Last time on Blind Hope

The King wasn't heartless. He had never attended to sleep with the girl in the bed. The King was nervous to see if the girl would accept him as her mate. He was hideous, covered in scars, and routinely referred to as "heartless," "cold," "cruel." Just like with the woman who kept coming into the room, most people always assumed the worst about him. That was precisely what he admired about the Moonshire pack. He was always treated like family, and was always received warmly - even when he showed up at midnight. The King curled his large frame as best he could to fit the couch and eased into the best sleep of his life.

~~~~~~~~~~

Hope stirred, feeling strangely abandoned on the bed. She hadn't felt like that before. She yawned and a scent greeted her nose. It was male, very potent, very sweet like milk chocolate. Red excitedly hopped around in Hope's mind, but Hope didn't understand. The scent surrounded her enough so she couldn't tell if the source was still in the room or not. Was it that Carly's brother? Had he.... had he done something?

Hope's breathing began to increase as she frantically looked around. Panic overwhelmed her senses, and she couldn't pin point anything other than the sweet, sweet smell. The worst part was...

She liked it.

Then she heard a yawn. Terror shot through Hope's body, and she began to shake, looking in the direction the yawn. "Wh-who's there?" Red was still happy, and Hope didn't understand. Her claws slid out, and she gripped the bed tightly, puncturing the mattress.

"Take it easy." The voice was gentle, lovely, but it didn't nothing to console Hope. Her lips curled into a snarl, and all her senses focused on the movement she heard in front of her. Footsteps shuffled her way. The man appeared to be stretching. Hope eased closer to the headboard, preparing to fight or flight. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"I a lot of people say that, and a lot of people don't mean it," Hope shot back. The shuffling stopped. The noises became to quiet for normal werewolves to hear, but Hope wasn't normal. Her eyes locked in the direction of faint creaking noises. He was approaching slowly. Hope growled. She heard a sigh as the walking stopped.

"I will not hurt you." The voice was incredibly hard and stern, and Hope flinched.

"Just don't come any closer."

"I look horrible, but I promise I will not hurt you. No, I swear it on my name." Hope opened her mouth, and then closed it. He didn't know. He didn't know she was blind. It couldn't be that idiot brother.

"What is your name?" She asked cautiously. He didn't respond. She growled.

"... Dorian. King Dorian of the Royal Pack." A smile broke out on Hope's face, and her whole body changed.

"Oh! Blake's expecting you! Why are you in here?" Dorian remained quiet and studied Hope's face. Something wasn't right. "My name is Hope. I came here a couple days ago with a friend." Hope swung her legs off the bed and stood up slowly. "She ended up being Blake's mate. Funny, isn't?"

"Yes, very." Hope went in the direction of the voice, holding her hand out. Dorian's wolf was very annoyed. She wasn't paying attention to the mate bond at all AND she was acting extremely strange. Dorian watched her walk and took her hand as she got closer. Sparks erupted in-between them and Hope's eyes widened. Red howled in her head in pure glee.

"Mate?" She asked, looking up. "You... You're my mate?" Dorian pulled Hope to him, and bent down to inhale her scent. She stood still and let him.

"Hello, little mate." He chuckled, finally happy. "Did you really not recognize me? I'm the King of all wolves." Hope pressed herself close to him as Dorian straightened up. "What is it, sweetie?" He was practically purring.

"I don't want you to look at me." Hope said into his chest. Her frame was dwarfed as she hugged him. "I... I don't want you to reject me." Dorian's grip on her tightened, and he looked down at her head.

"I don't judge looks." He chuckled. "But I already know you're as pretty as an angel, sweet." Hope's grip tightened.

"That's not what I'm worried about." A knocked was heard, and Dorian growled in annoyance.

"Who is it!?"

"Luna Vivian." Hope looked back at the door and stepped away from Dorian.

"Come on in, Viv." Vivian practically burst open the door and looked Hope up and down.

"You're safe." Hope nodded, and Vivian looked over at Dorian, looking him up and down. "And you kept it in."

"Kept what in?" Hope asked. Vivian blushed. That was a subject they had never addressed. "Vivian, this is King Dorian. We're mates."

"Oh! Congratulations!" Vivian faked excitement while simultaneously glaring at Dorian. He looked between the two in confusion.

"Dorian," Hope said quietly, looking at the ground. His eyes snapped to hers, loving hearing his name on her lips. "Please give us a moment." He left without another word, and soon as the door shut, Hope collapsed to the ground.

"He doesn't know." Vivian knelt beside Hope and pushed her hair back. "He doesn't know I'm blind."

"It's okay. He probably won't mind. Listen, Blake surprised me this morning. Yesterday during all the chaos, he had someone buy me a whole wardrobe! I have some stuff in a bag here. Let's dress up for your mate!" Hope faked a smile and nodded her head.

Showers, make-up, and brand new clothes later, the girls were ready to head out. Vivian took Hope's arm and lead her down the hall and into the living room. Vivian had decided on a simple red dress that hugged the waist but then flared out. Her red hair was done in a simple braid down her back. Vivian wore a similar styled dress, but blue.

The others were already in the living room talking amiable. The King had used one of his guard's room to change and inform them of their new queen. As soon as she walked into the room, they bowed. The room was instantly hushed. "They're bowing." Vivian said quietly.

"You don't have to do that." Hope blurted out as the guards came out of their bow. They didn't respond. Her grip on Vivian's arm tightened.

Viv, I can't do this.

Yes, you can.

I don't want to tell him.

It's kinda obvious.

He hasn't noticed yet.

Such a guy. He wants you to sit next to him.

AHHHHHH-

Please don't scream in my head.

-HHH! Sorry. Take me to him.

As you wish, Queenie.

Stop it!

Vivian took Hope to the couch and made direct eye contact with the King. He didn't like it, but didn't say anything. She was Hope's friend, and a friend was a friend. But her glaring was becoming annoying. Hope sat down, her hand automatically seeking his out.

"So, I honestly did not see this one coming." Charles said, breaking the awkward silence. "It's kinda fitting in a strange way." Rachel slapped his arm. Conversation continued in a stilted manor as Hope sat quietly beside Dorian. He kept looking at her concerned, but Hope never faced him, keeping her eyes trained on the floor.

"Alpha?" A maid inquired walking into the room. "The table is set for breakfast."

"Ah, good!" Blake jumped up and pointed the way. "Let's eat." Dorian took Hope's arm as they stood, and she cursed in her head.

Vivian.

I got you. Couch to the left. Hope avoided banging her leg, and kept up easily with Dorian's pace. Doorway. He's letting you go first. Go in and step left. Hope did so and let Dorian lead her to her seat. He's such a gentlemen. Look at that. Pulling the seat out and everything. Hope thanked him and focused on the plate she couldn't see in front of her.

Viv...

It's good. We got this. But you have got to tell him soon. Hope sighed and closed her eyes. Conversation continued around them about general things. The Pack. Being Alpha. Being King. Mates. Hope noticed that Dorian was incredible stern, even about small things. His voice never changed, and it only increased her anxiety. But everything was going over so well, and then Blake brought it up.

"We do have a problem we were hoping you could help us with, Majesty."

"Oh?"

"Vivian and Hope came seeking refuge from both Alpha Victoria and Alpha Bruce." Vivian tapped his arm and looked directly into his eyes.

"Mate, maybe we should talk about this in a little bit." She tried to convey what she wasn't saying, but Blake didn't catch it, and neither did the King.

"What is this about refuge? From two Alphas?"

"Maybe we should give Hope and the King a minute." Vivian looked over at Hope. She hadn't eaten a thing, despite being offered food. She was too afraid of putting food on her plate and missing.

"No." The King snapped. "Tell me." Blake still wasn't getting it.

"Well, it's kind of complicated actually. The short story is that Hope is the daughter of Victoria and Bruce, but they kicked her out on account of her being blind." The King's world crashed to a stop and even the guards, who were at the other end of the table stopped eating and looked up slowly. Hope ran, remembering the direction she been brought into the room.