Contract

He put something on the table before me. An envelope. There was my name and a familiar cute flower on the back. I recognized it immediately; it was from Sierra. That is her signature. She left me a letter. The moment I woke up she was gone. I knew there must have been something important or she wouldn't have left me like this.

I went to grab the letter eager to read what was in it, but before I could even touch the letter it was gone, for a moment I was startled, how did it vanish? I looked up to see him holding the letter.

Kalix held the envelope just out of my reach, his dark eyes studying me as though he could read my every thought. My chest tightened with longing and curiosity.

I reached for it again, but he pulled it farther away, his expression unreadable. "I don't think so," he said smoothly, his voice calm but firm.

"What? Why not? That's mine!" I protested, my hands balling into fists.

"You'll get it back," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "But only after we talk."

"Talk about what?" I demanded, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice, though I was failing miserably.

He leaned back in his chair, the envelope still in his hand, tapping it lightly against the armrest. "You need to sign a contract," Kalix said, his tone firm.

I frowned, suspicion creeping in. "What contract?"

"It's a precaution," he explained, leaning forward slightly. "I have to protect my pack. Do you think we just let any stranger stay here without taking proper measures?"

Okay, that was a fair point. It actually made sense from a leadership perspective. But I wasn't about to be roped into some deal that might trap me in enemy territory.

"Then just let me go," I countered. "It's not like I want to stay here."

He leaned back, settling comfortably into his chair. "Not gonna happen."

"And why not?" I demanded.

"Where would you even go?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't you lose your memory?"

I opened my mouth to argue but then faltered. Damn, that was actually a good point.

"I lost my memory, not my common sense," I shot back. "I can stay in the forest or... I don't know, figure something out. Packs don't accept strangers anyway, so why are you bothering to keep me here?"

I paused, an idea suddenly sparking in my mind. "Wait—I'll stay with Sierra. That solves the problem, doesn't it?"

I folded my arms, triumphant. That was a perfect solution. No contracts, no enemy territory—problem solved. Or at least half of them.

"How do you remember Sierra?" Kalix's voice was sharp, his dark eyes full of suspicion.

Uh-oh. I fidgeted with my hair, trying to think quickly. "I..."

His stare was unwavering. Damn, he is making me nervous with all that intense staring.

"I met her here," I blurted out. "She said we used to be friends. She seems really trustworthy." I nodded vigorously, hoping it sounded convincing. Even to my ears, it sounds ridiculous.

"You're ready to trust a witch while doubting your own kind—werewolves?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes.

I crossed my arms. "It might be because she didn't hold my letter hostage just to push me into signing a contract. And she actually had a friendly vibe."

"Not a scary vibe like me?" he added smoothly, clearly enjoying this.

Heat crept up my neck, turning my face crimson. He remembered. He'd heard me back in the room calling him scary. Of course, he had.

I avoided looking at him, suddenly finding the curtains by the window fascinating. They were white, sheer, and beautifully elegant. Where did he even get those? Must be custom-made or something.

"Interesting decor," I muttered under my breath, hoping to distract from my embarrassment.

"Well, there's some bad news for you," Kalix said, his tone measured but serious.

I straightened in my seat, instantly alert. My heart raced—had he found out about my pack? Was I exposed?

"What?" I asked slowly, carefully. Each second stretched unbearably, making me fidget with my fingers.

"Sierra's out on an important... mission. She won't be back for two weeks. It could even take more time." Important mission? Is that why she was here in this territory? Normally werewolves and witches don't mix unless there is something going on.

Wait this was even worse than what could happen. I felt my chest tighten. My one safe exit plan was gone, just like that.

"Where will I go now?" I muttered to myself. I had to find a way out.

"You see," he said, leaning back with an air of finality, "you can't go anywhere until you sign the contract. If you don't, then you'll just have to spend the rest of your life here."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "If I sign the contract, does that mean i am free to go?"

It sounded far too convenient and easy. I wasn't naive—there had to be a catch. Who just lets someone roam freely after signing a mere piece of paper?

"Give me the papers."