It had to be a new record—getting kidnapped three times in less than a month's time. Rowena was handcuffed to a chair by her uninjured arm. The smell of sweaty gym shoes told her she was at Bodies by Bobby. Light from the nearby streetlights outside trickled in through the Venetian blinds of the side windows.

Rowena slowly shook her head and looked around. She was in a small office with the basics—a desk, two chairs, and a filing cabinet. A small indoor window overlooked Bobby's gym. She watched as Bobby Sullivan paced the floor in front of her, his phone clutched in his hand and to his ear. "Why aren't you picking up?" He cursed and kicked his desk, knocking over a pencil holder decorated with a zebra, two elephants, and a cartoon male dressed like he was going on a safari.

Motivational posters decorated the wall along with a neon yellow clock. A purple and pink lava lamp was in the corner of the room. It looked like Bobby just bought random furniture pieces at various garage sales and decorated his office. Or maybe people presented him with decor? Either way-- nothing matched.

"How did you know about the races?" Rowena groaned. Her pain pills were clearly not working to dull the ache in her shoulder. "Did you kill Casey?"

Bobby stepped toward her. "I already told you. I didn't kill Casey."

"It's kind of hard to trust what you say since you literally abducted me and have me handcuffed to a chair."

"Believe what you want. It doesn't really matter," Bobby said, shrugging. "Once Flint finally answers his phone, I'll turn you over to him, and he will get me back into the Nightshade pack."

"W-what? You took me to give me to Flint? He wants me dead."

"You don't understand," Bobby muttered. "Being without my pack is torture. Wolves need to be with their packs. I'd do anything to get back into Nightshade. Anything."

"They kicked you out. Why would you want to rejoin them?" Rowena asked, her eyes wandering the room, looking for a possible escape plan.

"My father and brother were born in Nightshade. So was I. A few years ago, I was forced out and I thought I lost everything."

"Were you Casey's wolf? Were you King?"

He frowned. "What?"

"How else would you have gotten money to open this place?" She jerked her chin to point out the space around her. "I bet you and she betted together at the dog races to get money. Cross said if you had been in the Howler pack, he'd have exiled you for using your wolf that way."

"Are you crazy?" he asked. "I opened this with my inheritance. My mother didn't leave my brother and me much, but my father did. After the debacle with Casey and the alpha, Greg, kicking me out because he claimed I was weak, I decided to come to Clarkton and finally open my gym."

"If you're a successful gym owner, why are you wanting to harm me?"

"Because of Flint. He stopped by after Casey was murdered. We drank until we were drunk. He said he'd do anything to avenge her death. He even offered me a way back in. If I could get you for him, he'd convince Greg to let me back into the Nightshade pack."

"I didn't kill Casey. Please, let me go. You don't want to hurt me."

"No, I don't want to hurt you, but it doesn't really bother me to hurt you," Bobby admitted. "I guess you could say I'm indifferent."

"I can't believe you even trusted Flint. He was probably lying to you," Rowena said, trying anything to convince Bobby to let her go. "Were you the one trying to shoot at me? You and Flint did the drive-by?"

He didn't answer her. Instead, he tried calling Flint again on his cellphone. "Pick up the phone!"

"He's not going to answer you. I bet he never intended to help you get back into your old pack. You used his sister, what did you expect?" Rowena asked. "You do know that Cross Howler is going to destroy you when he finds out what you've done."

Bobby kicked his desk again. The pencil holder fell to the floor.

"You don't understand. Casey ruined everything. My brother and I don't even talk anymore. The love of my life left me. And for what? A few times in the sack with Casey Sloane? It's not fair!"

"Have you ever talked to your ex since the Casey incident?"

He stood in front of the small window in his office, his hands on its ledge. He leaned over and huffed out a breath.

"Maybe time will help her forgive you? You said it's been years. Try to reach out to her. What was her name again?"

Bobby's mouth tipped down. "What makes you think my ex is a she?"

Rowena's mouth opened in surprise. "Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. I guess because you dated Casey...I'm sorry. Either way, reaching out wouldn't hurt. You never know what your ex will say if you try to apologize again. Is that why you're trying to get back to the Nightshade pack? The love of your life is there?"

Bobby gave a half-hearted laugh. "I wish. Casey ruined everything."

"If you didn't kill Casey, maybe we can find the true killer. I could convince Cross to let you join the Howler pack if you wanted."

"You think you have that much sway over the Howler alpha? He's one of the toughest shifters in North America."

Rowena thought of the kind and thoughtful words Cross had spoken to her. She remembered his possessive attitude. It annoyed her but she secretly enjoyed it. He helped stifle the cruel voice in her head that always put her down. She stared up at Bobby and nodded. "I do. He's my soulmate."

A banging at the front of the gym, had him jump in surprise. He lifted his nose and sniffed the air. "Well, your soulmate is here." He sniffed again. "And he brought some wolves with him. At least I think he did. My sense of smell has been off for the past few years. Everything smells like sweat."

"Let me go, Bobby. If you don't, this won't end well for you," Rowena warned him.

"You can't help me."

"I can. I will. I'll help you," Rowena insisted. "Just let me go. Heck, I'll help you win back your ex. Just tell me their name and I'll do whatever I can to get you two together."

"You'd call off the alpha and help me get my ex back?" Bobby shook his head. "I'm not sure you can do that. Your alpha is probably going wild right now for two reasons."

"I know I can help if you let me."

Bobby shook his head again. "I took his woman and the full moon will be here tomorrow. All of us start to feel a little crazy when the full moon is on its way."

"I'll bear that in mind. Let me go."

The pounding became louder. A wolf's howl filled the night air.

"You'll really help me win back my ex?" Bobby asked.

"Yes. Tell me the name as you uncuff me."

He quickly pulled out a key and helped her stand up.

"We need to let Cross in and calm him down before he breaks down your door," Rowena said.

Bobby gave a slight nod and walked in front of her to the front of the gym. A red dot danced around the side of his head. It was coming from one of the side windows.

"Duck!" Rowena shrieked. Bobbie jerked forward, his face to the ground just as Cross burst through the front door.

Cross ran forward and lifted her in his arms. "Are you okay?

She grunted in pain and he cursed.

"We need to get out of here. Someone just shot Bobby!" Rowena cried.

Cross looked down and took Bobby's appearance in. He leaned over the fallen man's body, reached down to take his pulse, and cursed again.

"What is it?" Rowena asked. "Should we call 911?"

"No," Cross said, shaking his head.

"We have to!"

"Rowena, It's too late. Bobby is dead."