39-40

Blaire strode into the grand house of lycan king Kaldir, her presence commanding the attention of the guards and security personnel stationed at every corner. The air was tense, filled with an unspoken anticipation as they eyed her warily. She had an air of determination about her, as if she were a force to be reckoned with.

"Where is he?" Blaire's voice cut through the silence, her tone firm and unwavering. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of the man she sought – Kaldir. The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard by her sudden appearance and demand.

"He's not here, miss," one of the guards finally stammered, stepping forward cautiously. "Alpha Kaldir isn't currently on the premises." The guard tried to reason out knowing that the alpha did not like anyone’s unannounced presence.

Blaire's jaw clenched, frustration and impatience evident on her face. "I don't have time for games. I need to see him now. It's urgent." The security personnel exchanged uneasy looks, clearly torn between their duty to protect and their uncertainty in the face of her persistence.

Blaire's gaze intensified, her eyes narrowing as she locked onto each guard in turn. The weight of her determination seemed to press down on the room, suffocating any attempt to evade her demand. "I won't ask again," Blaire's voice dropped to a low, steely tone. "Take me to him."

The guards glanced at each other, seemingly reaching an unspoken agreement. With a resigned nod, the guard who had spoken earlier gestured for Blaire to follow. As they began to lead her through the corridors of the house, the tension remained palpable. Blaire's steps were purposeful, her mind focused on the meeting ahead, her emotions driving her forward.

As they reached a set of ornate double doors, the guard hesitated for a moment before pushing them open. Blaire's gaze swept the room beyond, locking onto the figure seated at the opulent desk. Alpha Kaldir, a man of enigmatic power and influence, looked up from his documents, surprise flickering across his face at Blaire's unannounced entrance.

"Blaire," Kaldir's voice was composed, a mix of curiosity and caution. "To what do I owe this unexpectedly sooner visit?" Blaire's expression softened slightly, her determination giving way to a complex blend of emotions. She stepped forward, her eyes never leaving his. "We need to talk. Now."

Blaire's gaze bore into Kaldir's, her previous urgency mingling with a new layer of concern. "Kaldir, tell me the truth. Confirm it for me. Have you finally captured Jade?" Blaire’s expressions seemed eager to know whether the rumour she heard was true or not.

Kaldir's brow furrowed as he studied Blaire's face, his features betraying a hint of reluctance. "Yes, Blaire. As you wanted, I managed to apprehend her. She is in a secure facility now under me." Kaldir spoke in a sly tone knowing that he was a part of the whole plan.

Blaire's shoulders visibly relaxed, a mix of relief and satisfaction flooding her expression. She had pursued Jade for months, a formidable foe who had eluded her grasp time and again. "Good. It's about time."

Kaldir's gaze held a somber note, his voice carrying a weight that mirrored the gravity of the situation. "There's something else you should know, Blaire. Jade is... pregnant." As Kaldir informed her Blaire was taken aback, the news of her pregnancy had not reached her earlier as she was not in the Gravestone pack of Ragnar’s.

The news landed like a heavy blow, catching Blaire off guard. Her eyes widened, her initial satisfaction giving way to a whirlwind of emotions, shock, confusion, and a touch of anger within her. She knew that something in her got crushed upon hearing those words, her whole life and meaning of revenge changed.

She struggled to process the revelation, her mind racing to piece together the implications of this unexpected twist. "Pregnant?" Blaire's voice was a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Who…whose child?" Even though she knew the reply but wanted to confirm it. How could it be possible?

Kaldir's gaze met Blaire's, his eyes holding a depth of understanding that belied the complexity of the situation. "Ragnar's." The name hit Blaire like a jolt of lightning. Ragnar, a name she hadn't heard in years, a name associated with a past she had tried to bury.

Memories resurfaced, feelings long suppressed threatening to overwhelm her. She had once been close to Ragnar, intimately intertwined with his life and ambitions, until circumstances had driven them apart.

As the weight of Kaldir's words settled in, Blaire's thoughts raced. The realisation that Jade was carrying Ragnar's child added a layer of intricacy to the situation, intertwining their lives in ways Blaire hadn't anticipated.

She looked at Kaldir, searching for any sign of his true intentions in sharing this information. "Why are you telling me this, Kaldir?" Blaire grew angry over the whole matter though she had asked it herself but the weighted of those words made her hate everything. She grew hysterical.

Kaldir's gaze held a mix of sincerity and caution. "Because, Blaire, the situation has become more complex than we initially thought. The child, Jade's child, carries a legacy that could shape the future of our world, the wolf and lycan child. You have to proceed alone now, for whatever comes next."

Blaire's mind churned up with multiple thoughts, her emotions tangled in a web of conflicting desires. She had sought emotional injustice, closure, and now the revelation of Jade's pregnancy had thrown a new variable into her calculations. She glanced once more at Kaldir, her determination reforged in the face of this evolving challenge.

"We will deal with whatever comes our way together as we were involved together," Blaire's voice was resolute, a glint of determination shining in her eyes. "But for now, I need to see Jade. I need to understand what she's planning further, for her sake and for the sake of that child."

Blaire's thoughts churned as she processed the intricate web of information before her. Jade's capture, her pregnancy with Ragnar's child, and the potential ramifications for their world it was all a tangle that demanded her attention. She looked at Kaldir, a mixture of determination and gratitude in her eyes.

"You have done a good job, Kaldir," Blaire said, her voice steady and appreciative. "Keeping Jade trapped here is a crucial step. We can't let her escape or continue her plans, especially now."

Kaldir nodded, a sense of accomplishment crossing his features. "We have teams monitoring her closely. She won't get away this time."

Blaire's gaze bore into Kaldir's, her expression thoughtful. "But we can't leave anything to chance. As long as Jade's alive, her influence can still wreak havoc. I have a proposal."

Kaldir arched an eyebrow, intrigued by Blaire's words. "Go on." Blaire took a deep breath, her resolve firm. "Keep Jade under your control, in your custody. I know it sounds convincing because she is your mate, but we have a unique opportunity here. If I can convince Ragnar that it's in his best interest to marry me, we can unite our forces and wield the power of the child's lineage to ensure stability. Jade's schemes to stay with Ragnar will crumble if she's isolated and powerless."

Kaldir's expression remained thoughtful, his mind working through the implications. "Marry you? That's a risky gambit, Blaire. Ragnar is not an easy man to sway when he loves Jade and she is carrying his child."

A determined glint flickered in Blaire's eyes. "I know him better than anyone. We have a history, a connection. If I can show him that our unity is the only way to protect the child's future, he might see reason. And once he's by my side, we can ensure that Jade's influence is contained for good."

Kaldir's lips curved into a half-smile, a mixture of admiration and skepticism. "You have always been a formidable strategist, Blaire. But convincing Ragnar to marry you won't be a simple task."

Blaire's smile matched his, a mixture of confidence and determination. "I'm aware of the challenge, Kaldir. But I won't let this opportunity slip through my fingers. We've been adversaries for too long. It's time to turn the tables."

Kaldir's gaze held Blaire's for a moment, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. "Very well, good wishes for you. If anyone can accomplish and pull this stunt, it's you. But remember, time is of the essence. Ragnar should be coming here any soon to get her back."

Blaire nodded, her gaze unwavering. "I understand, Kaldir. I'll do whatever it takes to ensure that he would not be able to take her back at any cost." As they shared a determined and mutual nod, the weight of their responsibilities hung heavy in the air.



Jade sat alone in her dimly lit room, a book spread open in her lap but her attention drifting elsewhere while thinking of an escape. A faint unease prickled at the back of her neck, a sensation that something was about to shift. She glanced around, her hazel eyes flicking from one corner to another, searching for a source to her restlessness.

As if on cue, a creak echoed through the room, the sound of the door slowly inching open. Jade's heart skipped a beat, her senses on high alert. Her gaze locked onto the doorway, waiting with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

And then, there she was. Blaire, her raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall of silk. Her presence was like a breath of unexpected wind, simultaneously refreshing and unsettling. Blaire stepped into the room, her eyes locking onto Jade's.

A hesitant smile tugged at the corners of Blaire's lips, and Jade couldn't help but mirror it, though her surprise remained palpable. They were friends, yes, but Blaire's sudden appearance was unusual, a gush of jealousy had made them both enemies of each other all because of a man.

"Hey," Blaire greeted softly, her voice a gentle melody in the hushed room. Jade blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected intrusion. "Blaire, what... What are you doing here?" she stammered, her curiosity laced with a hint of shock.

Blaire's expression shifted, her gaze flickering as if caught off guard by Jade's reaction. "I just... I had this feeling," she began, her words careful as if trying to navigate a delicate subject. "I felt like I needed to see you."

Jade's eyebrows furrowed, her mind racing to process the revelation. She had always known Blaire to be intuitive, but this felt different, as if their connection ran deeper than she had realised. The room seemed to close in around them, a bubble of shared vulnerability forming.

"Is everything okay with your brain, huh?" Jade finally managed to ask, her concern mingling with the lingering shock of Blaire's unexpected appearance. Blaire's eyes softened, and she nodded, her earlier hesitance giving way to a more genuine smile. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just... needed to talk. To you. I wanted to apologise actually."

Jade's initial surprise gradually ebbed, replaced by a sense of understanding and warmth. She shifted on the spot, making space for Blaire to sit beside her on the bed. As they settled in, the weight of the moment seemed to lift, replaced by an air of familiarity and connection.

And so, in the quiet confines of that room, surrounded by the echo of a creaking door and the soft whispers of their shared words, Jade and Blaire began a conversation that would intertwine their paths in ways they could have never imagined. Jade was still itty bitty about Blaire’s coming there.

Jade's initial surprise gradually ebbed, replaced by a sense of understanding and warmth. She shifted on the spot, making space for Blaire to sit beside her on the bed. As they settled in, the weight of the moment seemed to lift, replaced by an air of familiarity and connection.

And so, in the quiet confines of that room, surrounded by the echo of a creaking door and the soft whispers of their shared words, Jade and Blaire began a conversation that would intertwine their paths in ways they could have never anticipated.

Jade studied Blaire's face, her hazel eyes searching for answers beyond the words. "Blaire," she began, her tone carefully measured, "this... feeling, this apology is genuine or what. Is it just about talking? Or is there something more? Are you in partnership with Kaldir?"

Blaire's eyes widened in genuine surprise, her mouth agape for a moment before she managed to respond. "What? No, Jade, you've got it all wrong. I would never—"

Jade's patience snapped, her voice rising with a mix of frustration and lingering shock. "Don't lie to me, Blaire! I've felt like I'm being watched, like someone's out to get me, and now you show up out of the blue, claiming some 'feeling'? How am I supposed to believe you're not involved somehow?"

Blaire's face paled, her shock shifting into hurt as she stared at Jade. "I can't believe you would think that of me, I know I have hurt you but I came here to apologise to you." she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of betrayal.

Jade's anger momentarily wavered as she saw the hurt in Blaire's eyes. She took a deep breath, attempting to rein in her emotions. "Blaire, I'm sorry," she sighed, her voice softer now but still heavy with suspicion. "But you have to understand how this looks. It's all too coincidental. I cannot think of you being good all of sudden."

Blaire's shoulders slumped, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I get it, I do," she murmured. "But I swear to you, Jade, I'm not involved with Kaldir or anyone else trying to harm you. If anything, I've been worried about you."

Jade's resolve wavered, torn between her instinctive distrust and her friendship with Blaire. She studied Blaire's face once again, this time searching for signs of deception and finding none. The tense silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, Jade let out a heavy sigh, her anger dissipating like smoke in the wind. "Alright, Blaire. I believe you," she admitted, her voice weary but sincere. A mix of relief and gratitude washed over Blaire's features as she met Jade's gaze. "Thank you," she whispered.

Jade offered a small, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions," she said. "It's just... these past few weeks have been strange, and paranoia got the best of me."

Blaire reached out, placing a comforting hand on Jade's arm. "I understand. And I'm here to help, not to cause more trouble."

Jade nodded, her shoulders relaxing as the tension melted away. "Let's just promise to always communicate, no matter how weird things seem. Okay?"

Blaire's smile returned, warm and genuine. "Absolutely. Friends should trust each other, after all." And as they sat there, side by side, the room seemed to brighten, not just with the soft glow of the lamp, but with the restoration of their bond.

Jade's resolve wavered, torn between her instinctive distrust and her friendship with Blaire. She studied Blaire's face once again, this time searching for signs of deception and finding none. The tense silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken words.

But even as Jade allowed herself to believe in Blaire's sincerity, a lingering doubt gnawed at the back of her mind. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right. Blaire's sudden sweetness, her perfectly timed appearance – it all felt too orchestrated. Her mind churned with questions that she was hesitant to voice aloud.

As if sensing Jade's inner turmoil, Blaire shifted uncomfortably, her gaze dropping for a moment before meeting Jade's again. "Jade," she began hesitantly, "there's something I want to talk to you about."

Jade's eyebrows furrowed, her suspicion deepening. "What is it?" she asked cautiously.

Blaire took a deep breath, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "It's about Kaldir," she admitted, her voice quieter now, almost a whisper.

Jade's heart raced, her suspicions seemingly confirmed. She leaned back slightly, her wariness returning in full force. "What about Kaldir? Do you know anything" she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.

Blaire's eyes widened at Jade's reaction, her own apprehension evident. "I... I've been approached by him," she confessed, her voice barely audible.

Jade's eyes narrowed, her guard fully up now. "Approached? How? Why?" she demanded, her tone more accusatory than she intended.

Blaire looked down, her fingers clenching into fists. "He offered me something, something I thought could help both of us," she said, her voice wavering.

Jade's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with a jumble of emotions. She had trusted Blaire, confided in her, and now her friend's involvement with the very person who seemed to threaten her felt like a betrayal of the highest order. "What did he offer you, Blaire?" she asked, her voice cold and distant.

Blaire finally looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. "Protection, Jade," she admitted, her voice cracking. "He said he could keep us safe from whatever danger all the alphas of werewolf clans have been sensing."

Jade's disbelief was palpable. She stared at Blaire, her anger and hurt mingling in a tumultuous mix. "Protection from him? From the person who's been haunting my every step?" she spat out, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tell me, Blaire, how am I supposed to believe any of this? How am I supposed to believe you?"

Blaire's tears fell freely now, her face etched with regret. "I didn't know what to do, Jade. I thought... I thought I was doing what was best for us."

Jade's gaze hardened, her trust shattered. She rose abruptly from the bed, her heart heavy with a mix of anger and sorrow. "I need some time to think," she said, her voice devoid of its earlier warmth. Without looking back Blaire left the room.