His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance
1: Girl's Night Out

Fiona

A mysterious figure materialized, catching my eye and that of my best friend, Katrina. His voice, smooth as velvet, cut through the noise of the nightclub, drawing admiring gazes from women as far as the eye could reach. They resembled ravenous felines, their inebriated and carefree state making them ready to pounce on their prey.

The man was desirable. I couldn’t deny it. His chocolate hair, golden eyes, and caramel skin, combined with a manly scent, were attributes worthy of a dream. However, I had learned from past mistakes to avoid getting involved when a man seemed too perfect.

While Mr. Sexy chatted with Katrina, I did my best to ignore him. This guy was far too charming, and I promised myself that in the future, I would only settle for attractive if it came with a side of intelligence. The guy must have a brain to carry an adult conversation and be trustworthy. My track record was rubbish regarding men, and he was the last thing I needed while nursing a broken heart in a raucous nightclub. And one-night stands were not my cup of tea.

Kat can have him. She wouldn’t find my thoughts amusing, but he seemed perfect for her. She went through men—hot ones—like I did underwear. I scolded myself for feeling that way, but... it was true. Kat acted just like a guy. She could make “love ’em and leave ’em” her motto. Damn, I need a drink… I caught the barkeep’s eye, raised my chin, and requested another tequila shot.

After downing the liquor, a shudder wracked my body. While biting into the lime, I wondered why people consumed something so foul-tasting. I grimaced, shaking my head. That’s when I saw Mr. Sexy offer something to Katrina... something I guessed was a pill. I tried to warn her but the mixture of tequila, lime, and surprise resulted in me yelling a strangled, “Yuck. Kat, no!”

But I was too late.

“Oh, don’t be such a fusspot,” Kat said, looking at the stranger with a ‘come hither’ gleam in her eyes.

“Yeah,” he said and winked. “You should live a little.” He held out his hand, where I saw several tiny pills resting in his palm. I couldn’t help but stare at his golden, smooth forearm.

Focus Fiona. “What are they?” I pushed my long raven-colored hair over my shoulder. The ends tickled my mid-back, right above the V of my little black dress.

He chuckled and licked his perfect lips. “Just a little craic to amp up the night. They’re harmless, I promise.” The arrogant sod winked at me.

Kat giggled and sided up closer to him. “Come on, Fiona! Do it. You deserve some fun after what—”

“Don’t you dare say his name,” I shouted and noticed several people staring at me.

Katrina held up her palms. “Okay, okay. Fair play.” Katrina, or Kat to most, was my best friend even though we were like night and day. Yet, don’t they claim opposites attract? Until she was fifteen, we were neighbors with a close connection, but a plane crash claimed her parents forever altering her world. Following that, my father embraced her as part of our family, and we formed a sisterly bond. I couldn’t help but worry about her.

The stranger beamed at me, lifting his chin. “Come on, gorgeous. Let’s party. Just pop this into your mouth. You’ll never want to party without one again.” He held his palm out to me, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

I felt a weird sensation, like a knot of anxiety forming in my gut. Funny enough, it did wonders for my eyesight. The rose-colored glasses fell from my eyes, exposing his true nature. His impenetrable gold-colored orbs held the answer all along. I didn’t trust him. Suddenly, Mr. Sexy wasn’t so sexy anymore.

As I glared at Kat, trying to give her the look—girl code for danger—she just giggled, her eyes looking glazed over. I prayed whatever she took wouldn’t hurt her. “Nah, I’m good.” I shook my head, giving him a tight smile.

“Your loss.” He shrugged, turning to Kat. “Don’t be shy, beautiful...” He placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding Kat toward the dance floor. “Let’s leave Debbie Downer at the bar and go dance.”

I sighed, rolling my eyes, and watched as he led Kat into the throng of drunken dancers. Somehow, I’d have to monitor her.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

I turned and stared at yet another gorgeous man. Bloody Brilliant. They are out in droves tonight. If I wanted to hook up, there wouldn’t be a good-looking guy in sight. However, this man exuded an undeniable uniqueness. His jet-black hair mirrored mine, and his eyes shimmered with a peculiar shade of green, or perhaps a subtle gray. The dimly lit club made it hard to tell. I glanced away before getting lost in his gaze.

I wanted to take him up on his offer but remained firm. With a polite smile, I said, “That’s very kind, but I’m driving.”

“Oh, I see…” The corner of his mouth lifted in a coy grin.

I shouldn’t have wasted my time worrying about his wounded pride. You could almost smell his confidence—it oozed from his pores. “You know… the designated driver and all that.” I shrugged, taking in his lean, muscular form, casual yet sophisticated attire, and almost folded. I had a weakness for straight men with a keen eye for fashion. But I held my ground.

He laughed. His deep baritone voice caused my flesh to pebble. Damn this man!

“Is that why you’ve been throwing back tequila shots? So you can safely drive your friend home?” He raised his brows and grinned, pointing at my empty shot glass.

“W-Well… I-I... You see… I’m—”

He winked. “I’m teasing. You’re probably in a better state to drive than your friend.” He gestured toward the dance floor where Kat had followed Mr. Not So Sexy Anymore.

I sighed. Damn, busted! “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I was kidding about throwing back shots. But… you were sensible by not taking what that guy was offering,” he said, losing his smile.

“You saw that?” I asked with widened eyes. Was he stalking me, or perhaps just observant?

“I did.” He nodded. “It wasn’t like the guy was being cautious. I’d wager quite a few people saw him offering you and your friend a handful of his happy pills. It’s par for the course nowadays, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Quite the contrary…”

So, he’s not a stalker, but something much worse. He’s handsome and intelligent. Attractiveness with a brain was what I wanted in a man, but it was too soon. “Do you know what those pills were?” I held my breath.

“Yeah, a nasty little drug called Sexflex.” His lips curled in a snarl, as if the word was filthy.

While the name didn’t surprise me, I’d never heard of it before. “Is it dangerous? I mean, will my friend be all right?” I stared over my shoulder, looking for Kat among the throng of drunken dancers.

“That depends.” He lifted a shoulder. “She’ll be okay if you get her away from the creep who gave her that shite and keep her from taking any more.”

“Right.” I gave a decisive nod. “I’m going to find Kat and take her home. Thanks for the offer of a drink. Maybe some other time… and I’m Fiona, by the way.” I held out my hand.

He took my fingers in his large, warm hand and a flush crept over my chest, rising to my neck and cheeks.

“Charmed to meet you, Fiona,” he said, his hand still wrapped around mine. “I’m Rowan. Don’t forget, I’m counting on that rain check.”

“Well, thanks for everything, Rowan. I better dash. You know… drugged and drunk friend.” I smiled and held his gaze a bit too long. Another time, perhaps, I thought.

“No problem. Just be careful.” He left me staring after him. I turned and made my way toward the dance floor, searching for Kat. As I pushed my way through the swarm of sweaty bodies, I searched for a blonde in a short pink dress. People pushed, cursed, and almost knocked me on my ass multiple times before I spotted a glimpse of hot pink.

As I stood on my tiptoes, my eyes locked onto her figure in the distance.

I fought the crowd again, keeping my eyes focused on the spot. She disappeared down a hallway with the stranger at the back of the club. Perhaps they are going to the loo. I rushed down the empty hall and saw the doors to the jacks. “Aha!”

I didn’t see her shady companion in the hallway and assumed he was using the gents. I opened the ladies' door yelling, “Kitty Kat… Are you here?” Silence met me. I used my palm, slapping all seven stalls open. Nobody.

Where was she? Overwhelmed by a sense of dread, I left the lavatory and my eyes landed on a silver service door. What could have compelled her to exit through the back door with a stranger? The door was heavy, so I put some hip into it and a blast of cold winter wind hit me. With the door open, I spotted Kat and the stranger in an embrace.

“Kat, what the hell?” I screamed. The guy turned toward me, and I recoiled in shock as the wind whipped through my bare legs.

He had Kat pushed up against a brick wall, and she appeared unconscious. The stranger grinned at me, a smile that was the epitome of ‘wicked’. Blood covered his face, and I swore he had fangs. It crossed my mind that the bastard might have laced my drink. This can’t be real. I fought the temptation to flee and charged at him. “Get away from her. What in the hell are you doing to her?”

He let go of Kat, and I watched her crumple to the cold, wet concrete. I shoved him, trying to reach Kat, but he was stronger than me. He gripped my hair, causing a sharp pain to shoot through my scalp. With his other arm, he tugged me closer to him. To break free, I pushed against his solid chest, but my efforts were futile. Panic surged through me as I noticed his intense gaze fixated on my exposed neck. To protect myself, I covered my vulnerable throat with trembling hands. The realization dawned upon me that his strength would soon overpower me.

Amidst the chaos, I tried to recall every detail I had ever read about vampires. Though it seemed absurd, there was no other plausible explanation for his inhuman abilities and sinister presence. Up close and personal, I could see his bloody fangs, and I stomped on his foot and tried to knee him in the balls. He was holding me too tight to do any damage, but I continued to fight like a wildcat. I reached up to claw his face without making a purchase.

The next thing I knew, the monster hit the ground and warm arms engulfed me. “Are you okay, Fiona?” I turned in relief at the sound of Rowan’s voice.

My respite was brief as I heard a growl from the ground where the creature stirred. Bloody hell!

“Go check on your friend. I’ll deal with this guy.” Rowan’s hands held my shoulders as he peered into my enlarged eyes. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He shook me. “Go now, lass!”

As told, I rushed to Kat. I couldn’t meet her eyes, my attention fixated on her neck, sending waves of unease through me. How could this happen? The whole thing was like something out of a horror movie. Blood streamed from two puncture wounds on the side of her neck and she was crying. “It’s okay, Kitty Kat,” I whispered, holding her close. “I’ve got you now and everything is fine. You’re safe, love.” I prayed it wasn’t a lie.

“Help me,” she whimpered, and I cradled her head in the crook of my arm. I now had a ring-side seat to the gruesome fight between Rowan and the sharp-fanged monster, who landed a punch to his pretty jaw. I wanted to run for help, but I couldn’t leave Kat like this.

At that moment, the door opened, and I heard music drift from inside the club. It seemed ironic that while everyone was having a grand time inside; we were fighting for our lives. I did a double take of the man who emerged. He was the spitting image of Rowan.

“Rian, I could use some help!” Rowan yelled at the newcomer.

I shook my head, peering closer. He had the same dark onyx hair and build. The similarity between them was so striking that I could almost swear they were the same person, if not for their distinct clothing styles. It was obvious they were twins or brothers, but at that moment, I didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was he was helping Rowan fight off this modern-day Dracula.

As Rowan and Rian struggled against the creature, Dracula 2.0 transformed right in front of me. His eyes, like twin orbs of ebony, pierced through the darkness. The sight of his bloody lips, adorned with vicious fangs, sent a shiver like spiders down my spine. And as he extended his hands, I saw they had morphed into deadly claws. I couldn’t watch it anymore. While clinging to Kat, I closed my eyes, took deep breaths, and prayed.

Lord, please don’t let us die.

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