Last time on Blind Hope

"We love you, Viv. We'll meet again one day." Vivian nodded and took off running through the hospital. She would get Hope out and safe. She would come back for her parents. And she would kill Victoria and Bruce.

~~~~~~~~~~

Vivian panted as she flew through the forest. Hope was essentially dead weight at this point. "I need you to wake up, Hope. We've only got each other now." She saw pack guards and grit her teeth. She'd have to get past them to cross the border. One of them caught her scent and turned to face her.

"Hey," he called out in confusion. Then he saw Vivian. "HEY!" He slapped the other guard on the arm, and they both shifted, preparing to jump on Vivian. "STOP!" They growled. Vivian kept running and as she neared them, she bent her knees and leapt straight over their heads. She landed across the border and kept running. The wolves howled in frustration, but Vivian ignored them, aware of how much she was jostling Hope.

And also aware that Moonshire wolves would be coming to investigate the howls. "He better be as nice as Mom said." Vivian gritted out, slowing to a walk and just heading straight. Eventually, someone would find her.

"Stop!" Vivian obeyed and stopped moving. "Who are you?"

"My name is Vivian Brown of the Heart Pack. I seek shelter." Vivian kept her voice level and waited for the person to approach. A large grey wolf stepped out of the bushes and shifted, looking at Vivian cautiously.

"And why would a pack wolf seek shelter?"

"That is a complicated situation." The wolf studied her, his eyes narrowing. He suddenly shifted and crossed his arms across his chest. His dark fair fell into his face, but he didn't bother brushing it away.

"I feel the absurd notion to hit the people who caused that situation." Vivian laughed at him before she could stop herself and quickly cleared her throat. "Who's that?" He asked.

"This is Hope. I'm her protector." He nodded.

"That is a complicated situation. I'm Charles, by the way." He went to take Hope out of Vivian's arms, but Vivian growled lowly, crouching down, preparing to fight. The man raised his arms in surrender, feeling offended but not sure why. "I was just going to carry her to the pack-house for you." Vivian growled again, and he shook his head in amusement. "Alright, Little Protector. Carry the unconscious beauty." He chuckled and turned away. "Follow me." Vivian did, watching him cautiously.

She had almost trusted him there for a minute.

They walked for what seemed a long time, and Vivian's arms were growing very tired, but she refused to let Charles take Hope from her. He offered several times, growing increasingly agitated the more Vivian said no. Finally, they made it to the pack-house, and Hope moaned.

"Finally, Sleeping Beauty wakes." Charles muttered. "Now can I take her?"

"No."

"Your arms are shaking!" Charles said in disbelief. "Fine!" He threw his hands up. "I'll show you a bedroom and bring the Alpha to you!" He took them to a first floor bedroom and shook his head at himself. "Why am I doing this?" He walked away, muttering under his breath. "Is she a witch? Am I bewitched?"

Vivian laid Hope down on the bed gently and sat down at the foot of bed. She groaned and placed her head in her shaking hands. She took a deep breath to settle herself and looked over at Hope. "It's going to be okay. We're going to be okay. Nothing is going to happen to you."

The most delicious smell wafted down the hallways, and Vivian jerked to her feet. Timber perked up, doing circles inside Vivian's head. Her breathing increased, and Vivian bit her lip, just waiting for the smell to appear in front of her. It was woodsy and floral all at the same time. She swallowed hard.

The most handsome man appeared with chiseled jaws and soft brown eyes that Vivian wanted to lose herself in forever. He was at least six foot five. His eyes raked up and Vivian, and she found herself blushing. Vivian's olive skin complimented her ink black hair beautifully as it fell to her waist. "H-hi." Vivian squeaked out.

"Mate." He breathed softly. Vivian took a step toward him, but stopped when she heard Hope stir behind her.

"Ouch."

"Hope." Vivian burst out, relived, and fell to her knees beside the bed. "Hey, girl. I'm right here. It's okay. Everything's okay."

"None of this is familiar." Hope sat up slowly, sniffing the air. "I don't... I don't know where I am."

"It's okay." Vivian stroked her forehead and smiled. "I'm here. I'm not leaving."

"There's two more people."

"Yeah," Vivian said encouragingly, knowing Hope was really out of it. "One of them is my mate. Can you believe it?" Vivian couldn't help the excitement that entered her voice and imminently wished she hadn't when he appeared next to her, smirking.

"My name is Blake. Alpha Blake Harden." Hope's eyes widened, as did Vivian's.

"Did you say Alpha?" She whispered. Charles laughed in the background, knowing why he wanted to help Vivian so much. She was his rightful Luna. Hope giggled in excitement.

"You're going to make a great Luna, Viv!"

"Viv," Blake purred. Vivian blushed and gripped Hope's hand in nervousness.

"Yes. Vivian Brown." Vivian turned away from Blake, trying to control herself. "Don't go anywhere, Hope. I need to talk to Blake."

"But what happened? Are your parents okay? I don't really remember too much..."

"The medicine they gave you is wearing off. Just don't force yourself to remember, okay?" Hope frowned, but nodded and lay back down on the bed. She caused Vivian enough trouble. Vivian looked at Blake, and he understood she wanted to go to a quiet place.

"This way." He lead her to the office and shut Charles out, much to his chagrin. He pushed Vivian against the wall, placing one head beside her head and using to the other to stroke the stiches on her face. "What happened, angel?"

"I-I feel-fell. I fell." Blake hummed and raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Because I think you're lying." He kissed the stiches and Vivian's eyes widened. He backed away and motioned towards the chairs in front of his desk. Vivian quickly sat down before her legs gave out, and Blake leaned against his desk across from her. "How about you just start from the beginning? Why are you protecting a blind wolf?"

"It's a long story, mate." Vivian sighed. "A very long story which I've promised not to tell anyone for my friend's safety and the safety of not one, but two packs." Blake raised an eyebrow. "But I will tell you on one condition."

"Yes?"

"You don't try to handle things without my knowledge. If I tell you our story, then you are agreeing to also protect my friend, and that means not telling others." Blake thought about it, and cocked his head at Vivian.

"You're serious?" Vivian nodded. "Fine. I will agree to help protect your friend. What you say today will stay between us."

"What about Charles?"

"What about him?" Blake growled.

"Alphas tend to tell their Betas everything." Vivian said with a knowing smirk.

"I won't even tell Charles." Blake said, his eyes shinning with honesty.

"Very well. It all started with two Alpha-in-trainings eighteen years ago - Alpha Victoria Harsh of the Heart Pack and Alpha Bruce Mann of the Kindred Pack."

Blake's eyebrows shot up. They were the first and second strongest packs outside of the Royal Pack. "Oh, this'll be good."