Escaping Fate Book 2

It’s been nearly ninety days since I last set foot here, and Blade has been absent from my sight since then. But that’s to be expected. I’ve been careful to mask my scent and remain unseen during my outings.

Today, I’m heading back home. My bag is packed and I’m on my way to the forest. I activate my link and am immediately overwhelmed by a flurry of chatter.

I sprint through the forest, allowing the link to settle down until it goes quiet and the pack can sense my presence again. I continue to conceal my scent, not wanting to be followed, and I make the forest my bed for the night since it’s a three-day journey.

I’m roused from sleep by the sound of my brother Adrian’s voice through the link.

“Adira, I apologize. Please come back home. I miss you. I didn’t mean to lash out. I was angry at him, not you. I miss you. Please, just talk to me,” he pleads, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“I miss you too, big brother,” I respond. “I’m sorry I messed up and let you down. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at you guys. I was just so frustrated that you wouldn’t let me explain.~

“You all just shouted at me, not giving me a chance to speak, until I lost it.”~

“Adira, it’s just us on the link. Please tell me you’re okay. Alpha Matt has been beside himself since you left. I didn’t want you to hear it from someone else, but he slept with Ana after you left.~

“He made no effort to hide it, almost as if he did it to spite us. He’s with her now, according to everyone. I’m so sorry. I wish he had stepped down earlier so I could have protected you like I should have,” he says, his voice filled with regret.

I had assumed Alpha Matt would be upset about my departure, but he had promised me that I was special, that he wanted only me.

But I suppose since I’m not officially his mate, he doesn’t care about my feelings. To him, I’m just a means to an end, a way to have children with high bloodlines.

“It’s okay,” I reply. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll handle it when I get home tomorrow.~

“Please meet me at the border behind the pack house so no one knows I’m back yet. I want to catch him in the act so I can get him to agree to leave me alone. I won’t play second fiddle to anyone.”~

He chuckles, knowing I plan to make a scene and paint Matt as the villain. No one knew about our agreement, and if he’s been seeing someone else, that means no one still knows.

“Actually,” I say, “forget it. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me. I’ll just do what I always do. Ignore him and focus on my job and training.”~

My brother bursts into laughter, knowing that this will infuriate the alpha. “Well done! There’s no point in playing nice when we can be ruthless instead. I mean, you’re an alpha—what did he expect?”

His tone turns serious. “I need to speak with you once you’re settled in. The ball is coming up, and I need you to be prepared to attend.”

“Alright,” I respond before resuming my run.

I reach the pack border the following day, and while I wait for my brother, I perch in a tree and observe the pack. I see men training and people gathering herbs. No one spots me.

When my brother appears from the trees, I drop down, embrace him, and apologize once more for my actions.

We sneak into the house and head to my room so I can drop off my bag and change. Adrian faces the other way as I change my clothes, so when I release my scent, no one will barge in and try to deceive me.

I slip into a pastel-pink crop top with yellow diagonal stripes, a pair of white shorts that barely cover my ass, and some white boots, then tie my blue curls into a tight high ponytail that falls just past my shoulder blades.

I clear my throat to get my brother’s attention and he turns around, immediately shaking his head.

“Playing dirty… I like it.” He smirks at me approvingly. “But if anyone tries anything, I’ll kill them.” We leave my room, still ensuring no one notices me.

As we pass by the alpha’s room, I can hear him having sex with someone. Adrian looks at me, and I shrug and put my finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet. That’s when his eyes widen.

Suppressing his laughter, Adrian watches as I release my scent and saunter down to the living room, settling myself onto Josiah’s lap. His eyes widen in surprise, and I can’t help but giggle as Adrian fills him, Megan, and Lillith in on the situation.

Barely a minute passes before we hear the unmistakable sound of Alpha Matt’s door slamming shut. Everyone knows he was just in the middle of a tryst. I feign ignorance and continue my conversation with my family.

“So, Lil, I hear you’re my date for the ball? When is it, anyway? This guy,” I gesture to Adrian, “forgot to mention it.” I don’t even turn my head when I catch Alpha Matt’s scent. We all ignore him, as if he’s invisible.

Lillith playfully smacks Adrian’s arm. “You idiot! Why didn’t you tell her? It’s in a few days! They moved it up because Adrian’s stepping up soon and wants to find his mate before then.”

Still perched on Josiah’s lap, I turn to his mate.

“Just a few days? Megan, can you help me find a dress? Please? You always know what looks good on me.” I give her my best pleading look.

Megan’s laughter rings out when Alpha Matt clears his throat behind us, seeking attention. I turn to him, acting as if nothing ever happened.

“Oh, Alpha, I didn’t see you there. I was just telling everyone how happy I am to be home.” I flash him a smile, while my brothers and Lillith struggle to keep straight faces.

“Adira, we need to talk.” His voice is tinged with annoyance and, as always, a serious undertone.

I stand up and lean over to peck my brother on the cheek, giving Alpha Matt a clear view of my backside. My brothers can barely contain their laughter, and Lillith hides her face in Adrian’s shoulder to muffle her giggles.

Turning to face Alpha Matt, I place my arm under my breasts, pushing them up and making them even more noticeable.

Behind me, I can hear my family trying to suppress their laughter. If he thought I’d come home and play the dutiful mate while he had a lover, he’s sorely mistaken. I’ll make him pay for using me.

“What can I do for you, Alpha? What did you want to talk about?” I ask, feigning innocence as he watches me, a mix of annoyance and desire in his eyes.

“Where were you? We were worried. You can’t just disappear like that, baby girl. What would I have told everyone if something happened to you?” He traces his finger over my lip.

My family pretends to be engrossed in their own conversations or the television.

“I’m fine, as you can see. I’m sorry if I worried you. It won’t happen again. Adrian told me the ball is in a few days. I can’t wait to hopefully find my mate,” I say, my voice filled with false excitement.

I glance at my brother, who’s engaged in a fake conversation. He catches my eye and chuckles. I turn back to Alpha Matt, who’s clearly furious at my behavior.

“Is something wrong, Alpha? You don’t look well. Maybe you should go back to bed and rest. I could call Ana to help you, if that’s what you want.

“But if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish planning for the ball.” I bounce on my toes, my breasts jiggling, then curtsy, giving him a full view of my cleavage before I turn and leap onto Adrian’s back.

Alpha Matt growls, and Josiah takes his turn to tease him. “Are you okay, Alpha? Aren’t you glad Adira’s home?” he asks.

Clearly angry, Alpha Matt storms up the stairs to his office, slamming the door behind him. We can hear the sound of him trashing the room. We all burst into laughter as I slide off Adrian’s back.

I turn to Megan and take a deep breath.

“I want to apologize to all of you for my recent behavior. I was just frustrated. No one let me explain myself, and I felt cornered and attacked and ran,” I say, sinking into a chair.

They all look at me with smiles, and I know they accept my apology.

“Now, about this ball…” I turn to Lillith. “It’s in a few days?”

She nods and bounces over to sit on the arm of my chair. “So we need to go dress shopping ASAP!”

“Okay, but don’t go overboard. I already stand out enough,” I say, a note of nervousness in my voice as she and Megan start excitedly discussing dresses.

My brothers are seated across from me, their expressions grave. “Adira, where did you disappear to?” Josiah inquires, his eyes filled with sorrow. “We couldn’t locate you once we realized you’d gone.”

“I made a beeline for the Blood Moon territory and stayed hidden in their city. I didn’t give them a heads up or alert them of my presence, so they were none the wiser.”

I give a nonchalant shrug. “I masked my scent and wore contacts.”

Adrian interjects, “Hold on. We dispatched someone to investigate there a week after your departure. They didn’t find you.”

I flash him a smile. “That’s why I’m the chief tracker. I spotted them the moment they entered the vicinity. I was hiding in plain sight. I was dining with someone when I saw them dash past the window I was seated by.”

I chuckle. Their faces remain stern.

“You’re saying you were right there in the open and they failed to notice you?” Adrian questions, visibly frustrated.

“They require better training,” I comment, adjusting my top. “They rely solely on scent. But what happens when you can’t detect the scent of your prey?”

My gaze shifts to Megan and Lillith, who are engrossed in a discussion about dresses. I start to walk away when I detect a whiff of insincerity. I disregard it and head towards the door, but Megan and Lil notice and rush to join me before the source of the scent can utter a word.

“Leaving already? Is it because the alpha found someone else to bed? You didn’t actually believe you were special, did you?” Kira taunts, pretending as if she’s triumphed and wounded me.

I roll my eyes and swing the door open. “Well, good for him. It must sting to know you couldn’t bed him, though.”

“But don’t fret,” I add casually, as if we’re engaged in a mundane conversation. “I’m certain there’s someone here you haven’t been with who’d be willing to give you a whirl.

“And the next time you overstep your bounds and meddle in family affairs, I’ll be the one to deal with you. Enjoy the rest of your day, Fake Tits!” I shut the door behind me, leaving Lillith in fits of laughter.

“Did you seriously call her Fake Tits?” Megan queries, but I simply shrug and continue on my way. I have a lot on my plate. I need to find a dress pronto.

***

“Come on, guys. I can’t keep browsing dresses. We have two days to find one that either fits or needs last-minute alterations. So please, just pick something,” I plead after visiting the fourth store in as many days.

The ball is in two days, and I’m still without a dress. Tomorrow, I have to get my nails done and get a wax. So today is the day.

I scan the shop and spot a stunning dress. I ask Lillith and Megan for their opinion. I quickly try it on and, finding it fits like a dream, I decide to purchase it. We then dash to a few other stores to pick up accessories.

We select a white gold necklace with diamonds dangling from it, dark blue gloves that reach up to my elbows, and a pair of glittering silver heels.

Once we’re back home, I hang up the dress to avoid creases and place the accessories and shoes on my dresser.