n

n

n

"What is this gibberish supposed to be?

" Sam asked as he was flipping through the physics research Graeme had copied and brought from the council.

n

"I don't know,

" Graeme answered.

"It has something to do with what I was telling Greta about on the phone the other day.

"

n

"The map,

" Greta said, and she took the folder from Sam.

"I told Sylvia and August about it today.

"

nGraeme glanced at August. He hadn't told her about it. He hadn't meant to keep it from her necessarily, but he didn't want to alarm her. It must not have been too upsetting hearing it from Greta or she would have mentioned it after he picked her up from Sylvia's shop earlier.

n

"Did you learn anything more today while you were at the council?

" Greta asked, glancing up from the papers.

nGraeme thought about the Eliade search team that was still in area. When he left the runners on the perimeter, it seemed the Eliade team was planning on camping out in the Grimm with August's mother for another night.

nHe doubted they would make any progress—it was virtually impossible for humans to get through the Grimm. In fact, it had never happened. Only the occasional stray wandered in, but no human had ever found their pack land. The enchantment had endured all this time.

nGraeme considered keeping this information from all of them for the time being, most especially from his mate since it was likely to scare her. But the way things were looking—with so much delicate information gradually being unfolded about the alyko and the elder's relations with the pack—it didn't feel right to create a secret where one wasn't necessary.

nPerhaps he would just keep the detail about August's mother to himself for now—that way August wouldn't feel compelled to go meet her.

n

"I did learn something… unrelated to all of this,

" he finally answered. Everyone's eyes snapped to him, but he felt his mate's most intensely.

"A search team from Eliade entered the Grimm early this morning. They are close to the perimeter and plan on staying at least overnight.

"

nA wave of August's fear crested over him before he even scented it from her, and he didn't realize he was moving until he was up and out of his chair and kneeling by her side. He grabbed her hands that had turned cold.

n

"August… look at me,

" he said, and her eyes slid to his.

"You're safe.

" His voice had gone deeper with the words, and she found herself nodding.

n

"I know,

" she said quietly.

"But what if they discover this place because they're searching for me?

"

nHe gave her a crooked smile. She was worried about the pack rather than herself.

n

"They won't,

" he assured her.

"I went out to run the perimeter today to keep an eye on the scouts and security that are watching them. The enchantment holds. They will just circle, thinking they are advancing in their search without going anywhere.

"

n

"They've come before while you were in a coma,

" Greta said.

"They won't find us, sis.

"

nAugust nodded, letting this information convince her. Graeme rose and squeezed her shoulders as he stood behind her chair.

n

"I wonder if the alyko know about the map tracking them,

" Sam thought aloud, changing the subject.

n

"If they do, they might know how this physics stuff works and how they're being tracked,

" Greta said and threw the file on the table.

"We need to know if August is also being monitored like this. It's hard to imagine that they wouldn't have already tried tagging her in some way. They think she's alyko, and she's your mate.

"

n

"We would know if they did something like that, wouldn't we?

" August asked for Greta to shrug.

n

"It wouldn't be obvious. If they've done this to many alyko already, the method of delivery has to be subtle,

" she answered.

n

"Maybe I can use Eliade's return to the area as a way to find out,

" Graeme suggested.

n

"How?

" Greta asked.

n

"Andreas said he wanted me with Damon to monitor the progress of Eliade's search team. If they send anyone off pack land to keep an eye on the researchers once they leave the area, I can volunteer to go. If I can find Penelope Winter, I can talk to her about it.

"

n

"What makes you think she'll talk to you?

" Sam asked.

n

"I doubt she knows that Eliade's lost subject is my mate,

" he smirked.

"I think she'll talk to me. Plus, she'll want to know about this alyko map if she doesn't already.

"

n

"How many alyko are being tracked?

" August asked then.

n

"I don't know for sure, but the map is global. Zoe mentioned how it was a collaborative effort between packs to tag their own suspected alyko. And I'm guessing at least all of the Winters are on it since they are notorious for their numbers, their abilities, and for living amongst humans,

" Graeme answered.

n

"When do you think you'll have an opportunity to leave?

" Sam asked.

n

"I can find out tomorrow,

" Graeme answered. It suddenly occurred to him that by suggesting he leave pack land, he was effectively suggesting he leave his mate for an unknown amount of time. He wasn't sure he could do it.

n

"When you do leave, August can stay with us,

" Greta offered, instantly realizing what was troubling her brother.

n

"Yes, and I've been thinking as well,

" Sylvia began,

"there are some women who have been gathering for several years now at my shop to discuss pack matters.

"

n

"To gossip?

" Sam interrupted, and Sylvia waved a hand at him.

n

"How dismissive of your elder women, son. No, not just to gossip. Charlotte is one who comes for the community and the strength we offer one another. And we brainstorm ideas for the pack. Ways to help those who are struggling. I suppose you could think of us as a kind of alternative, underground council,

" she chuckled.

nGreta smiled. Occasionally she had sat in on these meetings, and the energy the women brought to them was inspiring. Sometimes the meetings worked as a kind of support group, as many of the women had lost mates or children or suffered hardship in some other way that often gets overlooked since the wounds are unseen. But mostly it seemed that they were itching to find ways to help other members in the pack who needed it.

n

"There is already excitement circulating in the pack about you two returning,

" Sylvia said.

"If August comes to meet the women the next time we gather, that excitement will only grow. The support for her will seem to rise from the shadows, as that is where these women work best—with whispers on the wind and calls to the heart. You will soon have the whole pack behind you.

"

n

"And when the pack is behind you, that is widespread protection.. No one will harm the true Luna,

" Greta said reverently.

n