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Galen set down the plate holding a mixture of boar, venison, fish, and a healthy portion of roasted vegetables. Besides it, he set down another plate. This one had a small piece of fish, which had been heavily debated, and a bowl containing a heaping pile of strawberries. And a specially requested and overly large pickle on a stick.

He grinned as he looked down at the thick cut, juicy slices of boar, carefully marinated for almost four days in a savory sauce that had kicked his salivary glands into overdrive. He stabbed the first slice with his fork, lifting it to his mouth.

“That looks good…” Bell whispered with heat in her voice.

The feel of her breath against the sensitive nerves of his ear sent a shudder of excitement rippling across his body.

He only wished the desire in her was directed at him, instead of the food on his fork.

Galen sighed and turned his fork, offering it to her. With an excited squeal Bell sat down beside him and took his fork, and his plate.

“Thank you,” she smiled brightly as she bit into the meat with a soft moan. “This is so good…”

“It looked good,” Galen smiled at her.

Bell stared back at him and then laughed.

“I’m so sorry!” she said. “I stole your food, didn’t I?”

ɴ[0)ᴠᴇʟ Galen chuckled.

“It’s alright,” he said._.

“Here you can have this,” Bell offered, moving the bowl of strawberries in front of him as she took another slice of boar from the plate he had so carefully filled with all the tastiest offerings on the table.

“Thank you,” he said mournfully as he popped a strawberry into his mouth.

Bell smiled brightly at her husband as she continued to eat from both plates, even taking a few strawberries as they enjoyed the atmosphere of the evening and the fireworks of the play.

“Are you two not attending the show?” Corrine asked as she approached their table.

Galen looked at Bell, who turned her eyes away as she continued to chew on a thick piece of meat.

“We decided… it was probably best to avoid the crowds at the stage,” Galen said.

“Oh I see,” Corrine smiled.

“Just tell her the real reason,” Bell sighed.

“Are you sure?” Galen asked.

Bell nodded.

“Is everything alright?” Corrine asked, suddenly concerned.

“Yes… it’s not something to be worried about,” Galen began, putting his arm around Bell protectively. “With everything going on, Bell has had a few nightmares lately. And we agreed that a show where a mother believes that her child has been stolen from her by a monster wasn’t the best entertainment right now.”

“Oh, darling…” Corrine sighed sadly. She sat down at the table across from Bell and took her hand. “I’m so sorry.”

Bell shrugged.

“Nothing to be sorry about, it’s just nightmares,” Bell said picking up another strawberry and nibbling at the end of it.

“I am thankful if it is just nightmares,” Corrine said. “But even a nightmare can damage our soul. So, don’t forget that I am here if you want to talk, my girl.”

“I know,” Bell smiled. Galen squeezed her shoulder to remind her of the support that was all around her at all times.

A plate was suddenly set down in front of Galen. It was almost an exact copy of the dish he had made himself, except the fish portion was slightly more significant. Which, if he was honest, he had wanted but had run out of room.

Galen looked up with surprise to see Axel standing above him.

“Is this for me?” Galen asked.

“It would be very strange if I set my own food down in front of you, don’t you think?” Axel asked with a lopsided grin as he took a seat beside Galen, holding another plate of food.

Galen chuckled and nodded.

“It’s for you,” Axel clarified. “Bell has always been a ‘food sharer’.”

The last was said with air quotations.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Bell asked.

“It means, that you don’t share so much as take other people’s plates with a thank you and smile,” Axel laughed.

Bell scoffed but didn’t deny it.

“Thank you,” Galen said to Axel, then gave Corrine a nod of gratitude.

“Of course,” she replied. “Wyatt lost almost as much as I gained when I was pregnant with Axel. I cannot count the number of times I stole his plate, and he never complained, not once.”

Corrine smiled with love and affection. Galen and Bell gave each other a glance and a smile.

“That’s ridiculous,” Axel said. “I get that you need more food when you are pregnant, but how could dad just sit back while you stole his plate… that would drive me crazy.”

“Just wait. You’ll find out soon enough,” Corrine smiled.

Galen’s eyes went wide as he took a bite of the venison. He glanced at Bell, but her attention seemed entirely focused on the pickle on a stick. Finally, he looked to Axel, who was already working on his roasted vegetables.

“She knows,” Axel said between bites, “so stick your eyes back in their sockets before someone who doesn’t comes along.”

Galen turned his focus to his plate.

“Speaking of…” Corrine said, drawing Axel’s attention.

He shook his head.

“Dad was the only scout to report seeing her out there,” Axel sighed. “She told dad she would be forced to report having seen him. I guarantee she was called back in after that.”

“I’m sorry,” Corrine said softly.

“You’ll bring her home, Axel,” Bell said. “I know it.”

“Thank you,” he said, taking a large pull from his stein. “It has been, refreshing, to have all of you know what’s going on.”

“I’m glad to hear that, son,” Wyatt said as he sat down beside Corrine. “But you will need to tell Ashleigh, sooner than later.”

“I know,” Axel sighed.

“Good,” Wyatt grinned, kissing Corrine on the cheek. “Now, let’s enjoy the festival.”

They all raised their glasses, except for Bell, who raised her pickle. Laughter broke out amongst the group.

***

The Mourning Call began with a howl from somewhere in the forest. The children, already shifted into their wolves, stood along the tree line waiting for the sound. A sound that represented Lily’s desperate wish to find her child.

Once the howl echoed into the night and reached the ears of the young wolves, they were off. Searching everywhere they could for the one single flower waiting to be claimed.

Across Winter, this tradition was taking place. But only here at the north’s central city would the flower be given to the Alpha to give to his Luna. The flowers would be gathered in all the other locations and delivered as a bouquet to the Luna the following morning.

Ashleigh and Caleb found Bell and Galen just as the young wolves set off into the trees.

The best friends greeted each other affectionately. Galen and Caleb held their hug just a little longer than usual, and their wives smiled as they understood the moment’s significance.

As Caleb gave his congratulations and asked about Ren’s health, Ashleigh chanced a glance toward her parents and brother.

Wyatt and Corrine looked out into the trees, pointing and chatting, likely trying to predict how quickly the flower would be found. But Axel sat back in his chair, his foot propped up against one of the mead barrels as he took long drags from his stein.

“Are you that nervous, big brother?” Ashleigh whispered to herself with delight.

She looked back at her parents and then toward Bell. She smiled, thinking of how surprised they would be once that flower was found.