Page 26 of Whisker me Away
"Pretty words." Rowan's expression softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "But I love her, Kieran. Not just the idea of her, not just the challenge of winning her. I love her stubborn independence and her fierce loyalty and the way she talks to her plants like they're children. I love her enough to spend my life making her happy."
"And I respect that." Kieran meant it, even as his tiger clawed at his control. "But love isn't always enough. Sometimes people are meant for someone else, no matter how much we wish otherwise."
"Are you saying fate trumps choice?"
"I'm saying some connections go deeper than logic or planning or what makes sense on paper." Kieran met Rowan's eyes steadily. "And I think Freya's starting to figure that out."
The shop door opened just then, and Freya emerged with her canvas bag slung over her shoulder and her copper hair catching the morning light as she went to unlock the door. She stopped short when she saw both of them, her green-gold eyes widening with something that looked suspiciously like panic.
"Rowan," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "You're here early."
"I wanted to talk about last night." Rowan's tone gentled immediately, all traces of his confrontation with Kieran disappearing. "About why you canceled dinner."
"I told you, I wasn't feeling well." Freya's gaze flicked to Kieran, and he caught the slight flush that colored her cheeks. "I thought we could try again tonight instead."
"Of course." Rowan moved toward her with the easy familiarity of long friendship. "Whatever you need, Freya. I'm not going anywhere."
The promise carried weight beyond simple words, and Kieran felt his tiger respond with a low growl of challenge. Rowan might be patient and understanding, but he was also making it clear he wouldn't give up without a fight.
Fine. Kieran had never backed down from competition before, and he wasn't starting now. Especially not when the prize was the woman who made his heart remember what it meant to beat.
"I should let you two talk," Kieran said, his voice perfectly polite despite the tension radiating from his frame. "Freya, I'll check in later about the investigation."
He walked away before either of them could respond, but not before catching the way Freya's magic glowed when he said her name. Not before seeing the longing in her eyes that she quickly hid when Rowan took her hand.
The mate bond remained loud between them despite the distance, reminding Kieran that some things were stronger than choice or circumstance or other people's claims.
Now he just had to convince Freya to stop fighting it.
15
FREYA
The Moonlit Meadow restaurant should have been romantic. Candles flickered on white tablecloths while soft music played in the background, and the scent of rosemary and wine filled the cozy dining room. Rowan had chosen their corner table carefully, positioning them away from other diners for privacy, his brown eyes warm with anticipation as he helped her into her seat.
Freya felt like a complete fraud.
"You look beautiful tonight," Rowan said, settling across from her with the easy grace that had attracted her attention years ago. His chestnut hair was trimmed perfectly and he wore the dark green sweater that brought out the earth tones in his magic. "That dress brings out your eyes."
"Thank you." Freya smoothed the forest green fabric over her knees, hyperaware of how the simple act of getting dressed had felt like preparing for battle. Every choice tonight carried weight she wasn't ready to handle.
The server brought wine and bread, giving them a few minutes to settle into conversation. Rowan talked about his farm, about the harvest preparations and how grateful he wasthat the corruption hadn't reached his property yet. His voice carried the steady warmth she'd always found comforting, but tonight it felt suffocating.
"I've been thinking about our conversation yesterday," he said after they'd ordered. "About taking time to consider my proposal."
Freya's stomach twisted. "Rowan..."
"I know you're dealing with a lot right now. The corruption, the investigation, all the pressure from the council." His hand covered hers on the table, his touch gentle and familiar. "But I want you to know that whatever's troubling you, we can face it together."
The sincerity in his voice made guilt sit like lead in her stomach. Here was a man who loved her genuinely, who offered partnership and stability and everything logical her mind told her she should want. And all she could think about was the way Kieran's amber-gold eyes had blazed when he'd caught her wrist in the shop.
"I appreciate that," she managed. "More than you know."
"But?" Rowan's perceptive gaze studied her face. "Because there's definitely a 'but' in your voice."
Freya reached for her wine, buying time she didn't really have. Around them, other couples enjoyed their meals in blissful normalcy, unaware that her personal crisis might determine the fate of their entire community.
"I'm confused," she admitted finally. "About a lot of things."
