His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance

Fiona

Although I still felt exhausted, I woke up several times before sunrise. It felt like I was living in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Every time I woke, I reached over to see if Kat was breathing. While relieved she was alive, I wondered when she would wake up. I was alone and scared and needed her. Dammit, Kat! “Wake up so we can figure this out together like we always do.” With a feral groan, I punched the pillow and willed her to come out of the drug-induced fog.

As I lay there in the dark, I kept going over everything that had transpired and I had questions. In the morning, things were going to change when I saw Rowan again. He demanded explanations from me, but now it was my turn. Why did his skin burn from the silver? And why was he so worried about Wolfsbane? Rowan insisted my father hunted and killed creatures of the night, but why would he care?

I sat up in bed and whispered, “Oh shit!” A snippet of conversation stood out in my mind when I had asked if they were vampires and Rian denied it. It made sense, I suppose. Would they have still fought the guy at the club if they were vampires? Did all vampires get along? I didn’t have the answers, but crazy as it sounded, I feared Rowan and his family were not human.

The idea was laughable, and never in a million years would I believe something so absurd until now. After last night, I saw with my own eyes that other creatures besides humans exist. I saw an actual vampire, I thought and swallowed hard. My mouth was dry, and I was desperate for water, but I refused to drink bathroom water, nor did I relish the idea of waking anyone yet. I wasn’t sure how to face these people or things—whatever they were. They could be dangerous and I was terrified.

I scrambled off the bed and padded to the bathroom to relieve myself. As I stood in the darkened room, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. When I opened them, I could make out my surroundings better. After using the facilities, I washed my hands and splashed cool water on my face, and that’s when I remembered my purse. Where was it? I raced from the room, my gaze landing on the clothes Kyra had brought, remembering I left my purse on the bed.

Where’s the damn light switch? “Aha,” I whispered while creeping to the door in case Rowan was on the other side. My finger flipped the switch to the left of the door, and I stood still for a moment and listened for any sounds. After hearing nothing, I walked around the large room searching for my bag, to no avail. I even checked under the bed and realized the bastard had it along with my cell phone! I was furious, scared, hungry, and parched.

Anger always gave me courage, and I grabbed the clothes, picking out a pair of joggers and a Janis Joplin t-shirt. At least the kid has good taste in music, I thought with a smile. Janis Joplin was one of my all-time favorite female singers, and I felt this was a good sign. It might sound silly, but I believed in things like fate and signs. However, I needed to wipe the grin off my face, stop singing ‘Bobby McGee’ in my head and return to being bloody pissed off. If not, I’d lose my courage.

Once dressed and concentrating on being held captive by a stranger who may or may not be a supernatural creature, I rapped my knuckles on the door, and stood with my hand on my hip, waiting. When nothing happened, I pounded on the wood using my fist.

Bingo!

I pressed my ear to the door and listened as the footsteps sounded closer and closer on the tile and jumped back just in time. The sound of the door knob turning had my heart racing, and I was prepared to fight for some answers.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Rowan said, straight-faced through clenched teeth and with a sarcastic-looking smile. He reminded me of the Big Bad Wolf from Little Red Riding Hood.

I shivered.

“My father is not a murderer!” I cursed myself. Dammit, Fiona! It was not what I planned on saying.

Rowan stood with his hands on his hips, looking bored. “So you’ve told me several times now.” He looked over at the bed and back at me. “How’s your friend?”

“The same. When will Kat wake up?”

“It’s still early. She’s sleeping it off. Now, we have some business to take care of, lass. Come with me.” Rowan turned and strode off, leaving me open-mouthed.

“The bloody cheek of this man,” I said loud enough for him to hear. I didn’t get a response, which made my blood boil. “Are you taking the piss outta me?” I ran to catch up with him. This guy had to be joking. I was famished and beyond thirsty.

When he halted and turned around, we collided, and he jumped away from me like I’d burned him. “No, I’m not taking the piss. You want to go home, right?”

“Yes, but where are your manners?” I stood with my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes at him. “Not only am I starving, but I have had nothing to drink since tequila last night!” I said with my voice raised.

“This isn’t a bed-and-breakfast, princess,” he growled in a whisper.

“Why are you whispering? Afraid you’ll wake up one of your siblings, and they find you denying me basic human needs?” My brows rose to my hairline as I waited for his response.

“I couldn't care less what my siblings think. The boss here is me, and the quicker you realize I’m in charge, the better we will get on. Now, follow me to the kitchen.” He marched off in a huff, and I followed.

Another minor victory, but I took it. The war with Rowan was far from over, but I needed sustenance and caffeine to spar with him.

Rowan led me to a grand kitchen smelling of roasted coffee, eggs, and sausage, and my mouth watered as I took in my surroundings. The room was large and homey, with light filling the room from the sun beaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking up an entire wall. It was a lovely room, and I had a thing for a fancy kitchen.

“Make yourself at home,” Rowan said, holding a hand out to show a spread of food covered with silver lids on a long counter. “Coffee or tea is over there.” He pointed to a Keurig and tea kettle beside the range. “There’s cream, sugar, and anything else you could want for your beverage and bottled waters in the fridge. Take care of your basic human needs, and I’ll be back soon.” He glared at me and left.

“Thank you,” I said with a sneer, rolling my eyes at his retreating form. “Take care of your basic human needs,” I mocked him with disgust before I did just that.

I shoved the last bit of eggs into my mouth, and devoured the coffee loaded with sweetener and cream, let out an audible groan, and stretched. Rolling my neck from side to side, I closed my eyes and did my shoulders, too. It felt wonderful to ease out the kinks, and a full belly helped restore me. I opened my eyes and screamed.

“Blimey! You scared me.”

Rowan was leaning against the counter, staring at me. He licked his lips, and for a second, I forgot I hated him. My mind took me to a place it had no business going.

“I’m just waiting for Rian so we can conclude our business.” His words were like a bucket of ice poured over my head, bringing me crashing back to reality.

“Fine, but while we wait, I have a few questions for you.” I stood and ambled to the other end of the counter and leaned against it for support. “What are you?” I was nervous but also curious to hear his answer and waited with narrowed eyes and bated breath.

“What I am is of no consequence. Your whole life is a lie with a father you don’t know, and your first question is asking me if I’m human or not. That’s rather sad, Fiona, and I almost pity you.”

The nerve of this bastard! “Don’t deflect, Rowan. I know my father, and you don’t.”

“Let’s see…” He stroked his chin like he was pondering something important. “Mid to late fifties, light reddish hair, receding hairline, red and gray beard, green eyes, rather short, and a septagram known as a fairy star tattoo on his forearm…”

My mouth dropped open as I listened to his perfect description. “Okay! So what? Anyone could google him and know all that.” I crossed my arms and silently cursed as my heart hammered in my ears. Damn, Damn, Damn! Could it all be true? No! No way. But how does he know about the star tattoo?

“We didn’t have to google him, pet,” Rian said, stepping into the kitchen. “I’m so sorry. I am, but we know because we have met him. He’s tried to kill us a few times.”

“Four times,” Rowan added, glaring at me.

“But it can’t be true,” I cried, gripping the counter. “Wait! If he tried to kill you…”

“There is no ‘if’, Fiona. Your father tried to kill us,” Rowan growled. “And the evil bastard will continue trying until—”

“Enough, Rowan,” Rian yelled with sharpness, causing me to flinch. “Give the lass some time to work it out for herself.”

The brothers standing side by side were blurry and distorted as tears clouded my eyes. “If he tried to kill you,” I choked out again, “that means you’re… you’re—”

“Werewolves,” Rian answered.

“Were… wolves…” I swallowed hard and wrapped my arms around my body. I might really be in the twilight zone. I stumbled toward the closest chair and sat, shaking all over.