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.”BLAIRE I heard the man standing in front of me cursing as I stood there awkwardly, under the scrutiny of the men. There was silence, silence for so long I thought maybe they all walked away and I somehow heard nothing of their departure. Finally, when my shoulder relaxed, and I let out a sigh of relief, I heard a throat clear. “Blaire, there is no one in this room that is a worse decision than you are. Everyone here just needs to read your profile to know that what I say is true. The daughter of Jacob Ashbourne has nothing but trouble and grief written all over her. But the fact that you signed up for Bind and Pack Match in secret tells me that maybe you already know this. The bastard who takes you on is either going to be really smart or so fucking dumb, and I can’t even tell you which.” “I understand,” I whispered meekly as I tried to hold back the tears. The man leaned in one more time, inhaling my scent before he and his companions walked away. Once he spoke the truth open
BLAIRE Put it together, Blaire. There is always next time. Only there wasn’t a next time, not really. The next Bind and Pack Match auction was months away, and after tonight, my father would surely be on to me, I will be more suffocated and trapped in his walls. Hell, chances were he had already noticed my absence and was tearing apart our whole land searching for me. Not because he cared, no . . . Jacob Ashbourne cared for no one but himself. He valued no one’s life over possessions, power, riches, and his pack.But I was useful to him. Useful because one day, I would be his bargaining chip. A virgin offered to grow his power and fortune, which was the only reason he kept me stored away, rarely letting me leave his house at all, I was only but a living rumor people hardly knew or saw.I knew that day was coming close, I’d heard the talk, the bargaining, the counteroffers. It was close, and I thought maybe escaping to Bind and Pack Match was my way out, but I failed. Now, not only w
BLAIRE“What’s wrong, Blaire? You look like you’re ready to run,” the one that I knew now as Fredrick Marlowe said, a smirk tilting up the corner of his lips.It’s because I am regretting my decision. “I-I’m not going to run.”His green eyes danced with humor, but his face seemed otherwise passive. “You sure about that?”“P-positive.”His eyes suddenly became cold. “I would be ready to run if I were you. Because you’re the daughter of the man who murdered our father and our entire family, and you just became mine.”Well, now, I’m terrified. “I didn’t know.”My voice came out as a whisper, but I knew he heard me. “It doesn’t change the facts, sweetheart.” He reached up to pull on a strand of curled braided hair by my ear, and I flinched. He pulled back, looking a bit annoyed. “Do you think I would hurt you?”Yes. Absolutely. No questions asked. I might be dead tomorrow. “No.”“We may despise your father in the pack, but we wouldn’t hurt you because of that fact. No, but you are part of
Fredrick The ceremony was quick; the blood pact with the sacred knife under the full moon and the merging of blood in the traditional room was fast and done with, thank the fuck for that. I thought for sure that any moment the scared little rabbit of a woman would flee and I would have to hunt her down and drag her back just to appease my damn wolf. The thought made him growl his approval. The moment he caught her scent when I took a whiff of her, he was adamant that this female belonged to him, and I’d be damned if I could get him to listen to any sort of reasoning. My wolf didn’t understand what a risky hatred investment purchasing Blaire Ashbourne would be. The potential for so much backlash would be immense. Still, I went against my better judgment and logic and bought her anyway. Partially to make my wolf happy but also waking up to a woman that gorgeous wouldn’t be a hardship I guess. The boys also all agreed that the benefit of having a beauty like Blaire outweighed the tr
BLAIRE I felt all eyes on me, waiting to see if I decided to step through or spend the rest of our marriage outside on the porch. As appealing as spending time on this porch was, I knew I had to move forward. Home? Well, I hadn’t quite gathered enough nerve for that. But, it turned out I didn’t have to. Before I could even say something or move forward, strong arms nudged me from behind and gently pushed me to take a step “Aren’t you going to take a step?” Jason asked. I nodded at him stepped into the house and turned to look around as I looked up into Lanny’s laughing light green eyes. “Your home looks nice,” I whispered. “Really? I’m sure this is nothing compared to your old man's house, ma’am.” He raised his eyebrows at me, I’m sure they all had different thoughts at the moment, but I really didn’t care. “I do think your place is good though, you guys can stop looking at me weirdly please .” I stood and faced all of them, feeling self-conscious about how they thought of
Blaire A strange warmth spread through my chest as I touched the cool silver pendant resting against my skin. The weight of it felt heavier than it should—like it carried more than just metal, but meaning, responsibility, and something deeper I couldn’t quite name.The room was silent except for the lingering echo of our shared howl fading into the trees outside. The brothers watched me, some with curiosity, others with approval. It was strange—being the center of attention, yet not feeling as suffocated as I expected.Fredrick’s hand remained on mine, grounding me. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice gentle, searching.I swallowed, my fingers brushing against my pendant again. “I… I think so.”Lanny grinned, his green eyes still twinkling with amusement. “Your eyes are stunning like that, Blaire. But don’t go thinking that means you can boss us around.”Caspian smirked. “She is our Luna, though.”Luna.The word landed heavily, making my breath hitch. My wolf stirred inside me, so
Blaire The forest was alive with the sound of our howls, the energy of the ceremony still crackling in the air as we stood together in our wolf forms. My senses were heightened—every rustle of leaves, every shift of Fredrick’s powerful frame beside me sent a thrill through my body.I had never felt this… wild.Fredrick stepped toward me, his silver eyes locked onto mine, glowing with something deeper than instinct—something possessive, claiming. His dark fur brushed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. He let out a low growl, not of warning, but of hunger.For me.As if the bond itself had a will of its own, I felt the pull—primal, undeniable. My wolf answered his, my body already anticipating what was to come. The moment stretched between us, thick with tension, before Fredrick turned and sprinted through the trees.A challenge.A chase.My heart pounded as instincts took over, and I leaped after him, my paws kicking up soft earth as I followed. He was fast, weaving through
Federick The dawn painted the sky in streaks of gold and violet, the last whispers of the moon retreating beyond the horizon. My body still hummed with the aftershocks of the night, my bond with Blaire now sealed in more ways than one. She lay beside me, wrapped in my arms, her hair a tangle of wild waves across my chest.She was mine.I had claimed her under the moon, under the laws of our kind, but something in me—something ancient—felt as if I had known her far longer than time allowed.Her breathing was slow and steady, but I knew she wasn’t asleep. She stirred, nuzzling against me, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.“Morning, Luna,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.She made a sleepy sound, but then, to my amusement, she groaned. “I don’t think I can move.”I smirked. “I did warn you.”Blaire lifted her head just enough to glare at me, her emerald eyes still glazed from the night before. “You’re way too proud of yourself right now.”I chuckled, tight
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