Last time on Blind Hope

Last time you fought, I think we killed people.

I can control myself in controlled environments.

Anything can happen.

"You must shift!" Iris said, shocked. It was policy for safety reasons and was rarely turned down such as Hope was doing. "It's part of the rules." Hope growled at her, but shifted anyway. Red shook her fur and seemed to smirk.

~~~~~

Red's eyes were a clear silver, and William's wolf Midnight shifted nervously. He was hesitant to attack because he was still throbbing from the wall and slightly out of breath. Red did not give him room to wait, but quickly pounced in William's direction. Once more, her speed was too fast to match.

Red tackled Midnight, her paws circling his body taking him to the ground. He yelped in surprise and began attacking back. The two circled and pounced. Blood began to spill.

Dorian paced outside the area, and those near him gave him pitying looks. Some understood the stress he was under, but others merely emphasized. He had watched in awe as Hope had nearly taken William out in one blow, but to his surprise, she had given him time to recover. Whether that was out of "fair play" or her not knowing William's pain, Dorian could not tell.

If Hope was impressive, Red was more so. She gave no room for William to attack, dodge, or recover. It was snarl, after bite, after scratch, after pounce. There were no pauses. There was no hesitation. Red knew exactly what she was doing, and it was brutal.

Vivian cheered in the stands like a mad-woman. However, as the fight wore on, her cheers died away, and panic settled inside her. She only had one fear when Hope fought - Red. Not only was Hope blind, Red was too. This constant source of fear, worry, and uncertainty often came out in awful ways when she fought. Red wasn't just winning. She was killing in a slow tortuous way.

And the worst thing was that neither Red nor Hope knew. They couldn't see their opponent. They could only continue fighting until their opponent stopped fighting back.

No a pin drop could be heard, and Hope began to panic. How far was too far? She forced back control from Red, shifting in the process, and took several steps backward, dropping to a crouch. And she waited.

No one said a word. No one moved. Bliss' sobs had long stopped, and her siblings stared at the sight before them in shock and terror. William was a bloody mess. Yet, still he stood to his trembling feet.

Worry began to seep into Hope, and she whispered, "Are you okay?"

"I..." William took control from Midnight and shifted, "yield." He fell down to his knees. Iris stepped into the ring, and, her widened eyes trained on Hope, said,

"Her Highness wins." Vivian was the only one to cheer. Everyone else, including Dorian, were still watching in awe. "Does anyone else want to... challenge her?" A terse silence filled the room, and Iris sighed in relief. "Let the ceremonies continue. The future Queen Luna has proven her strength..."

Two palace wolves approached William in order to escort him to the infirmary. Hope remained crouched in the arena, worried. "William, are you okay? Red goes hard."

"I'm... fine." His voice, however, was filled with pain, and Hope whimpered.

"I'm sorry." Dorian gathered her into his arms and slid the shirt over her. Hope wiggled into it and pressed herself against Dorian. "He's going to be fine, right?"

"Of course. He's had worse." It was, of course, a lie. Even the silver bullets he once suffered were less painful than the attacks of the Queen. Hope nodded, believing Dorian, and allowed Vivian to take her away. She had to re-dress for the ceremony.

Once everyone was gone, Horatio approached Dorian. "His arm... Do you think he'll ever be able to use it again?"

"She didn't want to fight. She didn't want to shift. Why did they make her? Why did she have to?" Horatio's jaws clenched. Now he knew. Knew why Dorian was worried. Knew why Hope had seemed so against letting her wolf fight. But one thing was certain.

"No one will ever oppose her."

"Was that ever an option!?" Dorian's harsh voice boomed over the arena, and he left. He simply left Horatio standing and marched himself to the ceremony.

Vivian brushed through Hope's hair and talked a mile a minute, sensing Hope's distress. "That was amazing to watch. I think you've gotten better since we last sparred."

"But was he okay?"

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you use a move like that. That little jab and claw thing."

"Vivian." Hope's voice cracked. "Am I going to have to do this often? I hate it. I can't tell." Her head went down to her hands in despair. "I don't know when to stop!" She stood, pushing Vivian away and sending her chair flying. Vivian stumbled backwards, watching in sorrow. "I love it! I love the feeling of power. I love sensing the shock when my opponents realize I, the weak one, am actually the strongest. I love it, but I hate it. Is this even possible!?"

"It's called having a wolf." Vivian said softly. "Red loves fighting because it establishes a dominance she never has otherwise. You hate it because she goes too far." Hope turned to Vivian, crying.

"But that doesn't make it better, does it?" Vivian didn't say anything. Couldn't say anything. "Just take me to Dory."

The Alphas and Lunas spoke amongst themselves of the display that Hope had presented. Basil was fuming, and pacing up and down the ceremonial hall. Dorian waited patiently beside the High Elder once more.

"You do realize that girl is a monster, right!?" Basil eventually shouted. All eyes went to him. "Strength, Luna power, yes, yes. We all understand that. But that... that was a... a monster!" Dorian looked up, meeting his father's eyes in pure fury. But the anger fell away when he saw Hope standing behind Basil.

"What... did you say?" Hope couldn't believe her ears. She knew Red was a beast. Vivian knew Red was a beast. But to hear it phrased as "monster" stopped Hope in her tracks. Vivian turned purple she was so mad.

"I said, " Basil began, "that you're a-" Dorian leapt forward, wrapping his hand around his father's mouth.

"That you're a beautiful, lovely person who is going to make a great Queen." A small smile spread across Hope's face, and she walked towards Dorian's voice. He threw Basil away from him, and held Hope's hand, leading her back to the High Elder.

Basil sputtered in the corner. He couldn't believe how his son treated him in front of everyone. That was no way for a King to act. But as he looked around, he realized that no one was on his side. Several Lunas wagged their heads at him, and several Alphas glared. He sat on the floor and watched helplessly as his son made a "monster" the Queen Luna.

The High Elder cleared his throat. "We are here to celebrate our King in finding his mate. More importantly, we are here to celebrate our next Queen!" The audience cheered, but none louder than Vivian. "Luna Hope, do you promise to uphold the law and integrity of the werewolves?"

"I do."

"Luna Hope, do you promise to protect your people no matter the cost?"

"I do."

"Luna Hope, do you promise to rule beside the King and be his greatest advisor?

"I do."

"Luna Hope, please take this knife and slit your palm. The blood will then pour into this cup." Hope blinked and opened her hand. The Elder quickly remedied the situation he had placed her in and handed her the knife handle first. She placed the knife against her palm and let Dorian pull her hands to where they needed to be. "Pleased slice." Hope did so, and the blood ran down. Her wound healed as the blood stopped. "King Dorian, please take this knife and slit your palm. The blood will then pour into this cup." He did so. "Please trade cups." Dorian took Hope's cup, and handed her his. "To show unity and equality in life and rule, please drink!"

Hope took a deep breath, and raised the cup to her lips, wishing with all her heart she could watch Dorian.