Chapter 3 : Trade and Arrival

Ashleigh

I walked back from the lake that night like nothing had happened. Letter crumpled in my fist, cheeks still wet, shoes squelching lake water. I slammed the back door harder than necessary.

Mom jumped. “Ashleigh? You’re soaked.”

“Genius observation,” I said, voice hoarse.

Dad frowned. “You good?”

I laughed without humor. “Define good.”

He sighed, returned to his laptop and pack affairs. No one asked more. No one noticed the red eyes.

Upstairs, I locked my door, flattened the letter under the lamp, and read it again. Fingers tracing the elegant cursive.

*You are worth more than they made you believe. Don’t let them win.*

Vampire speed. Cold arms. Had to be vampire.

I tucked it into my bra and sat on the floor, staring at nothing. Who was he? Why me? Why now?

The next few days I turned into an amateur detective. Casual questions, maximum sarcasm.

To cousin Lila at breakfast: “Any vampires hanging around lately? Tall, fast, good stationery taste?”

She choked. “What? No. That’s Northern pack crap. Why?”

I shrugged. “Curious.”

To a warrior during training: “Hypothetically, if a vampire saved someone from drowning, would he leave a note or just bite and run?”

He laughed. “Vampires don’t save. They eat. Ask the North. Rumors say they’ve got one.”

I hoarded every scrap: vampire, North, cursed prince maybe. Fell asleep clutching the letter like a lifeline.

Two weeks later, the pack meeting.

Community hall packed. Ethan and Ashley up front, glowing. Mom and Dad tense on the side. Me in the back, arms crossed, still damp from another border search that found nothing.

Alpha Blackwood, Ethan’s father cleared his throat. “We’ve received a trade proposal from Northern Crescent Pack. An exchange of daughters to strengthen alliances. Blood ties. Standard politics.”

Murmurs.

“Which daughter?” someone asked.

Alpha’s eyes flicked to us. “Summers girls.”

Dad stood fast. “Ashley’s newly mated. Luna. She can’t go.”

“Exactly,” Alpha said. “So it falls to Ashleigh.”

Every head turned.

I laughed loudly. “Oh, this is rich. I’m the consolation prize? Rejected, framed, useless? Perfect trade bait.”

Ethan glared. “It’s not personal.”

“Everything’s personal with you lately.”

Ashley stepped forward. “Ash, it’s an honor. Northern pack’s powerful. Protection, resources…”

“Save the pitch,” I snapped. “I’m not buying.”

Alpha raised a hand. “They specifically requested a Summers daughter. They know about your… rejections. They promised enrollment in a top law program up there. Full ride. No questions about recent events.”

Law school.

My heart stuttered.

“You’re bribing me with law school?”

“Offering,” Alpha corrected.

“Same difference.”

Dad turned. “Ashleigh…”

“No,” I said. “I’m not going. We all know who they really requested. Not me. The Alpha’s daughter.”

Mom whispered, “What things do you have here? And did you just talk back to the Alpha?”

I clutched the hidden letter tighter.

Alpha sighed. “If you refuse, they’ll take the youngest. Lily.”

Lily. Fourteen. Sweet. Shy. Everyone’s baby. The one who still hugged me after the cake incident, who snuck cookies when I was locked up.

I looked at her in the front row. Eyes huge. Scared.

My throat closed.

I stood. Voice shaking but loud. “You’re using my little sister as leverage? Classy.”

Alpha didn’t flinch. “Pack business.”

“Pack business,” I mocked. “Trade the broken daughter or lose the cute one.”

Dad stepped closer. “We don’t want this either.”

“Then say no!”

“We can’t,” Mom said quietly, tears in her eyes. “The alliance matters. We need them. We can’t disrespect the Alpha.”

I laughed again. “So sell me. Family of the year.”

Ashley tried. “It’s not forever. You’ll study law. Come back stronger…”

“Shut up,” I snapped. “You don’t get to talk.”

Lily walked over, grabbed my hand. “Ash, don’t go. I don’t want to go either.”

I looked down at her. Eyes burning.

“I know, kid.”

She hugged me tight. “I’m scared.”

Me too.

I looked at Mom and Dad. “You’re really forcing me out?”

Dad’s voice cracked. “We hate it. But Lily… she’s too young. You’re stronger.”

“Stronger?” I barked a laugh. “I’m the weak one. I can't even shift.”

“You’re not worthless,” Mom whispered.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

Silence stretched.

Alpha spoke. “Decision tonight. Northern envoy arrives tomorrow.”

I looked at Lily again. Crying now. Shoulders shaking.

Fuck.

I let go of her hand. Turned to the Alpha.

“Fine,” I said flatly. “I’ll go.”

Gasps.

Dad exhaled like he’d been punched. Mom covered her mouth. Lily sobbed, “No!”

I knelt, hugged her hard. “Hey. I’ll be okay. I’ll study law. Kick ass. Come back and sue everyone who doubted me. I’ll be the strongest female lawyer.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

I stood, faced the staring room.

“Trade accepted.”

That night I packed, multiple bags, clothes, books. The letter tucked in my wallet like my favorite reason to keep going.

A tiny, stupid hope flickered: maybe the guy with the pretty handwriting was waiting at the end of this.

The drive north took forever. The envoy spoke only once: “We’re here.”

A castle loomed stone walls, towers, iron gates. Northern Crescent didn’t mess around. I hated how impressed I felt.

SUV stopped in a vast courtyard. A tall man waited at the top of wide steps. Mid-fifties, broad shoulders, silver-streaked black hair pulled tight, sharp eyes, dark coat that screamed authority. Alpha Ronan Chan.

He nodded once. “Ashleigh Summers.”

“That’s me,” I said, steadier than I felt. “Your trade-in model.”

His mouth twitched. “Welcome. I’m Alpha Ronan Chan.”

He gestured. Four guys stepped forward. All tall, built, handsome in that infuriating way. Brothers.

Elias–eldest, short-cropped dark hair, stone jaw, arms crossed, serious eyes, boring suit. Responsible Brother.

Declan–longer messy hair tied back, green eyes sparkling trouble, leather jacket, tattoo peeking, smirk in place. Cocky Brother.

Finn–blond streaks, easy grin, relaxed shoulders, hands in pockets, golden-retriever energy. Friendly Brother.

Christopher–youngest-looking, blonde hair falling into eyes, pale skin, quiet stare, hood up. Something off. Distant. Intense. Hidden Brother.

My stomach flipped when my eyes landed on him.

Familiar. Too familiar. Coiled stillness. Cold edge. Gaze flicked to me and away fast.

Alpha Ronan spoke. “My sons. Elias, Declan, Finn, and Christopher.”

Elias nodded stiffly. “Welcome.”

Declan grinned. “Heard you’re trouble. My kind of girl.” Wink.

Finn laughed. “Ignore him. He flirts with lampposts.”

Christopher stayed silent. Stared. Looked away.

I forced a smile. “Charming family. Do I get a name tag or just the side-eye?”

Ronan ignored the jab. “Private room in the east wing. Enrollment at Northern Law Academy starts next week. Full access.”

Law school.

I blinked. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious,” he said. “We keep our word.”

“First time anyone’s kept a promise to me in months.”

Declan whistled. “Bad ex?”

“Worse,” I muttered. “Future brother-in-law.”

Finn snorted. Elias rolled his eyes. Christopher silent.

Ronan gestured. “Inside. It’s cold.”

We walked. Me trailing. Declan teased Finn about some girl, Finn fired back, Elias told them to shut up. Normal brother noise. I felt like an intruder. Which I was.

Inside the main hall big, echoing, fireplaces roaring I kept my head up. Didn’t gawk.

Ronan stopped at the staircase. “Your room’s second floor, last door right. Dinner at seven. Don’t be late.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

He left with Elias trailing.

The other three lingered.

Declan leaned in. “Need help with the bag, princess?”

“I’ve got it,” I snapped. “And don’t call me princess.”

He grinned wider. “Feisty. I love it.”

Finn elbowed him. “Down, boy.”

Christopher finally spoke. Voice low. “Leave her alone.”

They looked surprised.

Declan raised hands. “Chill, Chris. Just friendly.”

Christopher’s eyes flicked to me quickly , intense then he turned and walked away. Hood up. Hands in pockets.

My heart slammed.

That voice. Low. Quiet. Something tugged.

Finn sighed. “Don’t mind him. He’s… moody.”

“Understatement,” Declan added.

I shrugged. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

They left.

I climbed alone. Found the room big bed, desk, window overlooking snow-covered grounds, private bathroom. Better than anything back home.

I dropped my bag. Sat on the bed. Breathed.

Then I saw it.

On the desk. Another folded paper. Same pretty cursive.

I lunged. Hands shaking. Opened it.

The same elegant script stared back.

I gasped. “He’s here. He’s actually here.”

Footsteps.

I spun.

Christopher stood in the doorway. Hood down now. Face pale. Eyes dark. Furious.

“What are you doing?” he snapped.

“This is my room.”

He stepped in fast. Shut the door.

“That’s mine,” he said, low and dangerous.

I looked at the note. Back at him.

“You wrote this?”

He didn’t answer. Reached out. Snatched the paper.

“Hey!”

He crumpled it. Shoved it in his pocket.

“Stay away from my stuff,” he growled.

“Your stuff?” I stepped closer. “You left it on my desk! You saved me from the lake! You wrote the first one too! Don’t lie!”

Jaw clenched. Eyes flashed red? Or just light?

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know exactly,” I snapped. “You’re the blur. The cold arms. The handwriting. You’re him.”

He stared. Long. Hard.

Then leaned in. Close enough I felt the chill off his skin.

“Stay. Away,” he said slowly. Each word a warning. “You have no idea what you’re messing with.”

Heart racing. “I’m not scared of you,” I lied.

He laughed once. “You should be.”

He turned. Walked out. Door slammed.

I stood there, chest heaving. Note gone. Truth screaming.

Christopher Chan.

My savior. My mystery guy. The vampire.

And he just told me to stay away.

I sank onto the bed.

“Of course,” I muttered. “Of course the one person who believed I was worth saving already hates me.”

I was already loving this place though. Especially after learning all four brothers would be at the same academy.