Once August and Sage approached the tree with its exposed roots where August had fallen, Sage's footsteps quickened and he pulled her into a shallow cave under the tree. August caught his panicked expression, and he met her eyes, pressing a finger in front of his lips.

His eyes closed in concentration, and August peered out from the dark cave as leaves crunched under someone's feet above. The sound of footfalls ceased, and she found herself holding her breath in anticipation. Sage's eyebrows were threaded together as he gripped her hand tighter.

It seemed like some kind of barrier was created to cover the cave opening, because the Veiled dimmed on the other side. She looked at the boy in surprise. Was he doing that? That would mean… Sage was alyko?

Suddenly a figure dropped into the mud in front of them. August recognized that silhouette. It belonged to Lucas.

Lucas was facing away from them, and after pausing for a few moments, he ran off in the direction where they had come from. Sage's eyes snapped open, and the barrier disappeared. He gently tugged her to follow him, and they exited the small space carved out of the earth.

The pattering of rain sounded all at once on the leaves of the forest canopy above them like many small hands clapping. August looked up and saw the leaves bending to the weight of the rain. Finally the water broke through the canopy and fell in big, fat drops that splashed at their feet.

"Rain will hide our scent,

" Sage exhaled in relief. Now they had to find a way back up and around this tree.

After they had been wandering for some time, slipping here and there in the mud, August asked,

"Is Lucas dangerous?

"

"Always dangerous. But for Luna, I don't know.

"

August sighed.

"Where the hell is Finn,

" she muttered under her breath.

————————

August and Sage were missing, and Greta was positive that her brother was going to kill her. She tried to stay calm and sent the pups home before darting into the woods to where she could scent Finn.

"Finn!

" Greta called.

"Where is she?

"

Finn jumped and his eyes went wide.

"W-what?

"

She scoffed.

"Are you serious?

" And then Greta caught sight of her. Violet. With a **-eating grin on her face.

A threatening growl puttered in Greta's throat before she sprang, knocking the the female down until they were both roaring and rolling over each other in the leaves.

"Don't tell me you're into young boys now, Violet,

" Greta growled, twisting to a position on top of Violet's back where she had the female's legs and arms pinned.

Violet roared in frustration under her.

"Let me go! We were just talking.

"

"The ** you were,

" Greta snarled, tugging Violet's hair roughly so her neck was craned backward.

"I can smell the arousal on both of you. You were distracting him. Who sent you?

"

"M-Miss Greta…

" Finn gaped.

Greta's phone started chirping, and she answered it with one hand while keeping Violet pinned with the other.

"Yeah?

" she answered, only slightly winded.

"I'm at your house and no one is here. Where are you? August isn't answering,

" Graeme said on the other end.

"Oh Goddess,

" Finn muttered behind her and ran off to track August.

Greta's stomach dropped.

"We were in the market with the pups,

" she replied.

"Were?

" his voice dropped.

"And now?

"

"And now I've got your ex pinned on the **ing ground while Finn is running off to find her,

" Greta admitted. She heard him curse before the line disconnected, and she squinted her eyes shut in regret. He was definitely going to kill her. His wolf was probably already sprinting here.

"You are lucky I have someone to find,

" Greta snarled in Violet's ear before letting her go and standing to leave.

"Get the ** off of our land if you want survive the day. If my brother doesn't have it in his heart to kill you, I can assure you… I do.

"

————————

August and Sage continued walking silently through the rain until August's chest suddenly filled with a warmth that she instantly recognized—like home had found her. Her heart sped up with the realization that Graeme had returned. How close was he? He must have just entered pack land, because she could feel him in a way that she hadn't been able to while he was gone.

It seemed so much further on the way back to the market. The trees they passed all looked the same to her, but Sage seemed to know exactly where they were headed, and they both kept silent, immersed in their own thoughts.

"Oh no,

" Sage whispered and froze in place.

"What?

" August frowned and looked over at him.

"Finally,

" a voice sounded behind them, and she whirled around to see Lucas stalking through the trees toward them.

"The rain made you hard to find,

" and no wonder, he thought—she was soaked and muddy. Her clothes were sticking to her like a second skin.

"Why were you trying to find me?

" She asked.

"Apparently you did some witchy ** that has got folks worried,

" Lucas tilted his head in amusement.

"Want to tell me about it?

"

"Am I answering to you now?

" she asked, jutting her chin out defiantly.

"Look—I am just trying to do my job in keeping this pack safe,

" he chuckled.

"If you threaten that, then we have a problem.

"

"What about abusive mates? Is that not a problem?

" she asked.

"Or males who throw a small pup flying through the air against a tree? Is that not a problem?

"

"Is that what happened?

" his eyebrows pinched together, and he looked down at Sage.

Sage averted his eyes from Lucas but nodded his head.

"What is wrong with him?

" Lucas asked.

"Nothing is wrong with him. He obviously just has excellent taste in character,

" August retorted.

"You sure got brave,

" Lucas chuckled again.

"If you did nothing to hurt those people, then why were you running?

"

August didn't say anything, but her eyes never wavered from his.

"Why don't you come with me, and we will figure it out?

"

"Where would we be going?

" she asked.

"To the council. I don't decide whether something is punishable. That goes to them,

" he answered.

Sage's hand tightened around hers, and then she sensed them… more males emerging from the trees to circle around them.. The boy next to her was trembling.