Chapter 3

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 openly, it seemed like all the men were repelled against me, not a single one giving me attention, asking me questions, acknowledging my existence. Even though I couldn’t see them, I knew they walked a full circle around me, avoiding me like the plague.

All too soon, it was announced that the time for conversations had ended and all men were to file off the stage. Those who placed bids were instructed to line along the front of the stage, while those who did not find a woman to their liking and taste, had to remain behind the roped-off line if they chose to stay.

We were asked to stand straight and with our heads straight, facing the room of hopeful men as we waited for the final result to be counted and the winners to be recorded. The wait time was minimal since they did most of the scores as the ballots were turned in, but even still, the wait dragged on for what seemed to be hours with my beating heart. When they announced they were finally ready to make the matches, the room went silent. The men looked excited, the women some looked scared and some happy to be matched with a partner, and the crowd who didn’t bid for a lady seemed more than a little amused at the thick layer of awkwardness that blanketed the room.

Emilia picked up the microphone again, clearing her throat loudly before talking into it, “I’m so excited for the outcome of this event, and would just rush into it not to keep anyone.” Taking a pause and looking around, she continued, “Right, okay. In a few moments from now, we will announce the matches. When and if your match is called, you will step forward and claim your girl and then proceed behind the stage where someone will be waiting to show you the ceremony pact room. Any questions you have about the match can be answered during that time, but keep in mind, there are no refunds now that your match is accepted.”

She went on to announce match after match. Each pair seemingly happy with the choice made. All the females beamed with pride over their new soon-to-be mates, while the mates latched on to their women possessively, daring another man to look. The stage cleared, one body at a time until only five were left, myself included.

I shifted on the stage uncomfortably. The girls beside me looked equally uneasy. The woman with the microphone cleared her throat, “Well, this is a bit new to our foundation. We’ve never been in this situation before.” She looked down at her papers. “It appears we have five brides left, but only one has a bid. In the history of Bind and Pack Match, this is the first time we have a bride unbid.”

It was me, I knew it, my nervous wolf knew it too. I shouldn’t have even come here. I could have stayed in my father's den surrounded by his annoying wolves. I was the unbid bride, no thanks to the man who loudly proclaimed what an awful choice of a woman I would be because of my father’s reputation. I bit my lip, promising myself I wouldn’t cry and wouldn’t look weak until I walked safely off stage and alone. But, it didn’t stop my palm from being sweaty and my wolf stirring with isolating pain of what could be.