Her Fated Mate

Her Fated Mate - A Very Short Story

Chapter 1, Part 1: Willow

Stepping on the dance floor I smelled sweat, cologne and body heat combining to attract humans to one another but it could not mask HIS scent. HE smelled of leather and Alpha male. He was close. Too close. I have been on the run from him for a number of years and it seems my time is up. My heart is racing as I scan the floor looking for him...not that it will do me any good. I have never laid eyes on him before. I don't even know his name. I only know his scent. Fear grips me and I turn to leave as fast as possible but a gentle hand on my wrist stops me in my tracks. I know it's him and I know he is here to finally claim me...

Turning, I looked into his face only to feel relief wash over me. It was only my best friend, Simon. "Where you going so fast, Willow? We just got here." I grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the side of the room and answered, "HE is here!" The quiver in my voice alerted him to my fear. Simon looked around the room and asked me who I saw. I told him I could smell him but I don't know which one is him. Simon wrapped his arm around my shoulder and placed himself between me and the dance floor as he led me out of the nightclub. Once on the street, we raced for his car and high tailed it to my apartment.

Chapter 1, Part 2: Willow

I couldn't shake the feeling we were being followed. Looking out the rear window, all I could see were street lights and cars, making it impossible to tell if someone was following us. "Relax, Willow. I got ya! He can't find you, I promise." Simon said. "I wish you would let me put my mark on you so he can never claim you.", Simon suggested for the hundredth time. But we both know that is impossible. My fated mate would kill Simon to remove his mark, replacing it with his own. I could feel my wolf near the surface begging to be released. She wants her mate but I am not ready so I push her back down, fighting the urge to shift.

Back in my apartment, Simon quietly closed and locked the door then turned to me with a grin "You really didn't need to close all your blinds, love." I knew that! I just panicked. This is like living in a horror movie where I can run but I can never get away. Eventually HE is going to catch me and then...I don't know what will happen. Why didn't my parents tell me I had a fated mate? Were they fated mates too? I wish they were still alive to ask. If they were fated mates, they were lucky. Mom and Dad were deeply in love and that is what I want for myself. Not some stranger who will claim me as his own and force his mark on me.

Chapter 2: Simon

I watched as Willow dropped to the sofa and pulled a fleece blanket over herself wrapping up till the only thing showing was her face. I have never seen my best friend so scared and it makes me want to hunt him down and kill him. If I could figure out who he is, I would do just that...or die trying. Willow does not need this drama in her life. She has been through too much already with the recent deaths of her parents and trying to make it on her own.

I plopped down beside Willow and pulled her into my arms for a cuddle. "One last offer, love. I will put my mark on you here and now to keep you safe. My magic is strong and I can defeat any spellcaster who comes for you." I knew before I finished my offer that she would turn me down.

"Simon. I know you are the strongest spellcaster. There is no doubt you can keep me safe from the others..."

I could feel a "but" right here so I helped her along. "But?".

With a sigh, Willow finished, "...but my fated mate is not a spellcaster, darling. He smells different. I don't know what he is but I really don't know the smell of all the shifters. I only know the smell of Spellcasters, Big Cats and Wolves. What if he's a Demon? Or...or...or a Merman? I can't live under the earth or in the water!" I could hear the rise of panic in Willow's voice toward the end so I hugged her tighter to me.