My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

"Who is this handsome guy?" Sylvia asked as she came into the Hallowell house for dinner that night.

"This is Sage," Greta introduced him. "He's going to be staying here while his sister is away."

"She said she was leaving on work for the council?" Graeme asked, taking a seat at the table next to his sister and August. "I wonder what it is that she does exactly."

"She didn't say," August replied, noticing how Sage seemed to look uncomfortable at the topic. She hadn't told Graeme about his abilities yet, but she imagined Graeme wasn't one of the people Selah was worried about. If anything, Graeme knowing more about Sage should be better for his protection from anyone out to get the alyko.

"Sage, it is so nice to meet you," Sylvia said, introducing herself. "Are you going to be helping look after August while Graeme is busy doing important Alpha things at the pack house?"

Sage gave a shy smile and nodded. August winked at him. They both knew that in reality he had already helped her so much, but she hoped nothing like that would be necessary again.

"Well if staying here with four noisy adults ever gets to be too much, you should come keep an old lady company. You know, Sam had his own loft at our house. I bet you would like it. There is a window that overlooks the forest and a cozy place to sit and read books. Maybe we can go take a look at it after dinner. What do you say?" she asked.

"Yeah, I want to take that walk through the woods and over the rickety bridge that Graeme was telling me about. Is that how you came here, Sylvia?" August asked.

"It sure is. The bridge is still holding after all these years, I am happy to report," Sylvia chuckled. "It is nice being back in this house. I missed it," she sighed and put a hand over Greta's who was sitting next to her.

"So are you going to come hang out with Graeme and I tomorrow, mom?" Sam asked before scooping some of the wild lettuce salad in his bowl that they had begun to eat while the pizzas were cooking.

"You need my wisdom, do you?" she chuckled. "I don't know how comfortable I will be in those stuffy council rooms. I don't have to be stationed there do I? I certainly can't imagine staying up in an office looking at the woods from my window all day."

"Will it help if you cleanse the rooms?" Sam chuckled. "Graeme was wondering. He thinks our office needs cleansing from the elders presence."

"Oh, that I am sure it does. I will bring my sage," Sylvia chuckled before taking a bite of her salad. "You have a great name, young man," she winked at Sage. "And bright green eyes to match."

"You won't need to stay in an office there. But I would like to bring you and Charlotte in officially and discuss some issues about how to move forward during this transition. Having you as official consultants will also allow me to bring you into the fold about information and issues that aren't made public to the pack. We need you," Graeme emphasized at the end. "I need you. It is important to have your insight into some of the things that have been going on in the pack for years."

"Then of course, I will be there. Charlotte will, too," she replied. "Thank you for the honor of being held in such high esteem by you."

"No, Sylvia," Graeme replied. "Thank you. The honor is mine."

And with that deep, resonant voice of his, the table went quiet afterward except for the clinking of utensils.

"The pizza smells delicious. Who made it?" Sylvia asked.

"Mostly Graeme," August laughed. "But Sage picked out the toppings for his pizza and made it himself. I think I'm going to have Sage teach me." She winked at him again. "Honestly cooking to me seems like magic. I need all the help I can get."

"Is squirrel and nettle still your favorite, Graeme?" Sylvia asked, and August's face scrunched involuntarily. Graeme caught the reaction and chuckled, squeezing her knee under the table.

"I'm sorry. I'm sure it's really good," August laughed. "I should give it a chance, but I can't get over the idea of eating squirrel."

"They are not the meatiest of creatures," Sylvia acknowledged. "I suppose it comes down to a tradition born from convenience and accessibility."

"Lots of squirrel in Hallows Forest," Sam grunted and took a drink of his craft beer.

"Is that the Moon Maeve?" Graeme asked, gesturing toward his mug.

"No, this is an ale we've been working on. It's not quite right yet. Would you like to try it?" Sam asked and rose to get Graeme a mug. "Come on, give me the Alpha's opinion. That way we can put a stamp on it, 'Alpha-Approved,' when it launches," he laughed over his shoulder. Graeme groaned.

"You better get used it now, Graeme," Sylvia chuckled.

"Those are all the things I don't look forward to," he grumbled. "I'm still me. I don't need flowers thrown at my feet or that starry look in their eyes when I pass by. Or farm breweries shamelessly using me for promotion."

"They have always treated you that way. Nothing is going to change," Greta rolled her eyes. "Now you are just in a position to accept it."

"You just ignore it if if bothers you," Sylvia added. "It is everyone's instinct to defer to you in that way. You can hardly blame them for it. You bring security. Safety. But, most importantly, warmth. Whereas the elders have been associated with security and safety that comes from impersonal aloofness and condescension."

"What can we do about helping the Bennetts?" Greta abruptly changed the subject. Sage, who had been keeping his head down while listening and eating, snapped his eyes to Greta's in interest. "If you are Alpha now, we need to help that family. We need to make finding Livvy a priority. Bringing her home would be huge for this pack and for the way it views your leadership moving forward."

Graeme nodded. "I agree that it needs to be a priority. Are you really trying to argue for it in terms of how my leadership will be viewed though? Is that how I am to make decisions, sis?"

"I mean, you need to consider it," Greta threw her hands in the air.

"Do I?" he tilted his head.

She scoffed. "Yes, of course. But if you are willing to make her a priority just based on concern alone, then that's great."

"You honestly think it wouldn't be based on concern alone? That I would need other motivations for it?" he asked, the edge of offense beginning to sharpen his tone.

"This is why you need people around you who advise you on all fronts. Obviously you can't even fathom thinking of something like appearances to your pack," Greta snapped.

"Okay children," Sylvia raised her hands. "It is somewhat endearing to hear this sibling bickering, but I think you are both on the same page for this one. No need for it to escalate."

"So how do we focus on helping find Livvy?" Greta asked.

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