Chapter 14: 14: Sibling Rivalry and Spiteful Witches

Rowan

“I knew something was wrong! You have been acting so strange around Fiona, and now it all makes sense.” Rian slapped his forehead.

“And just how would you act? Huh, little brother?” I arched a brow and gritted my teeth. It wouldn’t do any good to be upset, so I tried to relax. Yet, how Rian stared at me, studying my face, was unnerving. It was uncanny how skilled he was at deducing how others felt. Rian’s empathic nature and heightened werewolf instincts gave him an almost telepathic ability to feel and interpret others’ emotions.

I was a believer in fate, while others were not. And I’ve always thought ‘fate’ was why I was born first. Rian was strong, loyal, and capable, but far too sentimental to be an alpha wolf. However, he would disagree with my theory and opinion.

“I would have marked her as mine! That’s what I would have done.” Rian scowled at me, and I saw a muscle in his jaw clench as he folded his arms across his broad chest, nostrils flaring.

I laughed without mirth and stomped to my desk, and sat down hard. “Yeah, mate, I know. You would have marked her without a thought or care. But that’s the difference between us. Isn’t it? I can’t mark her as mine, you bloody eejit!”

He advanced toward my desk and slammed his hands down, jarring the photo frames and my mug. “That’s right, big bro! You can’t mark her, your own bloody mate! The woman fate has chosen for you. Why? One might wonder…” He was leaning down at eye level with me, and his face contorted in pure fury. “Because you are the Big Bad Wolf... Alpha O’Connell!”

It was getting harder to control my temper, but I tried. “Listen, Rian...” I raked a restless hand through my hair and sighed. “She’s part human, for feck’s sake! And her father is a notorious hunter and mad scientist, causing us all so much grief right now. I feel in my bones he was involved with Sexflex! Hell, I’d bet good money he created it. Also, let’s not forget all of our missing pack members, either.” I gave him a sidelong glance and observed his breathing calm. “We got some of them back, but still many are missing. He’s responsible for most of them, and you want me to take his daughter as my luna!” I shook my head and glowered back at him, feeling spent.

Did he think this was easy for me? I had longed for my mate, hoping to find her for many years. An alpha was nothing without their luna. It was like living without a limb. Rejecting her would be hell. Lady Fate had dealt me a bad hand, indeed—so much for my loyalty to her.

For werewolves or shifters, our fated mate was the core of our existence, and they defined us. You could have all the lovers you wanted, but your destined partner was your missing half. The other part that strengthens you, making you whole. Even without marking her as mine, Fiona was bound to me since I found her—created for me and I for her. Destiny bonded us to one another, linked forever... until death.

“What a proper load of shite, mate!” Rian shook his head, taking a seat in front of me. Perhaps he felt deflated now, too.

“Don’t you understand how dangerous and complex this is?” I asked, my tone subdued and careful. Rian seemed calmer, and we both needed clear heads for this discussion. “Regardless of your feelings on the matter, you know to keep this to yourself, right?”

“Aye.” He crossed one leg over his knee, nodding. “You have my word, Rowan.” It was enough for me because Rian was keen on loyalty, regardless of our squabbles. We were brothers, a mere twenty months apart, with disagreements, even physical fights, as all siblings do. But when it involved our pack, I trusted him with my life.

“If the others were to know that Cormac Quinn’s daughter is my mate, and she’s not only human but part fairy...” I lifted my brows and stared at Rowan, leaving the obvious unsaid.

“It will cause unrest within the clan,” Rian ventured, his face falling.

“Unrest is putting it mildly, but if I leave her unmarked, we will be safe from the repercussions. You understand that I have to put the pack first, right?”

As long as I remain focused, controlling my need for her... it would be a moot point. Yet I knew it would be a difficult struggle. I would have to send her and Kat away as soon as possible, but I would still feel Fiona’s presence, even from afar. And I would yearn for her at every turn, but it was the only way. After many sleepless nights, I couldn’t find any other solution.

Fiona and her father were clueless and would remain that way. It was hard enough for wolves to recognize, let alone humans. Unless I marked her, Fiona’s emotional connection and attachment to me would not go any further. We never knew when fate connected us, but we realized finding our mate would end our suffering. However, my anguish would continue, but as long as we buried this secret, no one else would ever know.

“Yes, and I’m so sorry, Rowan.” Rian glanced at me before averting his eyes, staring toward the window. “I wish there was a way...”

“There’s not, and taking her as my luna would endanger us all.”

“I admire your responsibility to us, but having her by your side would make you an even better Alpha, and you know it,” he retorted with heat, his gaze back on mine.

“Yes, I know, but you forget I’m the new Alpha O’Connell and the risk is too great. The council hasn’t even sworn me in yet, for God’s sake.”

When my father died, the Alpha title passed to me after his last breath. However, it wasn’t official from the council, nor would there be a coronation while everything was on hold. Since the increase of missing pack members, the unusual amount of hunter attacks, and the new Sexflex epidemic, we had been at a standstill for almost a year.

I’d have to live a life filled with resentment and regret, giving up my luna, but being Alpha O’Connell was my birthright—and Fiona, my fated mate. Honor and duty took precedence over my happiness.

“True,” Rian ventured as a knock sounded on the door before he could say anymore.

It was Kyra and Maeve, the healer. I had sent my sister to assist her since my mother was still in London. Maeve bowed her head. “My lord.”

“How are the wounded fairing?” I asked, hoping for some good news.

She shook her head. “Physically they are improving daily, but emotionally... Well, it’s going to take some time.” Maeve blew out a long sigh. “You can’t imagine what that bastard has done to them! Please, excuse my language, my lord.” Her withered face colored, and she stared at the floor.

“Maeve, he is a bastard, and you are free to speak your mind in front of me.” I gave her a tight smile, trying to control my twitching lips. While I found nothing amusing concerning Quinn’s evil deeds, watching Maeve, who had tended to me as a lad, trying to control her tongue, was quite comical.

“They are all shattered inside from what that lunatic has done to them. When I think of those innocent children… the wee bairns...” Maeve choked up. “And what they’ve been through, it sickens me.” She shook her head, appearing to hold back tears.

“Please let their families know we will provide the best support money can buy,” I assured her. “And thank you, Maeve, for all you have done.”

“You’re welcome, my lord. It is my pleasure. And Kyra has been an enormous help to me. She deserves your gratitude, as well. Such a fine, young lass...” Maeve turned to Kyra and winked.

Kyra smiled with a blush staining her cheeks. “Speaking of providing support...” She seemed to falter, glancing at Maeve, who nodded for her to continue. “Well, Maeve and I agree we should contact the witches for help.” I watched her swallow hard and knew she feared my response.

But my brother beat me to it. “Why in the hell would we call on those spiteful creatures? They are selfish, crazy women!” He cringed and looked at me, shaking his head.

I wasn’t fond of witches, either. They were cunning and conceited individuals, but had immense power and effective spells.

“We need their magic to heal the wounds on the inside,” Maeve said as she tapped the side of her head. “I fear the young may never be the same after what Cormac Quinn has subjected them to. The cruelty they suffered is unimaginable.” The healer looked at the floor, wringing her hands.

As I listened to Maeve and watched tears well up in Kyra’s eyes, it filled me with an intense rage. My hatred for Quinn grew by leaps and bounds and reiterated my resolve to stay away from Fiona. Even though she was nothing like Quinn and held no responsibility for her father’s crimes, my pack wouldn’t see it that way.

“I’m sure you’re right, Maeve, but let’s run it past the council first.” I smiled, hoping to put her at ease.

“They have already agreed and think it’s our best option,” Kyra announced with a mischievous smile. “But they are leaving it up to you. As Alpha, you have the last word.”

Rian rolled his eyes, and I wasn’t sure if he was upset about asking the witches for a favor or the council recognizing me as Alpha. “Well then… I have the perfect witch in mind, and I’ll see if I can get in touch with her,” I said with a smile while Rian continued to sulk and grimace.

“Thank you, Alpha. I’m happy to hear this news. I will leave and return to the sick and share this information with them and their families.” She turned with a smile for Kara and hugged her. “Now, you get some rest, lass. You can come back tomorrow.” The older healer bowed and left with a skip in her step.

Before we could discuss anything else, I heard a soft knock, and I yelled, “Enter.”

Fiona opened the door, peeking her head inside and looking nervous. “May I come in?”

Kyra squealed. “Yes! Come in. I just returned and hoped you and Kat would watch a movie with me.” My sister held her hands out as Fiona approached with a shy grin, avoiding my gaze.

When I was this close to her, my inner animal became restless. I felt Rian’s gaze and frowned at him, shaking my head. This was hard enough without him pressuring me.

“We would be glad to,” Fiona responded, squeezing my sister’s outstretched hands. “I just came in to see what everyone was doing and to remind your brother that he owes me a file of information and photos.” She peered at me over Kyra’s head with a pointed expression. “Oh, and Cormac called. He found my note and was checking in on me and Kat.”

“He called? When? Why didn’t you tell me? What did he say?” I asked in a rush, feeling my heart speed up.

“Woah. Slow down, Tiger.” Fiona held up her palm.

“That’s Alpha Wolf, to you, love,” my brother informed her with a wink and cheeky grin I wanted to wipe from his face with my boot. The absolute nerve of Rian was astonishing. I had only just told him that Fiona was my mate! That I couldn’t claim her made it that much worse.

Fiona chuckled, and my annoyance rose. “Well, I’ll tell the Alpha Wolf everything my father said as soon as he hands over the folders.” She turned from smiling at Rian and glowered at me, hands on hips.

“About that…” I said, squirming in my chair. “I want to go through them with you first. If that’s okay.”

She nodded, and her face softened. “Fair play.” Her answer was quick and unexpected, catching me off guard. “But when will that be?” Fiona folded her arms and arched one perfect, dark brow.

“Soon, lass. But right now, Rian and I have to summon a witch.” It was hard not to chuckle, watching her expression as it changed. She looked irresistible with her mouth open and her eyes wide as plates.

“Uh-huh...” Fiona uttered with a quick shake of her head from shock. I had to remind myself this was all strange territory to her. While Fiona stood there looking stunned but curious, I suppressed the laugh bubbling up from my chest.