Chapter 13: 13: An Alpha's Bond and Confession

Rowan

We backed out of the room, giving my brother and Kat privacy to continue what they were doing or get dressed. I didn’t care to think about it very much. In one way, I was relieved, thinking perhaps Rian would stop lusting over Fiona. Even though I could never mark her as mine, I wouldn’t stand by as my brother tried to woo her. But this recent development would produce more problems since neither of us couldn’t afford to be involved with Fiona or Kat—for obvious reasons and then some.

“Well, now that I know where she is,” Fiona said, shaking her head, “I’m sorry I got so worked up and should have foreseen something like this. Kat has a...” She looked at me with blush-stained cheeks, searching for the words and tapping her chin. “Let’s just call it an enormous appetite for the opposite sex.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for, Fiona. After everything you have been through in the last few days, especially yesterday... I don’t blame you for not wanting to be alone.” I smiled, hoping to put her at ease, and tried in vain to tear my eyes from her. She stood against the wall in the shadowy hallway, looking so beautiful it should have been a sin. Her tousled, long, wavy hair matched the straps of her black tank top, and the tiny sleep shorts she wore showed off her toned legs to perfection.

She smiled back, but narrowed her eyes at me. “Why are you being so kind when I was just getting used to your abuse?” Fiona folded her arms under her chest, and my eyes drifted to her breasts.

She cleared her throat, dropped her arms, and frowned. Oh, she had busted me big time! “Listen, I now know you had nothing to do with things concerning your father, nor do you condone his actions. Plus, you are making it harder and harder to be nasty to you.” I watched her eyes widen and felt our connection growing with intensity, our bond allowing me to read her thoughts. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

“I thought you enjoyed being nasty to me?” Fiona studied me, her round, suspicious eyes piercing my soul, causing my pulse to quicken.

“No, I hated it,” I confessed, shaking my head. “But it was for the best. Trust me on that, but you make it so bloody difficult.” Her confusion was my undoing as she cocked her head to the side, and I focused on the curve of her neck, my inner wolf begging me to mark her as mine. I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat. This wee lass had me tied in knots.

“Why was it for the best?” she asked. “You seemed to like me the night we met in the club...”

“If you only knew...” I raked a hand through my hair in frustration.

“Tell me then.” She pushed off the wall, standing far too close, her scent surrounding me, and placed her hands on her lush hips.

“You’re a human or part fairy, lass! And you are driving me mad!” The sadness in her gaze gutted me.

“I’m sorry for being such a pain in the ass.” She dropped her arms to her sides and made a move to flee.

I grabbed her elbow. “Fiona, you are the sweetest and sexiest pain in the ass ever, and that’s the problem.” I groaned in annoyance at my no-win situation.

She jerked free from my grasp. “You aren’t making any sense! And I’m tired of your games, Rowan. I’m going back to bed. Good night.”

“Wait!” I pleaded, holding my palms up. “There’s so much you don’t know or understand, Fiona!”

“Then tell me so I’m not so damned confused!” She stood with defiance, her eyes slit in displeasure, looking exasperated.

“Don’t you feel it? You are my...” I bit my lip to keep from revealing the truth. “I’m weak for you, lass,” I admitted instead. If I told her she was my fated mate after everything she’d been through, I feared she’d have another anxiety attack.

Fiona laughed and pointed at her chest. “You are weak for me... Why?”

“Because I’m attracted to you, but it can never be. As a human, or part fairy, and a hunter’s daughter, you would put my pack and family at risk.” At least that much was true.

“I already know all this,” she scoffed. “Good night, Alpha Wolf.”

Again, Fiona turned to leave, but I took her arm and pulled her flush against my body, slamming my lips over hers as I backed her against the wall. She stiffened beneath the onslaught of my hungry mouth, and I heard the surprise in her intake of breath. I cupped the sides of her face, running my hands down to her neck. She moaned, giving into the kiss, as I graced slow, seductive circles on her delicate skin with my thumb.

Her hands reached around me, fisting the back of my t-shirt, and she no longer fought the mutual desire. Fiona’s full lips opened, allowing me to explore the delights of her tongue as her passion unleashed, matching mine. With her hands now in my hair, pulling my face closer, the kiss turned into something primitive. Our moans of pleasure merged, and the sound alone had me on the verge of something I never imagined in my wildest dreams... teetering right at the edge, ready to fall off.

She pulled her swollen mouth from mine, peppering small kisses along my neck, jaw, and ear. “I feel it now, Rowan,” she whispered in a growl before nipping my ear and drifting back to my neck, raking her teeth across the sensitive skin just below my ear and pursuing her way back to my mouth with her tongue before biting my bottom lip.

With my head thrown back and eyes closed, I surrendered myself to her, my breaths coming quick, my mind, body, and soul aroused like I had never experienced before Fiona. Mark her, you fool. It is your destiny. She is your luna and belongs to you. There’s not a werebitch alive that will complete you as she does. Do it, coward! My inner wolf roared at me, breaking the spell I was under.

With great reluctance, I tore from the intensity of our embrace and stumbled backward, away from the tempting minx, my breathing harsh and labored. Her eyes enlarged as she reached up, touching her red, swollen lips, and her chest rose and fell as a strange expression came over her face that I couldn’t decipher.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I whispered, glancing at her, noticing how enticing she looked with some color back in her face—a glow—from our amorous encounter that made me want to carry her to my bedroom. I stared down at the carpet. “Fecking shit.” I kept my voice low, unsure if she heard me, but Fiona remained speechless with her mouth agape.

“What the hell is going on out here?” Rian stood just outside his door with Kat by his side, gaping at the scene before them—Fiona and I breathing hard and looking disheveled.

“What in the hell were you thinking?” I asked my brother the following morning as we sat in the privacy of my office.

“It’s not like I gave it any thought, Rowan. She threw me all the signs, if you know what I mean...” Rian grinned with a wink.

“Don’t be a cheeky bastard. You know exactly what I mean, bro. These are not the type of women to toy with, and you know why!”

Rian scoffed and leaned forward, placing his palms on his knees. “You're a right one to talk, eh? I caught you toying with Fiona right outside my bedroom door after you bombarded me with your meddlesome interruption last night. So what’s the difference?” He pointed at Rowan. “And don’t you dare give me that ‘I’m the alpha’ line!”

I threw my head back and groaned. “Listen, it was a moment of weakness on my part that resulted in a mere kiss.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t bed her.”

“So what,” Rian ventured. “You are scolding me like a child for having a bit of craic with Kat. She wanted to give it a lash... And was more than willing since she started it.” He wagged his brows before continuing. “And if you haven’t noticed, she’s a Colleen, a right bonny lass...”

“What a load of bollocks! You could have your pick of feckin birds, Rian. But these two are off-limits... to us both. If I can resist Fiona, then—”

“What’s the story there, mate? I’ve never seen you act the way you do around her. One minute you’re a right nasty arse, and then I find you playing it up in the hall!” He raised his brows, grinning. “Not that I blame you, mind. That’s a special bird right there. She’s the woman every man dreams of finding.” He had a faraway look in his eyes, and I took a few deep breaths to calm my inner wolf, who was ready to shift and devour my brother.

It was time for me to come clean and end his unrealistic fantasies about Fiona—my Colleen, my bird, my bonny lass, my luna, and my mate. If I couldn’t have her... he damn sure wouldn’t. I knew he meant every word by the gleam in his eyes and how he spoke. Rian held a torch for Fiona, and I was about to extinguish it.

“You’re right, little brother. Fiona is special, but I’m not referring to your specific notions about her...” I leaned back in my chair, steepling my hands under my chin, trying to gather my thoughts in order. “I’m speaking to you now, not as your elder brother, but as your alpha.” Anytime I reminded Rian of my rank, he hated it, and I kept my eyes focused on the ceiling and sighed before looking at him.

Rian crossed his arms, displaying annoyance, which was at odds with his expression of curiosity. “Go on, Alpha...”

“This is serious, Rian. And I need your word of honor that this conversation goes no further than this office.” I glared at him, and he nodded. It was enough for me. Rian knew when I was being serious, and despite sibling rivalry, I trusted him more than anyone else. “There’s more to this with Fiona... more than her being a human, fairy, or hybrid. It goes beyond her father being an evil hunting bastard, as well.” I stood and walked from behind the desk, raking a hand over my face and pacing the room.

Rian turned around, his gaze following my erratic footsteps. I had his attention, but he gave me the time I needed, remaining silent while I roamed the room. My hands were shaking as I made my way to the minibar to pour a whiskey. “Yes, it’s early, but care to join me?”

“Jaysus, mate. If you’re having a gargle this early, it must be serious. So, stall the ball and pour me one, too.” I peered over my shoulder and saw Rian was now on his feet, pacing as well.

I handed him the glass, and he eyed me with wariness before raising it. “Sláinte, mate.”

I raised mine as well. “Yeah, cheers, bro. We’re gonna need some Irish luck.” We both downed the fiery liquid in one go. “Ahhh,” I said with a grimace as the liquor burned going down before I felt its relaxing effects and knew it was time to unburden myself.

“Well, lay it on me.” Rian’s eyes gaped into mine, inquisitive and apprehensive.

“Fiona is my mate,” I declared, my tone sharp and clipped, leaving my gregarious brother speechless.

Here's a list of some Irish slang terms I used in this chapter:

Sláinte: cheers Craic: A term used to describe a good time Bird/birds: A female Colleen: A term often used to refer to a beautiful/charming woman Having a gargle: To have beer or alcohol Give it a lash: To give it a go or do it Bonny lass: A pretty girl

If I missed some, or you are curious about any slang used in previous chapters, just ask. I'll be glad to let you know. I hope you are enjoying the story so far,

Lady Deanna