Page 77 of Fetch Me A Mate
"Go," Rowan said. "Don't come back."
He watched them disappear into the forest, Kael supporting Danarius while Max limped behind. When the last shadow vanished among the trees, Rowan was alone by the dark water.
Somewhere across town, Diana was probably returning from the Council meeting, wondering where he'd been, whether he'd kept his word about staying away.
Time to go home and find out if she'd won her fight while he'd been winning his.
Rowan shifted one more time, letting his wolf carry him swiftly through the forest toward town. His injuries would heal.The pack threat was ended, he could feel it. Danarius’s reign was done. Sarah and her family were safe.
And Diana was waiting.
His wolf's contentment hummed through every step as familiar scents grew stronger. Pine smoke and vanilla. Fresh bread and determination. The inn that became his sanctuary, the woman who'd become his world.
He was done letting the past pick his future. From now on, he chose his own path.
And that path led home.
37
DIANA
Diana was making tea in the kitchen when she heard the front door open. The footsteps were heavier than usual, uneven. She set down the kettle and moved toward the lobby.
Rowan stood in the doorway, and her breath caught. Bruises bloomed purple and black across his ribs. Dried blood streaked his arms and chest. His pale eyes held the wild look of a storm that had finally blown itself out.
"You look like hell," she said.
"Feel worse."
"What happened?"
"Ended it." He stepped into the lobby, favoring his left leg. "The pack won't be coming back."
Diana wanted to be furious. She'd told him to let her fight her own battles, to stay away from the Council meeting, to trust her to handle things alone. Instead, he'd gone off and gotten himself bloodied in whatever confrontation he'd been avoiding for weeks.
But looking at him now, seeing the exhaustion in every line of his body, she was mostly relieved.
"Sit down before you fall down."
"I'm fine."
"You're bleeding on my clean floors." Diana pointed to the lobby chairs. "Sit."
He obeyed without argument, which told her exactly how not-fine he actually was.
"I'll get the first aid kit."
"Diana."
She paused at the kitchen door. "What?"
"How did it go? The Council meeting."
"Better than expected. Someone tried to frame me with a purchased complaint, but the truth came out. They dismissed the charges."
"Good."
"They want to see you tomorrow night. Something about discussing security measures for the inn."
