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Fuck that noise.

“I don’t believe you heard me. The wedding, the mating—all of it is off. If you knew what I just saw—”

“I do. Doesn’t matter.” He was so cold. It was clearer than ever. I was nothing more than a bargaining chip for him.”

“His dick was in someone else. It does matter.”

The rage pouring off my father terrified me. I wasn’t sure if it was my language or the fact that I was breaking things off that had him more ragey. It didn’t really matter. He pounded the doorframe.”

“You are mating Joseph. End of story.”

“I will not.” I’d never stood up to him like this before, and it took all my strength not to cower and take it back.

“You have until morning to fix your attitude. If you don’t, believe my words—you’re done. You’re stripped from this skulk. You may take nothing with you—not even your car. You are done.”

Silly me, I thought he’d cool off by morning. That he’d realize there was a middle ground. I didn’t count on it and planned accordingly, but I’d hoped.

But the next morning he was more pissed than before. He dropped me at the bus station. Handed me fifty dollars thanks to “his mercy and kindness.” And then marked me as rogue.

The only thing I was grateful for was the time I’d had to “fix my attitude,” time when I’d managed to transfer my savings to a new account that he didn’t have access to, sew my ID into the leg of my jeans, and stole my SIM card.

Because I might be homeless and packless and terrified—but I wasn’t going to put myself in a position where I’d have to come crawling back.

Chapter Three

Dimitri

My apartment was nice, considering how little time I spent there. Between long working hours, business dinners, visits to the gym for my human form and occasional weekends in the country to let my bear free, I spent almost no time at home. My furnishings were like new, and I’d never gotten around to hanging anything on the walls. It pretty much looked like a hotel suite, all dressed up with few signs of inhabitation.

How long would I have been able to maintain the lifestyle I had without causing serious harm to my bear? When I let him out in the state park, he sucked in air as if he’d been suffocated, and the thought made me ache. I had to do better for him, which meant that even if I did stay in the human business world it wouldn’t be here in the city.

My lease wasn’t up for a year, but I would look into subletting the place when I got back from the desert. My life lay elsewhere. At the den? In a smaller town? I wasn’t sure, but here was not the answer. Not anymore.

I spent a few days taking care of business and, as I visited the management office to let them know I’d be away for a while, I lucked onto a tenant to sublet my unit for the remainder of my lease.

I hadn’t been into the office since I signed my lease, but the same woman sat behind the counter, and if I didn’t know better I’d swear she wore the same suit. Eggplant slacks and blazer over a white blouse with one of those deep, fluffy ruffles like I’d seen in pictures of the 1980s. Shoulder pads. Actually it had to be the same outfit. There couldn’t be two like that in modern times.

She was speaking to a young man in his early twenties who was definitely dressed for business and in the current decade.Neat slacks, a white button-down shirt open at the collar and running shoes. “I wish we could help you, sir,” the management lady said. “But we don’t do short-term rentals here.”

“My boss is looking for somewhere to rent for a year or so while we are building the new arena. He will be in town about three days a week, and he hates hotels. Everything else I’ve looked at has been either overpriced for what they offer, unattractively furnished, or not conveniently located. This complex is just blocks away from our location.” He shrugged. “Let me leave you a card in case you change your mind or anything comes up.”

“Hi, Marie.” I entered the conversation. “I am sorry to interrupt, but I was just stopping by to tell you I was going to be away for a while.”

“Dimitri, right?” She held up one finger. “As soon as I finish with this gentleman, I’ll be right with you.”

“We’re done.” He passed her the card and turned to go.

“No, wait, please? I might be able to help you out. I’ve just left my position here in town and am considering taking one in another area.” Den beta, but no need to explain that now. “And I was considering subletting my unit for the rest of the lease.”

“Really?” The young man turned to face me. “How long is that?”

“About a year.”

His smile transformed his face, stress easing. “I’ve been hunting for a week. Can I see the place?”

Marie jumped to her feet. “Wait. You can’t just sublet to anyone you want.”

“I beg your pardon?” I had liked that feature of the lease to start with, so I knew that wasn’t strictly true. “I can sublet according to my contract with you. I presume your boss or the company has good credit?”