Amari and Nova gasped at the Historic Grand Victoria Ballroom. No budget streamers or thrifted finds in sight. Despite ladders and cacophony of equipment, the vision was there. Light oranges, yellows, reds, and browns of the ceiling swags accenting the antique glimmering massive chandelier covering the ceiling with warmth. As their eyes drifted down the colors deepened to richer shades. Everything from candelabras to pumpkins brought the festive environment to life.

  Weaving their way through the carnival booths, they followed the directions of the last known location for Joyce. As they approached her voice guided them the rest of the way to find her knelt beneath a well crafted booth table. The silkiness of the burnt orange cover backdropped the handing wooden banners spelling out ‘Pie beg your pardon!’

  Amari huffed at the joke and knocked on the top. “Anyone home?”

  “Oh, good you both are here!” Joyce poked out from under the table skirt. A little scramble and a much gruffer huff that was ladylike for a lady all done up, she stood on the other side. Brushing back a flyaway, she smiled. “I am glad to finally have some competent help around here. It has been one of those mornings.”

  “Well I wouldn’t have guessed everything looks amazing.” Amari swiveled about as Nova nodded wide eyed beside her. “But we are here to see what it would be like to be a part of your pack. So put us to work.”

  “Wonderful. Walk with me, I need to review what remains unfinished.” Joyce pulled out a leather bound binder. A quick review, she aimed herself to the far corner. Workers quickened their steps, some even hopped out of her way as she idly watched where she was going. Calling over her shoulder, words muffled by the binder. “We need to entertain a whole pack for the annual Morningstar Autumn Moon festival. Usually a majority of the evening is spent on the run through the woods.”

  “I know. I hate that we are going to miss it. It was always my favorite part,” Amari lamented.

  The patrols expertly watched the researchers. Despite major skills and strategy the sheer numbers made navigating a path between their cameras too high a risk. All the alphas pushed out a message declaring wood runs to be limited to single runs slots that could be approved by the patrol leader after a review of known current information.

  “Bad luck charm, present and accounted for.” Nova sarcastically saluted with two fingers.

  “Someone else messed up and got caught on trail cameras, the image is blurry but you are not that big. This is on someone else.” Amari pulled her in, a smile pulling at her lips, as Nova willingly fell against her side.

  Nova shrugged. “I have heard how important the runs are. Just disappointed that I can’t go with you.”

  “We will make it happen soon.” Amari promised. Equal disappointment filled her chest. Nova was right, the first pack or family run was a lifetime memory. Her own remained clear as day, the crisp autumn air and sunshine of that day tattooed onto her bones.

  “That’s right dears, think positive.” Joyce absently commented. Pages turned in her book, finding what she was looking for, she spun on the spot. “That is why we want to make this festival one for the history books. With this.”

  Amari grabbed the offered flyer. Pleasantly surprised, she looked up for verification. “Really?”

  “Ben mentioned they were your favorite and that is enough recommendation for me.” Joyce smiled as she tapped the page.

  “What is it?” Nova peered over her shoulder.

  “The best Fae band of bards there is.” Amari hadn't seen them in ages. Excitement bubbled within her, at least there was one first she could have with Nova. “How did you get them to agree with everything happening here?”

  “A dedicated group of protectors. Plenty signed up to just get to go backstage and hang out.” Joyce showed off the impressive list of people willing to do a shift for the group.

  “I bet. They have been a band for nearly a century and they still put out good music.” Amari chuckled at Nova’s surprised cough.

  “I know they don’t compare to tradition but I am hopeful with them and all the activities and food booths, that we will still have a lovely festival.” Joyce dragged her polished nail across her line drawn map.

  “It will be the best one I attended.” Nova smiled. “

  Joyce chuckled and pinched Nova’s cheek. “How about you Amari? What was your favorite autumn moon celebration?”

  Amari’s thoughts jump to the first run she had on campus with Asseric. Guilt mixed with joy. Admitting she wandered squeezed her heart. Being busy was an excuse that didn’t help the distance she felt.

  Joyce elbowed Nova, a twinkle in her eye. “Who are you thinking about with that whimsical look on your face?”

  “Just thinking of that first run, after I changed. It was amazing, almost as amazing as when my family visited the next semester.” The itch to run grew in Amari’s fingers and toes. Perhaps she would drive south with Nova, they could warn another pack they were passing through, avoid any drama with a surprised patrol.

  “I think that look was for a handsome face.” Joyce raised a brow and tilted her head closer ready for a whispered confession.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Amari smiled, perhaps not the most objectively handsome, but that light inside him. The peace, the power. Both in equal measure and perfectly in tune. “A friend and a few others would regularly get together. Especially those of us that wouldn’t travel home for the holiday.”

  “Oh is it was there something there?” Joyce’s smile dimmed.

  Nova mumbled under her breath the way teenagers think they are whispering. “There should be, as handsome as Asse—”

  “Who’s devilishly good looks are you talking about?” Benjamin walked in, two boxes barely held in his grip. PLacing them down as gently as he could with a relieved sigh.

  “No one.” Amari glanced curiously at Nova. Shuffling through her memories she tried to figure out if she mentioned Asseric by name or by look. Rema and Orion wouldn’t have mentioned anything. On the other hand, Diana might have.

  Nova looked down. Her fingers trembled as they tied a bow around the vase of Autumn flowers. Her eyes darted, a bit guilty and unsure.

  “Sure it wasn't me? I am pretty handsome.” Ben answered coyly, his hands accenting the caricature of a pretty prince face.

  Nova coughed into her elbow.

  Amari changed the subject, making a mental note to check in with Nova about her comment. “What is in the box?”

  Ben tapped the top box. “Decorations for some table my mom told me about.” He tapped the bottom box deliberately. “And this one is lights for the stage.”

  “Thanks honey.” Joyce smiled and waved over a worker.

  Ben nodded, eyes never leaving Amari. “May I borrow Nova for a second?”

  Amari’s brows furrowed and her lips pinched in suspicion at his tone. “What for?”

  “Nebby, nebby.” Benjamin tisked her with a waggle of his finger. “I have a surprise. And I need her help.”

  A trickster smile spread across Nova’s face, her eyes aglow with hope

  Swayed against her better judgement, Amari sighed. “Fine, leave all the planning to Joyce and I.”

  “Yes!” Benjamin pumped his fist and high-fived Nova. “Let’s go before she changes her mind.”

  “She comes back in one piece or you better not come back.” Amari called out after the hastily retreating pair. Shaking her head, she shared a look with Joyce.

  ****

  “Man, I have worked up a sweat.” Amari collapsed onto the edge of the stage. Shaking out her arms, she felt like she moved patients on a long shift. “Joyce, you are a slave driver.”

  “Hey.” Joyce playfully swatted at her arm as she sat down next to the younger woman. She waved her hand at the long, filled room before them. “I get things done. And you are better for it. Look at what we accomplished.”

  Pushed back several feet from the stage and around the ample dance floor, tables held flower center pieces ready to host any number of people during the concert or cocktail hour. Amari looked around, had she not seen them placed, she wouldn’t have guessed there were speakers expertly staged throughout the ball room. Booths ready to house fall themed activities from pumpkin decorating to apple bobbing. Amari looked forward to the face painting booth, the artist had a nack for making the piece a little more magical and alive.

  Amari already felt herself feeling full at the thought of the pie and other homemade goodies that would be available at a few of the booths. Not to mention the mouth watering fun to be had at the Caramel Apple Decorating booth or S'mores Station.

  “We did do good. This was fun.” Amari made a note of all the places she wanted to take Nova around to experience. This might just be as good as a run.

  “I am glad you stayed to help.” Joyce leaned into her with a massive smile on her face. Something twinkled in her eyes for a brief moment before they caught a movement at the far end of the room. Lifting her hand, she waved over a young man. “Over here.”

  A young man barely able to shave changed direction and headed to where they sat on the stage. He nodded to Joyce as he approached. “Mrs. Morningstar, ma’am.”

  “Thanks Devlin, can you please put that on the stage and then you can go on patrol. Have them call me if they give you any trouble for being late.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Devlin climbed the few stairs next to them. Lowering the wooden podium from his shoulder, he placed it front and center. With a small nod to them, he jumped off the stage, running through the ballroom.

  “He can’t be more than fifteen and he is going on patrol?” Amari tried to suppress the shock in her voice. A fire and a fear ripped through her. He couldn’t patrol, he didn’t have a wolf to protect him yet. Especially not when there was a clear and present danger. This wasn't the time to take your kid to work. Amari held her breath, trying to stabilize her erratic heart enough to listen to the reason.

  “Everyone must do their part to protect the pack. There is a role and a place for everyone to serve for the benefit of the pack.” Joyce smiled proudly looking at the door the boy ran through.

  “But patrolling?” Amari still couldn’t wrap her head around sending a boy in even with experienced wolves.

  “Every pack member needs to pull their weight, follow orders.” Joyce flipped through the pages of her notebook, checking every jotted to-do written in every margin. She absently continued. “Protecting the main pack leadership is what keeps the pack standing. Besides, we can’t patrol as wolves right now, a bunch of men just walking the woods would look suspicious, but a troop of fathers and sons.”

  Amari pinched her lips between her teeth. Her mind shot to Nova and what she might be expected to do if she joined. Nervously, she checked her watch. It was getting late. Where were Benjamin and Nova? They should have been back by now. “Do you know where Benjamin took Nova? It is about time we headed home.”

  “I think he would be back at the house. Why don’t you follow me? I think you deserve a nice home cooked meal after all the work you did. I am sure Nova and Benjamin would enjoy staying for a bit.” Joyce closed her notebook and tucked it into her bag.

  “Thank you.” Amari hid her trepidation. There was no evidence of anything wrong, but her gut churned.

  “Anything you are wanting? My staff can whip up anything. I can call ahead, they can have it ready by the time we get there.” Joyce waited as Amari held the door open for her.

  “Anything is good, but can you ask if Nova is there?” The cool night air broke against Amari’s face. She breathed deeply savoring the nip of air against her overheated skin.

  “Certainly.” Joyce toyed with her keys, her head tiling to the side. “You don’t like surprises very much do you?”

  Amari looked down from the stars. “No, I do not.”