Page 20 of Fetch Me A Mate (Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak #1)

ROWAN

R owan made his choice when Diana touched his face and asked him to stay. The pack summons could go to hell. Midnight at Moonmirror Lake could happen without him. For once in his life, he was choosing what he wanted over what was demanded.

"One drink," Diana had said.

They'd had three.

Now they sat by the dying fire, empty wine glasses on the coffee table between them, the inn's renovation plans spread across Diana's lap like blueprints for a future.

"I want to add a reading nook here," she said, pointing to the corner by the front windows. "Built-in shelves, comfortable chairs. Somewhere people can sit with books and tea."

"Good natural light there," Rowan said. "You'd need to reinforce the floor joists, but it's doable."

"What about upstairs? That empty room at the end of the hall?"

"Could be anything. Office, private sitting room, library extension." He leaned closer to study her sketches. "What were you thinking?"

"Honestly? I was thinking workspace. Somewhere I could plan events, keep records, handle the business side without cluttering up the lobby."

Rowan watched her trace potential furniture arrangements with her finger, her enthusiasm infectious even at two in the morning. This was why he'd stayed. Not just the wine or the warmth or the way she looked with firelight in her hair. This. Her vision, her determination to build something lasting.

"You'll need more electrical outlets," he said. "Computer equipment, printer, that sort of thing."

"You'd help with that?"

The question was casual, but her tone suggested it meant more than wiring and outlets. It suggested permanence, partnership, a future where he was part of her plans.

"Yeah," he said, meaning it completely. "I'd help with that."

Diana smiled, the kind of smile that made his wolf settle contentedly in his chest. "Good. Because I'm going to need someone who understands old buildings and stubborn innkeepers."

"Are you calling yourself stubborn?"

"I'm calling myself realistic. This place is going to need constant attention for the next few years. Major systems upgrades, historical preservation requirements, seasonal maintenance." She gestured at the papers. "I can't do it alone."

"You won't have to."

The words came out more intense than he'd intended. Diana looked up at him, amber eyes reflecting the last flames in the fireplace.

"Promise?"

"Yeah. I promise."

They talked until the fire burned to ash and the lanterns outside guttered low. About her plans for the inn, about holiday celebrations she wanted to host, about the way the town had embraced her tonight like she'd always belonged.

"Thank you," she said as they finally began collecting glasses and folding papers.

"For what?"

"For staying. For being here when I needed someone to share this with."

Rowan helped her carry dishes to the kitchen, their movements synchronized like they'd been doing this together for years instead of hours. When the last glass was rinsed and the last lantern extinguished, they stood in the darkened lobby surrounded by the lingering warmth of a successful evening.

"I should go," he said, not moving.

"You should." She didn't move either.

"You'll want to rest."

"Probably." Diana stepped closer, her hand finding his chest. "But I'm not tired."

Neither was he. The wine had worn off, but the sense of rightness hadn't. Being here with her felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like he'd finally found where he was supposed to be.

They continued talking until the fire burned to ash, but as dawn light began creeping through the windows, his phone buzzed against the coffee table. Then again. Then a third time in rapid succession.

Rowan glanced at the screen and his blood turned to ice. Messages from Kael, each one more threatening than the last.

You missed your appointment.

We're already here.

Coming to you.

They were here. In Hollow Oak. And they knew exactly where to find him.

"Rowan?" Diana's voice seemed to come from very far away. "What is it?"

He looked at her face, at the trust and affection written in every line, and felt something break inside his chest. She deserved better than being dragged into pack politics. Better than having her perfect evening destroyed by his past.

"I have to go." The words tasted like ash. "Right now."

"What? Why?"

"I just do." He headed for the door, not trusting himself to look back. "Lock up behind me."

"Rowan, you're scaring me."

Good. Scared would keep her inside, keep her safe when they came looking for him.

"Just do what I said, Diana. Please."

But she followed him. Of course she did. Diana wasn't the type to hide inside while someone she cared about faced trouble alone. She stepped onto the front porch behind him just as the black SUV pulled up to the curb.

Three figures emerged, moving with the predatory grace of apex predators who'd never learned to hide what they were.

Kael led the way, his smile sharp as broken glass in the morning light. Behind him came Max, the pack's enforcer, all muscle and barely contained violence. And bringing up the rear, the one face Rowan had hoped never to see again.

"Hello, brother," said his replacement. The wolf who'd taken his place when he'd walked away from pack leadership. The constant reminder of every choice he'd regretted for three years.

"Danarius."

"Miss us?" Danarius's voice carried the easy confidence of someone who'd never doubted his place in the hierarchy. "You certainly missed our appointment."

"I was busy."

"So we noticed. Charming little gathering. We watched from across the square." Danarius's eyes flicked toward Diana standing behind Rowan. "Your human looked very... domestic. Very settled."

The possessive emphasis on 'your' made Rowan's wolf snarl. "She's not part of this."

"Isn't she?" Kael stepped closer, invasion of personal space meant to trigger submission responses. "Seemed pretty important to you from where we stood."

"Leave her out of it."

"That's not how this works," Danarius said. "You know better. Pack business doesn't have boundaries. Neither do consequences."

Diana's voice came from behind him, steady despite the obvious tension. "Rowan? What's going on? Who are these people?"

This was the moment. The choice he'd been dreading since the first text message.

He could tell her the truth, drag her into pack politics and supernatural dangers she couldn't possibly understand.

Or he could push her away hard enough that she'd stay inside, stay safe, stay out of reach when this turned ugly.

Rowan looked at the woman who'd given him a glimpse of what home could look like, and chose the cruelest mercy he knew.

"Go inside, Diana." His voice came out flat, cold, empty of everything he'd been feeling moments ago. "This doesn't concern you."

"But—"

"Go. Inside." He turned to see her fully, letting all his careful distance slam back into place. "These are business associates. Nothing you need to worry about."

The hurt that flickered across her face nearly broke his resolve. But she was too smart not to read the subtext, too empathic not to pick up on the danger radiating from his unexpected visitors.

"Fine." Her voice was steady, dignified. "I'll be inside if you need anything."

She retreated into the inn, closing the door firmly behind her. The sound of the deadbolt sliding home was quieter this time, but no less final.

"Smart woman," Danarius observed. "Knows when she's not wanted."

Rowan's hands tightened into fists. "What do you want?"

"Same thing we've always wanted. For you to come back and clean up the chaos you left behind."

"I'm not coming back."

"Yes," Danarius said, his smile cold as winter morning, "you are."