Ariadne Willow isn't going to shed any tears over the suicide of rival private investigator Clark Wilcox. He was an oafish misogynist drunk who was more likely to break the law than defend it. She assumes he got involved in something shady and took the quick way out. Unfortunately she's going to have to care when the police show up to reveal Ari was the last person to speak with him.

Meanwhile, Ariadne's painful transformations into the wolf have reached the tipping point, leading her to consider desperate measures. Dale is open to anything to ease Ari's pain, but she can't help but worry what would happen if she becomes a full canidae.

Because no modern canidae has ever had a lasting relationship with a human.