Fighting Fate

CHAPTER 9

Fiona stretched out on the table, soaking in the warmth radiating into her muscles. The masseuse had just stepped out and she had the dimly lit room to herself.

The scent of cinnamon clung to her skin and permeated the air. She always chose warming oils, it made her muscles melt and the tension release.

She rolled to her side, keeping her eyes closed, allowing her mind to gradually return to consciousness. Slowly she pushed up, and moved toward the hook where her dress was hanging. Sitting back on the table, she held her phone, fingers hovering over the keyboard. She’d had a long chat with her mom before the massage and now she knew what had to happen.

Kids are at your parents’ for the night. I need to talk to you…

She deleted that last line. It sounded too ominous.

Massage was lovely, thank you. Lets talk. No that wasn’t good either. With a sigh, she paused to gather better words.

Massage was lovely, thank you. Just what I needed. Kids are sleeping over at your parents’. Ready to have you to myself tonight ;)

Satisfied the text didn’t come off as foreboding, she pressed send. Now she just had to call her in-laws to make sure they’d be willing to keep all three tonight. The twins were sure to be jealous Jack had gotten to spend the day with their grandparents, so she didn’t expect any argument from them when she proposed a sleepover. Tapping to her contacts list, she called her mother in law to confirm.

“Hey Joanna, how are you? I’m doin’ ok. Your son treated me to a massage today so that helped.” She waited while Joanna chatted on the other end.

“Well, I’m not surprised! He loves his grandma time. I know the other two will be jealous! Any chance you might be willing to host a sleepover tonight?” She smiled as her mother in law readily agreed.

“No, I can pick them up from camp. I don’t want to make you go out of your way. I’ll drop them off around 4ish?” She could hear Jack reacting to his grandma telling him about the plan. His exuberance made her smile.

“Great, thanks so much Joanna.” Having her in-laws nearby had proven to be a lifesaver on many occasions.

“Yeah it’s just been a long summer, could definitely use a quiet night. We’re both so ready for a getaway next month. Well thanks again, I’ll see you later. Love you too.”

Ending the call, she stood up, left a tip on the side table, and opened the door. Her masseuse was waiting for her in the lobby with a bottle of water.

“Drink up, it’ll help. Would you like to book your next appointment?” She asked politely

“Not right now, thanks. I appreciate you. I left something for you in the room”

“Thank you Mrs. Avery. We’ll see you next time.” she smiled brightly and turned away to get back to work.

Fiona inhaled deeply when she strode outside. Time to figure out how to talk to Nat. She was already nervous about it, but this had gone on long enough.

***

Nat looked down at his phone and opened the text. He smiled and responded.

You’re welcome love. That’s a nice surprise. Send me a pic

The phone pinged again a minute later. The photo attached showed Fiona and the twins in the car, all making goofy faces at the camera. A short chuckle escaped him.

You know what I meant. When you’ve got the house to yourself…

She replied with a GIF of a woman saluting. Nat smirked and returned his eyes to the road. He glanced over at Cameron in the passenger seat next to him and caught Bryce’s eye in the rearview mirror.

“Beta to Beta, what are your first impressions?”

Cam shrugged. “They seem cool. The Irish guy is hilarious.”

“Seems like the Swede is just along for the ride.” Bryce added

“Well, he’s probably just comparing our program to theirs, scouting for ideas and improvements. Einar’s group would be the ones supplying any wolves to Scotland and Ireland. It’s the other two who are really driving the trip. They’ve got the most to gain.” Nat replied.

Bryce nodded in agreement.

“I didn’t get to talk to Drummond much, what did you think of him Nat?”

Nat paused to consider. He’d liked Broc Drummond, but the Scot had given him a few strange sideways looks he couldn’t explain, as if he’d somehow confused the visitor.

“He’s sharp and got a good sense of humor. Not as gregarious as Kieran, but perfectly friendly. I think they could all make some good friends and connections here.”

“Kieran seems eager to find a mate. Says he’s scoured his Island with no luck.” Cameron looked a bit concerned.

Visiting werewolves were kept on a tight leash, they had no mating rights without express permission from leadership. No one would stand in their way if they found their fated, but they were discouraged from dating unless they wanted to officially join one of the packs. There were plenty of humans for casual encounters and frivolous dating. Pack dynamics were different.

Nat grunted in response.

“Well if they get through the interviews and we agree to take them in, we can’t very well keep anyone from finding a mate. I’m sure our young she-wolves will be enamored with all the accents. We’ll have to be very clear on the rules though. It’s bound to be a culture shift for them.”

Bryce piped up from the back.

“I’m sure some of the young men will be fawning too! Honestly, my gut instinct says if any of those three have a fated mate here, they’d be a strong addition. I didn’t get any bad vibes from them. I think it’ll be good to have some foreign perspective.”

“I agree. I’m glad no one set off any red flags.” Cameron looked back at his mate and smiled.

Nat pulled into the parking space of the rental house.

“OK boys, we seem to all be on the same page. So far, I’m hopeful about this. Mac and Heather will be by sometime tomorrow, I’m sure Tom will brief you on that. Let me know if you need anything from me. You’ll have them for about a week and then send them on to the Gardners. You can coordinate with them directly. Unless you need us for anything, McInnes leaders will step back and allow the rest of you the freedom to conduct interviews and get a sense for these boys. Each pack should send a report back to Mac and Heather once you’ve completed your portion of the interview. Make sure you Cc Fiona & me in on that. This will all be in an email as well. I’m sure Fio already has it drafted, might even be waiting in your inbox now.”

“Got it. You need a ride back bud?” Cameron asked

Nat opened the door and tossed the keys over the hood.

“Nah, I’m gonna take the run and go relieve James on patrol. I did forget a bag though, do y’all have one I could borrow?”

“Yeah I’ve got a spare over in the truck. I’ll grab it, you can change down in the basement. The door down there has a button to open it once you’ve shifted.” Bryce called over his shoulder as he crossed to his vehicle.

Nat walked over to the other car, where Tom, Louise, and the 3 visitors were unloading luggage.

“Well gents, this is where I leave you. You’re in good hands, the Alphas and Betas will get you settled in and start introducing you to the area tomorrow. High Alpha and his wife will come by tomorrow to greet you in person. I’m gonna text you all so you’ll have my number in your phones. I’m sure my wife has already provided her contact information. Give us a holler if you need anything, but for now, you’re in the hands of the other packs. They’ll get you where you need to go. It was great meeting you, I’ll see you all when you get back around to the McInnes pack.” Nat held out his hand to each of them and they all shook warmly.

“Thank you very much Nathaniel. We are glad to be here and look forward to meeting everyone.” Einar said smiling.

“It really means a lot, your welcoming us here. I know I can’t wait to get out there with the wolves. Cheers Beta.” Kieran's enthusiasm was obvious and he was already scanning the area, not quite sure where to look first.

“Beta Avery, my thanks as well. I speak on behalf of my whole pack when I say we are so hopeful this can help us get wolves back to Scotland.” Broc's eyes were earnest and serious. His brow still furrowed slightly when he took Nat’s hand, but the look passed in an instant and Nat wasn’t sure it had been there at all.

“Go check out your digs boys and get some rest. I’m sure you’re ready to relax after your travels. Have a great visit and welcome again to Yellowstone.” With a final grin, Nat reached to grab the bacg Bryce handed him, turned, and walked through the basement entrance to the house.

A few moments later, the door beeped open and they saw the large wolf emerge wearing a harness pack. The grey beast turned his head, nodded a final time and took off down the road.

***

It hadn’t been dark long when Fiona heard the car rumbling up the drive.

“I’m home” he linked.

“In the living room.” she replied. She absently ran a hand through her curls.

Nat entered the house quietly, a habit born from years of not wanting to wake sleeping children. She heard him taking off his shoes and padding through the kitchen.

“Hey babe,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her softly

“Hi. I missed you. How was your day?” She wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled him down to the couch.

“Missed you too. Long day. But good. Met the longtimers, got them settled in with the Wilsons. They’re a good crew, I think you’ll like them. How bout you?” He sighed as he slouched down into the soft cushions.

“Good. Quiet. Thanks for that.” she leaned her head onto his shoulder and snuggled in as he wrapped an arm around her.

“Mmmhmm. You needed it. But I can’t sit here too long. I’ve gotta shower before I fall asleep.” He gave her a squeeze and began to shift forward to rise.

“Wait. I want to talk to you first.” placing a palm flat on his chest to keep him sitting, she looked up at him.

“Can it wait until I’m cleaned up?”

“No, I’d rather get it over with now. Please?” she insisted.

“That sounds ominous. Everything ok?” Now he shifted to look her full in the face, a worried expression flashing through his eyes.

Taking a deep breath to bolster her nerves she looked away from his gaze.

“I know I haven’t been myself lately. It’s…” another breath to steady herself “It’s Samantha.”

Looking at him was too awkward so she couldn’t see his reaction. She kept her eyes lowered, focusing on her hand resting on his knee.

He inhaled and paused. “What do you mean, it’s Samantha?” She heard the shift in his voice. He was keeping himself calm, but he sounded taken aback.

“I’ve been dreaming of her. Like a LOT. It’s been happening regularly all summer, since June.”

“You’re dreaming of Sam?” He asked, not quite understanding where this was going.

She nodded, closing her eyes. She’d thought of what to say and now she just had to say it.

“It’s been really strange. Usually I think about her in June, of course, like we all do. But she’s staying with me for some reason. Even if she’s not directly in the dreams, they are about her. I’m being constantly reminded of your mate bond, of how strong you were together, how shattered you were when you lost her. And it’s gotten in my head. It’s like…..she’s haunting me Nat.”

There, she’d said it. It was out in the open. Now she waited, breathing shallow, still not able to look up at his face.

The silence was thick, but she couldn’t think of anything worth saying to break it. Nat had leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his forehead resting in one palm.

“Babe,” he began, “I’m sorry this has been stressing you. I don’t really know what to say. I know you’re asking me to help and I don’t know how.” He turned his head sideways to look at her.

“I know, what can you really do against a dream right? But I thought it was time to tell you.” She said softly

“No, I’m glad you did. I’m just trying to get my head around it. How often is this happening?”

Now he turned his whole body to her, sitting sideways on the couch to face her. He offered his hands, palms up.

Slowly, she placed her hands into his. The warmth radiated up through her, as it always did. A feeling of calm settled over her, as it always did. And she felt brave enough to look at him.

“A few times a week, usually. But there’s no pattern to it. Sometimes it’s snippets of you two together, like when you introduced her to us. Or when we went tubing in the summer. When we went ring shopping for her. Other times it’s the aftermath, when I’d come check on you. Building her cairn for the first time. Or when you and I were…starting.” She exhaled shakily.

It did feel better to say it out loud, but she was getting emotional. Her eyes drifted away again, ashamed of the jealousy and resentment she had built up.

“Look at me.” Nat commanded softly. She shook her head slightly, not ready to meet his gaze.

“Fio….please look at me.” he pleaded, reaching a hand to cup her cheek and turn her eyes toward him. With effort, she dragged her eyes to his and held them with a confidence she did not feel. His other hand came up to the nape of her neck, fingers brushing the wispy curls tenderly.

“I love you.” he said, and leaned in to kiss her brow slowly, then pressed his forehead to hers. Leaning into him, begging for the comfort only he could provide, she reached her hands up to grasp his wrists and lifted her lips to his.

Nat received her, opening his mouth to her, accepting the worry and fear she carried.

“I know.” she whispered, breaking the kiss. “I know you do. But I can’t shake this…this feeling that she’s telling me you’re not mine.” the last words came out quivery as her voice began to tremble.

She could feel the tears welling behind her eyes.

“Shhhhhh, love.” he gathered her into his arms, pulling her against his chest as he leaned back toward the armrest.

Letting the tears come, she clung to him and let his heat and steadiness soak into her. There was a pit in her stomach, and the tears were full of nerves and self consciousness. She felt juvenile and she hated it.

When her breathing had steadied and she felt she could speak again without breaking, she pushed up against his chest.

“I love you too. So much. Sorry I’ve been a head case.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s….unsettling for sure. We’ll figure it out.”

“That’s why I wanted to tell you before you showered. Give you some time to mull it over.” She pulled away further and began to rise from the couch, wiping under her eyes to dry the wetness.

He sighed and looked up at her. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but he appraised her as he ran a hand through his hair. He needed time to himself to process; a hot shower was where he could do some serious thinking.

“Hmm, you sure you’re ok?” he asked, standing up.

She nodded softly, “For now. Go get your shower. I’ll pour some wine.”

“Good thinking. Something tells me we’ll need it.” A glimmer of a smile touched the corners of his mouth.

Before heading upstairs, he reached for her arm and pulled her in again. Locking his strong arms around the small of her back, he kissed her more urgently.

“You and me babe. We can get through anything.” he said, his voice deep and determined.

“I believe you.” she said softly, trying to ignore the unease in her heart.