The small pack had gathered to once again send off their former Alpha's spirit. No frills or flowers were there, instead the pack put handwritten notes of how he touched their lives on to the pyre with him. This was so the moon goddess knew he had been a good Alpha, that his pack was indeed mourning him. Blair walked up alone and put a note in his hand, "Goodbye daddy," she whispered and kissed his cheek. Ben walked up alone and laid another note, "Thank you dad," he whispered squeezing Kaspar's hand. He walked back and nodded to Elder Luthor to continue to send Kaspar's spirit to the moon goddess as the pyre was lit. There were small sobs as the pack turned and walked to their cars. Ben and Blair remained until everyone was gone, their mates a step behind them. The elder's looked at the twins as they stood stoic and vigilant, until nothing remained. Ben squeezed Blair's hand and they turned walking back to their cars and going home in silence.
Once home James followed Blair to her room, she went to her closet to change in silence. Blair came out in sweats and a t-shirt sat on her bed, "This doesn't feel like home anymore," she said sadly. James walked over to her, "It's not," he replied softly. Blair looked at him, "Ben is the alpha, and your wolf senses that, it's time to let him take over and you take your place as our packs Luna," he explained gently. Blair nodded absentmindedly. "When you're ready," he assured her and kissed her cheek. His touch made her feel almost normal, and she wanted to cry when he got up to leave. Blair grabbed his hand and pulled him back, "Don't leave me?" She asked, her voice trembled. James smiled and sat down next to her, "I am bound to you," he assured. They laid down, her face buried in his chest, his chin on her head and they slept.
Morning came around and Blair felt like she had a kink in her neck, she sat up and stretched and went to take a shower hoping the heat would sooth the muscle. James woke up hearing the shower and wasn't sure what to do, should he stay? What if Blair walked out in a towel and thought he'd still be asleep? He was lost in anxiety trying to figure out what to do when Blair went into her closet with a robe on and hair wrapped in a towel. "Do you wanna get cleaned up before breakfast?" She asked from the closet. "Um, yeah, sure," he said and made his way to the shower.
On passing the closet he caught a glimpse of Blair's naked backside as she pulled up her underwear. He had seen her naked before, but he was usually worried about her, in those instances. This time they were in her bedroom alone, he blinked several times and quickly went into the bathroom to take a cold shower. Blair was dressed in a skinny jean, a black cowl neck sweater. She pulled her hair into a messy bun with curly tendrils coming down and was putting on make-up when James poked his head out of the shower, "I left my clothes in the spare room," he called. "Oh no, I grabbed them a few minutes ago," she said and wheeled his suitcase over. "Thanks," he replied pulling the suitcase in. Blair smiled and went back to her vanity. She looked at all her make up and jewelry that she had collected, she would have to pack all of this up carefully. She didn't even want to think about packing her closet and she looked at her bed. It was her mother's bed as a girl, she should leave it for Ben and Jen's children. Blair sighed and went back to putting on her make up, James came out. "When should we head home?" She asked clasping the necklace Ben had gotten her around her neck. James looked at her surprised. "When you're ready," he offered. Blair looked at him through the mirror, "I'll pack things up today," she told him. James walked up behind her and gently rubbed her shoulders, "We don't have to so fast," he offered. "I know," she half smiled, "But this isn't home anymore," she added. James kissed her cheek, "I'll call Ryan and ask him to bring a truck," he offered, she nodded.
Ben and Jen were eating breakfast together in the breakfast nook. "Blair," Ben said with a pause, as Blair grabbed a yogurt and fruit bowl that Mrs. Smith had prepared. "How are you feeling," she asked him. "Fine," he answered. Blair sat down across from him. She couldn't help but notice his scar on his neck, she immediately grabbed her matching one. They shared a look of sadness, "I'm leaving," she told him. Ben's face fell with concern. "I need to take my place, as Luna in the evergreen pack," she explained. Jen looked at Ben, "But," He started. "I was supposed to leave after your alpha ceremony," she interrupted. Ben just stared at her, "You can do this," she told him touching his hand.
Ben looked down and took a deep breath in, "I uh," he stuttered. "I just, I didn't think it would feel so final," he added. Blair took a few bites not knowing what else to say. There wasn't much to be said, it was time for them to begin separate lives as hard as it would be. "What about your claiming?" Jen asked, trying to lift the mood. "It's not necessary," Blair answered. "But you were so excited about it," Ben added. "It's fine," Blair responded. "It would be nice to have something to celebrate after of all this. Ben could step in," Jen offered trailing off before she said something about Kaspar. Ben pushed his chair back letting it scrape across the tile and put his bowl in the sink and walked out. Blair let out a sigh, "He'll be ok," Jen assured her.
Blair went down to Ben's office and knocked. "Come in," he called. Blair walked in and smiled, "It suits you," she said. He smiled, "Feels weird being on this side," he replied. "You'll be a great Alpha," she offered. "Thanks," he replied. "I know this is difficult, with everything that's happened," she began. Ben interrupted her, "I'll be ok Blair, you don't have to protect me, anymore." Blair nodded, "I think Jen's right. Maybe going through with the claiming, is a good idea," she answered. Ben smiled, "I'll have it set for tonight," he offered. "Thank you," she replied and left him alone in his office.
Jen pulled Blair downtown as the guys packed up her things into the moving truck and took it to the evergreen pack. "I know your mom would've done all of this with you," Jen said as they walked up to the salon, "And no one can replace her, but these moms wanted to be here for you," Jen said opening the door to reveal, Michelle, Jen's mom, Sue, Beth's mom and Maggie, James' mom. Blair took a shaky breath in, "Thank you," she choked out. They all surrounded her and hugged her, and for a moment Blair could feel her own mother there with her.
They primped and helped Blair get ready, helping with her hair, which was curled into black waves. A bow of evergreen and baby's breath was placed on her head and pinned. The women helped Blair into her claiming dress, that Jen had stolen and brought down to the salon, along with her green shoes. "You look absolutely beautiful," Maggie told her. Blair turned and saw herself in the mirror and she remembered how excited her mom was seeing her in that dress. Blair smiled and hugged the women, "Thank you for stepping in," she told them.