Chapter 53 To New Beginnings

(Alexander POV)

Mrs. Hope Ulrich. I used to be the one the media would always hound, now they are only interested in my wife. Phone calls were coming in to have Hope grace interviews. Hope asked if someone from my PR department could just write a small article about her. She said she wasn't ready to make interviews on live television.

Interesting enough, the university Hope was hoping to attend in the fall gave her a call to say they were expecting her to join their list of distinguished students and hoped she and her foundation would like to join in providing grants for the scholars of their institution. Another university who actually turned down Hope's application also called and apologized for rejecting her application and would be most honored if she joined them in the fall. She smiled and said she would think about it.

Amanda, on the other hand, had one of Hope's photos splashed on one of the biggest billboards on Time Square. She obviously wants everyone to know she dresses the CEO of Stella Foundation. The Hemming Group of Companies also invited Hope to come to New York City to grace one of their annual events. Hope squealed and automatically said yes. She has never been to New York City.

Tonight, my company is celebrating my annual birthday ball. The media has been camped outside the venue in hopes of seeing Mrs. Ulrich. Amanda had a gown flown in by helicopter and is very happy she'll have another photo of Hope for her business. She said she has already been booked for New York Fashion Week for next year. She's crossing her fingers for Paris.

"Don't you think this is a bit too much?" Hope was in front of me trying on the ball gown Amanda sent her. "It's a lot of skirt." The long bouffant styled skirt spread across the living room.

"Well, you can wear sneakers and no one will notice," I joked.

"Hmmm...now you got me thinking. I can wear flats!" Hope was happy she didn't have to wear stilettos. "I just need to find a pair that matches the gown."

"We can go and buy you a pair right now. Now stand still so I can take a photo of you so we can find the perfect pair." I take a picture of her and send it to Amanda. She dings back and said it's perfect on Hope. She told me to have photographers capture Hope's every move. Or she would kill me. I laughed at her message.

"Get dressed, love. We need to meet with the High Elder." I show her a folder full of documents. "Then we go shopping."

"Do I need to be in a dress? Or will jeans be fine?" Hope asked.

"Jeans will be fine." She undresses, has Alicia place the gown on the mannequin and she rushes into our bedroom.

"Alicia why don't you go see the sights?" I asked Alicia.

"Alpha, I'd rather not. I'm scared I might bump into him here," she answered.

"I see. Yes, he might be here. I know he likes to gate crash. Just make sure you don't leave your scent on Hope's clothes. He'll know," I said.

"He'll know what?" Hope comes out wearing a casual floral print off-shoulder trumpet sleeve swing summer dress showing off her long legs. Strappy flat sandals on her feet.

"Uh, nothing Luna," Alicia said, wishing Hope would shrug it off.

"Alicia, how can I help you if I'm kept in the dark? I know you guys are speaking about one of the Lancaster men," Hope said. I was surprised she already had assumptions. I decided it was time to tell her.

"Alicia was raped by Damian," I told Hope. I felt it had to be like taking of a band-aid...quick. She gasped and her face scrunched up in rage.

"NOOOOO!" I saw Hope's eyes turn green. "That...that...that..." Hope was so angry she couldn't even speak. I saw the sky darken all around us and the lightning started.

"I am going to..." Lightning flashed. It was pretty close to the building. Hope was pacing up and down. I heard someone knock. The door opened and Oliver walked in.

"Uhm, Luna Hope. You're starting to scare people." Oliver looked worried.

"Did you know what that monster did to her?" Hope asked Oliver. Her voice went all husky like she was someone else.

"My love, calm down. This isn't helping. Look at Alicia, she is now part of The Trusted. Her mother and brother are in a better home. You did that." I took Hope in my arms and hugged her to give her some comfort. She started to cry. Outside, it began to rain.

"I'm so sorry Alicia. I'll help you in any way I can." Hope dried her tears with the back of her hand.

"Luna Hope, I'm ok." Hope nods and sits down and covers her face with her hands. "Oliver, Alicia, can Alexander and I have a moment alone?" The both bow and leave. I sit beside her, figuring out a way to explain. I sighed.

"I was a new Alpha. We found a rogue crying near our boundary. He was Damian's Beta, a good man. He admitted he almost killed Damian for raping his daughter. Derrick, instead of informing the High Elder of the crime of his father, he covered it up and sentenced Alicia's father to death. The father escaped making him a rogue. He asked if I could take his family in because they were being tortured to flush him out. I told him not only would I adopt his family, I'd help rescue them. We waited until the first snow had fallen to rescue them. They have been with us ever since," I told her.

"So she has to be kept hidden, so alliances aren't broken, right? Do you think they'll break alliances knowing when they do, all help from me is gone? She's the victim and after all that, she has to hide. That is just wrong. Where is the justice in that?! I'm bringing Alicia to the birthday ball and if he's there and so much as touches her, I will make sure I will leave him on an antenna of the highest building here," Hope said.

"Hope, it's not as simple as that," I argued.

"It is because I say it is, Alexander. Alicia deserves justice not a prison." Alicia comes in. Hope probably called her through mind link.

"Yes, Luna Hope?" Alicia asked.

"Alicia, get dressed. We're going shopping. You can wear a hat or shades to hide your face. We'll get your hair changed at a salon if you want and buy colored contacts. I know for wolves that doesn't change much since we rely on scent too, but on TV or camera, you won't be recognized. You are coming with me to the ball." Alicia bows and goes to get ready.

"Hope, I hope you know what you're doing."

"I do. I am adopting her and her family. She is now part of Crescent Moon. I am her Alpha. You can keep your alliances with Derrick." She wrinkled her nose in disgust and walked to the bedroom to finish getting ready.

She wouldn't talk to me in the car. When we saw the High Elder she was very formal.

"Nice weather we're having today." The High Elder pointed at the gloomy weather through the window. " Alpha Hope, anything bothering you?"

"Me, Your Excellency? Oh no. I'm just fine." Hope smiled. "Maybe something's bothering, Alpha Alexander, Your Excellency. You know Alpha Alexander and his alliances." Hope turned to me and I saw her green eyes. I felt myself go pale.

"I see." The High Elder saw my reaction to Hope. He laughed. "Alpha Alexander, just a bit of advice. The only alliance you should be worried about is the one with your mate. What do the humans say? Ah yes. 'Happy wife. Happy Life.' I suggest you remember that." The High Elder laughed again. Then he faced Hope with a smile on his face. "Alpha Hope, I have gotten word with your mother's former pack, the Autumn Moonlight Pack. I informed them of your...donation. They have accepted and have also sent a message. Your grandmother wishes to see you."

"My grandmother is alive?" Hope asked, surprised.

"Yes. Here is the location of their territory and a contact number. They also would like to ask you to bring certain provisions they need when you visit them. Here's their list of requests." The High Elder hands her a piece of paper. She takes it, scans through the list and nods her head.

"Thank you, your Excellency. I will make sure they receive all of their requests and I will visit my grandmother soon," she said.

"Good. Everything is set then. Please come and visit me when you are in Seattle. I do enjoy our talks." The High Elder stands and shakes our hands. "Alpha Alexander, have a Happy Birthday! I do hope the weather clears up soon." The High Elder gives me a knowing look.

After our meeting, Hope took Alicia shopping. She bought Alicia a gown with shoes and accessories to match while she bought herself flats to match her gown. The shopping was helping Hope's mood. The rain had cleared up and the sun was starting to peek through the clouds.

After shopping, she took Alicia to an expensive salon. The receptionist practically screamed when she saw Hope. She instructed them to give Alicia a make-over. Alicia came out with straight hair curled at the ends and colored to a darker brown.

After the salon, we all went to grab a bite to eat at this place where food trucks of different kinds of food serve people. I saw someone take a photo of Hope while she ate a cheesesteak sandwich and fries. I guess that person was surprised to see her there.

The weather totally cleared when Hope was given a scoop of chocolate strawberry fudge ice cream. Her golden eyes twinkled at every bite.

"Is all forgiven?" I gave her a "please forgive me look."

"I can't stay mad at you. I love you." Hope said as she licked her lips. "You know it's the ice cream talking right?"

I move my head closer to hers. She had some ice cream on those lips of hers. I lick it off and give her a kiss. She kisses me back.

"Mmmm, your ice cream tastes good too." She whispered.

"Strawberry, my favorite. Chocolate is too. And you smell like both." I rubbed my nose against hers.

Oliver coughed. A few people were taking pictures of our very public display of affection.

"Let's go. Your stylist is already at the penthouse. You need to look every bit of the Alpha you are." I took Hope's hand, helped her up and put a protective arm around my Alpha.

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(Alicia POV)

I don't know what happened. Suddenly Luna Hope wanted me to get ready. She said I will be going to the ball. I saw Oliver smile when I passed him at the door, "I need a date so you and I can go together."

I felt something burn on my arm. It hurt for a bit then, when the redness was gone, I saw a crescent moon with a star. I didn't know what it meant, but I've seen the mark on Luna Hope. She has one just like it. I looked for my mark of the Blue Moon pack which was proof that I originally came from their pack on my thigh. It was gone.

I rode in the other car behind Luna Hope's car with Alpha Alexander's men. When we left the building, photographers tried to block their car. One of the men in the car with me said, "Luna Hope is a celebrity." I nodded. Her photos were all over the internet. She was trending in all social media platforms. The beautiful, but elusive philanthropist.

I was amazed how big Seattle looked from the ground. I saw a big picture of Luna Hope on a billboard for Amanda Hemming. She was wearing the royal blue dress when she first arrived in Seattle. She was looking at the sky, her golden eyes twinkling.

We first went to the High Elder's building. Luna Hope asked me to escort her upstairs. I was so nervous. A little wolf like me was going to see the High Elder up close. She introduced me to him, he came to me, took my arm and looked at my new mark "A new beginning has been given to you. Never forget to give thanks for your blessings." I gasped. Did he know? "Your new Alpha is destined for greatness. She will lead you well." My new Alpha? Is Luna Hope my new Alpha?

After seeing the High Elder, Luna Hope took me shopping. We went to a designer boutique shop and she bought me this really expensive gown. "I know Amanda is going to kill me for buying this for you, but she doesn't have a shop here and it is so last minute," Luna Hope said.

"Luna Hope, this is beautiful." It was a red backless fitted gown with long sleeves and a long skirt that fell to my feet. When I looked at my reflection, I couldn't believe it was me.

"It looks like it was made for you. We'll get the dress." Alpha Alexander took out his card to give to the shop attendant.

"Sir, Mrs. Ulrich already paid for all the items."

"I keep forgetting my wife is richer than me." He laughed. Luna Hope is richer than Alpha Alexander? How could that be?

They took me to a salon and I had my hair and nails done. They even curled my eyelashes. When I came out, my curly frizzy brown hair was now straight which curled at the ends.

When everything was done, Luna Hope wanted to try out all the food from the food trucks parked at this little square. The weather was better and we all were outside. Luna Hope was in good spirits after learning of my past life. And now, I was allowed to go outside and enjoy Seattle. My first trip away from home. This is the life!