Last time on Blind Hope

"Well, I hate to interrupt," Dorian said, "but I wish to dance with my beautiful Queen before we retire." He had noticed Hope's eyes beginning to lap. "Feel free to remain in here as long as you would like." He escorted Hope back out to enjoy her ball.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dorian had lead Hope into a series of dances that made her feel as if she was flying gracefully throughout the room. Dorian's whole attention was on Hope, and he didn't notice as the Alphas and Lunas slowly retired to their rooms one by one. Eventually, it was just him. Just Hope.

The musicians, though tired, continued to play. Their wrists were aching, shaking. Their bodies were trembling and heavy, but they played on and on. The sight of the King and Queen dancing was so beautiful. The musicians eased into a series of waltzes and slow dances.

Gramm, Emily, and her brood finally left the room after hours of talking and catching up with one another. Gramm invited Larry over so the two of them could experience being Alpha's together. When they finally left the room, Emily inhaled slowly, her eyes taking in the sweet sight. Dorian and Hope were dancing alone in the ballroom with soft music in the background.

"That's so sweet," she whispered. Bliss wasn't having it. She huffed.

"Rabbits are cuter." Jordan glared at his sister.

"We eat rabbits." Kennedy started to cry.

"Momma, don't let Jordan eat a bunny!" Emily looked down at her children, hearing one of her youngest crying. She picked Kennedy up and shushed her. But before she could say anything, Hope was there, sniffing and agitated.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Dorian looked very annoyed that Hope had left him.

"Jordan eats bunnies." Kennedy started to cry, which made Lizzy cry, which made Brian cry, which made Bliss angry at Jordan, which made Callie scold both Bliss and Jordan, which made both Gramm and Larry as annoyed as Dorian, which just completely overwhelmed Emily, which made the musicians stop playing. Kennedy tugged at her mother. "Don't let Jordan eat cute bunnies!"

During all this chaos, the only thing Emily could think was, How am I going to handle all these children alone? She whimpered at the thought, and all the children stopped instantly. Larry narrowed in on his mother, and as if sensing her thoughts, he took Kennedy from her arms and lead them all away. Callie held onto Brian, and Gramm grabbed Lizzy, helping him to heard the rest away.

Hope pulled Emily to her, embracing her stepmother as she cried. The two of them rocked back and forth. "I'm sorry I ever hated you," she whimpered. "I'm so sorry." Hope buried her face in Emily's neck, and the two continued to cry together. Dorian shifted awkwardly behind them and sent the musicians away. "You know, that day you showed up at the guest house was the first day I've ever seen Bruce act like he did. He was such a good father. I don't know what I'll do now..." Some time passed, and eventually Emily left to tell her children and Gramm good night. Without even intending too, she was acting as a surrogate mother.

Dorian lead Hope to bed, knowing the trial was to take place on the morrow. Hope's first act of business as Queen.

Before the sun had even risen, Hope was sitting in bed. Her back leaned against the bed rest; her eyes closed. Events leading up to Bruce and Victoria's dismissal of her made no sense. She had always gotten along with her parents, though perhaps a little left out. She had never staked a claim to be Alpha, and had never wanted to be. Hope was simply content to just be. She enjoyed playing with her siblings, and helping the packs whenever she could. She enjoyed playing, training, shopping, and being with Vivian. There was nothing that stood out as a definite event that suddenly turned her parents against her.

"There has to be something." She leaned forward, resting her head on her knees. "What happened?"

"Not sleep." Dorian yawned and looked over at her. "I like sleep. It's a nice thing. It let's me function. It let's me rest." Hope giggled and turned her head over to look in his direction.

"I'm sorry. I can't stop thinking about the trial." Dorian watched her carefully, as if she was a sight he would never see again. Her eyes sparkled silver and a button nose gently sniffed in his direction - figuring out what, he couldn't be certain. A gentle sprinkling of freckles covered her adorable nose, and made her skin seem paler than it was.

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" Dorian asked, reaching out to trace his finger down the side of her face. She flinched at first, but relaxed into his touch.

"I don't know..." She nearly purred, loving the way he touched her. He gently pushed himself up and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his arms. Hope easily settled into his grasp.

"I suppose I'll have to tell you until you believe it then." A moment of silence passed, and Dorian continued to stroke Hope, playing her her hair, rubbing her arms, pressing into her. Hope nearly moaned at the attention, loving it all. She couldn't see him, but she could feel him. That's all she needed.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you, beautiful." He kissed her forehead and sighed. It really was way passed their needed time to rise. "We should ready for the trial."

Dorian helped her to dress, trying (and nearly failing) to hold himself back from taking her again right then and there. He purposefully handed her clothes that would match his own outfit, meanwhile filling her in on how the trial would go and what her roll would be. As one of the victims of the proceedings, the Queen would be expected to testify.

"I will be your side the whole time," Dorian assured, walking her down a series of stairs and into the court rooms. Most all of those attending - the Council, neighboring Alphas and Lunas, Victoria and Bruce's family and Betas, and a jury of Alphas and Lunas who were known to be just and fair - were already there. The room became silent as Dorian lead Hope to their chairs above the whole proceedings. The High Elder stood.

"Greetings. We come here today on a solemn occasion: the trial of Alpha Victoria Harsh of the Heart Pack and Alpha Bruce Mann of the Kindred Pack." He cleared his throat and looked around. Everyone kept their eyes either on the ground or trained on Victoria and Bruce for some sort of reaction. Victoria and Bruce sat behind a table with guards on either side. Both of them were looking at the table, and Victoria sought Bruce's hand under the table.

The two of them never shared romantic feelings for one another. They had simply been friends, to their mate's disapproval in most cases. They had a daughter, and they had done things together that couldn't be reverses. They were determined that after nearly nineteen years of friendship, whatever happened at this point would happen to the both of them.

The High Elder continued, "The charges are as follows: child endangerment, unlawful use of authority, murder, and..." he paused, looking up at Dorian who had presented the charges, "hiding procreation?"

"Still not a crime." Victoria whispered. Bruce shook his head at her. They were in over there heads; no need to make it worse.