Andrew pulled out a chair for Blair and pushed her in when she sat. "Blair, it's so nice to have you staying with us," Andrew's mother Kathrine said, the venom dripping her voice was hard to miss. "Thank you, I know it was unexpected and I appreciate the hospitality, while I piece together what happened," Blair groveled aware she was unwanted by Kathrine. "How long will you be staying with us?" Kathrine asked softening a little since she had gotten what she wanted. "I've asked that she stay through the summer solstice, she will be my guest," Andrew chimed in putting Kathrine in her place. "Oh, we'll have to go shopping tomorrow," Sidney beamed, excited. Blair smiled and took a deep breath; it was odd in her mind since Simone didn't look anything like her family. Simone's darker complexion and dark brown curly hair was the opposite of her mother and Sidney's fiery red hair and fairer skin. Even Andrew and Tim's auburn hair, was nothing to Simone's. "Have you contacted your brother?" Kathrine asked. "I did, thank you," Blair answered. They continued to eat as Blair, Andrew, and Sidney made small talk about the solstice and the moon. One thing Blair noticed was Tim never showed for dinner and no one brought it up, everyone went on eating and chatting as if Tim not coming to dinner, was a normal occurrence. Blair began to realize things weren't adding up, the connection she felt with Andrew was strange and something she had never heard of. "So, what about it, Blair?" Andrew asked pulling her from her thoughts. "I'm sorry, how about what?" She asked back with a smile. "An evening stroll, Sidney says the Jasmine along the creek is in bloom right now," Andrew repeated. "Sounds wonderful," Blair answered.
After dinner Blair collected the dishes and took them into the kitchen, "Oh you don't have to do that, sweetheart," the cook Franny said. Franny was a short round woman who seemed to be from the old country, her aesthetic was nearly antique. Blair felt warmth from her and appreciated her kindness. Blair smiled at her, "I know it was extra to have me here, I just want to help," she offered softly. "It's no trouble," Franny assured her. Kathrine watched from the doorway; Blair couldn't help but feel something wasn't right with her. "What makes your life more important that my daughter's," Kathrine nearly whispered as she walked out of the room. Blair suddenly felt self-conscious, and she and Franny watched Kathrine walked out. "Luna Blair, you better be careful around her. She's been awfully angry with you and your brother since that girl's death," Franny told her. "You mean," Blair began but Franny shushed her. "We don't say her name. No one in this pack except Kathrine and Alpha Tim were sad she's gone," Franny confessed quietly. "Where is Alpha Tim?" Blair asked. "He hasn't come home, since you showed up," Franny answered in a whisper. "Blair, are you ready?" Andrew asked stepping into the kitchen. "Yes," she jumped. "You two go have some fun," Franny smiled shooing them out of the kitchen.
Blair followed Andrew through the little gate in the back yard and down a trail that ran along the creek. It was a beautiful summer evening and Sidney was right the Jasmin was in bloom and the breeze was so fragrant, it was near intoxicating. "Sidney and I use to run this trail all the time as kids," Andrew stated. "It's so relaxing here," Blair told him. "I'm glad you feel that way," he said taking a deep breath as they continued to walk. Blair absentmindedly took her braid out to let her hair blow in the light breeze, Andrew watched her in awe. They walked a little further and he pointed, "Our tree house uses to be in that tree," he informed her. Blair giggled, "Did you pretend you were a great warrior defending your territory?" Blair asked. "No, I caught frogs to scare my sisters," he corrected with a chuckle. They walked over to the tree and sat down next to the creek on a log, "You are so beautiful," Andrew said tucking a strand of hair behind Blair's ear. Blair blushed, "You could stay here you know," Andrew added. Blair gaped at him, "I know, you have Ben, and you need to deal with James, but I could make you happy," he offered. Blair smiled, her heart was screaming at her to stop but as Andrew leaned in, she didn't stop or pull back, she let him kiss her. "I'm sorry, but I just had too," Andrew murmured against her lips. Blair took a deep breath in and let it out, "It's just things are confusing," she told him. "I know," Andrew said pulling back. They sat enjoying the sound of the water trickling down through the rocks, before heading back. Andrew walked her to her room, and they said good night. Blair changed into a night gown in the bathroom and washed her face, but something caught her eye, her mark from James. Guilt slammed into her as tears stung her eyes, they looked faded, why are they fading? Blair grabbed her phone off the nightstand and took a picture, she sent it to Beth asking her to show Elder Wallace and ask him what that means. Blair couldn't sleep, she laid in bed tossing and turning, questions echoing in her head. Beth wasn't answering, she was probably asleep, but she couldn't help the guilt and sorrow she was feeling that her mark was fading away.
James was up early in his office, he had sent for Elder Wallace first thing in the morning and Elder Tomas was already being entertained by Maggie, Beth, and Jen. "Son, Elder Wallace is here," Duncan said walking in. James came out as Beth was showing Elder Wallace her phone, "What's that?" James asked. "Nothing," Beth jumped putting her phone away. "Let me see the phone, Beth," James ordered. Beth looked at Elder Wallace, "Give me the phone," James commanded. "Her mark is fading, James," Elder Wallace stated frankly. Maggie gasped, "What?" James asked but his voice was almost inaudible. "There are a number of factors that have to take place for this to happen, but it appears they have happened," Elder Wallace explained. "Whoa, what factors? They imprinted," Ben began, as if that explained something. "I know the story Alpha Ben, I'm sorry, but one factor is she hasn't marked him," Elder Wallace stated matter of factly. Everyone looked at James, who shut his eyes. "And it is likely Blair could be pregnant and that baby is drawing its alpha strength from that mark, since you and she are not together," Elder Wallace said angrily. Everyone's faces snapped to him, except Elder Tomas, who closed his eyes in horror, he knew the risks ahead. "If she is in fact pregnant and you two aren't reunited two things could happen," Elder Tomas chimed in. "If they do not know she is pregnant, and nothing is done she will die. The baby will use all of her connection to you for strength and kill her to be born," Elder Wallace added. "They're trying to kill her anyway," Ben stated. "For the power of the distich bond, they still need you for that," Elder Wallace reminded him. "What's if they know she's pregnant?" James asked. "If they wait for that mark to fade and another alpha marks her, that baby could die," Elder Tomas explained. "Could, so there's a chance," James perked up. "Alpha, it's not what you think. If the baby survives the new mark, it will also be marked for that pack," Elder Tomas chose his words carefully. James sat on the couch, "What do we do?" Ben asked. "We keep informing Blair of what is real, when she calls," Elder Wallace answered. "What about the chalice? Our dad destroyed its power they can't do that ritual to take the power," Ben remembered. "They could have another ritual that's not in any of the books, we would need to consult a witch to know for sure," Elder Wallace explained. "We don't have time to find a witch," Ben shouted. "Ben, darling," Jen began touching his arm. "What if she's not pregnant?" Ben asked calming a little with Jen's touch. The elder's looked at Ben, "you said she could be pregnant. What if she's not?" Ben asked again. The elders looked at each other, Elder Wallace hung his head, "Then she is rejecting James, body and soul," Elder Tomas answered softly. James looked at him tears threatening to fall and he pounded the solid wood coffee table breaking it, slivers of wood falling to the ground, "How long?" James asked standing and turning to face them. "How long what, Alpha James?" Elder Wallace asked. "How long do we have before the bond is completely broken and her mark is gone?" James asked frantic. "A week, maybe two" Elder Wallace told him.