Theron
As the full moon approached, the weight of my father's expectations loomed over me. He'd made it clear that by then, I should claim Hope as my mate and reclaim my title as Alpha. His desire for retirement and freedom from responsibilities fueled this urgency.
But what concerns me most is whether Hope feels ready for this commitment. Rushing her into such a bond isn't my intention. I want her to feel secure and free in her decisions.
"What's the delay? Your father and I accept your bond. I don't care much about Hope's complicated background. It's not her parents you'll be living with, but her," my mother lectured me sternly.
If Hope were anyone else, exerting dominance might have been easier, but she was different. Her past had inflicted enough trauma; I didn't want to add more.
