a wicked grin, snapped her fingers, and disappeared, leaving behind a trail of purple smoke and a premonition filled with dread that had my hackles rising and my tummy clenching.