n

n

nWhen the three women appeared from behind the fabric veil, they found Graeme waiting by the door with his hands folded in front of him. August smiled. He was trying so hard not to be overbearing. When their eyes met, the warmth of his familiarity and love flooded through her, and she watched as every muscle in him seemed to relax.

n

"Hey, bro,

" Greta said cheerfully as she approached him, grabbing his arm and kissing his cheek playfully. He nodded with a smile, acknowledging her greeting before returning his gaze to August.

n

"Thank you again, Sylvia,

" he said, walking forward and embracing the woman before taking August's hand in his own.

"Shall we go, love?

"

n

"What are you all doing for dinner tonight?

" Sylvia asked and sent August a wink.

"Why don't you three and Sam all come and keep an old lady company?

"

n

"What a great idea! We'll be there,

" Greta answered and turned to her brother, nudging him with her elbow.

"Right?

"

nGraeme chuckled. Leave it to Greta to answer for everyone.

"Of course. Want us to bring anything?

"

n

"No need. Just bring yourselves. I'll take care of the rest,

" Sylvia said.

"See you later then.

"

nOnce they were outside, Graeme turned to August.

"It seems everything went well with Sylvia.

"

n

"It did,

" she nodded.

"Do you know Charlotte?

" she asked.

n

"Of course. You met Charlotte?

"

nAugust nodded.

"She was here. She had a lot to tell us about the alyko.

"

n

"Really?

" Graeme's eyebrows raised in surprise. Charlotte's mom and sister had been alyko, so it made sense that she would know more about them.

"What did she say?

"

nAugust turned and looked toward the market. This wasn't really the best place to talk about it, especially since it was a story kept from most. That was likely why Sylvia had invited them over for dinner. It would give them all a chance to discuss it and what meaning it would have for all of them moving forward.

n

"Can we talk about it a little later? I want to walk through the market while we're here,

" her eyes glinted with excitement.

nGraeme bristled at the mention of the market and paused to study her. He reached for the mark on her neck, running his fingers gently over it in a way that caused her to shiver.

n

"Of course,

" he said quietly.

"How was it with the pups?

" he asked as they walked.

nAugust filled him in on everything that happened with the pups that morning, including the warehouse that Greta had suggested they use for an art space. She turned her attention to the market as they entered. There were regular brick and mortar shops on either side of the street, but vendors also lined the road with colorful canopies draping them.

n

"Will you relax?

" August whispered and softly elbowed Graeme's side.

nHe had somehow made himself bigger since they entered the market, like he was filling out every inch of his available height and width. And his dominance seemed to extend out even further in warning, making way for them.

nAugust noticed the nervous, shrinking figures of those who passed. Graeme didn't answer August's jab. He was focused on something in the distance.

n

"Don't go far. I'll be back in a minute,

" his voice came out deep and annoyed before he strode forward.

nAugust looked in the direction he was headed and saw Violet's dark, piercing glare on her before it turned on Graeme's approaching figure. Violet's eyes instantly softened with an unmistakable look of affection.

nAugust had to turn away. She didn't want to see them talking—she couldn't handle the images of Violet's memories threatening to overtake her again.

nAugust walked further in the market, glancing distractedly over the vendors she passed. There were stands with fruits and vegetables of all kinds. Jarred goods. Spices. Candy. Pumpkins. Jewelry. Toys. Wind chimes. Light catchers. It went on for several blocks, and the bright colors and cheerful people slowly took her mind off of the person her mate was preoccupied with at the moment.

nShe stopped in front of a cute mint green cart on wheels with a pink and white striped canopy overhead. The cart had a stack of ice cream cones on one side along with gradually increasing sizes of ice cream dishes. Its curved display window revealed gelato flavors in just about every color. A few young kids were busy eating their towering gelato cones nearby, and August smiled.

n

"Would you like to try something?

" the girl behind the cart asked. She had long dark hair braided at her sides and freckles dotting her nose and cheeks.

"You're Graeme's mate, right? The human?

"

nAugust's eyes widened slightly.

"Um, yes,

" she replied, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.

"How did you know?

"

n

"Your mark,

" the girl smiled, gesturing toward August's neck.

"Everyone has heard about you. August, right? It's nice to finally see you out in the open rather than just hearing whispers.

"

n

"That's me,

" August felt heat rise to her face as she nodded.

"It's incredible here,

" she said, looking around at all the vendors.

n

"I'm sure it's much different than what you're used to,

" the girl in front of her laughed.

"So what will it be?

"

n

"Can I try the peanut butter?

" August pointed to the flavor that looked surprisingly like real peanut butter.

n

"Of course,

" the girl gave her two generous scoops in a dish with a small bamboo spoon.

"I'm Ana, by the way.

"

n

"Thank you, Ana. Is the market set up like this year round?

" August asked before tasting the gelato.

n

"Once the snow starts, everything pretty much goes indoors. There's a space in the pack house where most of us set up. Others offer out of their homes or in the shops nearby where it's more convenient,

" Ana replied.

"We keep making gelato. So if you're ever wanting any, come find us!

"

n

"It's so good. I definitely will, thank you.

"

n

"Of course! We've got some new fall flavors we'll be offering at the Samhain celebration. It's a full moon. Can you believe it? First time in who knows how long!

" Ana said excitedly.

n

"Wow! I didn't realize that.

" She suddenly wondered if there would be a similar fertility ritual, and the thought made her stomach turn. How would she get out of that?

n

"Can't wait to see you there,

" Ana smiled before turning to help someone else who approached.

nAfter the gelato, August kept walking with her hands in her pockets, refusing to seek out Graeme if it meant running into Violet or seeing the two together. A few little kids starting tagging along with her, giggling and dropping white petals at her feet. She tried asking their names, but they just laughed and sprinted away before returning to circle her again.

nShe realized she was getting more and more attention from the people passing by. Most of them smiled and averted their eyes before returning their curious gazes on her. But the stares were getting more obvious, and she wondered what was taking Graeme so long. A flash of one of Violet's memories returned, and she choked back the taste of bile in her throat.

n

"What are you doing here all alone?

" Lucas suddenly appeared next to her, and she jumped in surprise.

n