Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 97: Summoned

For the next few weeks, much of Hope's time is occupied by training with her family and the super squad, trying to learn how to stay in control of her bloodlust, heightened senses and abilities.

She hasn't spent any alone time with Josie since her transition. She wants to be sure that she won't hurt her, but she just doesn't trust herself yet.

Any time Josie is near her, all she can think about is what it felt like to sink her fangs into Josie's wrist, the taste of Josie's blood on her tongue...
She can't seem to focus her senses when Josie is around. She's tried to practice using her heightened hearing to do something as simple as listening to Josie's heartbeat during training, but she gets overwhelmed by it.

Her wolf side conflicts with her vampire side though. Her wolf has been overly protective and possessive of Josie recently, wanting more than anything to spend that alone time together. The cumulation of heightened emotions and the mark she left on Josie's neck the night before she became a vampire makes it even more difficult to distance herself, but she knows it isn't safe for them to spend time alone yet.

Freya thinks with a few more sessions, though, Hope will be able to trust herself more. And Hope really hopes that she's right. She's missed being so close to Josie constantly. She misses Josie's touch and her kiss and everything in between. They also have wedding planning to do, and they need to decide which house they'd like to stay in, and then they have to move in Josie's things too, but she knows that the distance is for Josie's safety and it's necessary for now.

During her free period, Josie decides to make her way outside, knowing that Hope has finally come back to campus today, training with her family. Before today, Hope has been mostly staying at the Mikaelson Manor with her family, wanting to get accustomed to being the full Tribrid before facing the student body, who now know of her identity.

Josie talked with Freya earlier, who told her she would convince Hope to train on campus, giving Josie the opportunity to see her, and though Hope doesn't know, it's somewhat of a test to her level of control thus far.

A soft smile forms on Josie's lips when she spots Hope's auburnette hair in the distance, her fiancé standing on the docks, facing out toward the water. She must be taking a break from training, so Josie makes her way toward the dock.

Hope senses her before she ever gets to the dock and she can't help but instantly feel better with each step Josie takes closer to her, smelling the familiar scent of vanilla in the air.

"Excuse me Miss, have you seen my wife? I can't seem to find her anywhere these days..." Josie teases as she approaches the dock through the trees, and Hope can't help but chuckle as she shakes her head, turning around to face the brunette.

"Sounds like you should put her on a tighter leash," Hope jokes back.

"Couldn't agree with you more," Josie grins as she finally reaches the dock, cheeks tinting pink as she becomes suddenly bashful, "How would you feel about me cooking you dinner tonight back at the house?"

Hope thinks it's adorable how Josie still gets all shy when she's asking her on a date, even though they're engaged.

Josie can see the flicker of hesitance in Hope's eyes before a teasing grin forms on her lips, "I'm not sure your wife would appreciate that."

"Hmm," Josie hums as she finally reaches Hope, stepping behind her and wrapping her arms around her, intertwining their fingers. She leaves a kiss to Hope's cheek, noting how quickly Hope sinks into her embrace, sighing in content at the sensation of Josie's body against her back side. It's the first time they've been so close since she completed her transition. And the Tribrid closes her eyes, allowing herself to focus on the new sensations. After detaching her lips from Hope's cheek, Josie whispers in her ear, causing the baby hairs on the back of her neck to stand, "She doesn't have to know. It can be our little secret."