Hope

It felt like being a child again.

Stay inside.

Never go anywhere alone.

Be alert.

More like terrified.

The nightmares come and it's always the same. Asher kidnapping me, holding me against my will, forcing me to bare his pups.

This is why so many healers hide their gifts. They go unused, wasted because the consequences of helping are too great. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to save lives, ease suffering. And this is the thanks I get? I have always entrusted myself to the Moon Goddess. I had faith she would protect me. I believed that protection came in the form of Connor, and while I know he would die to save me, I don't want him to. At the end of the day, he is just a wolf. He bleeds and dies like everyone else. I have no guarantees of my safety, of our children's safety.

Why me?

I can't help but ask.

What makes me so special? Why was I given this gift?

And how can I give it back?

The question makes me laugh at myself. I know I can't give it back, but what I wouldn't give to walk the pack hand in hand with my mate, my biggest concern being what we're having for dinner. Just once I'd like to feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and not feel the need to be alert at every noise and movement that surrounds me. Is it too much to ask?

I can't help but sigh.

Apparently so.

"What's the long face for?" Kade asks, nudging my shoulder.

"Just feeling sorry for myself." I say lowering my gaze to the kitchen counter where my uneaten breakfast sits.

"That's not like you, Dope." He says kissing my cheek. I smile weakly at him and shrug.

"Sometimes I just wish I was normal." I say sadly as Connor walks into the room.

He looks delicious in a black button up shirt and grey dress pants. He stalks over to me, no doubt able to feel my melancholy mood through our bond. He wraps his arms around my waist and tucks my head into his neck. The sweet movement breaks the last piece of resolve I had and I can't stop the tears from falling. I try to pull away from Connor, not wanting to dampen his shirt, but he holds me firm, rubbing his hand up and down my back in a soothing motion as I release the fear and tension from the last few days.

"It's ok, baby. It'll be ok. We'll keep you safe and I'll kill that bastard myself for making you cry." He murmurs into my ear and I wrap my arms around him to pull him closer to me.

"Have you heard anything from your dad?" Connor asks Kade over my head. It's only been a few days, but we've all been hopeful he will find someone who knows Asher’s plans and will testify to them.

"Not yet. He's trying to be careful. He doesn't want to set off any suspicions." Kade says somberly while patting my shoulder. I sniffle and pull away from Connor who wiped the tears from my cheek. I look up at him and give him a sad smile, but I can see the anger and concern all over his beautiful face.

"I want you to come with me today." He says, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear while his other hand lands on my hip.

"Where?" I ask cocking my head to the side. He always chuckles when I do that. He says I look like a curious puppy. He leans down to kiss my forehead and I nuzzle my face into his warm chest.

"To the packhouse. I need to go over some things with my father, but I think it would be good for you to get out of the house. My mom wants to go over the last details for the mating ceremony. There may be a hundred dresses in your future office right now, but don't tell mom I told you. It's supposed to be a surprise." He smiles down at me and he's so excited I can't help but smile back.

"Ok." I agree and he helps me up off the chair. "But I need to shower and get dressed." He nods and starts following behind me. I turn to look at him and cock an inquisitive brow.

"I'm not leaving you alone." He shrugs. "Especially in the shower." He says as his eyes darken with lust and my body erupts in goosebumps.

I giggle and turn to run up the stairs away from Connor. I hear him growl loudly enough to make the windows shake and my heart rate speeds up.

'You know Alpha's love to chase.' He links me as I make my way down the hall. I can hear his thundering footsteps behind me as I turn the corner.

'Come and get me.' I tease back and hear him chuckle from behind me. I race towards our room, planning to slam the door and lock it before he can get to me.

Just as my hand closes on the knob, I feel strong arms wrap around my body, and his canines sink into my mark. My body erupts in sparks and I can't stop the moan of pleasure that breaks from my throat.

"You. Are. Mine." He says in between kisses to my mark and neck. I purr in response and turn to face him, smashing my lips into his.

His chest grumbles in satisfaction and I feel his hard length press against me as he pushes me against the door. I pull away and smile shyly at him as I walk into our room.

"I need to shower." I say innocently as I strip off my shirt and throw it in his direction. A sly grin forms on his face as he stalks towards me.

"I'll join you. We'll save water that way." I giggle and shake my head.

"You've already showered." I say and he shrugs as he undoes his belt. The sound of the metal clanking makes my center drip with arousal. I see his nostrils flare and his eyes turn black as he takes in my scent.

He moves towards me with the grace of a predator stalking it's prey and wraps his arms around me before whispering in my ear.

"Turn on the water, stand facing the wall, legs apart and ass out." He instructs me while giving my butt a gentle smack. I gasp in response, but move quickly to do as he says. I only stand in the water for a minute or two when I hear his bare feet pad against the tile floor. A growl of approval leaves him and my pussy clenches in response. I stay quiet, knowing after his chase he will want submission from his prey.

"Good girl." He murmurs in my ear, trailing the tip of his finger over the heated flesh of my arm. "You look so beautiful." He says following the trail his finger left with his lips.

His other hand slips between my parted thighs finding my drenched outer lips. He caresses them gently, only prodding the very tip of his finger within me. I push my ass out further, trying to take his finger deeper. He tsks his tongue and withdraws it completely.

"Patience sweet girl. You know I'll take care of you. I'll always take care of you." He says, kissing my neck and positioning himself behind me. He rubs his thick shaft between my parted lips, but won't sink inside me, withholding what he knows I want most. I nearly groan in frustration, but allow him to have his Alpha moment.

"I could spend all day in here with you." He says with a chuckle.

"Yes please, Alpha." I whisper and he growls again before pulling me flush against him.

"How is it you always know exactly what I want to hear?" He asks, plucking my nipples gently while running his teeth along the skin of my back.

"Because I'm yours." I say breathlessly. He growls again and, without warning, thrusts himself deep inside me.

"Say it again." He growls as I cry out from the sensation of being filled so completely.

"I'm yours!" I cry as he pounds into my soaked and swollen flesh. His growl is more animalistic this time, vibrating my entire body. He wraps his hand into my long hair, pulling it to give him access to my neck, forcing me into submission. He never ceases his delicious thrusts. I don't have to see him to know he's watching the place where our bodies connect, enjoying watching himself claim my body over and over again.

I feel my orgasm begin to build. It's a slow build this time, thrust by thrust he gets me closer until he moves the hand that's not in my hair down to my clit to rub hard circles on the sensitive nub.

"Come on my cock, Hope. Come for me and show me who you belong to." He growls before sinking his canines in my mark again causing me to explode in temors of pleasure around him. I cry his name over and over until I feel him harden inside me, then the rhythmic jerking of his cock as he empties himself buried deep within me.

He withdraws gently from me and spins me around, attacking my lips hungrily with his. My knees buckle and he wraps his arms around me to keep me upright. He breaks the kiss, pulling me closer into him.

"You're incredible." He murmurs kissing the top of my head. I smile brightly at him when he pulls away and grabs my soap to begin washing me tenderly.