“Definitely worth trying, because there is more to that room, and I’m determined to figure out what it is.”

I waited for her to look at me like I was insane, but she just clapped her hands together and nodded. “I’m ready to head back whenever you need. I have classes to teach tomorrow though, so maybe this weekend?”

“What about tonight?”

I expected tonight would be too soon for her to mentally prepare herself, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Then she surprised me. “I’ll meet you here around nine,” she said.

I blinked before nodding overly enthusiastically. “Yes! Perfect! We’re going to get to the bottom of this if it’s the last thing we do.”

Despite my ominous words, Sam’s confident smile never faltered. “We will figure it out. Now do you need a ride somewhere?”

I shook my head. “Nah. I think I’ll just take a walk to clear my head. I want to be in the right mental space for tonight.”

“We’ve got this,” she said, leaning in to pat me on the shoulder. With a final smile, she walked to her car, got in, and drove off slow and sedately, which made me laugh.

I loved women built in shades of grey with contrasts at every corner. There was a mystery to solve in Sam, and maybe, while solving my own life, I might learn a thing or two about my new friend.

12

Torin came for me that night. I wasn’t surprised, especially after the way I’d humiliated him in front of the pack. He’d been pretty restrained not knocking me down then and there to reestablish his dominance, but I’d known his restraint wouldn’t last for long.

When the rickety door to my apartment slammed open, Torin marched in like he owned the place. I was already waiting in the living room, threadbare couch at my back. My wolf drifted in my chest, closer to the surface than she’d been for a long time, thanks to the impending full moon.

“Mera!” Torin growled, and he was so pissed, his nostrils flared, hands already half shifted into claws. “Where the fuck have you been? Why aren’t you answering your phone? I’ve checked this place five times today.”

I shrugged, not even bothering to reply. It was none of his business.

He took a step closer. “This has to stop.”

Now it was my turn to bare my teeth at him. “I reject this—”

Before I could get the words out to finally sever our bond, he dove for me, and I had to shut my mouth to get out of his way. Torin had no right to come at me like he owned me, which meant I had to best him here tonight. It was my dominance that would win.