The Free Spirit

Chapter 6

Ronan’s chest tightened painfully at the look on Sam’s face. He had no idea what to say to her. All Ronan wanted was to find his fated mate, to have a relationship the Moon Goddess had chosen for him. But watching the painful memories flicker across Sam’s face reminded him that for as much of a blessing as the bond could be, there were often people left behind.

He could see how fresh the memories were. If she was only twenty-one, surely that old love of hers had found his mate within the last three years. Was that why she kept moving? From the northeast to Canada to the Midwest. That was a lot of running in a short amount of time.

When she lifted her glass to her lips again, his eyes snagged on writing along the inside of her right forearm.

“What’s that?” he asked, reaching out to gently touch her wrist.

“This?” She turned her arm, revealing a tattoo that looked almost like a signature. A capital S and A, followed by an M over a W.

“I got it after my brother died,” she said softly, running her fingers over it. “To remember him. It’s how we used to write our names growing up. Sam and Saw.”

“How’d he die?” Ronan asked gently, trailing his own fingers lightly over the letters.

“He got sick.” She slowly drew her arm away from him, pulling her hands back into her lap.

Conversation closed like a door.

He could tell it wasn’t a subject she wanted to explore further, but his heart ached at the pain written across her face. He couldn’t imagine losing a sibling… but a twin? Then to lose someone she loved. Not to death, but to fate.

His heart gave a painful throb. Koda whined softly in his mind. She hurts, the wolf murmured.

I know, Ronan replied silently.

Koda likes her. That alone made him uneasy. Koda didn’t like easily. Not strangers. Not humans. Not anyone who felt… wrong.

And Sam definitely felt wrong. No scent. No aura.

Nothing.

Yet here he was, sitting across from her, fighting the strange urge to reach across the table and take her hand again.

He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck, forcing himself to refocus on the food in front of him. They finished the rest of their meal in quieter conversation. Small things. Safe things. Movies. Music. Favorite foods. Things that didn’t require trust.

But he was still surprised at how easy she was to talk to. He kept finding ways to make her laugh, just to hear the soft sound of it, to see those exquisite eyes light up.

By the time the waitress dropped the check, the diner had thinned out considerably. The clock above the register read just after eleven. Far later than he expected.

He reached for the bill before she could.

“You don’t have to…” she started.

“I said I was paying,” he replied easily. “And promised you could tell me to f**k off after dinner.”

She huffed a quiet laugh. “I would not tell you to f**k off. Ever.”

Something about those words sent a shot heat straight through him.

Once the receipt was signed and they stepped outside, the night air wrapped around them, still warm, but cooler than before.

Ronan checked his phone. Two messages from Elias.

E: Where the hell are you?

E: You gripe about having to wait and then you’re late? Should I be worried that you’ve been kidnapped?

Ronan snorted softly.

“I’ve got to pick up a friend,” he said, sliding his phone back into his pocket and starting back towards the bar.

“Oh.” Sam fell into step beside him. “That’s fine. I’ve got a bit of a walk back to my hotel anyway.”

“You don’t have a car?” he asked casually.

She shook her head. “It’s on my list of things to do. Get a car. Find an apartment. Generally get my life together.”

A smile twitched on his mouth. “Which hotel are you staying at?”

“The Briarwood Suites.”

Ronan blinked. “That’s where I’m headed.”

Her brows lifted slightly. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

A faint smile curved her lips. “Well… that’s convenient.”

It was. Too convenient. Another thing that didn’t sit quite right.

Still, he gestured toward his car as they walked into the parking lot. “I can give you a ride.”

She hesitated only briefly before nodding. “I’d appreciate that.”

The short drive passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the low hum of the engine and the occasional sound of passing traffic. But Ronan was hyper-aware of her beside him. Of the way she shifted slightly in her seat. Of the strange stillness that surrounded her. No scent. No presence.

Nothing.

It made the inside of the truck feel oddly empty, despite her sitting inches away.

Koda stirred again. She’s interesting.

She’s suspicious, Ronan corrected.

She’s hurting.

That… he couldn’t deny.

They pulled into the hotel parking lot a few minutes later, the building glowing under yellow exterior lights. He parked near the entrance. Before he could reach for the door handle, Sam shifted toward him.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said softly. Her voice had changed, lower now. Warmer.

Ronan stilled.

Her hand slid lightly along his arm. “I had a really nice time,” she continued. Then she leaned in, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her breath against his jaw. “If you wanted to come upstairs…” she murmured.

The words hung between them. Bold and… unexpected. And for the briefest second, temptation flickered through him. She was beautiful. Intriguing in ways he didn’t fully understand. His c**k jolted at the idea, thickening faster than he thought possible.

Koda went completely still inside him. Waiting. Watching.

Ronan slowly turned his head to meet her gaze. “I did have a nice time,” he said carefully.

Her lips curved slightly, anticipation flashing in her eyes.

“But I’m not coming upstairs.”

Surprise flickered across her face. “You’re not?” she asked.

He shook his head slowly. “I don’t do that,” he replied. “Not casual hookups.”

Her brows pulled together slightly.

“I thought…” she started, then trailed off.

“That I’d jump at the chance?” he finished gently.

She didn’t answer, but didn’t deny it either.

“I meant what I said earlier,” Ronan continued. “Dinner doesn’t mean you owe me anything. And attraction doesn’t mean I have to act on it.” He held her gaze steadily. “I’m waiting for my mate.”

Something flickered in her eyes at that. Something sharp. Something painful. Then it vanished.

“Well,” she said after a moment, her voice returning to something lighter, “that’s very noble of you.”

He snorted softly. He didn’t need his gifts to know she was lying.

She studied him for a long moment, then nodded once. “Goodnight, Ronan.”

“Goodnight, Sam.”

She slipped out of the car and walked toward the hotel entrance without looking back. Ronan watched until the glass doors slid closed behind her.

KNOCK KNOCK

He jerked slightly at the sound on the passenger window.

Elias stood there, frowning. He quickly slid into the car.

“Finally,” Elias muttered. “What took you so long?”

“Went out for dinner,” Ronan muttered. “Lost track of time.”

Elias frowned for a moment. “I thought you might have actually found someone, blown off some steam for once in your life.”

“I don’t need to blow off some steam.” Ronan put the car in gear and pulled away.

His friend snorted softly. “When’s the last time you had s*x, Ro? Not since you came back from the academy. You’re wound too tight.”

Ronan rolled his eyes. “You’re one to talk.”

Elias leaned closer, sniffing the air. Finally he huffed, leaning back in his seat to stare out the window.

“Maybe I’m up in my head too much,” he admitted. “But at least I get laid with more frequency than you.”

Ronan bit his lip, unease settling low in his gut. Sam had been sitting in that seat less than a minute ago. And Elias hadn’t noticed a thing. Not her scent. Not her presence.

Nothing.

A slow chill crept down Ronan’s spine. Whatever Sam was…

She wasn’t just unusual. She was dangerous.