His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance

Rowen

“Right on time, Mutt. I’ve been awaiting this little reunion!” Cormac said, laughing like mad.

I growled, salivating, and ready to sink my fangs into his neck. I threw myself against Cormac, shoving him away from Fiona and Rian. The scientist reared his head back, chuckling, and plunged his poisonous, bladed gloves down my hide. But to my delight and his surprise, Viona’s potion worked. He yanked his hand back and made a hissing sound. Cormac stared down at the razor-like glove, frowning and back at me, puzzled.

He glanced back down and rubbed his arm. I used that moment of his confusion to attack him. My teeth wrapped around his leg and I sank my fangs into the flesh, relishing the taste of metallic blood filling my mouth. The evil scientist howled out and tried to shove a vial of bright purple liquid at me—wolfsbane. I let go of his leg, pulled back my wolf’s head, and charged straight into his stomach. The force propelled him, hurling across the small space, and Cormac landed with a thud in the cell’s corner, his forehead hitting the concrete wall.

After grabbing his head and moaning, Cormac jumped to his feet. I saw the hatred in his eyes and knew he would try tackling me. A laugh bubbled in my chest, watching his nostrils flair. It wouldn’t be a fair fight, but that was fine with me. I took a moment to glance at Fiona huddled over Rian. Lass, concentrate on Rian and don’t worry about me. Do what you can for him.

You take care of my bastard father, and I’ll tend to your brother. Just be careful, Rowen. He’s a crafty mother fucker, she said through our bond. I fought back a chuckle, not used to Fiona cursing. Perhaps Viona had rubbed off on her a bit.

Cormac circled, dancing on his feet in the small cage like a boxer, seething as he studied me. Then a burst of light lit up the room and we both turned to Fiona. With her palms splayed on Rian’s chest, sparks of light sprung from her hands, enveloping my brother, and I witnessed the color returning to Rian’s face. Joy filled my heart, but it didn’t last long.

The ground shook and flung Fiona and Rian across the cell, landing at my paws. A large crack in the concrete floor appeared, separating us from Cormac Quinn. He glanced around in a frenzy, looking as bewildered as I felt. Black metal bars fell from above, enclosing Cormac in the already small cage. I shifted back and helped Fiona and Rian to their feet. “What kind of sorcery is this?” Cormac growled, grabbing and shaking the bars of his confinement. “Let me out of here now, Fiona! If you don’t, I promise I’ll kill that mangy wolf you’ve chosen over me… your own flesh and blood.”

Fiona stalked to the metal prison, glaring at her father. “I have no idea how to let you out of this tiny prison.” She shrugged.

“Don’t play coy with me, little girl.” He narrowed his eyes. “You put me here and you can let me out.”

Fiona laughed, a musical, tinkling sound pleasing to my ears. “As much as I’d like to take the credit… It’s such a savage craic seeing you like this, Father.” She turned, looking back at me and Rian, who was still weak and leaning against my shoulder. “What do you lads think?” Fiona grinned.

“It’s grand as feck seeing this eejit get his karma. How does it feel, Bastard? Now you’re the one locked up after we saved those hostages you were so determined to catch.” I winked at him as an idea crossed my mind. If Fiona hadn’t cast the spell capturing Cormac, who had? Perhaps Viona or Tiana… Regardless, I needed him to believe Fiona was responsible and use his release to get Kyra back. We still hadn’t found my sister.

Fiona, allow Cormac to think you are responsible and have the power to release him. We can use it as a bargaining chip to find out where Kyra is.

Wonderful idea, she responded through our bond. Fiona strode toward the iron cell, grasping the bars. “Tell me where Kyra is and I will let you out.”

“Never,” he spat.

Fiona turned her back on Cormac. “Let’s get out of here. He’ll change his mind.”

“If that’s what you think, you don’t know me very well.” Cormac crossed his arms.

She whirled around, facing him. “You’re right. I don’t know you at all. My whole life has been a lie. You are nothing but a kidnapping, murdering, evil bastard. I have no problem leaving you here to rot.”

“You wouldn’t dare leave me to—”

A piercing scream drowned his words out.

“How dare you defy your mother and queen!” Queen Celestria’s voice resonated throughout the space as if it were amplified by powerful speakers.

“Shite!” I cursed. “We have trouble. Come on and follow me.”

“Don’t you dare leave me here, Fiona!” Cormac yelled at our retreating forms.

“I command you to listen to me, your mother and queen! Araqiel, you will not abandon me for these savage beasts and mortals!”

We followed the sound of Celestria’s voice until we found the queen facing off with Kat in a circle of harsh, blinding light.

“Those beasts and mortals are my friends and family,” Kat cried, her voice cracking. She lifted her chin, glaring at her mother with golden tears pouring from her eyes. “You abandoned me by giving me to Cormac Quinn! What kind of mother does that? He cut off my wings and performed heinous experiments on me! For years, he tortured me!” Kat balled her hands into fists at her sides.

“Just stop and listen to me, Araqiel! I can explain.”

Kat shook her head from side to side. “Nothing you can say will change my mind.”

“But I have Cormac Quinn imprisoned as we speak. He will pay for allowing you to leave his house!” Celestria shrieked. “We pledged an oath! I aided him with his Sexflex experiments and, once completed, he was to give you back to me! You’ll return to where you belong in the Fae Realm. I forbid you to remain in a mortal realm!”

Kat stepped closer to the queen, her head held high. “I would die first. If you want me to return to your realm, you’ll have to kill me first!”

The queen appeared distressed, her brow wrinkled, and it looked like she had tears in her eyes as well. For a moment, I thought she would relent, but I should have known the bitter, evil queen better.

“If you so desire…” Celestria whispered, her words echoing on repeat.

Once those chilling words faded, I heard the cry of Lucas, Viona, Tiana, and Fiona, all screaming, “NO!”

Fiona sprinted toward Kat and the queen, busting through the enclosure of light. Her body swelled with a peculiar glimmer. Fiona’s body seemed to ignite, engulfed in flames that radiated scorching heat. Our mated bond intensified the sensation, causing me to feel the blistering inferno emanating from her skin. As she moved further into the circle, I watched her change. Even without wings, her body altered and mutated into the celestial form of a fae—a fairy princess. The sight was awe-inspiring and sucked the breath from my lungs.

She jumped in front of Kat as Queen Celestria lifted her arms, whispering what sounded like jumbled words. Fiona spun around and created a bouncing circle of orange light to shield her cousin and best friend as flames of fire danced around Celestria.

However, as the hot wind brushed against my skin, I feared that the flickering protective circle wasn’t enough to save them. The resounding sound of Celestria’s words in the distance only heightened my apprehension, while the smell of smoke and fear mingled in the air. At that moment, I realized with a heavy heart that they would both perish at the merciless hands of the malevolent queen.

In horror, I watched my luna’s exquisite face, weighed down with fear and bravery, as Celestria’s wrath crashed in a halo of blinding light around Fiona and Kat.

I lunged toward the light and an ethereal figure appeared, dragging Celestria’s hand aside and diverting the beam away from Fiona and Kat. A bolt of electric silvery light crashed into the surface of the beam, causing it to shatter into tiny fragments, protecting the wingless fairies.

Fiona! I roared in my head.

Together, Lucas and I shifted and bolted toward the blinding glare. Kat’s body plummeted toward the earth, a scene of chaos unfolding. In a swift motion, Lucas morphed back and enveloped her fragile frame, his arms offering solace amidst the turmoil. He checked for signs of life and pressed Kat against his chest.

I rushed toward Fiona, shielding her with my body as shards of light exploded in all directions. The dazzling fragments danced and shimmered, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that filled the air. Like a symphony of tinkling chimes, the sound of their splintering reverberated through the space. A whiff of fire hung in the atmosphere, electrifying the moment. I could feel the warmth of Fiona’s body against mine, a comforting presence in the turmoil. All around us, screams and footfalls sounded as my head raised to see who had intruded on the queen’s wrath.

Fiona and I gaped at the enchanting fairy, her dark obsidian hair cascading like a midnight waterfall. As she stood in front of the queen, her piercing golden eyes held an otherworldly allure. Her face, a breathtaking masterpiece, exuded an ethereal beauty.

She turned, her gaze fixated on Fiona. At that moment, the emotion in her expression spoke volumes, conveying a profound understanding that resonated between us.

“Mother!” Fiona cried, fat tears dripping down her face.

“Run,” she yelled. “I love you, Fiona, Princess of Fire, and proper heir to the fae throne.”

The majestic fairy turned to the queen, narrowing her eyes. “Celestria, you killed our brother and made a vow with Cormac Quinn, helping him kidnap me to take my place as the Queen of Fae! You gave away your own daughter for a throne. You are despicable and a fraud.” Amerlina’s hands ignited in red light as she flew toward the imposter queen. She threw out her hands and a glittering purple cyclone engulfed Celestria, as a piercing scream wafted through the air.

Viona yelled, “We have to get out of here!”

She grabbed Kat’s face and inserted something between her trembling lips. A thick, pink liquid stained the princess’s mouth. Viona stared at her in desperation. “Find your powers, Kat. You must help Tiana get us out of here.”

Kat nodded and grabbed Viona’s hand. They locked eyes, and Kat stood up, surprising everyone. Her body transformed, glowing bronze as her eyes turned a saffron copper. Tiana then produced shadows all around us while Kat lifted her hands and spun around, making me dizzy. I watched as Kat connected Tiana’s shadows, covering the entire compound. It created a safety net, surrounding all the Creatures of Primordial.

Fiona turned to her mother before the twilight engulfed us, and I sensed her anguish and worry, as the women exchanged a bittersweet smile.

I glanced at my brother, feeling Rian’s fear and hearing the name Kyra flashing through his mind like a gutted cry. Seconds later, everything collapsed, fading away and ejecting us all from this place.

We plunged into the black abyss before landing on the cold snowy earth, and I glanced around, looking for the others. I noticed Tiana was missing among all the bodies scattered on the frozen ground and realized she must be back in her quaint, hidden cottage. The Creatures of Primordial all sat stunned with a look of panic as Fiona clung to me, trembling.

I held her and peeked at my brother, whose expression mirrored my concern. Kat then collapsed, and Lucas enveloped her as the shadows vanished. Viona ascended above all the fallen. Her hands, erected with magical energy, passed above her head and launched a beam of light, consuming us all.

She crashed to the ground, drained, and her sister witch’s rushed to her aid, while all around us the world filled with a whispered chanting sound. Viona, her body weakened to the brink, summoned her last reserves of energy to present her final gift before she exhausted her last ounce of strength.

“What did she do?” Rian crawled toward Fiona and me. “That damn witch! First, she ruined our only hope of getting Kyra back and now look at her.” He sat next to us, covering his exposed private area and pointing toward Viona, lying unconscious on the cold, hard ground. “Stupid, stupid lass. She better not die on me! Not before I tell her what I think about her ridiculous fire and ice spells she used during the battle.”

“Rian, shut up,” Fiona barked, startling me, and I watched Rian’s eyes widen.

“Jaysus, Rian! She saved Fiona’s life and risked her own trying to rescue Kyra, you unappreciative bastard!” I shook my head, disgusted with his attitude.

Fiona handed us some clothes, which I kept in a backpack that she managed to not lose.

“Thanks,” Rian said, staring at the ground, properly ashamed.

I dressed, looked around, and noticed with relief the enemy had not followed us. For now, we were saved from Quinn, Celestria, the fairy goblins, and hunters.

Though we found ourselves injured and traumatized, hundreds of miles from home, and without Kyra, I took Fiona in my arms and cradled her to ward off the cold.

“I love you, Luna O’Connell, Princess of Fire. And for now, we are safe.”