Hope

After our exciting shower, Connor held my hand as we walked to the packhouse. Pack members stopped to say hello and introduce themselves, so it took longer than usual but it was nice to see people other than Dean and Kade.

Connor leads me to the Luna's office and swings the door open to reveal racks and racks of beautiful dresses. Farrah, Liz and Draven stand waiting for me.

"Hey sis!" Draven says kissing my cheek with a broad smile. I decide we need to spend more time with he and Liz.

"Oh my gosh Hope look at these!" Liz says excitedly flitting from rack to rack as Farrah watches her with an amused, affectionate smile.

Connor pulls me into his arms and hugs me tightly. I can feel his reluctance to leave through our bond as I look into his eyes.

"I'll be fine." I encourage him, smiling gently. He nods and smiles back, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'll be right next door. Call if you need me." He says kissing my forehead before giving a hard look to Draven.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll guard her with my life I know the drill." He says waving Connor off. He scoffs before kissing me one last time and turning to leave, closing the door behind him.

"Use the code word!" He yells through the door as Draven locks it behind him.

"OK, ladies. Let's shop!" Farrah claps excitedly and I can't help but smile.

Liz and I try on dress after dress as Draven wanders the room, looking out the windows and listening at the door.

"Should I wear white or is that cliché?" I ask holding up a billowy gown of chiffon.

"White will wash you out. I say green. Your birthday party dress was stunning and matched Connor's eyes." Liz says holding up a full length emerald strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline and black lace along the hem.

"That is gorgeous." Farrah agrees as she sips champagne.

I try it on and enjoy the way it hugs my curves, but allows me some movement. It makes my blue eyes pop, and I know it will bring out Connor's eyes as he stands next to me. Besides his penis, they are my favorite feature of his.

"Oh yes, that's the one." Liz says as she admires herself in a blood red mermaid cut dress.

"Uh uh." I shake my head at her and pull a sky blue ball gown from the rack for her.

"Red makes your hair look pink. Try this one." I say. She smiles and takes it from me while Farrah nods in agreement. She comes out a few minutes later and Draven's jaw drops and he needs to adjust himself in his pants, much to our amusement.

"It's perfect!" Liz squeals while hugging me.

Dress shopping put me in a much better mood than I thought it would and I decide not to let me fear of the future take away any more joy from my present. Farrah and I went over some last minute details for the mating ceremony, which with her help is going to be spectacular, and shortly after there was a knock on the door. Draven went to open it, and I put my hand on his arm to stop him.

"Code word!" I yell out.

'Marshmallow.' Connor links me and I signal Draven to open the door.

"Hey pretty girl." Connor says smirking at me.

"The fun of the code word is hearing you say it out loud." I tease him smiling while he rushes to pull me into his arms.

'I missed you.' He links me and I giggle at his silliness.

'We've been apart for two hours.' I say kissing his nose. He chuckles and shrugs.

'I'm used to having you around all the time. I quite enjoy getting to see your face whenever I want.' He says and I can't help the grin on my face as I giggle.

Draven clears his throat from the other side of the room and we look over at him.

"You know there are other people here." He says with fake annoyance and Connor looks back at me.

"Sorry, bro. Whenever Hope is around, she's the only one I see." He says with a wide grin.

"Swoon." I coo making him chuckle and Draven makes fake gagging noises over in the corner.

He swoops down to swing me up into his arms and begins carrying me back to the house. I wave goodbye to Liz and Farrah thanking them for their help before linking my fingers behind Connor's neck enjoying the ride. He carries me in companionable silence for awhile, me twirling the hair at the base of his neck in my fingers.

"Did you have fun looking at dresses?" He asks and I smirk up at him.

"Almost as much fun as you'll have taking the dress off." I tease and he growls in response. He leans down until his lips are next to my ear before he whispers.

"Maybe I'll just push it up over your hips and fuck you while you're still wearing it. Wear heels too. That sounds sexy as fuck." I shiver in his arms and he smirks at my reaction.

"How did things go with your dad?" I ask him and his face hardens.

"Fine. He feels I'm ready to take over as Alpha, but he's worried how I'll juggle both the pack and being your protector." He says and I can feel his concern through our bond.

"The Moon Goddess wouldn't have chosen you if you couldn't do it. I also think there's a reason Kade was mated to your Beta. It's too perfect to not be part of her plan." I tell him, running my hand along his cheek. He smiles at me and my heart expands.

"I think you're right about that, but I sensed a little distrust in the Moon Goddess earlier. Where is this newfound confidence coming from?" He teases and I shrug.

"It wasn't distrust in her, more like self pity over being the one chosen. People make it sound like having special magic is easy and exciting. It's mostly scary and a lot of sacrifices need to be made. That's why I refused to reject you, even if I couldn't heal you. That was one sacrifice I'd never be able to make." I say honestly, my voice dripping with emotion. Connor takes a deep breath and kisses me quickly.

"I was so worried. I didn't even want to find my mate, figuring she would reject me. And then I was blessed with you. My angel. You healed more than my sight, Hope. You gave me my whole life back. I'm so grateful for you." He says quietly, kissing my forehead and tightening his grip on me.

"I'm grateful for you. I'd still love you even if you couldn't see." I tell him honestly and he smiles at me.

"Well, I'm glad I can, because your ass is one of the seven wonders of the world." I let out a belly laugh at him and lean up to kiss his cheek as mine flame red from a blush.

He carries me up our front stairs and sets me down gently on one of the kitchen stools.

"Now, let's make something for you to eat because I was not impressed with your intake at breakfast. I need to keep my girl fed and happy." He says planting a kiss in my hair before inhaling my scent.

He rounds the island to begin taking out ingredients for lunch and I watch him, trying to imagine him doing it topless.

He's slicing some chicken for a salad when he drops the knife. It clangs against the kitchen counter as his body tenses. I watch as he pales and the blood drains from his face. His eyes far away obviously mind linking.

"Connor? What is it?" I ask nervously. My timid voice breaks him from his spell and he slips his shirt off.

"Rogues." He says rounding the counter to me and pulling me into his chest. He kisses me ferociously before releasing me gently.

The front door slams open. I jump at the noise, my nerves on edge. Dean and Kade barrel into the room, both panting and out of breath. Dean gives Connor a hard look.

"Where are they?" Connor asks, still clinging to me.

"Everywhere."