The Free Spirit

Chapter 5

Sam stared at her hands, her mouth feeling oddly dry at her admission.

“When?” Ronan asked quietly.

She looked up to find him serious, his green eyes fixed on her with careful intensity.

“Feels like a lifetime ago.” Her voice sounded rough even to her own ears.

He narrowed his eyes, suspicion written clearly across his face. He took a slow drink, watching her over the rim of his glass, as if weighing every word she said.

She didn’t blame him. She wouldn’t trust her either.

“What are you?” he finally asked, setting the glass down with deliberate care.

She raised an eyebrow. “Come again.”

“You’re not wolf,” he said slowly. “Or any other supernatural. But you’re not human either.”

She wasn’t surprised at his assumption. She already knew the next words before he spoke them.

“You have no scent.”

She nodded. “I’m aware. Like I said, I knew some wolves once. My lack of scent was always a topic of discussion.”

“It’s more than that.” He tilted his head slightly. “I’m not fully wolf.”

She forced her expression into polite surprise.

“I can sense things,” Ronan continued. “Auras. Emotions. Intentions.” His gaze sharpened as he studied her. “But you are the first person I’ve ever encountered who has no visible aura.”

She already knew that. Thane had told her as much. That Ronan wouldn’t be able to sense exactly what she was. That he wouldn’t be able to tell when she lied, not the way he could with others. Still, she stayed as close to the truth as possible. Mostly because she didn’t have the best poker face. And Ronan, powers or not, looked like the kind of man who noticed everything.

“So,” Ronan continued, “what are you?”

“Just a free spirit,” she replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I go where I want and do what I want.”

Not exactly true. But he didn’t need the details.

He snorted softly, rolling his eyes. “Seriously though.”

“What do you want me to say, Ronan?” She ran her thumb around the rim of her glass. “I’m nothing special. But I’ve heard these things before.”

He c****d an eyebrow. “About auras too?”

“Auras? Emotions? Intentions?” She rolled her eyes. “Please. I’ve met a Veriscent before too.”

That clearly startled him. “Are you serious?”

She nodded. “I grew up pretty close to the supernatural world. I’ve met witches and fae and vampires too.”

“Not even werewolves or witches are that familiar with Veriscents.” His green eyes widened slightly, confusion flickering across his face.

“I met one once. But she passed away years ago.” Sam forced herself to stay calm. He didn’t need more details. Not about the Veriscent. Not about the wolves.

She just needed him to believe her. Just enough.

“You met them in Canada?”

She shook her head. “I was studying in Canada, but I grew up along the coast of Maine.”

Conversation paused as the waitress slid their plates in front of them. The smell of grilled meat filled the air, and Sam’s stomach gave an appreciative growl at the hamburger sitting on her plate.

They both took a few bites before Ronan spoke again. “What were you studying?” He grabbed a fry, watching her intently as he spoke.

“History.” She reached for the ketchup, adding some to her plate. “It was interesting, but I realized it wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I felt like I was wasting my time.” She sighed, setting the bottle down. “Honestly, I’ve just felt stuck for the longest time. I need something to change. So when I got this opportunity here, I took it.”

She could still see the mistrust in his eyes. Her stomach twisted. Maybe she’d admitted too much with the Veriscent information. But she had known one years ago. A sweet woman with blond hair, gray eyes, and a warm, genuine smile. Sam had been deeply saddened when she heard of her death.

“What do you do in your pack?” she asked, desperate for a change of subject.

He took a bite of his sandwich, watching her as he chewed. “I’m helping my dad for the time being,” he finally said after swallowing. “Handling business here in town. Running trainings. Eventually, when my dad retires, I’ll take on more duties.”

She tilted her head slightly, studying him. “Your dad is a ranked member then?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

She shrugged. “Sounds like you’re training to take over a ranked role. Only ranked wolves have heirs, right? If your father was just a warrior or shop owner or cook or whatever, you’d be doing your own thing, not following in his footsteps.”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “You know a lot for someone who met some wolves years ago.”

Sam smiled faintly. He was very astute, even without being able to use his gifts on her.

“I lived in a pack for a while,” she finally admitted.

Ronan straightened slightly. “A human in a pack? That’s rare.”

She didn’t correct him. Better he believed she was human.

“It’s a long story.” She sighed, pushing some fries around her plate. “But the basics are that I met a werewolf. The beta of his pack. I…” She swallowed hard, her eyes suddenly stinging. It still surprised her – how the memories could hurt this much after all these years.

Ronan, to his credit, said nothing. He simply waited. Giving her space to find the words.

“I loved him,” she finally admitted. “He loved me too. I thought we would be together.”

“What happened?” he asked quietly.

“Fate is cruel,” she muttered, glancing away.

Not fate. Thane was cruel. Selene and Nyktor were cruel.

“He had a mate,” Ronan guessed.

She nodded, her throat tightening. “I left the pack after that. There was no point in staying. There was no place left for me there.” Sam closed her eyes briefly, and she could almost see Lucien’s pale blue eyes staring back at her. She had been so sure life would turn out differently. Despite her mother’s warnings. Despite everything she’d been told growing up.

When she looked at Lucien, she had believed – truly believed – that things would be different. But she had been wrong.

“I’m sorry.” Ronan reached across the table, gently squeezing her fingers.

She looked up to find him watching her, his forehead creased with sympathy.

“That must have been really difficult.”

She blew out a slow breath, staring down at his long fingers wrapped around hers. “Life goes on.”

She didn’t mention that it went on far longer than she wanted. That escaping was impossible. That Thane would never let her go. Not until she gave him exactly what he wanted.