Free Forged by Fate by Reese Monroe

about it, so he offered to stay.” The curtain flew open. “Hey!”
    “Oh, please. Get over your modest self.” Dasha waved her out of the stall. “Talk.”
    A pounding at the door nearly knocked it off its hinges. Jeez, everyone’s all up in my business.
    “Sadie,” Theo said through the wooden door.
    She slumped. Dasha’s eyes went wide.
    “Answer me or I’m coming in.”
    She wasn’t sure how, but Dasha’s eyes went even wider.
    “I’m fine,” she said.
    “I’m coming in.”
    “No. Don’t. I’m—”
    The door opened a few inches. “Get decent. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
    “Holy shit, Sadie,” Dasha whispered.
    Sadie held the towel tight around her and pulled her long hair over her shoulders to cover more of her exposed flesh, then stepped partially behind her friend.
    Heat steamed her cheeks, and deep within her chest, the smallest flutter swam through her heart. Theo was overbearing and overprotective, and didn’t listen, yet the thought of his seeing her—or rather, needing to see her—did something to her insides.
    Something naughty.
    He’d been open and brutally honest about who he was, more what he was. All his actions showed he had her best interest in heart, to the point that he was downright bossy and controlling. Sure, it pissed her off a little, but mostly…it felt good.
    Someone totally dedicated to her, focused on her well-being. For so many years she’d had to take care of herself—the only one she’d ever been able to depend on.
    Theo stepped into the steamy bathroom and locked gazes with her. Instantly, the hard features that ruled his beautiful face softened. He let out a breath, then shifted his focus to Dasha. “Everything okay in here?”
    “I told you yes,” Sadie said, hoping she came off as pissed, but she was pretty sure she sounded like a lovesick idiot.
    “You yelled.” He held the door open with his body.
    “Dasha scared the crap out of me. It’s fine. Go.” She shooed him away with her free hand while her other clutched the towel as if it were a lifeline.
    He swept a look around the small bathroom. Three shower stalls lined the wall behind her. Sinks filled the far wall, and mirrors the other.
    “I’ll be right across the hall.”
    “Figured, considering that’s where my room is.” She crossed her eyes.
    His brows furrowed, then a smile curved his lips. Slowly, he backed away, and the door clicked shut.
    “That was…amazing.”
    “Please.” Sadie came out from behind Dasha and went to the mirror where she’d left her beauty kit. Out came a pick, and she started working on her hair. Despite conditioner, her hair was so long it still was a pain to get through, even when wet.
    “He’s staying with you?”
    “Sort of. What the heck are you still doing up?”
    “Um, hello. Worrying about you, dork.” She hopped up and sat on the counter. “Plus, my shoulder still hurts from smacking the wall. Can’t get comfortable and those pain pills make me puke. Stupid muggers.”
    Yeah. Muggers. That’s what happened. Sadie could only wish. “But you’re okay?”
    “Fine. You? Hey. You got sliced good. What—wait, where?”
    Sadie slapped her hand over her forearm. “Um…”
    “ No ums, girl, what the hell is going on?”
    Sadie slouched. “Okay. So. You’re my best friend, right?”
    “Your only one, genius freak. Spill.”
    Thirty minutes and two more check-ins from Theo later, Sadie’s hair was almost completely air-dried, she’d changed into yoga pants and a tank top, and Dasha had nearly passed out twice from disbelief. Sadie had told her best friend everything.
    “That tattoo just showed up? Kind of like Mr. Hercules?” Dasha grabbed her arm. “Demons? Really?”
    Silence filled the restroom as Sadie let it sink in. Not just for Dasha, but for herself, too. She didn’t know what to make of everything. Especially the feelings she had for a total and complete stranger. He talked of her being his Mate…as in mate. That just