n

n

nGraeme reached over and rested his hand on hers.

n

"So nothing happens now?

" he asked, returning to the subject of her latent gift. He had been restraining himself from comforting her or holding her hand or anything involving touching her skin while she was unconscious, fearing that he would harm her in some way. When he had helped her up from the bed at the outpost prior to Marius's arrival, she had looked helpless and shaken. And after Marius had touched her, she had seemed utterly petrified.

nAugust shook her head, looking down at their hands touching.

"I wonder why.

"

nGraeme scooped her hand in his, holding it from beneath.

"I'm relieved. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable.

" August smiled, the blush staying warm on her cheeks.

n

"I can't believe I've been out so long,

" she said, realizing how different Graeme looked now than when she saw him the first time. He looked older. And tired. His beard was fuller, which seemed to suit him. She gave him a crooked smile, trying to imagine him as a wolf.

n

"We were worried you wouldn't wake up,

" he admitted.

n

"They must've told my mom that I disappeared in the forest. She must think I…

" Her face fell, and she pulled her hands back into her lap before looking back up at Graeme.

"Shouldn't I call her or something? She needs to know that I'm okay.

"

n

"The university is definitely searching for you right now. You represent a significant investment to them, and they won't give up on you easily,

" Graeme looked apologetic.

"Since they haven't found you, they'll be waiting for you to emerge in some obvious way, like by contacting your friends or family. I'm sorry,

" he added.

nAugust stood up from the table and walked around her chair, pulling her damp hair up behind her and spinning it as if to put it in a bun. She let it fall and rubbed her face, sighing deeply.

"What a mess,

" she said.

nWould she never be able to go home again? Her stepdad had to have known something about it. His willingness to send her here was suspicious even before.

nGraeme rose from his seat as well and sat on the edge of the table in front of her, placing his hands lightly on her shoulders.

"We'll figure it out. It's just too soon right now. There's so much we don't know.

" August looked defeated, but she offered him a weak smile as he captured her hands in his.

"Okay, quick answer time. There's a lot you must be wondering. Shoot.

"

nAugust looked back at this man who had a warmth that settled around him. His eyes, his chestnut home in the trees with its cozy lights, the reassurance and confidence that resonated in his deep voice, his gentle touch as he held her hands. He was the light and the warmth in the forest. If there was hope that somehow everything would turn out despite the overwhelming obstacles, it could be found here with him.

nGraeme could see a mischievous smile play on her lips as her eyes flashed.

"Are werewolves responsible for the suicide forest lore?

"

n

"Lycans,

" he corrected her.

n

"Lycans, sorry

" she repeated.

"Are the adorable… I mean fearsome, majestic lycans responsible for it?

"

n

"Yes and no,

" his lip twitched as he answered. There was more in his eyes that he wasn't revealing, but his smile was warm.

n

"Why are there no sounds of living things there? Why are there no animals or… or insects?

" The intensity of her eyes deepened, searching him.

nHe sighed.

"It is the result of a centuries old enchantment meant to protect us. It's a border.

"

n

"Enchantment? Like from a wizard or something?

" Her eyes were wide. Graeme answered her with a smirk.

"Does the enchantment cause people to kill themselves?

" she asked, shock evident in her voice.

n

"Not directly, no.

"

nHer lips pressed into a line.

"Was it a full moon that night you found me? I mean… do you turn into a wolf on a full moon?

"

n

"It's not limited to a full moon.

"

nShe studied his dark features. How was she supposed to believe this man before her could change his body into something else like a wolf? It was ridiculous.

"So you can turn anytime?

"

n

"Yes.

"

n

"Can you show me now?

"

n

"No,

" he smiled.

n

"Why not? I want to see it. How else can I believe all this is real and not some kind of massive hoax built into the experiment or something?

"

nHe chuckled.

"If anyone senses that I've turned into wolf form here, it will cause some problems that I don't think we need complicating things. Especially before we go to the council tomorrow.

"

n

"Why would it cause problems?

"

n

"I'm not officially part of this pack anymore,

" he sighed.

"It could be interpreted as a threat or challenge to power.

"

nHer eyes grew wider.

"Why are you no longer part of the pack?

"

nGraeme's hands, the thumbs of which had been rubbing the back of her hands, dropped and he looked away.

"That's complicated,

" he stood up and walked towards the pool, looking out into the trees. August watched him without following.

n

"Most large packs like ours that go back centuries have an Alpha that acts as leader. He is the strongest, and his authority is absolute. If that Alpha is mated, his mate strengthens his position. She is known as the pack's Luna. There are various other ranks, beginning with the Beta, which is the second in command.

" He paused, still facing away from her.

n

"Other ranks vary by pack—it depends on the size of the pack, where they are located in terms of external threats, the dynamics of its members, and so on.

" Graeme turned to look back at her with his hands in his pockets. Even in such a relaxed position, she could see his forearm muscles tense. But his eyes were at ease as he met hers.

n

"My parents were the last Alpha and Luna,

" he said.

"They were killed. I was to take my father's place, but I didn't.

" He turned away from her again to the trees.

"Our pack's members were devastated. Not only at the loss of my parents, who were widely loved, but at my refusal of my place when I finally came of age. The elders gave me an ultimatum. Acknowledge the change of power or leave the pack altogether.

"

n

"So you left,

" August whispered.

n

"Many are still bitter about it. But in my absence, the council has continued on as they always did and things seemed to be going relatively well,

" he turned to look at her again.

"Or I thought so until three weeks ago when Marius walked into that room.

" August swallowed hard, and it didn't get past Graeme.

n

"He's always been ruthless. That's his nature. That's why he's good at what he does for the council, and don't get me wrong—it's often necessary…

" He trailed off, lost in memories of some kind before focusing back on her. His voice was lower now,

"But I never imagined…

" He shook his head slowly, concentrating his eyes somewhere else—in the past, in that room with Marius.

n

"He hates me and that's why he treated you that way,

" Graeme swallowed and looked down before returning his eyes to August. They were filled with guilt.

"And his feelings must be shared by others if he felt he could get away with it,

" he walked slowly toward where she stood and grabbed her hips lightly, bowing his head toward hers. His breath was warm on her face. Warm like the rest of him.

"How can you forgive me?

"

nAugust didn't know how to respond. There was so much more guilt in his voice than just for what transpired with Marius. She wondered if he was even speaking to her or rather to himself or to the universe sweeping through them both. He reached up to let a strand of her hair slip through his fingers.

n

"But it's your strength that saved me,

" she whispered.

nHe pulled back, his eyebrows dipping in confusion.

"What?

"

n