Hope

"So... what are we gonna do?" Kade prods again and I look at Connor, who I can tell is deep in thought. His thumb is rubbing against my thigh like he does when he's stressed and I place my hand on his chest, right on his heart. This pulls him from his thoughts and he looks around the table.

"Well, first and foremost, Hope needs to practice her powers. I don't know what the council wants or what they'll do when they realize how powerful Hope is, so I want as many eyes on her as possible. I'm sorry, baby, but you're still on house arrest until we settle this. I've only ever heard stories about the council, but they've been known to use less than savory techniques to deal with things they consider threats. We need to keep you safe." He says and I nod even though I also sigh heavily.

"OK, but my wolf needs to run. She has to, Connor. It's been weeks and with the fight and all of these changes in my powers she needs to let loose." Connor nods in agreement.

"That's fine. Dean, Kade and I will go with you." He says.

"Me too." My dad supplies and Connor nods.

"And me." Draven adds. "I got your back, sis." He says with a smile and wink making me giggle.

"Scott, I'd like to swear you and Amy into the pack as soon as possible. Kade you too. We didn't get a chance to at the ceremony. Did Jon pick his beta?" Connor asks Dean and he nods.

"Yeah. He wanted Kade. Imagine his surprise when he found out we were mates." Dean chuckles as he reaches out to hold Kade's hand. I don't miss the look of affection on my dad's face as he watches us with our mates. I know he's happy with who we were gifted. All he and our mom ever wanted was for us to be happy, but it's nice to see it play out in front of us.

"OK, let's just be honest here." Draven says gaining our attention. "If they threaten Hope, we're going to kill them right? I mean, they're pointless anyway. She can force them into submission while we take them out. Bing, bang, boom, done." Connor sighs heavily.

"Always so tactful, Draven. Yeah, if they refuse to let us live in peace, we will dispose of them."

"Maybe we should do it either way. They're just a bunch of egotistical old wolves who appointed themselves our leaders. It's not like we voted for them and it's not like they do anything but live in excess." Kade supplies and I shake my head.

"We will not kill them unless absolutely necessary. I'm a healer, that goes against everything I stand for and believe in."

"Just because they say they'll leave us be, doesn't mean they mean it. They could come back and try to fuck with us again. Even sneak onto the territory to get to Luna when we aren't expecting it." Dean says and Connor agrees.

"That's true, but we can't go around killing people because of what they may or may not do in the future." He says and I nod in agreement.

"Let's just see what they want, and go from there." I say and everyone nods in agreement.

"OK, Scott, you and Amy will stay with us. Draven, you and Liz need to move in too for the time being. I want everyone together, it'll be easier to keep you all safe. Dean, I want to check the panic room in the basement, make sure it has everything we need. We need to be prepared at a moments notice. I want to increase the wolves on patrol as well. Since Jon has picked a beta, send them home as soon as possible. I don't need more wolves that aren't pack members on our land, things are stressful enough."

"Yes, Alpha." Dean responds.

"Scott, can you call Amy in? We're going to swear you all in while you're here."

"Yes, Alpha." My dad says and it feels a little weird to have my dad refer to my mate as alpha.

"Colby is going to be so excited." I squeal and Connor chuckles. My dad looks confused so Connor explains.

"He's our head warrior. We could use your expertise, if you're willing to share."

"Hell yeah." My dad says with a bright smile making me giggle.

My dad let's my mom in the room and she makes a beeline for me. I stand from Connor's lap and let her hug me tightly.

"Kade get over here." She snaps at him making him chuckle as she hugs us both at the same time.

"Mom sandwich?" Kade asks and I smile.

"Mom sandwich."

We stand on either side of her and squeeze her between us, lifting her off the ground and shaking her side to side as she tries to squirm free.

"OK OK enough, children!" She yells as everyone breaks into laughter. She wiggles free and pats our cheeks affectionately as she smiles at us.

"I always knew you kids would be the death of me." She says with a touch of amusement. I giggle at her and hug her again.

"But we're worth it." I say and she hugs Kade again.

"That you are." She says as Connor stands and cuts his palm.

"Let's do this, shall we?" He says and I watch as he shares blood with my family members, pulling them into our pack.

"Connor wants us to stay with them until the council fucks off." My dad says making my mom smack him playfully.

"Watch your mouth." She says but the smile on her face betrays her words.

"We're taking Hope on a run. Do you and Liz want to get us settled in? We won't be gone long I don't want her out past dark." He says and my mom nods at him. She hugs me one last time before turning to leave.

"It'll be weird living with my parents again." I say and my dad scoffs.

"Yeah, all you young ones will need to keep it down." He says gruffly making Kade laugh.

"Don't worry, sir. All the bedrooms are sound proof." Draven says wiggling his eyebrows at my dad who barks out a laugh in response.

"Thank the Goddess for small mercies." He says and I can't help but giggle. Connor smiles at me and his eyes rove my face, like he's absorbing every smile. My heart warms at the thought and I reach up to kiss him quickly.

"Let's go run." He says and I beam up at him. There's a jolt of nervousness because Connor has never seen my wolf, but I let it go.

We walk to the woods behind our house just as my mom and Liz arrive with their bags.

"Hey roomie!" Liz shouts at me and I wave back.

"I want your pork chops for dinner, love!" I shout back at her and she grins.

"Anything for you, baby girl!" She shouts back making me giggle.

I turn towards the boys, Connor and Draven eyeing me suspiciously.

"What?" I ask and they look at each other before looking at me.

"You two ever uh..." Connor starts before looking at Draven.

"Expirement. With each other?" Draven finishes and my mouth drops in astonishment.

"No! You pervs!" I shout and Kade starts dying in laughter.

"You just seem close." Connor says with a shrug.

"Not as close as I am to you." I purr at him and he clears his throat, avoiding my gaze as he adjusts himself in his pants.

"Shift, baby." He says and I go behind a tree to strip and shift.

It's the fastest shift of my life, my wolf anxious to get out. I land on four paws and shake out my fur before going back to the boys. They're all talking quietly to each other before Kade notices me. He stops talking and looks at me wide eyed before smacking my dad and pointing at me. I cock my head in confusion at their strange behavior.

"How the fuck did that happen?" My dad says as Dean, Draven and Connor look at me. All of their jaws drop and I huff.

'What?' I link them and my dad steps forward

"Hope, look at your fur." I look down at my paws and gasp in shock.

My previously dark brown fur has somehow changed into a shiny silver.

"You're glowing, stóirín." Connor says in astonishment.

"Like moonlight." Dean adds.

"It must be the new powers." Kade says as Connor runs his fingers through my fur. I purr at the contact and he smiles at me.

"You're fucking beautiful, Hope. Just incredible." He says. I let out a wolfy yip and lick his face, making the other boys chuckle.

'Shift! Let's go!' I link him and he nods.

I close my eyes as all the boys strip. I hear the popping of shifting and open my eyes and see five giant wolves around me. They are all larger than the average wolf, Draven being the smallest but only by a little. He still has alpha blood and is a fierce warrior.

'Lead the way, stóirín.' Connor says. I give him a wolfy smile before shooting off into the woods.

'Catch me if you can!'