Hope

If I don't make eye contact, maybe they will go away.

My wolf huffed at my naivete.

Judgmental bitch. I hate it when she's right.

Tugging on my jacket I try to wait for Tino in the hallway.

Leah decides that's the moment she wants to make her move. Side stepping, she blocks the doorway, arms folded, chin tilted like some warped mini version of her mother. Fucking great.

I thought her momentary lapse of silence meant she would do us all a favor and save her whining for someone who cared.

I should have known I’m not that lucky.

The goddess gave me a do over not a get out of jail free card.

I rolled my eyes, unwilling to play games when my time was ticking.

“Well, I don't have all day. If you have something to say I suggest you do it before Tino gets here,” I say evenly.

No use in letting her know she's annoying me, that will only make the interaction take longer.

“You should watch who you're talking to, daddy isn't here to save you,” she snarls, looking me up and down with a frown, as if she finds me lacking.

My wolf presses beneath the surface of my skin and I do my best not to react.

Daddy.

She knows I hate it when she calls my father that.

I snort. “You must really enjoy the false reality you create for yourself.”

A growl slips from her throat. I know it is meant to be threatening; it would be if her level of dominance were anywhere near mine.

Regardless of who my father is I would rank her and we both know it.

Tyler lingers at her side, lounging against the door frame. His large body is relaxed, bored even, but there’s heat in his eyes.

“Now, now girls. We're family. Can’t we get along for five minutes.,” Tyler said with false sincerity.

By the goddess there isn’t time for whatever game they want to play.

“How about you fuck off and get out of my way,” I retort.

Leah scans me before smirking and I know I'm not going to like what she says next. “Sure. But I want something in return. You know, for making this as painless as possible for you.”

“All the paint thinner you inhale must really be getting to your head. Stand aside.”

She takes a step towards me. “You think you are so clever aren't you. Well, let's see how smart you think you are when I’m Luna of the pack.

Shit, I forgot this is her delusion.

Leah was—are— determined to be Keith's Luna.

Many females are. His family is descended from a branch of the royal family that carries Lycan blood, the original creatures from which all wolf shifters emerged.

Though Keith’s family is no longer part of the royal line. There is no question of his strength.

If he wants, he could challenge the King and take his place, but he won’t. His pack, the lotus pack, prided themselves on being warriors.

Goddess, I had to get out of here.

Maliciousness filled Leah's eyes as I moved to barrel towards her. “Oh, good you're leaving. I guess you won't need this anymore.”

Her hand flicked toward my neck, lightning quick, but I was quicker.

I jerked my left shoulder back; the necklace I wore lifting as her fingers grazed it.

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“The necklace,” she snaps. “I’ll take care of it for you.”

My hand rises instinctively to the pendant resting against my collarbone.

Cold metal, yet warm with memory.

My mother’s.

I hardly ever wear it but today felt right. It felt like fate.

Only now I knew what a fool I’d been.

Not this time.

“No.”

Leah’s nostrils flare. “No?”

“This isn't one of your pretty trinkets. It belonged to my mother,” I say. “You don’t touch it.”

She steps closer, practically vibrating with annoyance. “Don’t be selfish, Hope. You don’t get to hoard jewels when you’re abandoning your place here. Besides, it would look better on me anyway.”

Abandoning? That’s rich. We both knew I was doing her a favor by leaving.

I steady my voice. “You don’t care about the necklace. You just wanted something shiny to show off to Keith. Hoping it will finally make him notice you.”

Her eyes flash.

I smirk knowing I hit my target.

“You think I don’t know what today is about?” I say, sharper now. “You and all the other desperate females dolled yourself up for him, hoping he’d notice you exist. Pathetic.”

Leah lunges with a small roar, fingers outstretched, but I weave, stepping back and twisting to keep our distance.

Her nails catch air.

Tyler straightens.

I keep one eye on him unsure if he'll choose to help her or me.

“You don’t deserve it,” Leah hisses.

“And you don’t get to take it.” My fingers clutch the pendant tight. “It’s not about deserving. It’s about my mother.”

Leah growls in frustration, then throws a look at Tyler. “Do something.”

He rolls his eyes but slinks with all the fake laziness of someone about to get nasty.

“I have news for you. She’s dead,” he says, walking toward me. “But you're still alive. So, I’d do what Leah asks you. After you humiliated me in front of Clinton, you're on thin ice.”

“That was your own doing,” I snap. “If you do not want a reality check, don't do stupid shit.”

He sneers. “Let’s see how tough you are without your precious title.”

Tyler's arm lashes out like a whip.

I don’t hesitate.

I duck and kick out. My foot connects hard with his stomach. He lets out a shocked grunt and stumbles back into Leah. She yelps as they crash into the wall leaving the door free.

I plant my feet. My pulse pounds, but I keep my face neutral. Waiting.

“You bitch,” Tyler growls, scrambling upright.

“You’re lucky I didn’t go for the face.”

Leah takes a shaky breath, then snarls at Tyler. “Useless.”

“Me?” Tyler barks. “You’re the one who—”

A sharp knock cuts through the tension. The door creaks open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man steps in.

Tino.

Thank the Goddess.

The warrior Clinton promised.

His serious chocolate eyes scan the room—Tyler rubbing his side, Leah flushed and furious, and me still standing steady in front of them.

His gaze settles on me. “Hope, Alpha Clinton sent me to escort you home.”

Leah steps forward, voice sickly sweet. “She was just leaving.”

He doesn’t even look at her.

“Coming.” I walk past Leah. Past Tyler. Neither stops me.

But as I reach the threshold, I turn.

“See you when you get home.”

Leah scoffs.

Tyler mutters something under his breath recognizing my words as the threat they were. I don’t care.

I step into the hallway beside Tino.

“That looked cozy,” he said.

“Like a Christmas morning,” I replied.

Tino chuckled. “Wouldn't expect anything less from them. Correct me if I'm wrong but Tyler's shirt looked a little wrinkled in the chest area.”

Of course, Tino caught that. He was the one who trained me in combat.

“I might have aided him in a lesson on personal space.”

His blue eyes flashed with pride. “That's my girl.”

Damn, I missed Tino.

When it came to Leah and Tyler, he was always on me and my sister’s side. Tino loved my mother, so he didn't take well to any actions from Karen that were made to make my sister, and I feel like we didn't belong. Her children's actions were an extension of that.

He doesn’t speak anymore, as we walk and I’m grateful.

The emotions welling up in my chest are unexpected. The realization of what I have again and what I’m giving up.

The unknown that lies before me.

I need to keep it in check.

Tino has always seen too much. It wouldn't serve me to have him asking what was wrong. If he did, I didn't know if I’d have the heart to lie to him.

We reach the stairs, and I pause, just for a second.

My wolf paces in my mind, agitating, hurting, falling under the weight of leaving our mate.

It hurts. But staying would destroy me.

“Ready?” Tino asks with a raised brow.

I nod again.

I don’t look back.

The car drives down the mountain road, smooth and silent, nothing but trees blurring past and the crunch of tires on gravel.

My thoughts are the only thing competing with the noise.

I rest my forehead against the window, ignoring the building's need to turn back.

But then—something shifts.

My body tenses. My lungs freeze mid-breath. The hair on my arms rises.

I smell him.

Keith.

I twist in my seat, eyes scanning the trees flashing by.

Impossible.

But I know his scent—dark cedar, firewood, a hint of rain. I yank my head away and stare ahead.

I’ll have to train myself not to think about him.

Not to feel anything at all.

Keith

I walk down the sterile hallway of the healing quarters, my boots clicking against the linoleum floor as I move toward the room of the Blue Rock packs Alpha’s daughter, Hope's.

I’d already had a word with Oliver; the young warrior got a bit overzealous during training. He was adequately remorseful and gearing up for his extra cleaning duties for his lack of self-control.

The hit wasn't life threatening, still, I wanted to check on the female myself.

The scent of antiseptic hits my nose, but there's something else mixed in with it. Something sharp, sweet, intoxicating—like jasmine on a breeze, with a hint of pine.

That scent... I know it.

My wolf perks up, moving to the edge of my skin with a frantic sort of excitement.

It's the second time he's reacted this way in the span of minutes.

It's intoxicating, haunting in its evasiveness.

And it's right inside this door.

I pause outside of the room, my fingers brushing the cold metal handle, and I let the alien feeling of dread settle into my chest.

Something about today feels different, like the world is about to shift.

I can’t shake the feeling, like the rumble of thunder before a rainstorm or the silence before a battle.

I’ve never let fear stop me, never let its claws sink deep enough to affect my choices and I wouldn't stop now.

With a steadying breath I twist the knob, and step inside.

I expected to see Alpha Clinton or at the very least one of the warriors that accompanied the Blue Rock packs Alpha. What I didn't expect to see is an empty room.

My wolf growls with a frustration I can't quite understand.

It’s pristine, the bed made neatly, the sheets untouched. I frown, my heart quickening as I sniff the air and inhale the traces of the honeyed scent mingling with the scent of the Alpha and a few others.

I stalk over to the mattress noting how it gets stronger where her body would have lain.

The strange urge to press my face into the sheets and suffocate myself in the fading traces of her scent causes my limbs to shake.

What the fuck is happening to me?

I push aside the odd reaction and refocus on the present.

I was told she’d still be here. A momentary flicker of unease runs through me.

Why would she leave?

The longer I stand in the room the clearer the scent becomes. It's as if it's pushing itself in front of the others, reaching for me. Overpowering.

Reminding me of its importance.

The connection slams into me certainly.

The jasmine-pine blend I’d caught earlier when a car passed by me outside. This was it. It had lingered in the air as if the driver had been waiting just for me.

The female from the Blue Rock pack is quickly forgotten as a tug pulls from somewhere deep inside of me.

I can find her later. She is probably with her father anyway.

I take a deep breath, wanting to sustain myself on the sweet fragrance filling my lungs, and immediately mind-link my guards at the gates.

Find out who just left the premises.

Normally, only mated pairs would have access to each other's minds, but my Lycan blood allowed me to create a deep bond with my pack. One that made us as formidable as the rumors said.

Not only were we bonded through a pack link like other packs, but I was able to sense their emotions and speak to them as well.

Jace, my head warriors, voice flows across my mind.

The Blue rock female, Hope. She is being escorted back to her territory on her father's orders.

I swallow hard. So, it is her. A mixture of trepidation and a ridge of anger disturbing my usual peace.

Was she injured more than I thought?

Did she appear to be hurt? I asked Jace.

Not that I noticed, Alpha. Should I send someone to retrieve her?

Not necessary.

I quickly leave the healing room and head down to the private cabin I assigned to the Bluerock Alpha and his partner.

I need answers and he is going to be the one to give them to me.

As I walk along the path, my beta and best friend, Jace, materializes beside me, matching my pace.

“What's wrong?” He asks without preamble.

“Nothing,”

“Ah, so we're starting the day with lies.”

I huff. “Nothing life threatening.” I amend.

Though if this is what I suspect it will alter a few lives, namely mine.

“And we're rushing to the Blue Rock Alpha’s quarters because?” he pushes, unwilling to drop the subject.

I halt my tracks. I don't keep secrets from Jace.

Being at odds with your beat is the quickest way to destroy a pack.

“I smelled something. A female.” Jace's hazel eyes reflected his confusion, so I continued. “It triggered something in me.”

“The bond?” Jace said with incredulity.

“I’m not sure but my wolf won't let it go.”

“What does Alpha Clin— his daughter,” Jace surmised putting the pieces together.

I nod confirming.

His large hand claps me on the shoulder, a broad smile on his face. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go get your female.”

“Never would have pegged you for the romantic type,” I teased to hide what he called hope my female did to my insides.

“Romantic no,” he shrugs a rounded shoulder. “But I am aware of how much you wanted to avoid the barrage of females getting ready to throw themselves at you at the banquet. What better way to do it than to start your ascension by annoying your mate.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It's just… a peculiarity that's all.”

Memories of last night’s nightmare, of sweating and gasping for breath I ran for her, heart pounding in my chest? The female I’ve seen fall from a cliff, the one I’ve leapt after—again and again, every time—no matter the consequences, fill my mind.

She was—is mine. I know it.

That curling feeling in my chest grows. Like a tether squeezing my heart yanking me west in the direction of the Black Rock packs.

Could it be?

Hope.

The name reverberates in my mind.

I didn't get a good look at her when she first arrived, a mistake I need to rectify.

My wolf growls and thrashes pushing me to take action.

He wants to chase her.

“Keith?” Jace asks, concerned.

Shit I must have spaced out again.

“I’m fine. Let's go,” I say walking with haste to Alpha Clinton's quarters.

Jace follows silent though I know he has questions.

When we reach Alpha Clinton’s sweet partner, Karen opens the door with a smile on her face. I know it's meant to be inviting but something about the female displeases my wolf.

“Alpha Keith. What a pleasure.” She says amicably.

“I don't mean to disturb you,” I say deciding politeness is the best course of action. “I was wondering if Clinton was available to speak.”

She waves her hand as if to wave away my concern. “It's no bother. He's right this way,” she says, leading me into the sitting room.

Jace follows, giving the older female a curt nod.

I still don't understand what Clinton is doing with her, his voice projects in my head.

Neither do I. I heard Luna was beloved. Not sure how he ended up with Karen.

I didn't have a problem with Karen, but I could see how much she desired status. The fact that Clinton couldn't always felt odd to me.

Rumor is she bewitched him.

I resisted the laughter building in my throat.

Alpha Clinton stood up when we entered the room.

“Keith, what brings you by? I know there must be much to do before your ascension.”

“I was headed to the healing building to check on your daughter, but it appears as if she left. Is everything alright?”

The older Alpha nodded. “Hope is fine. Thank you for checking up on her. It's my other daughter, Tessa, who was in need of her sister, so she left early to be with her. Hope sends her regards for not because ng able to stay for the ceremony.”

My instincts prickle. I doubt I am receiving the full story, but I feel no ill intention coming from Clinton so I let it slide.

“Of course. She should be with her sister if she needs her.”

“She is a good girl,” Clinton said fondly.

I give him a nod. “I look forward to seeing you and Karen tonight.”

Before I leave, the same jasmine and pine scent flows into my nostrils.

I search for the source, noticing a folded sweater on the back of a chair.

I have to clench my fist to keep from reaching for it. From holding it close and inhaling her scent.

My eyes blow wide when I spit a picture above it.

On the mantelpiece there is a family photo of Clinton and his daughters.

And right in the center is her.

The woman I’ve been dreaming of for months now. The woman who has haunted my nightmares and kept me awake at night.

I shake my head, trying to clear it as I walk out with Jace on my heels.

I’ve always dismissed it, chalked it up to coincidence. But the scent... the way it’s latched onto me, that’s not a coincidence.

Neither is the face staring back at me.

Find her. My wolf growled.

There was nothing more I wanted. But I had a duty to perform.

After my ascension, I promised.

Hope

The sun dips low, casting long shadows over the training grounds as I step onto the field. The smell of my childhood home eases the sharp edges of my frayed nerves.

When we arrived at Blue Rock the first thing I did was look for Tessa.

My boots crunch against the gravel as I head to the training fields.

A flash of red captures my attention. Tessa's lithe frame is there—center ring—bear arms swinging as she brings down a familiar male.

Ben.

He hits the ground with a grunt, and she doesn't look down as she turns, scenting the air.

"Hope?" Her voice cracks like a whip. She straightens, her eyes- a vibrant sky blue like our mothers— narrowing with her words. “You’re back?”

I move faster, practically jogging to hug her. I crash into her squeezing her, thinking of all the years we went without seeing each other.

Her arms cage me to her. “Hey… hey,” she braces my shoulders, pulling my back gently to look over my face, concern etched onto her features. “Are you okay?”

Shit.

I almost forgot. To her it's only been a day and half since we've seen each other.

I nod, smiling to ease her worry. “Yeah. Everything is great.”

A groan sounds behind me as Ben lifts his large body from the ground.

“Warn me next time you try to shove my body through the floor,” he says to Tessa.

He towers over her, which is not a hard thing to do being 6’5.

Ben is one of our warriors, a gamma through and through.

She grins at him, “Where's the fun in that? Besides, if you were paying attention, you would have seen me coming.”

Ben looks at her like she was responsible for the sun rising and to him she was.

“Hey Benny,” I say.

“Hey Hope. What brought you back so early? I thought you would stay with your father through the ascension.”

I shrug. “Plans changed. Plus, I wanted to be home with you guys.”

Tessa gives me a stop bull shitting me look. “Where’s Leah? Tyler?”

“Back at Lotus pack. You know Leah won't give up her chance to be noticed.”

My wolf girls bitterly. She understands why we need to make this design but choosing to leave our mate doesn't make actually doing it easier. We will always want him on an elemental level even if logically I know we have to make a different choice.

Tessa moves closer, her body tense as she studies me. “What happened?”

I know she means, what happened with Leah and Tyler, but why did it feel like she can see through me.

“Same old shit. I was already on my way home and Leah threw one of her tantrums,” I say. “But I handled it.”

Tessa narrows her eyes. “You handled it?”

“I told Leah to stop being a bitch and then I kicked Tyler’s into her,” I admit, trying to skim over the more upsetting details.

If Tessa finds out Leah tried to take our mother’s necklace from me, it will only cause problems when they get home.

Her eyes widened. “You did what?”

I could understand her shock. While my sister was always as fiery as her hair, I've always tried to defuse situations with words.

“I kicked him. Clean hit. No blood, no bruising, just embarrassed his dumb ass.”

“Goddess.” She blinks like she’s not sure I’m real. “I don't know what's gotten into you, but I like it…”

“Figured you would. I just got tired of their crap.”

Tessa laughs, half in disbelief, half in pride. She pulls me into another hug, strong arms squeezing tight. “I thought I’d have to go hunt them down for targeting you when I’m not around.”

“I’ve got it covered. I’m done letting people treat me like a punching bag.”

She studies me. “What changed?”

Everything. But I don’t say that. Not yet.

Possibly not ever.

“I’m just tired of pretending things are okay when they’re not. And that goes for ignoring the wicked witch and her goons.”

“Well, I for one think this deserves a celebration burger,” Ben says, hooking a meaty arm around each of us.

“Oh, hell yeah,” Tessa agrees. “I’m starved.”

I wrinkle my nose at both of them and run up ahead before spinning in my heel and walking backwards. “Maybe a shower wouldn't hurt first. You both smell sun-soaked garbage.”

“Hey!” Tessa yells as before I turn and sprint towards the house.

Ben’s boisterous laughter follows me with each step, and my heart feels lighter than it has in a long time.

After their shower, we all congregate in the kitchen of the pack house.

Since Tessa is useless when it comes to cooking, I volunteer my services and Ben acts as my sous chef.

While I work on seasoning the burger meat a loud chirp sounds through the room.

“Shit,” Ben says, checking the comms unit all warriors carry. “Zan needs me in the security building. Will you guys be alright without me?”

Tessa rolls her eyes. “I'm sure we'll be fine for the ten minutes you're gone.”

Ben smiles mischievously. “Don't miss me too much while I’m gone.”

She throws a piece of lettuce at him, but I can see the smile trying to break free.

It's nice, seeing her so carefree.

By the time Ben comes back dinner is ready and we spend the rest of the evening laughing and joking around. It gets late Ben excuses himself to go on patrol, and I catch the linger glance he gives Tessa before leaving.

Once the door shuts and I'm sure Ben is out of ear shot I say, “So …roof?”

Tessa bobs her head, her wild red curls bouncing with the movement. “Roof.”

We take our places on the worn blue rooftop. It’s our spot. Has been since we were kids. Nothing but the Stars above us and a quiet place to vent to each other without judgment.

The wind ruffled my hair, and I tucked the strains back, thinking of where to start.

“I used to think Karen made Dad happy,” I say.

Tessa looks over, cautious. “And now?”

“Now, I know she’s poison.”

“She’s always been poison. You just didn’t want to see it.”

Tessa leans back on her hands.

“Your right. I guess I just hoped that even though she was rotten to us she would help him. Papa was so lonely when Mom died. It took him so many years to be himself again and all I wanted was for him to be happy. It blinded me but I see it now. We never had a chance at making us a family again. Not when all she wanted was a Luna position and status for her children.”

“They’ve been trying to shove us out of our own pack for years. maybe not physically but emotionally. She wants us to believe that we have no place here.”

“I just don't understand how Papa doesn't see it.”

Tessa’s quiet for a second. “Maybe his dreams are similar to yours. Maybe he wants so badly for our family to be whole that he isn't thinking clearly. It wouldn't be the first time that he refuses to see what's right in front of him.”

She's referring to their argument and the reason I told my father I wanted to come back to our territory.

Papa and Tessa got into an argument about her ascension, or rather the lack of one.

Tessa wanted to be Alpha. She was strong enough for it and as first born she had every right to the position, but Papa didn't want to see it happen.

He knew the life of a female Alpha would be filled with challenge and turmoil.

Females just weren't considered fit for the role of Alpha.

“You know he believes in you. He's just afraid,” I say, remembering my other life.

The one where she not only gave up her dream, but her true mate, Ben.

Her eyes flash. “Am I supposed to cut myself off at the knees because he’s scared. What about me? What about my fears? The fear of never living up to my potential, of letting myself beneath a male I know will never be as good as me keeps me up at night. Should I ignore that and just do what he asks to make him happy?”

In our other life, she married an Alpha, following our father’s wishes. It wasn't until after she found herself with him that she recognized Ben as her true mate, but it was too late. Her Alpha mate was cruel and abusive. She gave up her dreams to give father peace, and it cost her everything.

Not this time.

This wasn't just my second chance, I realize looking into Tessa’s eyes.

I hold her gaze. “No. You shouldn't.”

“What?” She asks, blinking in confusion.

“Let’s just say I’ve had a change of perspective. It won’t be easy. Father's fear is justified but you are an Alpha Tessa. You were born for it.”

She stares at me with a war raging in her eyes, like she wants to believe me, but she's scared to get her hopes up.

“I want you to be Alpha of this pack,” I say with conviction.

She shakes her head. “Dad won’t allow it.”

“Then we’ll make him.”

“You’re serious?” she says, unable to his surprise.

“Dead serious.”

Tessa sits up, her eyes burning. “You’d back me? Even if it means standing against the council. Against Father?”

“I’ll do whatever it takes.”

She exhales slowly. “They won’t listen. They still think women are meant to follow, not lead.”

“Then we show them otherwise.”

“And how exactly do we do that?”

“Simple. You prove your strength. I will prove your worth.”

“We won't have to. We will use their laws against them and call on a duel for the position. With the King and Queen overseeing the battle there will be no one who could deny the outcome.”

She laughs. “You’re crazy.”

“No. I’m ready and so are you.”

Tessa stares at me like she’s seeing a new person. “You’ve changed.”

“You have no idea.”

A beat of silence. Then she reaches over and grabs my hand.

“You really think I can do it?”

I grab her hand and squeeze. “I already consider you, my Alpha. Now let's go show them what I see.”

She nods. “Then let’s make them choke on their rules.”