My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

"We need to go back," August whispered to Finn. "Something is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Finn replied, eyebrows pinching together as he frowned. "There is nothing to truly be afraid of, Luna."

"We need to get the pups out of here, too," she said, ignoring him and scanning the area to see if she could determine how many pack members were all the way out here.

She didn't know what it was that she was sensing or what those forms were out there in the woods that weren't connected to her like the rest of the pack, but it made her uneasy. Even if she was mistaken and there was nothing out there—even if it was just a result of the heightened fear that she had being out here in this silly haunted forest—she didn't want to risk continuing on. It didn't feel right.

Thankfully she didn't have to think of an excuse to lure the pups back toward the pack house, because a male about Finn's age came rushing down the path from behind them, causing them both to turn.

"Livvy has returned!" the male exclaimed.

"The pup who disappeared?" Finn asked. The male nodded his head emphatically, a wide grin on his face that was obvious even in the dark.

"What?" August gasped, her face brightening to the news. "How?"

"Selah arrived with her. They're out front of the pack house. I'm trying to locate all of her sisters," the male told them before rushing on, causing the pups to emerge from their hiding spots and start talking excitedly as the news spread.

Gradually, they all started running down the path back toward the fire and the pack house to see the news for themselves. One of their friends had been missing for weeks in a mystery that no one was able to solve, but now she miraculously returned? The rush of excitement flooded through them all, and August could feel it spreading through the pack as well.

August caught sight of the male who had delivered the news running back past them with Lily by his side holding her rabbit mask. There was indescribable relief and joy lighting Lily's face as she raced at full speed to go see her sister.

Selah had left Sage all this time to go retrieve Livvy? August thought she had gone on work for the council. How did Selah know where Livvy was? Did that mean that Selah knew where the rest of the alyko were taken? Was Livvy okay? What would Livvy be able to tell them?

"Shall we go with them, Luna?" Finn asked, waiting at August's side as she stood watching the pups empty out of the haunted area as all of these questions assailed her.

She nodded but turned back uneasily, wondering what to do about the others she had sensed out there.

"How far are we from the perimeter?" August asked, staring out into the darkness.

"A few miles," Finn answered, following her line of sight.

"Do you scent anyone out there, Finn?" she asked softly.

He frowned again and shook his head. "There are probably a few pups who are still out here. Why do you ask?"

"We need to make sure they all get back," she said simply.

"Most don't wander on Samhain with the legends surrounding it and all," he told her. "They will come back. You don't need to worry."

"I thought lycans don't scare easily," she replied, scanning the darkness as she did.

She wasn't worried about the pups wandering off, but she didn't know how to tell him what she was concerned about. He already knew she scared easily, and she didn't want to sound like a hysteric speaking about dark creatures that she thought were lurking within pack land. It wouldn't be possible anyway with how many guards they had on the perimeter, right?

"It's not fear that keeps them from wandering. It's more about honoring the folklore surrounding Samhain. Like how we make soul cakes and wear disguises and light the pure fire. But maybe there are a few who are scared," he chuckled.

"Has anyone ever gone missing on Samhain?" she asked, eyes darting back to his.

"Not that I know of. But now we can say someone has come back," he smiled, shifting his weight to start back on the path. He wanted to see the pup as well. It was a miracle to have her returned.

"I want to make sure they all get back," August told him.

Finn paused with his body turned halfway, one foot pointed toward the pack house and one remaining by August's side. He regarded his Luna who obviously was bothered by something that she wasn't comfortable fully explaining. There was no way he was going to leave her.

"I will go get them," he told her, nodding with the finality of his decision. "It will just take a few moments. Wait for me here."

August frowned, unsure if that was the best choice, but Finn ran past her before she could think of an alternative. And then she was left suspended between two extremes. She could feel the boisterous activity and relief and joy of those who were gathering where Selah was presumably back with Livvy. Her mate was there, too. She could sense his focus there. And then there was the darkness of the unknown where Finn had disappeared to retrieve the last of the pups. And all she could do was wait there, wringing her hands in front of her as she glanced back and forth from one end of the path to the other.

"Luna," a small voice made her jump, and she looked around to see Sage appear from out of the underbrush.

"Sage," she chuckled. "You scared me! Did you hear that your sister is back?"

Sage nodded, a bright smile on his face.

"Go see her! I'm just waiting for Finn.. I'll come along in a minute," she told him, but he grabbed her hand in an attempt to bring her along with him.