His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance

Rowan

We pulled into the circular driveway in front of our expansive house, and I glanced at Fiona to gauge her reaction. To my surprise, I saw none. Instead, she asked, “Are you sure Kat will be okay?”

“Besides a horrible hangover, she’ll be fine. But let’s get her inside,” Rian said from the back seat.

After hopping out, I peered in at Rian, holding the vehicle door open. “Do you have her, bro?”

“Aye. Just help me get out without banging her head.”

We maneuvered the moaning young woman from the car, and Rian carried her to the door. I unlocked it, standing out of the way, and glanced back at Fiona. She seemed uncertain, walking with slow, measured steps, eyeing me with wariness. “Come on in. I promise we won’t bite.” I grinned at her.

Fiona faltered and widened her eyes. “Oh, you are kidding. Forgive me.” She splayed a hand over her chest.

“No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. That was too soon.”

“Yes, after what I witnessed tonight with that… whatever it was.”

“Vampire…” I lifted my brows, placing my hand on her back, and guided her inside.

Rian stood in the foyer, still cradling Katrina. “Where should we put her, Rowan?”

“I think, under the circumstances, we should take her to Mom’s bedroom, since it’s on the ground floor.” I turned to Fiona. “Would you feel more comfortable staying overnight in the same room? You know… so you can watch over her.”

“I’m not comfortable here at all, but since you’ve given me little choice in the matter, staying together suits me.” She stood with her arms crossed and lips in a firm, straight line.

“If you guys are done… Kat needs to be cleaned up.” Rian threw us a pointed look.

“Are you sure your mom won’t mind? I mean, as big as this house is, I’m assuming you have guest rooms,” Fiona said while following us down the long hallway.

“Mother is on an extended holiday in London and wouldn’t mind if she were here,” I assured her as Rian laid Kat on the bed.

“Go grab Kyra. She’s about their size or close enough. Tell her to bring something for them to sleep in. Fiona may need her help with Kat.” Rian left to do my bidding.

“I’m going into Mother’s bathroom for some supplies to clean and bandage her neck,” I told Fiona. She nodded, keeping her eyes on Katrina, who lay motionless on the bed.

Fiona sat on the edge of the mattress, holding Kat’s hand as I reentered the room. I paused for a moment, taking in the scene and Fiona’s beauty. I studied her profile from the side and grinned at her small, pert nose. Her hair was breathtaking, cascading over her shoulder in lustrous waves that reached down to her lower back. Its intense black hue seemed almost surreal, glistening under the soft glow of the lamp. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was natural. It left me in awe, just like the rest of her.

I cleared my throat, and she looked at me, smiling. “I’m sorry for being so… so…”

“Difficult… distrusting…” I ventured with a grin.

She stood. “Yes, but… it’s not wise to leave a club with strangers. So, I hope you can understand where I’m coming from.” Fiona arched her brows, waiting for a response.

“I understand, but this isn’t an ordinary situation.” I rocked back on my heels and shrugged.

“Indeed.” Fiona nodded. “Now, let’s check out this wound on her neck, shall we? What did you bring?”

I moved to the bedside table and placed bandages, a wet cloth, alcohol, and a special serum from my mother’s collection. Throughout the years, I learned a few tricks, benefiting from her expertise as a healer in our pack. I knew this concoction would pull any impurities or poisons from the wound.

“What’s that?” Fiona pointed to the jar containing the golden-flaked serum.

“It’s a natural remedy my mum uses. It will pull out any infection or poison from her wound.”

“That’s perfect. Just let me unzip her dress so we can have room to clean and bandage it. Kat will have my head if we mess up this designer dress.”

I decided not to mention the blood speckles already on the minidress. The top part wasn’t tall enough to cover her entire neck, but it zipped from the bottom all the way up in the front, leaving a round silver circle dangling. I watched as Fiona placed her finger in the loop and unzipped the dress past Katrina’s strapless bra. Out of respect, I turned my head and busied myself by handing her the wet cloth and applying alcohol to a sterilized pad.

“How bad is it?” Fiona turned to me, chewing her bottom lip. “I’m not gonna accuse you of being a perv for seeing Kat’s bra, I promise. Please, you seem to know a hell of a lot more about this than me.”

Before I could oblige, my brother and sister burst through the door, bickering as usual about something.

“Be quiet, you two!” I pierced them with a look they knew well. “Kyra lay the clothes on the foot of the bed. Fiona, this is my little sister, Kyra. Kyra, this is Fiona and her friend, Katrina.”

“She prefers Kat,” Fiona said, smiling at Kyra. “It’s nice to meet you, Kyra. I’m sorry it’s under such bizarre circumstances, and thank you for the clothes.”

“Nice to meet you, Fiona. I hope Kat is okay. When Rian told me there were actual females here, I was so eager to meet you. At home, I’m surrounded by guys and—”

“Kyra!” I warned, shaking my head. I felt guilty because we kept her pretty isolated, but it was for her own good. I would protect Kyra with my life. But at fifteen, I had to be strict. She was young and too enthusiastic. Times were dangerous for our pack right now and in the middle of a drug war.

“Are you going to help or tell me what to do?” Fiona asked, staring up at me with mascara running down her cheeks.

“Yes, sorry. Here…” I handed her the pad, saturated with alcohol. “Just clean the blood from her neck and I’ll apply the serum when you’re done.”

“Thanks.” Fiona took the pad and, with caution, wiped the area. “I need another one. The blood is dry and caked.”

I handed her another pad, and when Fiona was done, she stood from the bed rubbing her arms. “Okay, use your magical healing stuff. I hope it works.”

I sat beside Kat with the serum ready. She turned her head, moaning, causing her long golden hair to fall over the wound. As gently as possible, I pushed the hair away from her neck. “Dammit,” I hissed, jerking my hand away.

“What’s wrong?” Fiona asked, frowning.

I shook my hand. “Feck, fuck, feckin’ hell!”

“Oh no,” Rian said as he raced to my side.

“What is going on?” Fiona shrieked, backing away from us.

“Her necklace!” I declared.

“What about it? It’s just a silver necklace my father gave her.” Fiona looked at me like I’d grown three heads and rolled her eyes.

“Take it off of her or I can’t help.” As I narrowed my gaze at Fiona, a surge of intensity rippled through the atmosphere. The weight of my emotions bore down on her, clear in the way her shoulders tensed and her posture shifted. The surrounding air seemed to grow heavy, as if even the universe recognized the power emanating from my tightened eyes. It was silver all right, but not just any silver. It had to be the purest form of silver to burn my skin.

“Fine!” Fiona did my bidding with no further questions, muttering something under her breath, and unhooked the offending chain. “See! Just a harmless and pretty necklace,” she said, letting it swing back and forth on her finger.

“Holy shit!” Rian whispered.

“Is that Wolfsbane?” Kyra’s eyes widened as she dashed around the bed to get a better look.

“Kyra, stay back!” I threw my palm out while keeping my eyes trained on Fiona and wondered who—or what—were these women. What had I gotten myself into?

Fiona looked taken aback as I continued to glare at her. “Wolfsbane? What is Wolfsbane? This is just a necklace that my—”

“No!” I shouted as I stepped closer and watched her eyes widen. I didn’t care if she was my fated mate. “It’s not just some pretty silver necklace from your father!” I grabbed it from her hand, gritting my teeth to keep from crying out in pain. “Do you see the pretty purple liquid inside the clear flower?”

Fiona stood like a statue etched with fear.

“Answer me, dammit!”

She stepped backward until her legs hit the bed. “Y-Yes.”

“That’s Wolfsbane! This isn’t just some little gift from your father! It’s a weapon our enemies use against us,” I bellowed as the pure silver continued to scorch me. “Who is your father?” I dropped the poisonous necklace and stalked toward her.

Fiona’s wide eyes glistened with tears, reflecting a mixture of fear and anguish. I grabbed her upper arms and shook her for good measure. “Who is he?”

“Let her go!” Kyra screamed, pounding me in the back with her small fists.

“Who is he?” I snarled, my nose touching hers. My insides were churning with wanting and fear. Her smell tantalized my wolf’s senses, while my logic screamed at the danger she presented. The raw display of dominance had left me questioning the ethical implications of my actions. How far was I willing to go to achieve my goals?

“Unhand her, Rowan! It’s obvious she doesn’t have a clue what’s going on and you’re scaring her.” My brother grabbed my arm, but I shrugged him off.

“Not until she answers me! You will answer me or I’ll let your friend die,” I told her in a menacing whisper. The odds of Katrina dying were slim to none, but Fiona didn’t know that and I’d use whatever means necessary to get answers.

Without warning, Fiona kicked my shin and shoved me. “Let me go, asshole! You’re hurting me!” She stood panting and rubbing her upper arms. “I’m leaving and taking Kat to the hospital! You are fucking crazy!”

“You’re going nowhere, lass! Answer my question now!” My inner wolf was close to exploding, and I could feel the hair sprouting along my spine.

“His name is Cormac Quinn, you prick. Ireland’s renowned scientist! Now, outta my way. I’m calling for a ride. You can’t keep us here!”

I shoved her onto the bed. “Rian, lock that door. Kyra, apply Mom’s serum to her friend’s neck,” I ordered while keeping my steel gaze on Fiona, who glared daggers back at me. She was a spitfire. I’d give her that. I couldn’t help but wonder if this display of domination was the answer I sought, or if there was a more compassionate path to achieve my intentions.

Rian started toward the door and glanced at me. “I don’t think this is wise, bro.”

“Just do it now! Both of you know why. So, the famous Cormac Quinn…” I grinned down at Fiona without mirth.

“Yes, and I’m Fiona Quinn. When my father and The Gardaí find out that you’ve kidnapped us, they’ll be hell to pay!” she spat, glaring at me with evil intent in her orbs.

“Blimey! This is terrible. Shit, shit, shit,” Rian said as he stood guarding the bedroom door.

My stomach churned at the thought of being paired with the daughter of Cormac Quinn. While most knew him as a brilliant scientist, the supernatural world recognized him as one of Ireland’s legendary hunters. He was a fearless killer known to the creatures of every realm. Cormac Quinn was a bloody monster. And I was his daughter’s destined mate.

How ironic was that?

Despite my heartache, I should have allowed Fiona and her naïve companion to meet their demise at the vampire’s hands this evening.