n

n

n

"You can't come,

" Greta protested.

"It's a meeting with wise women from the pack. They're all Sylvia's close friends. August will be safe.

"

nFinn was standing in Greta and Sam's kitchen with a handful of walnuts after relaying the conversation with Graeme. He was determined to not let August out of his sight, and as sweet as it was, he had actually tried following her upstairs to the bathroom shortly after arriving.

n

"Do you really think Graeme wants you in the bathroom with me?

" August raised an eyebrow, and he had gone to wait on the bed in the spare room. She groaned and closed the door, turning on the faucet to camouflage the sound of her peeing.

nNow he was in the kitchen analyzing their movements for the rest of the day and insisting on being at Sylvia's.

"But Alpha said…

"

n

"You don't have to call him Alpha. No one called my father Alpha all the time—especially not the males closest to him,

" Greta interrupted. Finn had only been here twenty minutes and he was already getting on her nerves. Maybe it was the hormones.

nThe males closest to him? A swell of pride made Finn's chest puff out at the thought that he could be characterized that way.

n

"Graeme said to make sure that she wasn't attacked by anything else before he gets back,

" he said soberly.

nAugust choked back a laugh, and the other two looked at her.

"Sorry. It just sounds funny. What else could I get attacked by?

"

n

"Well no one would have imagined a bear attacking you, so who knows,

" Greta smirked.

"It's good you can laugh about it one day later.

"

n

"Nothing else will get the chance, Miss August,

" Finn assured her.

n

"She will be surrounded by strong women this afternoon. There is no need for extra protection,

" Greta said.

n

"Thank you, Finn,

" August put a hand on his arm.

"I appreciate all you're doing. But we'll be fine. Aren't you tired? This would be a good time to rest.

"

n

"I'm not tired, Miss August. I will be outside keeping a watch while you're there,

" he insisted.

n

"Finn!

" Greta exclaimed.

n

"No offense, Miss Greta, but I carried a message through the Grimm today of our Alpha's love for his mate. He trusted me with that. He trusts me to be there. And I will be there,

" he said with finality.

nThe girls both stood silently seeing the firm determination that set his jaw and the flame of loyalty in his eyes. There was no talking him out of this.

nAugust glanced at Greta and smiled. She had to hand it to Finn—he took his job seriously. At least she knew he could be trusted.

n

"What does the council think you're doing this whole time while he's gone?

" Greta asked, tilting her head.

n

"Someone is filling in on my runs. I arranged it,

" Finn answered.

"A friend who owes me one.

"

n

"You surprise me,

" August smiled.

n

"Why is that, Miss August?

" he asked.

nAugust shrugged.

"I guess because of how funny and friendly you are, I didn't expect you to be this hard to persuade,

" she chuckled.

"You are taking this job from Graeme really seriously.

"

n

"I always take my job seriously, but that doesn't mean I always have to be serious,

" he replied with a goofy grin.

n

"He has followed my brother around like a puppy since day one,

" Greta rolled her eyes.

n

"He's the Alpha. Everyone should follow him,

" Finn said.

n

"Were you outside the house the first night I was sleeping here?

" August asked, suddenly remembering the movement that startled her in the woods outside the window.

n

"Of course I was. I was outside last night, too,

" he replied.

n

"What happened that first night? I heard a commotion in the trees around two, and it freaked me out,

" she said.

"I wasn't sure what was out there.

"

n

"You were up that late?

" Finn looked surprised.

n

"I couldn't sleep.

"

n

"I'm sorry if that scared you, Miss August,

" he said before tossing a walnut in his mouth.

"It was Lucas.

"

n

"Lucas?

" August's eyebrows pinched together.

"He was here, too?

"

n

"In wolf. He was checking on you, too, and he tried pushing me around. Typical Lucas stuff,

" Finn shrugged.

n

"Why would Lucas come around?

" August turned to Greta.

n

"He's part of pack security. He was probably just running through,

" Greta replied.

"He might be an ass, but he cares about the pack. That's his first priority.

"

nIt was likely that Lucas still didn't trust her and was making sure she wasn't sneaking out at night to go do whatever plotting, malicious

"witches

" do when they infiltrate a pack. Who knows—maybe he had even been patrolling the treehouse. She wouldn't have known since it was so high up. Maybe she shouldn't mind Finn sticking so close.

n

"Well we're going to get ready to go,

" Greta told Finn.

"You can meet us there, and don't be obvious about it, okay?

"

n

"Why does it matter if I'm obvious? I was only keeping out of sight to make Miss August more comfortable,

" he frowned.

n

"You don't have to call me 'Miss' either, Finn,

" August said.

"Just August is fine.

"

nFinn nodded, and something in his expression looked touched. Who knew Finn was such a sensitive guy.

n

"I want you to not be obvious, because we are going to something that is considered sacred for these women. And many of them will be meeting August for the first time. It's important today, and we don't need you tailing her like she is either a threat or unable to fend for herself,

" Greta said with an edge of frustration in her voice.

"Neither of those things are true,

" she added and looked at August.

n

"Okay, I'll meet you there,

" Finn agreed.

n

"There's also a dinner afterward, and you really need to hang back for that. Hear me, Finn. These are trusted, respected women. I know that you are determined to be close, but keep your distance for this and then you can hold August's hand all day tomorrow until Graeme is back,

" Greta went on.

n

"What if—

"

n

"Nothing will happen, but if it does, I will answer for it. My brother trusts me as much as he trusts you,

" she cut off his protests and gave him a challenging glare.

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"Did I do something to make you angry, Miss Greta?

" Finn asked.

nGreta exhaled.

"No,

" she said shortly..

"No, I just don't like being treated as if I'm incapable either.

"

n