18. Fiona
18
FIONA
F iona stirred her lavender-chamomile tea and watched the steam curl up from the mug in lazy spirals. The Cauldron & Cup was empty except for her. The warm lighting cast a cozy glow over the worn wooden tables. A cleaning charm swept across the floor, the bristles making soft swishing sounds against the floorboards.
Nina approached, wiping her hands on her apron. "I heard about what happened at the community center. Are you holding up okay?"
"The building's a wreck." Fiona sighed, running her finger along the rim of her mug. "All that work rebuilding the playground, and now..." She shook her head. "But everyone's alive, that's what matters."
"You've done more for that pack in a few weeks than most outsiders do in years." Nina pulled out a chair, the legs scraping against the floor. "Not many would stand up to a rival alpha pack."
"They're worth it." The tea warmed Fiona's hands as she lifted the mug. "They've become like family."
"And their alpha?" Nina's knowing smile made Fiona's cheeks flush. "I've seen the way you look at him when you two come in for coffee."
"That obvious, huh?"
"Honey, a blind troll could see it." Nina chuckled. "The way you two bicker and make eyes at each other? It's better than my morning soap operas."
Fiona groaned, dropping her head to the table. "He's just so... frustrating. And stubborn. And protective. And..." She lifted her head. "I couldn't walk away now if I tried."
"Love has a way of sneaking up on you like that." Nina patted her hand. "One day you're arguing with a grumpy wolf shifter about playground equipment, the next you're fighting rival packs together."
"I never thought I'd end up here when I moved to town." Fiona laughed. "I was just looking for a job."
"Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected." Nina stood, gathering Fiona's empty mug. "Though I have to say, you and Caleb? That was written in the stars from the moment you walked into his community center."
"You're worse than Emmett with the matchmaking."
"Speaking of which, that elder of yours was in here earlier singing both your praises. Said you two make quite the team."
Fiona smiled, warmth blooming in her chest that had nothing to do with her fire magic. "We do, don't we?"
The autumn air nipped at Fiona's nose as she walked down Cedar Street. Streetlights cast pools of yellow light on the sidewalk, and dried leaves skittered across her path. Her boots clicked against the concrete as she pulled her leather jacket tighter around herself.
A twig snapped behind her.
Fiona spun around, her hands already warming with the magic coursing through her veins. Three shadows detached themselves from the darkness between buildings. As they stepped into the light, she recognized Rachelle's angular face and predatory smile.
"Well, if it isn't the little witch who thinks she can play with wolves," Rachelle drawled, flanked by two burly Nightfang members.
"Sorry, my dance card's full tonight." Fiona kept her tone light despite her racing heart. "Maybe try the community center during business hours? I hear they're great with scheduling."
Rachelle's lips curled into a sneer. "You've got quite the mouth on you. First at Victor's house, now here. Someone needs to teach you your place."
"My place?" Fiona arched an eyebrow. "Let me guess - you had to ask Victor's permission to come threaten me tonight? Talk about knowing your place."
One of Rachelle's companions growled, taking a step forward. Fiona's fingers sparked, tiny flames dancing between them.
"Three against one?" Fiona clicked her tongue. "And here I thought wolves were supposed to be noble creatures. Though I suppose that's just the Eclipsed Moon pack. You Nightfang types are more... what's the word? Ah yes - common."
"You think you're so clever," Rachelle's eyes flashed dangerously. "But you're just Caleb's latest pet project. Once he's done with you, you'll see what happens to outsiders who meddle in pack business."
"Sweetie, if you're trying to scare me, you might want to work on your delivery. Right now you sound like a rejected Mean Girls extra."
Rachelle's face contorted with rage. The two males beside her shifted their weight, muscles tensing beneath their leather jackets. Fiona's magic thrummed beneath her skin, ready to explode into defensive flames at a moment's notice.
"You know what your problem is?" Fiona continued, channeling her inner wedding planner voice - the one she used on particularly difficult mothers-in-law. "You're jealous. Because Caleb's twice the alpha Victor will ever be, and everyone around here knows it."
Fiona barely had time to blink before they shifted into three massive wolves and lunged at her. Her flames burst outward instinctively, creating a barrier between her and snapping jaws. The grey wolf on her left – one of Rachelle's goons – dodged around it with surprising agility.
"Oh, come on," Fiona muttered, ducking under razor-sharp teeth. "I just got this jacket."
She spun away from another attack, her boots sliding on fallen leaves. Fire danced between her fingers as she threw up another wall of flames, but the second wolf was already circling behind her. Their coordinated attacks left her constantly moving, unable to focus her magic properly on any single target.
The largest wolf – Rachelle – slammed into Fiona's side. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs as she hit the concrete. Her head cracked against the sidewalk, making her vision swim. Before she could recover, a heavy paw pressed down on her chest.
Rachelle shifted back to human form, keeping Fiona pinned. Her smile showed too many teeth. "Not so mouthy now, are we?"
"Actually," Fiona wheezed, "I was just thinking how much better you look as a wolf. The whole smug supervillain thing? Not really working for you."
The pressure on her chest increased. "You think you're so special because Caleb lets you hang around? Please." Rachelle leaned closer, her breath hot against Fiona's face. "You're just his latest distraction. A temporary amusement. Once he's done playing house, you'll be yesterday's news."
Fiona tried to summon her flames, but Rachelle's weight made it hard to breathe, let alone focus. The two other wolves circled them, their low growls mixing with the sound of traffic in the distance.
"Though," Rachelle continued, "you might be useful after all. Victor would love to see how Caleb reacts when we hold his little pet hostage. Maybe then he'll finally show some real backbone instead of hiding behind festival decorations and playground equipment."
"You talk way too much." Fiona managed between shallow breaths.
Determined to break free, rage boiled up in Fiona's veins, hotter than any flame she'd ever conjured. Her magic surged, responding to her fury, and she let out a primal scream as fire exploded outward from her body in all directions.
Rachelle yelped, jumping back as flames singed her clothes. The two other wolves scattered, their fur smoking.
"That's designer, you psycho!" Rachelle patted out the flames on her jacket.
Fiona rolled to her feet, wobbling slightly. "Send me the dry cleaning bill. Oh wait, you can't afford it on a minion's salary."
She thrust both hands forward, sending a wave of fire between herself and the wolves. The heat made the air shimmer, distorting their shapes through the flames. Her head throbbed where it had hit the concrete, making it hard to focus.
"After her!" Rachelle's command was followed by snarling as the wolves gave chase.
Fiona sprinted down the street, her boots pounding against the pavement. Each step sent jolts of pain through her ribs where Rachelle had pinned her. She turned down an alley, knocking over trash cans behind her with bursts of magic.
"Note to self," she panted, "start doing cardio."
A wolf lunged at her from the side. Fiona ducked and rolled, coming up with her hands blazing. The fire caught the wolf's tail, sending it yelping back into the shadows.
She zigzagged through back streets, using quick bursts of flame to keep her pursuers at bay. Her magic was draining fast, each spell leaving her more exhausted than the last.
"This is what I get for skipping breakfast," she muttered, ducking behind a dumpster. "Should've had that second scone at Nina's."
Blood trickled down her temple, and her jacket was torn in several places. Her ribs screamed in protest with each breath. But the sounds of pursuit had faded.
Fiona slumped against the brick wall, letting out a shaky laugh. "Well, that was fun. Nothing like a near-death experience to really spice up a girl's night out."
She touched her side gingerly, wincing. Definitely bruised ribs. Her head spun when she tried to stand straight, and her magic felt like a flickering candle rather than its usual bonfire.
"Okay, Fiona," she whispered to herself. "Time to decide - hospital, home, or handsome alpha wolf's place? Decisions, decisions..."
Fiona stumbled through the quiet suburban streets, using mailboxes and parked cars for support. Each step sent daggers through her ribs. The world tilted sideways every few steps, forcing her to pause and wait for her vision to settle.
"This is what I get for antagonizing wolf shifters," she muttered, checking street signs. "Next time remember to bring pepper spray. Or a tank."
Caleb's house sat at the end of a cul-de-sac, a two-story craftsman with a wraparound porch. Security lights illuminated the well-kept lawn. Her magic flickered weakly as she dragged herself up the steps, barely enough spark left to light a birthday candle.
She knocked on the door, then leaned heavily against the frame. "Please be home, please be home..."
The porch light flicked on. Caleb opened the door, wearing sweatpants and a faded t-shirt that did wonderful things for his shoulders. His eyes widened at the sight of her.
"Surprise?" Fiona attempted a smile, pretty sure there was blood in her teeth. "Don't suppose you have a first aid kit and some aspirin?"
"What happened?" He caught her as her knees buckled, scooping her up like she weighed nothing.