Last time on Blind Hope

Blake took Vivian's hand in silent comfort, and Dorian continued to hold Hope. He thought over the girl's story and sighed, closing his eyes. "I see. This is a serious matter." The guards stood at attention behind Dorian and Hope, seething. No one hurts the Queen and lives. No one.

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"Originally, I was planning on traveling to the Heart Pack today and then heading home to our pack. I think that is still a good plan." Dorian looked at his guards. "Prepare to leave." They bowed and moved into action.

"But what about-"

"I understand your concern, Alpha Blake. However, this is a matter that does involve the Council. There is no executive decision I can make. Both Alpha Victoria and Alpha Bruce broke multiple laws and committed unlawful murder. They will be sentenced to trial and dealt with accordingly. You did the right thing in telling me this, I assure you." Dorian moved Hope from his lap to the couch beside him. He stood as the guards reappeared with bags in hand, moving towards the door. "However, the danger these two pose to my mate is concerning. I need to use your office phone."

"Of course." Blake stood, ready to take him to his office, but Dorian dropped down to one knee in front of Hope.

"Sweetie, you have a choice." Hope tilted her head to show she was listening. "You can either come with me, I can come back for you, or one of my guards can take you to the Royal Pack now. I have to make a phone call." He took her hand, kissing the back of it.

Vivian watched as he leaved the room and then turned to Hope.

"You dawg." Hope giggled, blushing and holding her hand like it was precious jewelry. "So what do you want to do?"

"I want to go with him, and rub it in Victoria's face."

"That'd a girl."

"But that wouldn't be wise."

"Probably not. I don't think you should go to the Royal Pack without him either." Vivian stood up pacing. "Even if you are Queen, the people might not recognize you as one until a proper ceremony. It would be best to avoid confrontation until His Majesty can be there with you."

Hope nodded in agreeance, her eyes following the sound of Vivian's pacing. "So I stay until he comes for me."

"Right." Vivian continued to pace. "He'll probably come tonight." She bit her nails and watched the guards place themselves at the doorway.

"Are you okay?" Hope was beginning to feel dizzy and loopy, her eyes cutting across the room constantly. She squeezed her eyes closed and focused on the ground.

"Yeah, I just... We've never been apart."

Vivian laughed crazily. "Never!" She ran her fingers through her hair. "Do you have to go? No, of course, you do. What am I saying?"

"We'll still have contact-"

"No! We won't! I'll be here, joining this pack. You'll be down South, joining the Royals. We won't be able to mind-link anymore. We'll be hundreds of miles apart!" Vivian flopped down on the couch. "You do understand that, right? We won't see each other anymore."

"I wouldn't anyway." Vivian shook her head, groaning.

"Now is not the time for your adorable blind humor."

"Maybe you just feel anxious because Victoria tied you to me, and now I'm leaving." Vivian looked up at her, and nodded.

"Makes sense. I mean, I should be happy. We'll both be with our amazing mates."

"I, Hope Harsh-Mann, release Vivian Brown as my protector and guardian." Vivian gasped, feeling as if a blanket had been lifted off of her. "Are you okay? Did it work?"

"I feel so empty. It's like my purpose in life has been stripped from me."

"It has." The younger guard said from the doorway, somewhat annoyed. He felt as if Vivian was intruding where he belonged. They were the new protectors of Hope, not her.

"But that's okay!" Hope said with a big grin. "Because now you're a Luna! So you have a new people to protect!"

"But who's going to watch out for you?!" Vivian jumped off the couch and began pacing. "Who's going to make sure you eat? Who's going to make sure you don't stub your toe? Who's going to stop you from walking off cliffs and stepping into pools? Who's going to make sure you stay alive and don't do stupid things!?"

"Viv-"

"Because you're mate can't, not all the time." Hope tried to intervene, but Vivian kept talking. "He's King. I'm sure he stays really busy. And anyone who stays with you, didn't grow up with you. They don't know how you like things. They don't know how to handle certain situations. They won't know that you're allergic to pineapple! What if they order a Hawaiian pizza?"

"Vivian!" Hope shouted, getting her attention. "You have to calm down! I'm going to be good, okay? I can do things, and the rest I'll figure out, okay?"

"But Hawaiian pizza...."

"I won't let anyone order me Hawaiian pizza." Vivian sat back down on the couch and sniffled.

"Promise?"

Hope nodded and stood up to go to Vivian, but as soon as she took one step, her leg hit the table. She yelped and started to fall forward. The guards reacted, racing forward, but Vivian was quicker. She tackled Hope, causing the both of them to fall on the floor. "What makes people put little tables between furniture?"

"And they'll have to be quick. Really, really quick." Vivian sighed. Blake and Dorian came walking back into the room, and Dorian inhaled quickly seeing Vivian laying on top of Hope.

"What happened here!?"

"She almost ran into the table." Vivian stood up, bringing Hope up with her. "When are you coming back?" Vivian wrapped her arms protectively around Hope, and Dorian suppressed a growl, not wanting to make his mate upset.

"Tonight, if everything goes well." His eyes bore into Vivian's challenging ones, and he did growl a little. Vivian didn't even flinch. He walked over to Vivian, still glaring and pulled Hope to him. He lowered his head down to her ear and whispered, "Until later, my sweet." She turned her head and placed a peck on his nose. He blinked in surprised.

"Until then, mi amor." Dorian purred, reluctantly letting go. He began to leave with his guards, and Hope looked over to where she had last heard Vivian.

"Thank you for teaching me Spanish." Vivian laughed, placing her hands on her hips.

"You know he's not going to forget that? He'll want more from you." Dorian stopped in his tracks, his head snapping around to see Vivian challenging him again. What was with her!? He went to speak, but was surprised when Hope beat him to it. She placed her hands on her hips, and he imagined her eyes flashing.

"Just like Blake wants more from you?" She snapped. "He's my mate, Vivian. I should hope he'd want more from me, but you should know he's been nothing but considerate and kind and loving. Not all males are sex driven fiends who-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Vivian took a step back, her eyes wide. "I didn't mean anything!" Dorian smirked and left, ignoring the faint tinge on his face at the thought of "wanting more." The guards had the decency to not bring it up.

"I'll still focused on me wanting more from you," Blake chimed in, placing his hands on Vivian's hips. "I would like to introduce you as Luna soon. And mark. And mate."

"And you should also know-" Hope continued, still fuming. "That I might want more from him!" Vivian was torn between being upset that Hope was being so defensive and teasing Blake.

"I, um. It's just..." She couldn't focus with Blake's hands on her.

"He is my mate, and I'm going with him, and I trust him to take care of me, regardless of my lack of sight! Well, especially because of it! And, and, and..." Hope began pacing back and forth. "And it just so happens that I would like to mate and mark."

"TMI, girl. TMI."

"And not only that, but I think you're overreacting about him not being to watch me like you have. We'll be bonded, so that'll help. Our wolves will be connected in ways we never were."

"I'm glad of that."

"Shut up, Blake," Vivian hissed. "Just back out of the room slowly." They did so, but Hope was so distracted, she didn't notice. She kept pacing and talking quickly.

"Maybe he won't want to, but that's okay because I can wait. I can wait for years! And children, maybe we'll have those. I would like that. We could name them Harper and Ashton!" Hope stopped pacing and rubbed her hand down her face. "How would I take care of Harper and Ashton?! Are there braille books about this? Childrearing for the Blind?"

"My gosh, she's still going!"

"Keep backing up." Blake said, dragging Vivian out of the room. "Keep on backing up."

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