CHAPTER 39

VENUS

It was a Friday. It was also the first day of the Harvest Moon Festival that would run all weekend long—a big deal in the region. Every year Woodstock held a beloved festival full of market stalls and mulled wine and live music and rides.

The celebration of the mid-Autumn event here was a cross between a massive farmers market and a carnival, and everyone in the locality found a way to celebrate.

Which was why our game plan had changed and the target that Amelia had told us about decided to sack off his plans of camping with his friends—at the campsite that we'd spent time and resources scouting—in lieu of booking a nearby hotel and attending the spectacle.

Brightside: Amelia would be here and I might actually get a chance to see her in the flesh.

Downside: So would a handful of her rogue and shifter colleagues.

While the event ran all weekend, tonight also happened to be the actual night of the full moon and therefore the day we'd be attending.

Needing the time to adjust our strategy and get as much rest as possible, we made it down an hour or so before sunset.

By the time we'd arrived, the market side of things had seemed to dull down and the carnival was in full flow: red tents and stalls of games and entertainment like psychics, tarot reading or stargazing; colourful rides, including a massive Ferris wheel; prizes and tables or wagons of food and drink. A carnival with an old-timey, fair-like spin to it, celebrating the local harvested crop.

Most of Saint Claire made it a point to come down for the event, meaning that we could focus on almost the whole town in just one place. However, the crowds of people and chaos of light and noise were going to make this hard to manage. Especially given the surrounding woods that encompassed the carnival on most sides.

Stupid location for a town event.

Perfect location for a pack of rogues hunting humans.

Location ofnightmares for a unit hoping to protect those people.

But we would try our best.

Before stepping through the entrance, Griffin and River gave us our orders in the car park and we split up into smaller groups to cover more area.

Griffin seemed like he was more in his element these days, falling into that captain roll effortlessly. There was an extra oomph in his step and more pride in his tone as he commanded and trained. I'd noticed it for months, even when his frustration had been kicking in over the last few weeks before I'd chosen. He seemed happier here.

Despite our task at hand, I took in the hustle and bustle of the event and all the people enjoying themselves. Beside me, Griff was walking with purpose but didn't hesitate to slip his hand into mine once River was out of sight. And for a moment, I wondered what our life could be like if we weren't in the Knights. If we were actually here at this carnival because we wanted to be.

Maybe, one day. After this rogue business was behind us, when the normal life of the Knights and the occasional wolves were all we had to deal with.Life in the academy had so much more freedom when there wasn't an impending war on our hands.

Griffin's phone buzzed and he slid it out of his pocket. Picking it up with that leader"s seriousness, he carefully listened to what sounded like Santi on the other side before calmly dealing out a few more orders and then casually re-pocketing it.

He turned towards me, ready to give me the update, but I cut him off with my own train of thought instead, feeling the need to voice my observation.

"You seem different here. Almost like you're actually enjoying being a captain. A far cry from how bored you seemed at the compound."

His expression morphed into a half smile. "That was until you showed up. Things got a whole lot more interesting when you strolled into the courtyard, Cosmo." His gaze returned to observing our surroundings, even as he continued. "But yes, I guess I feel like I have purpose, being out in the real world rather than training recruits in a warehouse. Although, one specific recruit was extra fun to train. Especially with all that blushing she did whenever I'd touch her."

He winked down at me. "Life has been infinitely more entertaining since I saw you from that fire escape. I don't think I'd be here doing this if it wasn't for you. And I quite like the fresh air. So, I guess I should find a way to thank you."

He stopped me, not caring that we halted in the middle of the crowd, causing people to part around us. Instead, he just moved both his hands to my neck.

Taking his time, he let those turbulent greyish-brown eyes devour me as he slowly lowered his head.

Pushing his body further into mine, his hips met my own as he bit my bottom lip, playing with it between his teeth in the sexiest way. A little moan escaped my parted mouth, eyes fluttering shut as his teeth continued to nip teasingly. Then finally his tongue slipped in.

The taste of him caused my body to light on fire; that soul flame bond in full effect. A reminder of how good we were together.

The public display—and his disregard for it—only turned me on more.

I kissed him back, exploring his own mouth with equal efficiency, leaving no spot untouched.

Embarrassingly, I literally whimpered when he pulled away. But he left me with a few little parting kisses to ease me out of the trance he had me in.

"You'll get more later," he promised with hooded eyes and a seductive voice. "But for now, we have a mission to complete."

I swallowed my arousal. "Yes, Captain."

My sultry tone did little to hide my desire and his eyes darkened at my words. Lustful and excited.

"Don't test me, Supernova."

It wasn't really a threat though. Not when I wanted whatever he would do to me.

He kissed me one more time, a punishing, rough kiss that lasted nowhere near long enough. A promise that had my pulse quickening. But I'd take what I could get.

After continuing to scan our surroundings for a little while longer, Dalton and Bear informed the squad that they'd picked up some rogue scents on the outskirts and were going to check it out. Billie, Santi and Winter were going with them. The central area was clear from what we could tell, and Bleu, Axel and Aubrey were keeping watch on the north end while River, Blaze and Tom kept close to the entrance.

If the shifters in the rogue's command weren't here yet, they'd be entering with the targets shortly if they wanted to take advantage of the larger, brighter full moon and swarms of gathered people. Considering that sunset had well and truly passed and moonrise was only moments away, we needed to be ready and alert. Riv and Blaze would be able to warn us the moment they scented them.

Sage and Tanner remained at the pack house. But this time Skylar, Koda, Juliet and Rose stayed back to patrol River's territory, just in case the festival was some sort of diversion. All of the pack was back this month, taking a small break from their coalition mission to ensure we had all hands on deck.

To my dismay, Celeste had joined us tonight too. Griff had assured me she'd be fine with this many of us out and made sure she remained in the most populated areas with Raven—so I knew she was in good hands.

Meanwhile, we linked up with Kitana, Carter and Zander, who had just completed a sweep of the western side. Trying our best to blend in, just in case there were shifters we hadn"t spotted around, the five of us made a stop at one of the snack stalls.

Kit, Carter and Zan went crazy with the animal-shaped cotton candy and a shit load of popcorn; which they mostly threw at each other, getting rowdy and carried away when one of them missed the handful that they were somehow supposed to catch in their mouth, leaving us all in hysterics.

Griff and I shared a hot chocolate, though he only had a few sips, staying on high alert even while involved in our antics.

He surprised me by stealing a handful of Kit's cotton candy fashioned to look like a cat, pulling off and feeding me the whole ear from the sugary substance when she was distracted.

When Kit refused to give Car any of the giant sweet treat, he grabbed her and spun her around until she was dizzy with laughter and surrendered. My face physically hurt from all the grinning I was doing, especially watching the two of them look so fucking adorable as a couple, and I hoped Billie and Santi had gotten a moment to sneak off on their own too.

Zander eventually broke away to chat up a group of girls that were waiting in line for the bumper cars, and we took bets on how many—if any—numbers he'd walk away with.

It was all very wholesome.

At least we looked like a normal group of friends having fun. And for a few precious moments, I knew we enjoyed it, our laughter pleasantly authentic.These were memories I'd cherish forever, despite our less than desirable reason for being at the festival in the first place.

But my nerves were in full force a few moments later when Zan returned with a message that Amelia had just arrived with a small group of shifters and three human males.

She was here.

Every time I saw a glimmer of ginger hair, my heart all but leapt into my throat. Yet every time seemed to be a false alarm.

Until it wasn't.

Mid-length tousled coppery locks in a low pony caught my eye. And when the female turned in my direction, like she sensed my gaze on her back, my lips tilted into a full-blown smile at the familiar blue eyes and light dusting of freckles. She looked beautiful in her denim jacket, black mini skirt and Doc Martins. Beautiful, and very much alive.

When she met my gaze, her own lips titled into an almost imperceptible, knowing smile—careful not to tip off her companions.

"That's her," I whispered to Griff and he casually directed me to the nearest carnival game with his arm slung around my shoulders.

Handing the attendant a note, he took the little hoops for the bottle ring toss and leant down to my ear. "She's seen us, she'll find us when it's safe."

The gesture would have looked like he was just sharing a secret with his girl, so I nodded with a demure smile that made it look like I was slightly flustered by what he'd said—which wasn't entirely a lie because anything said in that husky voice of his made me all hot and bothered. He could recite the goddamned alphabet to me and I'd be turned on.

He handed me a few of the rings.

Of course, he was perfect at it with that aim of his. I was decent, but still missed a few.

Within minutes, he'd won me a dragon plushie and my face lit up like a child in a toy store.

He chuckled at my expression and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"What game do you want to play next?" He asked, surveying the options while keeping Amelia in sight.

I led him to the one where you hit the target with a hammer to test your strength and our friends met us there, keeping close now that we had eyes on the rogue shifters.

Shocked when I got the highest result—I was pretty sure the boys let me win—I earned myself a little lion prize which I gifted to Griff, much to his amusement. Despite his initial humour though, he took the toy from me with such reverence, looking at it like it was the most special thing in the world. The gesture made my heart swell.

I'd planned to make a trip back to the car as soon as possible to ensure they were safe before we had important and less-than-enjoyable things to do.But I got distracted when I noticed Amelia's present company seemingly saying goodbye.

My friend was laughing and smiling at them, keeping up the ruse she had going on before the dark-haired female and stocky brunette male headed off in another direction. The guy seemed utterly enthralled by the dark beauty's presence and I was guessing he was the main target they'd been stalking—the one Amelia had told us about who had initially invited them camping.

The others they had arrived with didn't seem to be around at the moment. Which was a bit of a problem, but I knew our squad was on the lookout.

Now alone, Amelia walked to the closest drink stall. Waiting in line, she looked at my group and nodded ever so slightly in the direction that her "friends" had gone.

Carter and Zan split off to follow.

With a steaming cup of liquid, Amelia casually strolled to the balloon darts tent that we had moved on to. She spoke to the attendant, got her darts and then took the open spot beside me.

Missing her first shot, she laughed like she was embarrassed and then glanced sidelong at me.

"Hopefully the next one," I said with an encouraging tone, like I was making friendly conversation with a stranger.

"Fingers crossed," she responded, giving me a giddy smirk.

Griffin, who was at my back with his hands on my waist, nodded at her in acknowledgement. Meanwhile, Kit—on my other side—took another three shots that all found their target. She whooped, throwing her hands up in celebration at her victory.

When Amelia missed her next one, she shook her head with a laugh and turned to us. "You'll have to show me your technique," she said, addressing Kit this time.

"Anytime, girl," Kit promised with a confident grin.

Now that the conversation had been initiated, we were able to talk without it looking too suspicious. Kit stepped between Amelia and me and went through the motions as if she was showing her the best way to aim.

"The others?" I asked under my breath.

"Ferris wheel and tarot card tent. More outside the perimeters and in the woods," she said in hushed tones before acing her next shot with her natural wolf reflexes.

Kitana clapped. "There you go, you got it."

I looked back at Griff who was already texting the updates in our group chat. When he was done, he assessed me with urgency in his eyes. "You okay here with Kit?"

"Of course."

With that, he gave me a quick kiss, handed me his lion plushie and stalked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Now out of darts, Kitana stuck out a hand to our new friend. "I'm Kitana," she introduced herself and then turned to me. "And this is Vee."

I smiled like we were meeting for the first time. And in a way, it kind of felt like we were. This Amelia looked supernaturally beautiful, with this air about her that was pure wolf shifter. It emanated from her.

"Amelia," she replied brightly as she shook Kit's hand.

Then Kit linked her arm through Amelia's and gestured for her to follow. "Now that you've aced the darts, let me show you how to kill it at the ring toss."

Analysing the area, I quickly picked up on why Kit thought it would be a better place. With the way it was set up—all the bottles in the centre of the tent with participants throwing from all four sides—there was simultaneously a larger group of people around for cover and more space so we could talk freely.

With an airy laugh, Amelia happily walked with us. "Sounds like fun."

"I can't believe I'm looking at you right now," I blurted, almost choking on the words with all the emotions bubbling to the surface as we started the new game with my old friend—whose body I last saw as what seemed to be a freshly torn-apart corpse.

"I know." She ever so lightly grazed my hand before tossing another ring. "But this is real. I'm real. I'm here. We can't talk for long, but I'm so happy I get to see you and speak to you."

"What's going on there? Riv has said no one has been able to meet up with you or reach out as much."

While we spoke, Kit acted as our lookout and diversion, continuing to play the game with little effort.

"It's been hectic. With my new role, there's always other shifters with me. I can text, but it's harder to take calls or find time to leave."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you for all the tips. I can't imagine it's been an easy task. But they've been so immensely helpful."

"You're welcome. That's literally what I'm here for. I'm glad I'm making a difference." She threw another ring to keep up appearances. "But your town, and the ones of your ally packs, are becoming more of a problem than their worth for the rogues now with all that you guys have done to stop the attacks. They're going to start focusing their efforts elsewhere."

Doing another quick check of our surroundings, she made sure no one she knew was nearby.

"I have news." She ducked her head closer to mine. Close enough that Kit would hear too. "You know how they keep talking about something big?"

I nodded, knowing what she was referring to. River had mentioned it more than a few times. It always sounded so imminent and menacing.

She continued, "Well, I don't know if this is it exactly, but they're planning an attack on Aconite Hall."

My mouth dropped. "The English headquarters?"

She nodded gravely.

"Why? When?"

"Partial luna eclipse. Next full moon. They want to take it down. They'll be transporting many of the rogues there for the takeover. The Gray Knights HQ has something they desperately want. They won't tell us lower downs what it is though. We're just the footmen. And if we don't comply, they'll kill us. So there's not many questions asked."

"Ladies, we're running out of time," Kit warned. "We can't risk being seen together for much longer. I'd give it no more than a few minutes. She's been gone too long."

I acknowledged Kitana's valid concerns with a quick nod and then turned back to Amelia with desperation.

"Any idea on who's running the show?"

She looked defeated. "Apart from our Alpha—no. They're keeping it quiet. And the others aren't attentive enough to notice but there's definitely someone else. Either working with the Alpha or giving him orders. I've seen a second male figure pop in and out of some of our gatherings. He isn't a proper rogue because he's always in human form, so he can clearly shift. It almost feels like he's a shadow, always hiding in dark corners. Essentially never visible, but there's a presence I often sense. It feels like he's always lurking around at the bigger gatherings, sneaking in and out while everyone else is distracted by the rogues and the Alpha. He's always out before I can catch any details."

Before I could reply, Kit"s phone dinged and she checked it. I looked at her expectantly.

"The others have located the rest of the shifters within the festival and are securing the borders. Amelia, girl, they'll probably be wondering why you aren't helping them. You should go," Kitana instructed.

Amelia sighed, "Yep, I'll have to go play my part."

I grabbed her hand again, wanting to touch her one last time to make sure she was real. To try to give her some of my strength and concurrently show her how grateful we were for all she was doing. Everything she was risking.

"Thank you so much, Amelia." I knew I was trembling slightly from everything we'd just heard but I pushed it aside for the moment. I'd done that a lot with my emotions recently, so it wasn't too hard. I squeezed her hand. "That information will be invaluable. Be safe and let us know if you need us to find a way to pull you out. River will do whatever he can."

Her eyes softened as she took me in gingerly. "Thanks, Vee. I've got this. I'll send updates as soon as I possible." She touched my arm reassuringly.

Then an invisible mask fell over her lovely face, one of an extra bubbly girl meeting two others for the first time. Nothing more than a friendly stranger.

Straightening, like she was physically putting on the persona, she gave us a charming smile. "Well, that was so much fun. I better find my friends, but it was lovely to meet you both."

"You too, hun. Hopefully we'll see you around," Kit replied, equally as chirpy.

All I could muster was a forced smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.