Page 9 of Alpha Wolf (Return To Fate Mountain #6)

Chapter

Eight

Valeria spread the case files across the conference room table like a surgeon laying out instruments. Crime scene photos, photocopied evidence fragments, timeline charts—everything that would help Gabriel build his case against the man her soul recognized as its other half.

She’d been at the station since dawn, unable to sleep, unable to think about anything except the impossible situation crushing down on her. In seventy-two hours, her entire world had shifted. She’d found her fated mate and watched him become the primary person of interest in a murder investigation.

The photocopies of burned notebook fragments stared up at her from their protective sleeves.

“...organized criminal group...” “...intimidating local businesses...” “...protection racket...” Every legible phrase seemed to point directly at Steel Protection, and by extension, at Dominic Steel. Her mate.

Her bear whined restlessly beneath her skin, confused and agitated by the conflict between duty and instinct. Everything in her shifter nature screamed that Dom was her mate. But everything in her police training said the evidence didn’t lie.

The conference room door opened, and Gabriel walked in carrying two cups of coffee and a determined expression. “You’re here early,” he said, setting one cup in front of her.

Valeria managed a tight smile. “Just wanted to review everything before the interview.”

Gabriel settled into the chair beside her, studying the evidence spread across the table. “Steel Protection arrives in town Monday, gets in a public fight, and by Wednesday their first potential client is dead. That’s one hell of a coincidence.”

“The timing is suspicious.”

“Suspicious is putting it mildly.” Gabriel tapped one of the timeline charts. “Either this is the worst coincidence in the history of law enforcement, or we’re looking at a professional hit disguised as a protection consultation.”

Valeria’s stomach churned, but she kept her expression neutral. She couldn’t tell Gabriel why every instinct she possessed rejected his theory. Couldn’t explain that her bear had recognized Dom as her mate after being matched on mate.com. It was too humiliating. She had to focus on her job.

“Let’s see what he has to say for himself,” she said, proud of how steady her voice sounded.

Moments later, the conference room door opened. A uniformed officer escorted Dominic Steel inside, and Valeria’s world tilted on its axis.

He was even more imposing than she remembered from the crime scene. Broad shoulders filled out his dark suit jacket, and he moved with the controlled grace of someone comfortable with violence. When his eyes met hers across the room, recognition flared between them like lightning.

Her bear surged toward the surface, demanding she claim what was hers and end the torment of an incomplete mate bond. The desire was so powerful it made her dizzy.

Gabriel noticed the sudden tension immediately. “Everything okay?”

Valeria forced ice into her veins and her voice. “Fine. Let’s get started.”

Dom’s expression shifted from recognition to confusion to something that looked like hurt as she turned away from him. Gabriel gestured to the chair across from them, and Dom sat down.

“Mr. Steel, thank you for coming in voluntarily,” Gabriel began, his tone professional but not friendly. “You’re here as a person of interest in the murder of Rebecca Matthews. You’re not under arrest, but you have the right to have an attorney present.”

“I don’t need an attorney,” Dom said, his deep voice sending vibrations through Valeria’s chest. “I want to help find out who killed her.”

Gabriel opened his notepad. “Let’s start with the timeline. Walk me through your contact with Ms. Matthews from the beginning.”

Dom’s account matched what he’d told Valeria at the crime scene. Rebecca Matthews had called Steel Protection Tuesday evening, said there were people who might want to hurt her, refused to give details over the phone, and insisted on an in-person meeting.

“What time was this call?” Gabriel asked.

“Around seven PM.”

“And you scheduled the meeting for nine AM the next morning?”

“Wednesday morning, yes. She said she was scared and needed help soon.”

Valeria took notes, fighting to keep her handwriting steady while Dom’s scent of pine and leather filled her senses. Her bear kept trying to surface, kept insisting this was wrong, that she was betraying her mate by sitting here like a stranger taking notes on his potential guilt.

Gabriel slid the photocopied evidence across the table. “These fragments survived the fire at Ms. Matthews’ house. Any idea what this might mean?”

Dom studied the pages, his brow furrowing as he read. Valeria watched his face carefully, looking for any sign of recognition or guilt. Instead, she saw genuine confusion.

“She was investigating organized crime?” Dom asked, looking up from the papers.

“She was investigating protection rackets,” Gabriel said, his tone sharpening. “You run a protection business. Explain the difference.”

Dom’s jaw tightened. “Steel Protection is a licensed security company. We provide legitimate protection services to people who need them. We don’t extort anyone.”

“Convenient timing though,” Gabriel pressed. “She discovers your operation, calls for help, ends up dead.”

Valeria’s pen froze on her notepad. The accusation hung in the air like a blade, and she watched Dom’s reaction carefully. Instead of anger or defensiveness, she saw something that looked like genuine pain.

“I came here to help her. To help this town,” Dom said quietly. “Why would we kill a potential client?”

Gabriel leaned forward. “Because she knew too much about your real business model.”

“Detective Reynolds,” Valeria found herself saying before she could stop herself. Both men looked at her in surprise. She’d almost defended Dom, almost blown her cover to protect him. “Sorry. Continue.”

Dom’s eyes found Valeria’s across the table, and she saw desperation there. He was looking to her for support, for some sign that she believed him. The mate bond pulled at her so strongly she had to grip her pen to keep from reaching out to him.

But she couldn’t. She had to sit here like a professional, like someone who’d never felt her soul recognize its other half.

Gabriel made a note in his file. “That’s all for now, Mr. Steel. Don’t leave town. We’ll be in touch.”

Dom stood slowly, his eyes never leaving Valeria’s face. She saw hurt there, confusion, a desperate need to understand why she was treating him like a stranger. The mate bond screamed at her to acknowledge him, to give him some sign, anything.

Instead, she looked down at her notepad and kept writing.

She heard his footsteps as he left the room, heard the door close behind him with a finality that made her chest ache.

“Interesting interview,” Gabriel said, settling back in his chair. “Did you notice how he kept staring at you during the whole thing?”

Valeria’s heart hammered against her ribs. “What do you mean?”

“Like he was trying to communicate with you. Like he knew you or wanted to get your attention.” Gabriel’s detective instincts were fully engaged now.

“Probably trying to intimidate me,” Valeria lied, hating how easily the words came. “Standard manipulation tactic.”

Gabriel nodded, apparently satisfied with her explanation. “Good thing you kept a professional distance. I think we’ve got our guy. Timeline fits, motive is clear.”

Valeria’s throat was tight with unshed tears. Gabriel was building a case against her fated mate, and she was helping him do it.

That evening, Valeria sat alone at her desk, the case file spread before her like an indictment. The station had emptied out for the evening shift change, leaving her surrounded by the familiar sound of radio chatter.

She stared at Dom’s business card, still crisp and professional despite everything that had happened. Dominic Steel, Steel Protection.

The mate bond ached in her chest like a physical wound.

Every instinct she possessed insisted Gabriel was wrong, that Dom was innocent, that she was betraying her own destiny.

But the evidence was compelling. The timing was suspicious.

And she was a police officer sworn to follow the facts wherever they led.

Even if they led her to arrest the man she was meant to love.