Fighting Free

Ch. 8: The Investigation

Metztli watched as Sam walked out of the front room, her brilliant golden hair flowing behind her. The picture of her blushing face was still burned into his mind, leaving a dull ache in his chest. She had looked so sweet that he felt guilty for teasing her. He wasn’t trying to hurt her, but something about her made him want to poke Sam until he got a reaction out of her. Unfortunately, he didn’t expect the rosy color on her cheeks to make her look like a schoolgirl caught cheating. The sight made him wonder if she looked like that after making love. Did her cheeks burn pink as her body tangled around bed sheets, he asked himself.

His eyes turned to Thomas. Thomas probably knew and Metztli suddenly felt something heavy in the pit of his stomach. From the way his hand touched Sam and the look of concern he gave her, it was clear that he was more than a co-worker or boss or whatever role they were paid to do. He ignored the feeling and focused on finding Sam’s every secret.

“So, Thomas. Besides work, how do you know Sam?” Metztli plastered a grin and leaned on Thomas’ desk, in the same spot Sam had been in not too long before. Thomas chuckled and leaned back in his office chair, calm, cool and totally relaxed.

“Sam and I are co-workers and friends, but we aren’t close by any means. Occasionally, we share a night. Neither one of us is Mated, so I don’t see the harm in keeping each other company.” Thomas shrugged.

“Wolves do that,” Metztli asked sincerely. “I thought wolves were concerned with finding their Mates?”

“Some are. The older ones, but as small as all our packs have become, finding a Mate is near impossible. So, more and more of the younger wolves are beginning to couple without a second thought about Mates.”

“Is that what you and Sam did? Couple?” Metztli hated the sound of the word. It made it seem like Sam and Thomas had come to some sort of business arrangement. 

“No. I think Sam believes she will be on her own for her whole life. Like I said, me and her are friends and co-workers and once in a blue moon, we are more.” Metztli nodded to Thomas, understanding his meaning. It was not very different from his adventurous nights with the female wolves in the Moon pack. He didn’t see himself ever settling down with any of them, but they did help keep the loneliness away. “What’s with the questions,” Thomas asked. “Is Sam in trouble with the Moon pack?”

“No, not with the Moon pack,” Metztli explained, “but she might be with the Asher Alpha and Luna if I don’t get to the bottom of this.” Thomas leaned forward and placed his elbows on his desk, brows furrowed.

“What happened?”

“Her mother made a claim to the Alpha and Luna that I was Sam’s Mate.” In the span of three seconds, Thomas displayed a myriad of emotions that would make any thespian jealous. First, he was shocked, then concerned, followed by calm, and finally settling on fear.

“Oh, Goddess. You’re her Mate… and I was just… I’m so sorry.” Thomas was so upset that he abruptly stood up. “I really am so sorry.”

“No, don’t worry. I don’t think I actually am her Mate. I feel it’s probably a misunderstanding that-”

“No, no,” Thomas said, shaking his head. “It all makes sense. The way she was standing over there,” he pointed to the front door, “when she came in this morning. You are her Mate.”

Metztli stilled at his words. It was the first time that doubt started to c***k his resolve that Sam wasn’t his. He asked himself if maybe he was missing some signs that would prove that she was, but every time he thought back, he was still sure that he wasn’t her Mate. 

“Well, that’s what I’m trying to figure out. Do you know anyone else I should speak to that is close to Sam?” Metztli also stood to be face to face with the other man.

“Um,” Thomas started, avoiding Metztli’s gaze. It was obvious the man was nervous and was trying to show Metztli that he was submitting to him. Metztli smiled at himself. For some strange reason, it was satisfying to see Thomas’ discomfort. “Her best friend, Dee, DeAnne. They have been friends since kids and still get together once a week.”

“Where can I find DeAnne?”

“She lives at the pack house, apartment two eighty-nine.” Thomas’ relaxed mannerisms had disappeared. He was all business now. He stood straight and had a professional tone.

“Great.” Metztli put his hand out and Thomas took it. “Thank you for your time.” He shook Thomas’ hand hard enough that he knew it was going to hurt, but to his credit, Thomas didn’t wince and returned the handshake without looking Metztli in the eye.

“No problem… and don’t worry. I won’t touch or even look at Sam again.” Metztli chuckled and nodded, but the stone grinding in his stomach seemed to break away. When he walked out of the schoolhouse, Metztli felt great and extremely pleased with himself.

He walked outside with a pep in his step and grabbed some breakfast at a restaurant on the corner near the Asher pack house. It was late morning by the time Metztli made it back into Eliza’s apartment. He was happy and cheery, but Hailey was the only one there and the moment  she saw him, she gravitated to him like a magnet.

“Hailey, my sister isn’t here,” Metztli asked, closing the door behind him. A Cheshire grin grew on Hailey’s face the moment he walked through the door.

“No, she’s not. She’s in a meeting with the Granger pack from the other side of the bay and she’ll be gone until late afternoon.” Hailey slinked up close to Metztli, pressing her body close to him.

“Then, why are you still here,” he asked with a smooth smile.

“I have to prepare some materials for the Asher, Sinclair and Granger packs tomorrow. It’s the big meeting. The one before Dakota comes in and starts making deals and treaties, so Eliza thought it best I spent my time getting it all in order.” She let her hand follow the flat planes of his chest. “But I can use a quick break.” Her smile insinuated something more intimate.

Metztli watched her movements engrossed. He wasn’t necessarily interested in taking Hailey up on her offer, but he wasn’t the type of guy that would look a gift horse in the mouth. 

He used his finger to tilt her head up and leaned down to press his lips onto her parted mouth. He remembered her being a decent kisser, but the moment his tongue entered her mouth, he only tasted the metallic flavor of copper coins. Metztli felt like he was sucking on a bag of leftover change and immediately pulled away from Hailey. 

Her brows furrowed and looked at him with a question she didn’t ask. He pushed her even further away, kept her at an arm's length, totally put off by Hailey.

"I think I will step out. I still have some things to do," he said touching his lips with his fingertips. 

"Are you talking about that pathetic girl that's claiming to be your Mate," she laughed bitterly. "I hope her Alpha and Luna deal with her harshly. What a joke, to say she's your match."

Metztli felt an angry prickle crawl up his spin at Hailey's words. She didn't know Sam well enough to say such things. "Don't speak of her like that. Until I find out what exactly is going on, it's best you keep your opinions to yourself." The look in his eye made it clear that his words were a threat.

Hailey stood in place, stunned and with arms crossed. She replied nothing. It was obvious she had upset him and she didn't want to make the Luna's brother her enemy.

Without saying another word, Metztli left out the same door he had gone through only moments before, closing the door a bit too hard.

The nerve of the woman, he thought as he walked down the corridors of the Asher pack house. He couldn't remember what he had seen in her to begin with and after that kiss, there was no way he was ever going to come near her again.

Metztli found apartment two eight nine without trouble. It was nestled in the far corner of the second floor in the same building that Sam lived. He raised his hand to knock on the door, but was surprised when it yanked open and a dark skinned, ebony haired woman stared back at him.

"Can I help you," she asked, an eyebrow c****d upwards and a hand on her hip.

"Hi. I'm looking for DeAnne, Sam's friend." Metztli gave her a smooth smile, but she only looked at him incredulously. 

"And who are you?" 

"My name is Metztli tecuani. My sister is the Moon pack's Luna." Hearing this, DeAnne dropped both the eyebrow and the hand off her hip. "I'm looking for DeAnne so she could answer some questions about Sam."

"Is Sam in trouble," concern tinted her words.

"No. Well, so far, no." He watched as the caramel colored woman anguished inwardly for a moment or two before opening the door wide. He walked into the neat and tidy apartment, which was a lot nicer than Sam's. Obviously, DeAnne was higher ranking than Sam.

"I was just on my way out, so I don't have too much time to talk," she said closing the door.

"You are DeAnne," Metztli asked, taking a seat on her sofa. She nodded and walked over to a free spot on the couch.

"So what has Sam gotten herself into," she asked, crossing her legs at her ankles.

"Her mother-" 

"Oh, Goddess! That woman," Deanne interrupted. "That woman has no sense in that head of her's."

"Well, she made a claim to the Alpha and Luna that I am her Mate." Metztli watched as DeAnne's face fell in shock. She stared blankly at him for a moment, allowing the information to seep into her head.

"OK," she put a finger up and animatedly said, "Imma have to call and cancel my meeting because this… this is gonna take a while for us to discuss."