Let Me Go Book 2 of the Contract

10 running / another pack

Chapter 10

Bora POV

I was halfway to another state, and exhaustion was starting to catch up with me. Along the way, I had stolen a few clothes so I could shift and blend in like a normal person. I even stole a pie that had been left cooling on someone's windowsill. Later that night, I snuck into a backyard and washed up in their pool while everyone was asleep. I needed to find a pack.

I needed to build a new life and make a name for myself so that if anyone ever came looking for Bora, they wouldn't find a trace of her. I'd simply tell everyone I was a lone wolf. No pack. No family. Just a girl whose parents had been killed during a rogue attack. At least... that part wasn't a lie.

When Simon took over the pack, he gave everyone a choice. Anyone who didn't want to stay was free to leave. My parents left. Not long afterward, they were dead. Everyone claimed rogues had killed them, but deep down... I had never believed that story. A part of me always wondered if Simon had something to do with it.

The only reason I stayed behind was because of Reman.

Now that he was no longer part of my life, there was nothing keeping me there. I didn't even know where I was anymore.

Still running through the forest in my wolf form, I suddenly slammed into something hard. The impact sent me tumbling across the ground.

Storm instantly jumped to her feet, growling as her golden eyes locked onto the shadows around us.She was on high alert.

"I'm sorry, Bora," Storm said through the mind link. "I was trying to get us as far away as I could. I didn't see them coming."

"It's okay," I replied. "We were bound to get caught sooner or later. Just don't let them see you're scared. They might attack before asking who we are. Remember our story, we're lone wolves. We never belonged to a pack. Our parents were killed by rogues, and we've survived on our own ever since."

Again... it wasn't entirely a lie. My parents really had died.

I just wasn't sure rogues had been the ones who killed them.

Sue shook the dirt from her fur and growled louder as several wolves emerged from the trees, slowly surrounding us. Oddly enough...None of them growled back. None of them attacked.

They simply circled us.

"Storm... stay ready," I warned. "This could be a trick."

A man stepped out from behind a massive oak tree wearing only a pair of shorts. His long brown hair hung down his back, and his hazel-green eyes studied me carefully. His body... Moon Goddess…It looked like it had been carved from stone.

"Bora," STORM snapped. "Get your mind out of the gutter. We're surrounded."

She was right. I forced myself to focus. The man held a bundle of clothes before tossing them toward us.

"Shift and get dressed," he ordered calmly. "Then we can talk. I don't know why you're in our Alpha's territory, but you'll explain yourself."

Storm stared at him suspiciously. He simply nodded before turning his back to give me privacy. I shifted quickly and pulled on the oversized clothes. The shirt was so big it looked like a dress, so I tied one side into a knot before slipping on the shorts. Once I was dressed, he turned back around.

"Care to tell me why you're in Alpha Brady's territory?" he asked. "I know you're not a rogue. So why are you here? Are you spying on us?"

I instinctively stepped backward but nearly lost my balance.

He caught my arm before I could fall.

"Relax," he said. "We're not going to hurt you. But if you try running without answering our questions... then we just might. So... why are you here?"

"Bora," Storm reminded me. "Stick to the plan. Don't tell them who you really are."

She was right. If they discovered my real identity...They might send me back. I swallowed hard.

"My name is Bella," I lied. "I used to live with rogues, but they killed my family. Since then, I've survived as a lone wolf. I honestly don't even know how long I've been traveling or where I am. I didn't realize I'd crossed into pack territory. I'm truly sorry. If you let me go, I promise I'll never set foot on your land again."

"I'm sorry," another voice interrupted, "but I can't let you leave."

I slowly turned. Another unbelievably handsome man stood behind me. Unlike the first, his long hair was tied into a man bun. Tattoos stretched across his muscular chest, and a neatly trimmed beard framed his face. Seriously… Where were all these gorgeous men coming from? His arms looked strong enough to bench-press an entire truck.

"Focus, Bora," Storm groaned. "We're trying to stay alive."

She had a point. I looked back at the stranger.

"Why can't I leave?" I asked quietly. "I don't want to hurt anyone. If you could just bring your Alpha here, I'll give him my word that I'll never step foot on this territory again."

"You can tell me whatever story you want," he replied calmly, "but you're still not leaving. I have a few more questions, and I'd rather ask them back at the pack house."

My heart sank. I'm so busted. This was exactly how people disappeared.

Alpha Brady POV

When my Beta informed me that someone had crossed onto our territory, I immediately ordered him to surround the intruder, but not to attack. The last time we assumed someone was a rogue, we had nearly started a war.

The man had actually belonged to another pack. Rogues had captured him, and he had escaped while trying to make his way home. I wasn't making that mistake again. Skyler mind-linked me that the trespasser was female. He also believed she was lying.

"Hold her there," I ordered. "Don't let her leave. She could be spying for another pack."

I raced through the forest in my wolf form. When I got close, I shifted back, pulled on a pair of shorts, and left my shirt hanging over a nearby tree branch. As soon as she heard my voice, she slowly turned around. I caught the way her eyes traveled over me. She was checking me out.

I fought back a smirk. Could she be the one? The woman destined to break my curse? I needed an heir. Without one, I'd be forced to step down as Alpha within the next few years.

Maybe...Just maybe...I could convince her to help me.

She wouldn't have to stay forever. Only long enough to give me an heir. After that, if she wanted to leave...She could.

The child would remain with me. She looked at me nervously.

"Why can't I leave?" she asked. "I didn't mean any harm. Just bring your Alpha here, and I'll promise never to step foot on this land again."

"I'm afraid that's not possible," I answered. "You'll come back to the pack house with us. Then we'll talk."

As we walked back, I mind-linked my Gamma. "Prepare the paperwork."

If she signed the agreement… She would stay in the Luna Suite.mJust like the others had. Yes… There had been others.

Each woman had been given one year to produce an heir.

Every single one had failed. One of them had even tried sleeping with my Beta, hoping to pass the baby off as mine.

I banished her from the territory the same day. I never saw her again.

When we reached the pack house, I could see the fear in Bella's eyes. This was my last chance. One more woman.

One more opportunity. If she failed too...The Alpha title would pass to my younger brother. Inside my office, I motioned for her to sit.

Then I called for my sister. She possessed a rare gift.

She could slip into someone's mind without them ever realizing it. I mind-linked her as she entered.

"Do what needs to be done," I told her. "But don't hurt her."

She smiled faintly.

"Don't worry, brother," she replied. "I've got this."