Chapter 2

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 and 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 existed 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.”