"Mmmm,

" August hummed in approval after taking her first bite of the pie.

"This is good.

"

Greta shot her a grin before turning around to slide the coffee across the island for her.

"I'm spoiled,

" August laughed.

"Yes you are,

" Greta rolled her eyes.

"But that's okay. You deserve some spoiling.

"

She watched August continue enjoying her afternoon snack before she pushed away from the counter.

"I already showered, so I'm going to go get dressed. Come up when you're ready, okay?

"

August nodded, eyes going wide as she sped up her bites and took a sip of the coffee. Unfortunately, the coffee couldn't be rushed so once she was done with Greta's delicious pie, she carried the mug with her back into the bathroom where she quickly showered.

She heard Graeme come into the bedroom as she was drying off.

"Everything okay?

" she asked, opening the door to let the steam out.

Graeme was sitting on the bed removing his shoes when his mate came walking out of the bathroom in only her towel, steam billowing out around her.

"Hey beautiful,

" he smiled. She did a playful little wiggle on the way to the closet in response.

"You seem excited,

" he chuckled.

"Greta fed me, so I'm happy,

" she giggled.

"And now we get to dress up!

" She pulled a robe out and changed into it, flipping her hair over the back of the fuzzy collar.

"How about we just stay here,

" Graeme approached, pressing his chest up against her and she groaned with the temptation of his warmth and proximity.

"Greta is going to be pounding down this door any minute,

" she turned and pushed her palms against his chest.

"Behave.

"

"How can I behave when you're teasing me like this?

" his voice was that deep purr against her ear, and she shivered but continued pushing him away—as difficult as it was. The only thing that kept her from giving in and backing him up against the bed was the idea of Greta walking in on them.

"Teasing you like what?

" she laughed.

"I just got out of the shower.

"

"Exactly. And you're walking around like this,

" he leaned down and bit her ear.

"What was that cute little wiggle you did?

"

"What? I don't know what you're talking about,

" she giggled, tilting her head to remove access to her ear, but he just switched sides and nuzzled into her neck, humming against her skin as his arms wound around her.

"August?

" Greta knocked on the door, forcing a groan out of Graeme who froze but didn't let go of her.

"Yeah!

" August called back, muffled against Graeme's chest.

"Graeme, you better get your hands off of your mate right now! I need her to get ready,

" Greta scolded from the other side of the door.

Graeme let out a huff of air against August's neck and eventually pulled away, his eyes still hungry and still fixed on his adorable mate who was standing there blushing with wet hair dripping on the shoulders of her robe. She bit into her lip feeling his absence, and that little behavior lured him back. He tilted her chin and kissed her deeply, bending to pick her up in his arms as he did. Greta, the dress, all of Samhain be damned. All that mattered was being with her.

"Graeme Hallowell!

" Greta yelled as the door creaked open and knocked against the wall.

He ignored her to continue tasting the pure sweetness of his mate, delving deeper with his tongue, pressing her to continue battling with him for possession, and when he felt Greta's arm on his shoulder, he had nearly forgotten where they were. He snarled at the attempt of being pulled away from the only thing in the universe right now that mattered—his warm, vulnerable, alluring mate in his arms.

Greta backed up, a mixture of shock, fear, and amusement in her expression.

August's hands raised to cup his bristly face where they ran over the familiar texture, and he sighed, resigning to the fact that he had to let her go. He bent his forehead to hers, taking a moment to allow the gentle strokes of her fingers to calm him before he finally let her down. His heart ached doing it. Why was he so fiercely possessive of her right now? He didn't even want to let her go upstairs.

Once August's warmth and scent left the room, he shot a glare at Greta who reached to pull the door shut behind them. He saw the nervous way she gulped, realizing belatedly that she had crossed a boundary that she should not have.

He groaned and raked a hand through his hair before deciding he might as well shower before putting on the wretched restraints of his tux.

——————

"I'm sorry,

" Greta muttered as her and August walked upstairs toward the spare room where the dresses had been kept.

"Why are you sorry?

" August asked, slowing her steps as Greta was behind her.

"I shouldn't have done that. I should have left you two alone.

"

It wasn't like Greta to apologize, especially for reprimanding her brother. Greta seemed to be the mature, level-headed one most of the time. When her and Graeme bickered, it was always light-hearted and playful. But apparently not this time.

"I just haven't fully looked at him as my Alpha yet, you know? He's Graeme. He's my brother,

" Greta chuckled nervously to herself. She saw the Alpha warning in his glare today, though. It was unmistakable.

"I understand,

" August told her, pausing at the top of the steps for Greta who gave her a small smile before leading her to the spare room.

"Your dress is stunning,

" she told Greta as she followed her.

The red satin mermaid dress looked like it was made for her. It had a sweetheart neckline and small straps that criss-crossed in the back. Even Greta's round little tummy managed to look sexy in the dress.

"It is pretty, isn't it?

"

"No, it's stunning,

" August chuckled.

"Has Sam seen it yet?

"

"No. He had to meet with Jack about something, but he will be back before we leave. Let's see how yours looks, shall we?

"

Greta pulled the gown from the closet, and August almost gasped. She had forgotten how beautiful it was.. She had never seen a dress like it before.