It was much quieter as we walked back down, now that the celebrations had long drawn to a close. Yet there were still a handful of groups socialising, though the largest, oddly, seemed to be at Elyanna's little cottage. I frowned, then glanced up at Cole, who hadn't seemed to notice. "I thought Elyanna mostly kept to herself?" I asked, and he nodded, "Yeah, she does. I think she's just never really felt a part of our pack." I stared at him a moment, then raised an eyebrow at him,"Her cottage seems awfully crowded.." I said, and he looked at me confused, before glancing through the trees towards her home, then stopping suddenly, looking puzzled. "I.. you're right, that is unusual," he said, sounding surprised, but then he shrugged and kept walking, looking thoughtful. "I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about though, maybe tonight is a special night among witches too," he continued, seeming unconvinced, but still not at all alarmed. "You know we can trust her," he added, sensing my d

I looked up at the unfamiliar face, frowning slightly, though not so much as Cole, who looked more than a little bit annoyed at having his path blocked in such a way. "Beta, Luna," the man's deep, gravelly voice said, as he looked down at both of us. I couldn't help but think it odd, the way he did that, given that no one I'd met before had been taller than Cole and Finn, let alone Thane, whose height this man easily matched. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you," he continued, offering me his hand, "I've heard so much about you." I glanced at Cole, and took it hesitantly, and the stranger brought my hand gently to his lips, as he bowed forward in a gesture of respect. "Likewise.. " I said uncertainly, lowering my head slightly in return, and Cole tensed beside me. "Laila, this is Alpha Yannick, of the Silver Waters pack." "A pleasure, Alpha Yannick," I said politely, and he smiled, finally lowering my hand. "Indeed. I'm eager to get to know you more, I hear you have quite the inter

Thane nodded thoughtfully, but hardly seemed convinced, "How?" he asked, and Yannick grinned brightly. "Well, the thing is, that this Fearmonger is something of a Royal witch speciality," he began, "They were the only ones who could summon or control them. And control them they truly can." He paused, looking satisfied as he watched our uncertain reactions, "Just so happens, I've got exactly one of those. Well trained, too, now that she's broken in.." Thane cut him off with a raised hand, "No," he said sharply, and Yannick raised an eyebrow, laughing as though he were being ridiculous. "No?!" he repeated in disbelief, "Are you in your right mind?" Thane only stared at him, his face hard and serious. "We've no wish to use your 'broken in' witch," he said angrily, "I hate to even think what that term implies. We don't keep slaves of any kind here, or support those who do." Yannick's face grew darker as Thane continued, clearly taking offense to his words. He scoffed derisively, "I gues

Elyanna opened the door a moment later, with a small frown in her face. Seeing us, she stepped outside, rather than inviting us in, pulling the door closed behind her. "Finn, Laila," she said with a warm smile, though her forehead still held a small crease, "What's happened?" she asked. Finn and I exchanged a glance, and he gave her an apologetic smile, "This.. probably won't be a quick conversation," he said hesitantly, "Would you prefer to have it inside?" Her lips pursed together as she shifted uncomfortably, "Ah, at the moment, I have.. company," she said awkwardly, "That you may not wish to overhear?" she continued, her tone suggestive. He sighed, and nodded, "We hoped it might have been the kind of company that might have offered further insight," he said gently, "We've just had some ourselves." She raised an eyebrow, "You have learned something?" she asked, seeming surprised, and Finn shook his head, giving a short laugh. "No, I don't think so," he said, "It was Yannick, from

Josefine turned to him with an arched eyebrow and a stern look, before looking back to me, "Which one of you does the Fearmonger seek?" she asked. "They said it was me," I answered quietly. "Have you confirmed it?" she asked, and I frowned, asking her, "How would I do that?" She gave a brief nod, then turned to the others, who already seemed to be gathering some things up. "Leave it with us," Josefine said, as they all began heading for the door, and Elyanna ushered for us to follow, "We will do what we can," she said encouragingly, "For now, take care of your pack, defend them if need be. We'll find you when it's time," she continued, as we followed the others outside. "When it's time for what?" I asked, as she pulled her door closed behind us, locking it with a key on a ring full of others. My mind caught on that detail for some reason, it seeming odd, given her tiny cottage, for there to be so many. She smiled and reached over to touch my cheek gently, drawing my attention back t