The night was growing late, and the pack members were still awaiting the return of their Alpha and Luna to the festivities—the majority of them being unaware that anything at all was amiss.

"We will need to do the pure fire,

" Charlotte said, observing the way the energy around them was slowly growing anxious, transitioning from the high everyone had been riding earlier at the overwhelming union of their Alpha and Luna as well as the return of Livvy. She and Sylvia were sitting at one of the tables, awaiting more updates from Greta about the Alpha's condition, but it seemed possible that he would not be making a reappearance tonight.

The guards and other searchers of the pack land had already returned, having found no evidence of lingering outsiders. But the Luna was also not found.

"I think you're right,

" Sylvia affirmed, her gaze searching and studying these familiar faces of her tribe that she knew so well. They had to be reassuring so that no one would lose hope tonight.

"We will not tell them the full extent of what has occurred,

" Charlotte added as if reading Sylvia's thoughts.

"We do not know enough at this point. Graeme will awaken,

" she nodded, agreeing with herself it seemed as her delicate wrinkled hand gave the table a soft pat before she pushed herself up to stand and approach the fire.

Sylvia watched the elder with reverence. Like many of them, Charlotte had been through so much. She had lost people who were dear to her. And through it, she had become this precious source of wisdom—polished to a smooth luster throughout time. Sylvia stood to follow her, and both the elder females came to stand before the pure fire where everyone had gravitated throughout the night, ready to take a piece of this burning hope home with them.

Charlotte stood there, hands clasped together patiently waiting for the pack members to notice her and Sylvia's presence and quiet down. It didn't take long. It seemed everyone was somehow anticipating an announcement, as it became more and more obvious that their Alpha and Luna were absent. An announcement or explanation was expected.

Once the last of the murmurs had been hushed in the crowd, Charlotte waited a few moments to ensure that all eyes had found their way to her. Her gentle, wise smile preceded her words, giving them that silent reassurance first to prime their hearts for what would be spoken—that they should not hear a tacit threat to their peace but rather a vague explanation to dispel their worries for the night.

"Our Alpha and Luna have been unexpectedly called away,

" she said, noticing how she received looks of confusion and worry.

"We all have something like a pure fire inside of us now, don't we? It's not one that we can see in front of us,

" she turned and gestured to the fire behind her.

"But rather, we feel it inside uniting us, connecting us all to our Alpha and Luna. And if you search that fire within you, you will feel as I do that despite them not being before us at the moment, our Alpha and Luna are okay. Their union burns strong within us all. Today is a historic Samhain. Our pack has been given a hope that it has not seen in a long time.

"

Charlotte turned and nodded to Calix who was standing next to the pile of torches that had been prepared for each family's hearth.

"Will each family come and receive their torch and light it in the pure fire?

" She asked, gesturing toward the male who held an unlit torch in his hand awaiting the first family.

The crowd of pack members gradually separated into their family units, each one awaiting their turn to walk forward and take a torch from Calix to light from the pure fire.

"Now carry this symbol of hope and renewal through the darkness as you make your way home tonight to light your own hearths. As with the fire within, these pure flames unite us. And they will burn true through the dark winter months until the spring,

" she told them, watching as each family took their torches off into the night.

Once the last waiting family took their torch and lit it from the large bonfire, Calix took a torch and carried it into the pack house to light the fireplace in the common area there. Charlotte and Sylvia took their own small portion of the fire for their own home, honoring the tradition.

"I will light the Hallowell hearth and take one to the outpost as well. I want to check on my kids,

" Sylvia said softly.

"We will see what the daylight brings,

" Charlotte squeezed her friend's arm reassuringly. Sylvia smiled, appreciating how Charlotte always found a way to stay positive and hopeful.

When Sylvia arrived at the outpost, she walked into a much different atmosphere. Greta and Sam appeared emotionally exhausted.

"He won't wake up, Sylvia,

" Greta said, choking on the words as they left her and she heard them spoken aloud.

Sylvia walked over to add the torch she brought to the fireplace before coming to sit next to Greta. She put an arm around her and let the female who was as much a daughter to her as Sam was a son lean on her and cry.

"Can you try reiki? Do you think it will help?

" Greta finally asked as she pulled away and wiped her tears. Sam had come to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders.

"We know it can't hurt,

" Sylvia said softly.

Greta and Sam watched as Sylvia moved her palms over Graeme starting at his head and gradually moving down toward his feet. She worked slowly and with intent, and when she was finished Greta somehow felt better even though her brother was still asleep.

"There is nothing physically wrong with him. In fact, his physical state feels perfect. He just is reluctant to wake. His mate was taken,

" Sylvia explained.

"August healed him like she healed me. I just know it,

" Greta said.

A groan came from the couch, and they all turned to watch Graeme transform back to himself. He sat up and squinted his eyes against the light of the room.

"Oh Goddess, Graeme!

" Greta exclaimed and rushed forward to embrace him. Sam smiled and threw a blanket toward the groggy Alpha male.

Graeme looked around at the three faces greeting him, confused about how he had gotten here and what had happened.

"What happened?

" he asked with a gravely voice.

"We were hoping you could tell us that. Was August taken? Did she heal you? Were you hurt?

" Greta asked quickly, stepping back to give him some space.

He frowned, pushing the stray hairs back off his face and pulling the blanket over himself.

"Who is August?

"