Overhearing this exchange between Graeme and August, Sam and Sylvia couldn’t help but be surprised. It was common knowledge that Graeme had wanted nothing to do with finding his mate. Sylvia knew this well, because her and her husband David were always close with the Hallowells. In fact, David was the Beta of the pack, second in command, when Derek and Genevieve were killed, and Sam was in line to become Graeme’s Beta had the pack continued with the traditional leadership.

David and Sylvia Wilde had watched Greta and Graeme grow up alongside their son, Sam, and they experienced the heartbreak just as acutely as everyone else when their parents died. It wasn’t just their Alpha and Luna they had lost, it was their dearest friends.

Sylvia was particularly struck by the significance this scene before her held. This wasn’t simply any display of affection between two young people—the pair before her was the rightful, destined leadership of the Hallowell pack. The presence of the girl in front of them would be no less than a miracle in the eyes of many pack members who desperately yearned for the way things had been before the council’s overbearing presence in their lives.

The elders had become ruthless and controlling in the absence of the Alpha and Luna, and many had come to fear them. The individual lives of the pack members were not precious to the elders like they had been to Derek and Genevieve Hallowell, and people had even become fearful of having families with the small chance that their children may end up as alyko. It was not a healthy balance as it once had been.

Were people angry at Graeme for giving up his place? Yes, of course they were. But not everyone had seen the struggle that he and his sister had endured following their parent’s death like Sylvia and David had. The elders had taken the opportunity to push their own agenda while the young Alpha was not yet in a position to resist them, and the resulting fallout had all but broken him. Although they would deny it, it was clearly the elder’s goal to push Graeme out and continue to keep him at a distance.

But Graeme was here now—back again—fully embracing the girl who was destined to be his partner. Sylvia had to take in a deep breath as the overwhelming realization hit her that perhaps, finally, things would be put right. Hope had been renewed. She looked over at her son who had grown strong and understanding of the change in his immediate fate to no longer help run the pack, and she wondered what this new revelation would mean to him.

Samuel had always been a quiet, stoic soul just like his father. It had hurt him to not follow in David’s footsteps, but growing up with the Hallowell twins meant seeing what they had gone through as well. And with Greta as his mate, his understanding and sensitivity toward their struggle only deepened. Would he finally be able to fulfill the role he was born into? Samuel’s eyes found his mother’s, and he smiled warmly—their wordless thoughts aligning in that moment—and she had to blink back the tears that were quickly forming.

Once Graeme left for the second time, Greta placed a hand on August’s arm, and instantly August found the broth in front of her to be very appealing. She gave Greta a suspicious smile, and the peach-haired girl quickly withdrew her hand. “You need to eat. You look weak again today,” she explained.

“I’m okay,” August replied, but she picked up the bowl anyway.

“Don’t worry, August, she’s not picking on you. She does it to me all the time,” Sam assured her from across the table with a knowing smile. Sylvia must have been aware of Greta’s ability as well, August realized, since they were both talking about it openly.

“Did something else happen?” Greta asked. August gathered that it was safe to discuss everything in front of the two others, but how much should she tell?

“The second vision or whatever came back last night when Graeme was gone, and it was good—I just kind of meditated with it. You were right,” she smiled at Greta. Greta watched her for the rest, because there was clearly something she wasn’t saying.

“But…” Greta started for her.

August’s smile fell. Of course Greta would know there was more. “I’m not sure it’s a but, but…” she laughed softly, “the thing I almost did with you,” August placed her hand against her own chest, “it happened with Graeme.”

Greta’s expression contorted with worry, “But I warned you not to do it.”

“It’s fine. It’s fine. I’m not sure I can explain it to you, but it’s just—I had to. I understand it was different with you, but he and I are connected. I saw it and… and felt it. What’s his burden is mine, and it’s better that I carry it,” she tried to explain, now certain she was as red as she could be from embarrassment. Being scolded in front of strangers was not a comfortable feeling.

“You shouldn’t have to carry it, though, August. You can help him without having to weaken yourself. Being a martyr only hurts him in the long run anyway,” Greta sighed, bringing a hand up to her mouth and shifting her eyes to Sylvia who was sitting across from her. “What happened afterward?” Greta returned her eyes to the girl next to her.

August didn’t respond, because it would only worry Greta more. What point was there in that?

“Well, maybe I can help. That’s why I’m here after all,” Sylvia quickly added, hoping to diffuse any guilt that Greta may have created with her reaction. “What is happening with you is remarkable, August. I want you to know that. No one can understand it but you. But I can help you learn how to allow energy to flow through you rather than having it accumulate where it can cause you harm,” she said, her smiling eyes warm and gentle.

“Sam and Greta are going to leave for a little bit to give us some time for the session, and we’ll work on some things to help, okay?” she added before giving her son and Greta a nod that now was a good time to do just that.

After Greta had started to descend the treehouse steps leading them out, Sam turned to where August had followed the two to the front door. “Some of us are having a bonfire Thursday night. You and Graeme should come,” he said.

There was a calmness about Sam that August found comforting. She imagined that this invitation given directly to her from him was significant for some reason, so she didn’t take it lightly.

“Okay. I’ll talk to him about it.. Thank you,” she smiled, and he turned to follow Greta.