Chapter 4

Nightfall was building a network of clinics and rescue stations along a closed border. The first assignment lasted five years, with no outside visitors or private communication. Everyone joining the project became a pack member and transferred their residence, medical care, and employment records.

Maeve had explained all of this when she first offered me the position. I'd told her my family was waiting for me.

Now I read every page and called her. “I've gone through it. I'm ready to sign.”

“I want you here, Nora. But I need to know you're accepting the job. Five years won't get shorter because they apologize tomorrow.”

“I understand the salary, the position, and the commitment. I should've answered two months ago.”

She didn't argue. We'd worked on two projects together. My qualifications, references, and background check were already on file; all she needed was my acceptance.

She sent the onboarding checklist. I uploaded my signed contract, identification, and medical history. Under Emergency Contact, I put Maeve.

The last item concerned my family bond. I hadn't joined Blood Moon, but I could still feel the faint presence of my blood relatives. It wasn't a mind-link; we couldn't speak through it. It was enough, though, to put the compound's secrecy at risk.

Anyone moving there had to consent to severing ties that could be traced from outside.

Maeve sent that page separately. “It'll hurt you and your relatives. Leaving the project won't restore it. You can choose another assignment.”

I read the warning, signed, and asked when the car would come.

“Five forty-five. The declaration takes effect when you cross out of your old territory. You'll lose outside access at six. Say your goodbyes first, Nora. Make sure they know this isn't a few nights away.”

That afternoon, I returned to find workers moving Chloe's belongings back into the bedroom. The manager stopped when he saw me. “The Luna wants things left as they were.”

“Then you don't need to hold the guest room for me, either.”

He followed me upstairs. Packing didn't take long. I'd arrived with one duffel, and everything I wanted still fit inside: my laptop, work documents, and the old blanket Ruth had sewn for me.

I left the boots Mom had bought in Chloe's size after Chloe rejected them, and the tablet Adrian had handed down before asking whether I needed one.

The manager watched me unplug my charger. “I'll have to notify the Alpha.”

“Please ask him to come back. I need to speak to him.”

They arrived at five-thirty. My mother spotted the duffel and hurried over. “Are you going to a hotel? You have a room here.”

I laid two confirmations on the coffee table: Blood Moon's cancellation and Nightfall's acceptance. “I'm leaving for Nightfall's border compound today. It's a five-year contract. I won't be taking private calls or seeing visitors.”

Adrian picked up the papers. “When did you contact them?”

“We've worked together for a year. The formal offer came two months ago.”

“You never told me.”

“I tried. You said we'd talk when you weren't busy.”

He gripped the page and went quiet.

My mother reached for my hand. “We don't want you gone. We can fix the room now. We can talk about the bracelet.”

“This morning, I needed ten minutes.”

“Chloe was frightened.”

“I believe you. She could've had help while I took my oath. Both things could've happened.”

My mother let her hand fall. My father slapped the papers onto the table. “You're signing away five years to force an apology?”

“I'm accepting a job I've already thought through.”

“Nora Hale!”

“It's Nora Reed on the contract. I've always used the name of the woman who raised me.”

His Alpha authority rolled through the room. My legs tightened, but I stayed standing. I'd never sworn into his pack; he couldn't order me to obey.

Cole laughed. “You think strangers care more than your family? When Dad cuts off your allowance, you won't have the fare home.”

“My salary will cover it.”

“From your little bookkeeping job?”

“Nightfall hired me as head of financial risk. Would you like the salary page?”

Nobody answered. Chloe moved closer to Mom. “You don't have to do this. I'll switch rooms right now.”

“Keep the room. I haven't asked you to leave.”

“Everyone's going to think I drove you away.”

“I've explained why I'm leaving. Please don't rewrite it.”

The doorbell rang. Maeve texted that the car was outside. I pointed to the last declaration. “One more thing. When I cross the border, I'm severing the family bond. It's a requirement I've agreed to.”

Lucas stared at me. “Nora, that's going to hurt.”

“They warned me.”

My mother reached for the declaration, but my father pinned it down. “Enough. Get in that car, and don't expect the Hales to clean up your mess when it all falls apart.”

I zipped my bag. “You know where I'm going, what I'll be doing, and why I won't be in touch. Take care.”

I left my key card and walked out.

Maeve opened the car door. “You can still change assignments. I'll take you to our city office.”

I put my bag inside. “Last time, I said I needed to wait for my family. This time, we're sticking to the plan.”

At five fifty-nine, we reached the border. The guard checked our departure papers and raised the barrier.

At six, the car crossed out of Blood Moon.

A sharp ache caught beneath my ribs. I gripped the edge of the seat and waited for it to pass.

Back at the pack house, my father was still in the living room.

“She's gone too far this time. If she thinks I'm going to beg her to come—”

He broke off and clutched his chest.

My mother turned toward him, then caught the arm of the sofa. The glass slipped from her hand.

Adrian doubled over, gripping the back of a chair. Cole tried to stand but sank back into his seat. Lucas pressed a hand against his ribs, his face draining of color.

“What's happening?” my mother asked.

Lucas looked at the declaration on the coffee table.

“The family bond. She's severing it.”

My father snatched up the page. His eyes found my signature, then the condition beneath it: effective upon departure from Blood Moon territory.

Just before the last one broke, I heard my father shout.

“Nora, stop!”