Graeme wove his fingers through August's hair, cradling her head in his hands as he kissed her—his female, his mate, the mother of his unborn child, the Luna of his pack. And the whole pack felt the depth of their connection.

At that moment, it didn't matter that their Luna was human or alyko or whatever she technically was that wasn't lycan, because they felt the union between her and their Alpha in the centermost part of their being. It blazed through them all with a uniting flame that burned away any doubt. How could they doubt what they felt so assuredly in the very center of themselves?

Graeme and August felt it, too. This was no ordinary kiss. With it, all of the pack members came alive behind their eyes like golden beings of light. They were aware of them all without having to see them or scent them. They could feel the pulse of their existence and each of their unique energy signatures. Like the underground network of rhizomes that connect sprouts of new growth from the soil, they were all energetically interlaced.

When Graeme reluctantly pulled away, he rested his forehead against August's for a moment and exhaled, adjusting to this new awareness of all of those around them. The joy of the pack was rushing in, surrounding them. It was an overwhelming sensation.

August's chest was rising and falling with deep, measured breaths as she tried to adjust to this as well. She had gotten twinges of this connection between her and various pack members prior to this, but whatever had just happened between her and Graeme that expanded to the rest of the pack was so much more consuming. She could feel them all. There had to be a way to turn this off and only use it when it was beneficial—just like the Veiled.

Graeme clasped her hands in his and kissed her forehead and her eyes and her cheeks, bringing the connection between just the two of them to the fore of her awareness so that everyone else settled into the background. She giggled softly. His love and affection and strength balanced the tide of attention that was heading their way.

"You and me, Moon,

" he breathed against her.

She smiled and nodded her understanding. They were in this leadership role together, and anything she felt overwhelming her would be balanced by him—the steadying power and strength by her side.

Finally, they both looked up to meet the sparkling eyes of their pack members who had gathered around, drawn to the source of this brilliant unseen flame that united them all. Not only was this female mated to their Alpha glowing with the assurance of the Moon Goddess' blessing, but she was a part of them—an indispensable part of of them that they could feel now without any doubt.

Her and Graeme stood there speechless but holding hands, allowing themselves to be seen and appreciated by everyone flooding into the pack house, pressing in and jumping up and down to get a glimpse of their Alpha and Luna. Tonight was unlike anything the people here had expected. It was not a typical Samhain.

Finally Charlotte, Sylvia, Sam, and Greta were able to make their way through the crowd toward where the Alpha and Luna were standing in the center of all of this attention.

"You two are remarkable,

" Charlotte spoke as she embraced them.

"There is much to celebrate,

" Greta exclaimed, turning to address the whole of the crowd while also using her enthusiasm like a shield for the stunned Alpha and Luna behind her.

"This is a historic Samhain. We have an Alpha and Luna for the first time in many years, and as we all can see, they are expecting the next heir of our people. And all of this on a full moon!

"

The excited cheers and raised voices pulsing with energy to celebrate this remarkable feeling they were sharing as a united pack rose in agreement to Greta's words.

"Let's thank our Mother Moon tonight for all that we have been given this season before the dark months of winter. Graeme and August will be able to come around and visit with each of you throughout the evening, and then we will have the pure fire to disperse for everyone's hearths later,

" she added, gesturing toward the open doors at the back of the room where most of them had rushed in.

Gradually the thrilled faces of those in the pack made their way back out the doors toward the forest and the fire, waiting until later for an opportunity to touch and embrace the couple that had unexpectedly invaded something deep and necessary enfolded within them.

When Greta turned back around to her brother and August, they smiled appreciatively. August was now visibly trembling, and Graeme pulled her in closer to his side, reaching up to place a hand against her cheek knowing that feeling his skin against hers would calm her even more just as it had the first night he found her.

He grinned remembering it now—how all of this had started when he found her in the Grimm that day. How August had been in the ice bath anticipating a shot of medication from Greta to relieve the pain she was in, and he had been afraid to even touch her again. Her pain and vulnerability caused him so much fear at the time for the weakness it would likely bring him. But when he wrapped his arm around her in the bath that night, she had instantly relaxed—believing it to have been the medication that took effect rather than the mate bond that her body recognized and was soothed by.

And now not only had she strengthened him in ways that he would have never imagined at the time, she had touched his entire pack, bringing them all full circle to a place where they were complete.

August let out a tremulous breath.

"That just happened,

" she said softly, giggling at how incomprehensible this was. She was connected to all of these people, to this entire pack, through her bond with the male next to her. Other than when Graeme had marked her and they mated, this was the most intimate and touching thing she had ever experienced.

Greta walked forward and hugged her, holding her in her arms for longer than usual as their hearts spoke to one another.

"You are incredible, sis,

" Greta finally spoke into her hair, giving her an extra squeeze before letting her go.

"Thank you for being here.

"

"Where else would she be?

" Graeme's deep voice spoke from August's side, squeezing her hand again.

"She wasn't just meant for me, she was meant for all of us, wasn't she?

"

"You are certainly right about that, Alpha,

" Sylvia agreed.