She smiled, flashing near perfect white teeth that contrasted with the rich brown of her skin and hair. “My apologies. I’ve only been in the pack for a month or so, and in that time, you were always referred to as ‘the alpha-mate Wolfe.’”

My teeth clanked together, but I managed not to growl in this poor woman’s face. “Sorry we haven’t met up until now,” I said, reaching out a hand to shake hers. “I’ve been distracted with a personal matter, but I love seeing new blood in the pack.”

She grasped on to my hand with a firm grip, and there was a nice moment between us before she stepped away. “My name is Samantha Rowland, Sam, actually, and I’m sorry to track you down like this, but I saw you in town today. I work part-time shifts in Henry’s café, and there was talk of you asking about odd happenings around Torma recently.” She paused dramatically, and I barely managed not to shake the information from her. Thankfully, she continued without need for violence. “I think I found something you should look at.”

Holy fucking fuck. Was this my first genuine lead? My wolf bounced in my chest, and it was probably due to the jolt of intrigue and hope that blossomed inside us. The gossip of the main street was finally working in our favor.

“Can you show me now?” I asked, leaning closer as I worked to keep the excitement from my voice. Best not to scare her off yet.

She nodded, a flicker of curiosity in her face, but she didn’t ask me why I was so interested in weird shit around Torma. Probably figured it was an alpha thing.

“Of course,” she said. “My full-time job is as one of the new teachers in the pack school. This oddity is in a basement room, in the lower levels, and… honestly, you should see for yourself.”

Hell fucking yes, I should.

“Let’s go, new friend Sam,” I said, linking my arm through hers so I could get us out of this room fast. “While they’re all distracted.”

Distracted tracking down the most important person in my world, which gave me a chance to continue poking at the mystery of my missing two months. It was essential that I figured it out because I had an uneasy feeling, deep in my gut, that all of it was connected.

Me, Simone, my lost memories, and the new Torma I’d woken up to.

Sam and I made it out of the pack house without running into any other shifters. She was quiet at my side, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. Instead, it almost felt comforting. Like she was secretly supporting me without even realizing it.