BLAIRE
The microphone squeaked before the speaker tapped it and spoke, “Gentlemen, can I have your full attention, please?” There was a pause while the crowd lowered their voice right before the room went silent. “Gentlemen, I want to thank you all for coming out today and participating in this round of Bind and Pack Match. Each lady you see before you has gone through careful evaluations and should hopefully meet your satisfaction. Take a good look at these ladies lined up, in just a few moments, I’m going to ask them to take a walk back to the waiting room and then I will display information and pictures of them, on the big screen and allow you choose carefully before inviting them, back on stage for you to get a closer look and maybe spark up a conversation. When your choice has been made, pick the color that matches your woman on the stage and place it in the box along with your highest offer. We will sort through the ballots and announce the winners later this evening before our traditional pact ceremony. Once your money transfers to the ladies’ Bind and Pack Match account, they are officially yours. Remember, that money is theirs to keep and is no longer under pack control.” There was a round of acknowledgments and whispers from the surrounding men before the woman turned toward all the females on stage. “Ladies, go ahead and enter the waiting room and remember, no peeking, no eaevesdropping.” With shaking hands and sweaty palms, I lifted my dress and walked back to the waiting room. Then I secured my dress after sitting down , waiting for the next call with my hands placed together on my dress. When all the women had taken their sit, it took some time before we were called out again the men were given the go-ahead to move forward and examine the woman on stage . With my heart beating and my eyes lowered, the nearing footsteps seemed to ricochet through the room, and I kept my shoulders straight, with my eyesight stuck below my dress, trying to remain calm as they neared closer. The first few men strolled by me slowly, and I was thankful they hadn’t stopped to question me. A few others passed, making verbal notions about my height, hair, and body shape before I heard them walking past me. God, please don’t let me get stuck with these disgusting men. I didn’t think this through. I mean, I did, but not enough to start regretting my decision. Now, standing here with all eyes judging me, I realized the potential chaos that I had put myself in a much worse situation. Men shifters outnumbered the females ten to one, it’s a known fact. Women were in high demand. How did I not consider the repercussions of my actions? “Ashbourne,” a deep voice said thoughtfully, “As in St Blaire . . . Ashbourne?” I bit my lip and nodded, not trusting my voice to speak. “I was unaware that Ashbourne had a daughter. Jason, did you know Ashbourne had a daughter?” I felt the presence of another man step forward. “I’ve heard rumors, but no one has seen his child, so it was just that . . . a rumor.” I felt a finger run down my cheek and the deep voice spoke again, “But you very much are real, aren’t you.?” There was a pause as the man's footsteps paused, the man no doubt waiting for my response, “Blaire.” I nodded again as he took my chin in his hand, tilting my head to get a better look. “You look like your mother, has anyone ever told you that? You’re fucking lucky there, that’s for sure. Your father is an ugly bastard. Does he know you’re here, sweetheart?” I wanted to shake my head, but my chin was still firmly in his grip, “N-no.” “I’ll be damned. Lanny, what are the odds that this is a bad idea?” A voice spoke up from my right, “It’s the absolute worst possible idea, I would advise against it.” “That’s what I thought.” He leaned in, burying his nose in the crook of my neck and breathing in the scent of my skin, causing my wolf to stir with unsettled energy. Calm down, little wolfy. “She’s close and perfect for the marriage, maybe a week out, or two would be a stretch. Ideally, she’s the perfect she-wolf for the pack and my needs.” “The pack?” I managed to push out, and suddenly, my wolf was no longer excited, but terrified. He made a sound in his throat, “Pack. Is that shocking? We’re a full pack, and i need a mate, sweetheart. What’s a pack without the alpha having pups? Think you could give me a litter or three ?” Shit! What have I gotten myself into? I just needed my freedom away from my father's pack and den, I didn’t want to get married to breed and litter of pups, did he see me as a breeding tool? Another face found the other side of my neck. “I think she could.” ….? No. Not. “I-I can’t?” The hand let go of my chin, and the man attached chuckled, “Why is that?” “I’ve n-never. . .” “You’ve never . . . I’ll be damned.” I heard another silent whisper between them as they probably talked through more details about me, “She’s a damn virgin.”BlaireThe morning air was cold and sharp, biting through the thin fabric of Fredrick’s shirt that I still wore. It smelled like him — cedar and smoke — a comfort I didn’t want to let go of. But comfort wasn’t something we could afford now. Not with Jacob closing in.Fredrick’s words from the night before still echoed in my mind. He trusted me. Finally, fully. But trust didn’t mean he wasn’t still scared for me.I wasn’t scared, though. Not anymore.I’d spent too many years under my father’s shadow. Too many nights wondering what freedom would feel like. Now that I had it — now that I had Fredrick and this pack — I’d die before I let Jacob take it from me.The sun barely peeked over the treetops when the pack gathered in the clearing. Fredrick stood at the center, his brothers flanking him like a wall of muscle and loyalty. I took my place beside him, lifting my chin as the wolves turned their eyes to us.They didn’t look at me with doubt anymore. Not after the way I stood beside Fred
FredrickThe moon was still high when I woke, though dawn wasn’t far off. Sleep had been impossible after Selene’s warning. My mind churned with plans and possibilities, each more dangerous than the last.I slipped from the bed carefully, not wanting to wake Blaire. She stirred anyway, her body curling instinctively toward the warmth I left behind. Even in sleep, she sought me. The thought stirred something deep in my chest — a fierce, protective ache.I leaned down, brushing a kiss to her temple. “Rest, Blaire,” I murmured. “I’ll handle this.”I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring her or myself.The house was silent as I moved through it. My brothers were already awake, gathered around the long wooden table in the main room. Orion leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression grim. Caspian stared into his untouched mug of coffee like it might give him answers. Tony paced restlessly, his jaw tight.They all looked up when I entered.“We’ve got trouble,” Tony said without preamble.
BlaireThe moment the unfamiliar howl pierced the night, the warmth of the fire and the laughter around us died. The air shifted — the comforting scents of smoke and food were drowned out by something sharper. Something wrong.Fredrick was on his feet in an instant, his body tense, his eyes flashing silver as his wolf stirred beneath his skin. His hand lingered on my arm for a moment, grounding me, before he stepped forward. The pack fell silent, waiting.Another howl echoed, closer this time.I stood slowly, heart pounding. A cold weight settled in my stomach. This wasn’t a stray wolf or a lost traveler. This was a message.Fredrick’s voice was low, steady. “Orion, Caspian — perimeter. Now.”His brothers didn’t hesitate, disappearing into the shadows without a sound. The rest of the pack stirred uneasily, some rising to their feet, others lowering their heads, ears pinned back in submission.I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Fredrick… do you think it’s him?”Jacob. My father.Fredric
FredrickThe sun hung low in the sky, casting warm amber streaks over the clearing as the pack worked. The air smelled of sawdust, smoke, and sweat — but beneath it all was something else. Determination. Hope.My muscles ached, and my body screamed for rest, but I couldn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop. Not until every broken wall was mended and every last wolf had a roof over their head.This wasn’t just about rebuilding our home. It was about proving that we weren’t broken. That Jacob Ashbourne’s attack hadn’t shattered us.We were still standing — and stronger than before.I leaned against the frame of what used to be our meeting hall, now little more than charred beams and splintered wood. Caspian and Tony argued nearby over the best way to brace the new supports. Their voices blended into the background hum of the pack’s work.My brothers were loud, stubborn, and exhausting — but damn if I wasn’t grateful for them.“Fred!” Orion’s voice cut through the noise. I turned to see him jogging to
BlaireThe morning after the battle felt surreal. The smell of ash still lingered in the air, blending with the rich scent of pine and earth. The forest was quiet, as though the world itself held its breath, waiting to see what we’d do next.I woke to the sound of hammering — rhythmic, steady, and persistent. Fredrick’s side of the bed was cold, but his scent clung to the blankets, comforting me.For a moment, I wanted to bury myself back under the covers and pretend nothing had changed. That the battle hadn’t happened. That my father wasn’t gone.But that wasn’t who I was anymore.I wasn’t the scared girl who ran from her fate. I was Luna of this pack now — and they needed me.I got dressed quickly, opting for simple clothes that wouldn’t get in the way. The mirror caught my eye as I passed it. My reflection stared back, different than I remembered. My once-soft features were sharper and stronger. My vivid emerald eyes — the mark of my wolf — seemed to glow even in the daylight.I di
BlaireThe battlefield was eerily quiet now. The only sounds left were the rustling of the wind through the trees and the distant howls of the retreating rogues. The moon, once a beacon of strength, now felt cold and distant, casting its pale light over the fallen.My father’s body lay motionless where Fredrick left him. His once-powerful form looked smaller now, lifeless and still.I stared at him for a long moment, my chest tightening in ways I couldn’t quite explain. I didn’t feel sadness — not exactly. It was something more complicated. He had been cruel, manipulative, and controlling, but he was still my father.A part of me — the part that still remembered being a little girl who wanted her daddy’s approval — grieved for what could have been. For what we never had.Fredrick’s hand found mine, his warmth anchoring me to the present. His skin was streaked with dirt and blood, his silver eyes searching mine with a quiet, unspoken question.“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low
FrederickThe moment Blaire spoke those words — “I am home” — I knew there was no turning back.Jacob’s eyes burned with fury. His stance shifted, low and predatory as if her defiance was a personal insult. In a way, it probably was. He wasn’t here to negotiate. He was here to reclaim what he thought belonged to him.But Blaire wasn’t a possession. She wasn’t his to take.A snarl ripped through the air, and Jacob shifted in an instant, his form snapping and twisting into a massive dark brown wolf. His pack surged forward with him, a wave of snarling fur and snapping jaws.My brothers’ howls echoed from the treeline, answering the call. In seconds, the clearing erupted into chaos. Wolves collided like crashing tides, growls and yelps blending into a violent symphony.I didn’t hesitate. My body moved on instinct as I shifted mid-lunge, bones cracking and reforming as my wolf took over. My paws hit the dirt hard, and I barreled into the first rogue that lunged for Blaire, sinking my teet
BlaireThe pack didn’t disperse after Fredrick’s speech. If anything, the air seemed thicker — buzzing with adrenaline and anticipation. Wolves began moving, gathering weapons, preparing supplies, and organizing patrols. The courtyard that once felt warm and inviting now felt like the calm before a violent storm.Fredrick stood tall among his brothers, speaking in low, urgent tones. Caspian and Orion listened intently, nodding as he laid out a plan. I watched him, taking in the way his silver eyes gleamed with fierce determination. He looked every bit the Alpha he was born to be. Strong. Unyielding.And yet, his shoulders seemed heavier tonight — as if the weight of the entire pack rested on him alone.I stepped forward, feeling a pull deep in my chest. I couldn’t just stand on the sidelines. Not anymore.“Fredrick,” I called, my voice steady.His head snapped up, eyes locking onto mine. For a brief moment, his expression softened, but then the steel returned. “Blaire, you should rest
BlaireThe pack dispersed, moving quickly to prepare. I watched them scatter — warriors sharpening weapons, others gathering supplies, and the younger wolves being ushered inside for safety. The courtyard that was filled with warmth and laughter days ago now felt like the calm before a storm.Fredrick stood at the center, giving orders with a steady voice. His brothers flanked him, each a pillar of strength in their way. Caspian was already discussing battle formations, and Orion organizing the patrols. Tony and Lanny were reinforcing the borders with the others. They moved like a well-oiled machine.But I felt… out of place.My heart raced in my chest, but it wasn’t from fear — not entirely. It was the weight of everything settling over me. I wasn’t just Blaire anymore. I wasn’t just the runaway daughter of an alpha. I was Luna to this pack now. And Luna didn’t stand back while her people fought.I turned away from the scene and headed toward the armory, ignoring the sting of the cut