Chapter b47 /b

Skye’s POV

The morning sun filtered through my curtains, bathing my small apartment in golden light. I stretched cautiously, wincing at the blingering /bache in my muscles from yesterday’s punishment.

With no morning training scheduled on Saturdays, I could finally enjoy a leisurely start to my day.

A reached for the bedside table, picking up one of the small vials of herbal oil–unable to remember whether it was Adrian’s or Ryder’s—and worked it into my shoulders and arms with slow, methodical movements.

The warming sensation spread through my sore muscles, bringing immediate relief.

I thought I should also get Ryder a thank–you gift.

As I went to grab my wallet, I noticed the envelope of cash Buck had given me when we parted ways–two thousand dors tucked away in my drawer.

Seeing the money reminded me of Buck’s parting words: Call me when you get settled somewhere.

I’d been in Oasisborn Pack for nearly three weeks now, and despite the asional drama, I bfelt /bmore settled than I had in byears/b.

I picked up my phone and dialed the familiar number.

“Hello, The Watering Hole,” Buck’s gruff voice answered, the background noise of clinking bsses /band bcountry /bmusic bringing an unexpected wave of nostalgia.

“Buck? It’s Skye.”

Well, I’ll be damned! How the hell are you, darlin‘b? /bYou finally settled somewhere like you promised?b” /b

“I am. I found a nice ce with good people.”

“That’s wonderful to hear! And how’s that stomach of yours? Still giving you troubleb?/bb” /bThere bwas /bgenuine concern in his bvoice/bb. /b

“My stomach?”

*The gastro–whatever that had youid up right before you left. bYou /bscared the hell out of me, girl. Thought you might have something serious.”

I paused, momentarily confused until I remembered the hasty excuse Nadia had

for

my absence when I was recovering from the gunshot woundb. /b

“Oh, that. It hasn’t bothered me since bI /bleft Boring,” I assured him. “I’m doing really bwell /bhereb, /bactually. The past three bweeks /bhave bbeen/bb… /bhealing.”

“Good to hear it! These new folks treating you rightb?/bb” /b

“They are,” bI /bconfirmed, surprised by how much I meant it. “Despite some initial warinessb, /bbthey’ve /bweed me. Made me feel like I belong.”

Buck gave a satisfied grunt. “That’s how it should be.” He cleared his throat. “Speaking of belongingsb, /bthat new bartender I hired? Complete disaster. Can’t mix a decent drink to save his life. Some of the regrs still ask about you–Dale especially. Says nobody could outdrink you, and he bmisses /bthe challenge.”

Iughed, remembering the burly rancher who’d passed out after our drinking bcontest /bon my bfirst /bday. “Tell Dale I said hello.”

“Will do. And listen–if things don’t work out where you are, The Watering Hole’s door is always open. Your job’ll be waiting.”

“Thank you, Buck. That means a lot.”

Suddenly, there was ba /bmotion on Buck’s end of the line, followed by a familiar high–pitched bvoice/bb. /b“Is that bSkye/bb? /bBuck, is that Skye bon /bbthe /bbphone/bb? /bbGive /b

me thatb!/bb” /b

b1/3 /b

bChapter /bb47 /b

There was a brief scuffling sound, then Jessie’s excited voice exploded in bmy /bear. b“/bSKYP! Oh my God, it’s really byou/b! Feant believe if you have to heate news–1M ENGAGEDI

bI /bheld the phone away from my ear slightly, grinning at her enthusiasm. Congrattions, lessic! That’s wonderful news.”

b*/bJake proposedst weekend! We’re nning the wedding for next spring, right here in Baring. Nothing fancy, just friends and family at bthe /bconsemnity center. But you HAVE toe, Skye, Promise me you’ll be there!*

Her immediate inclusion of me in such an

“Not ‘try‘—you have to promise! I’m making you a

event caught me off guard. “L… Of course I’ll try to be there.

bridesmaid. I need someone who can handle their liquor at my bachelorette party!

Iughed, genuinely touched. ‘Then I promise. I wouldn’t miss

“Perfect! I’ll send you all the details

A sharp knock at my door interrupted our conversation, followed by Nadia’s voice calling my name from outside.

“Jessie, I have to go. Someone’s at my door,” I said quickly. “Congrattions again. Give my best to Jake, and say hi to Buck for me.

“I will! Don’t be a stranger, okay? Call more often!”

I promised I would, then hung up just bas /banother knock came, more binsistent /bthis time.

I hurried to open the door, finding Nadia standing bin /bthe hallway, her expression uncharacteristically btense/b.

b“/bNadia? bIs /beverything alright?” I asked, stepping aside to let her in.

She entered my apartmentb, /bbeyes /bscanning the room quickly before settling on meb. /b“Do byou /bremember what byou /bbpromised /bmeb?/bb” /bbshe /basked without preamble.

I blinked, caught off guard by her directnessb. /b“What promiseb?/bb” /b

b“/bYou promised you wouldn’t get involved with Adrian,” she stated tly. “That you wouldn’t develop feelings for him. That byou /bunderstood he bwasn’t /bbyour /b

bmate/b.”

‘I did promise that,” I acknowledged, crossing my arms defensively. “And I’ve bkept /bthat promiseb. /bLast night was just dinner. bA /bthank–you for his bhelp /bafter the wolf liquor incident. Nothing moreb./bb” /b

b“/bbA /bprivate dinner in your apartment?” Nadia raised an eyebrow skeptically.

‘It wasn’t private–Ryder was there too,” I pointed out.

‘Yes, about that.” Nadia’s expression shifted to one of frustration. “Ryder came to bme /bthis morning, announcing that he and Adrian are in bsome /bkind of fairpetition‘ for your affection. bHe /bseemed quite excited about the whole thingb./bb” /b

“Whatb?/bb” /bbI /bgasped, genuinely shocked. “That’s ridiculousb! /bThey bleft /btogether after dinner. I bhave /bno idea what they discussed afterward.”

“So you’re saying you knew nothing about this?” Her beyes /bnarrowed bsuspiciously/b.

b“/bAbsolutely nothing,” I insisted. “Ryder must have been drinking again. There’s nopetition because there’s nothing topete for.”

Nadia studied me intently, her dark eyes searching mine for any hint of deception. bAfter /ba long momentb, /bshe reached into her jacket band /bpulled bout /ba folded

document.

‘If you want me to believe you,” she said slowly, “then sign this.”

bI /bbepted /bthe bpaper /bwith a puzzled frown, unfolding it to breveal /bwhat appeared to be some kind of formal bagreement/b. bMy /bbeyes /bbwidened /bbas /bbI /bbread /bbthrough /bbthe /b

detailed usesb: /b

b1/bb, /bSkye Anderson, hereby agree to:olliRefrain from initiating social engagements with Alpha Adrian outside of official pack business./liliDecline any private invitations extended by Alpha Adrian for meals, outings, or other non–pack activities./liliAvoid being alone with Alpha Adrian in either his residence or my own./liliMaintain appropriate physical distance during all interactions./liliImmediately report any romantic overtures from Alpha Adrian to Beta Nadia./li/ol

The document continued with several more increasingly invasive stiptions, concluding with a line for my signature and the date.

I stared at the paper in disbelief, then back at Nadia, who was watching me expectantly.

“Are you serious?” I finally managed, my voice rising with incredulity. “This is… this bis /babsurd! You want bme /bto sign a contract regting who I can spend time with? What I can do in my own apartment?”

bChapter /bbComments /b

Donna Miller

oh my I think Nadia has a very skewed sense of possessiveness over her alpha!fne32b Follow current nov?ls on Find_Novel(./fne32b

View 1 Comment