My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

Any prior insecurity or disbelief in the power or ability August had vanished, it had no bearing on this moment right now with Graeme's limp head cradled in her arms. Without hesitation or restraint, she became the healing energy around her. She didn't even need to concentrate. The healing light flowed into her as if that was what it had always done.

All that mattered was Graeme now. She could feel the current of healing passing through her hands into his body. It lingered over his head and down his spine, lighting its way toward making him whole again. And as it did, she sent him the eternal well of love that she had for him. It was that well of love that fueled this ability within her—it wasn't hers alone. She was made stronger, she was made brighter and fuller in her innermost being because she was inextricably woven together with him.

She wouldn't let that die. Not here. Not now. It wasn't going to happen.

She murmured these things against his fur, passing her energy into him. This was like the reverse of what had occurred just a few yards away in the outpost when August overcame Marius. She had used Graeme's strength at that time as her own, but now she was giving him all that was flowing through her—the healing light from the universe but also the light from within herself.

When that light warmed, burning its brightest between them and she felt his body start to noticeably respond, she smiled. Nobody could take him away from her.

And then without warning, she slipped into another space of consciousness—this one without time. She was lying on her back, looking up at a different sky but one that she recognized nevertheless. Petals were spiraling up into the air, and when she sat up, the steam from the hot spring greeted her.

"You are back," the voice of the tree guardian said calmly, and August looked over to see that her guardian was standing there before the hot spring, her lichen covered dress trailing behind her and up the hill from where she came.

"Thank the Goddess, I am back," August exhaled softly. "Graeme, come to me," she said, calling out across the healing water toward an opening in the trees where she had seen Sage appear when he came to visit her here.

Only a beat of her heart passed before she saw his large form appear from out of the shadows of the underbrush. She sucked in a breath and ran around the exterior of the spring until she met him, jumping into his arms and nuzzling against his warmth.

He groaned at the impact, and she pulled back, looking over him worriedly before letting herself slide back down, feet landing softly on the ground. His eyes were full of light and adoration as always when he looked upon her, but she could see he was in pain.

"Is it your back?" she asked, walking around to get a view of that part of him.

He was without a shirt, so her eyes ran along the flesh of her mate that she had gotten to know so well at this point as if it were her own. She ran a hand along his broad, solid muscles that appeared fine before reaching up to caress his neck. He winced.

"I am okay, Moon," he insisted, but she could hear the strain in his voice.

He was okay, in fact. But they could do better than okay.

"Come into the spring with me," she said, pulling him by the hand toward the water. But he didn't allow her to tug him, and she found herself whirling back around to face him instead.

"Why are you insisting on going with him?" he asked, his voice pained.

"It's what must be done," she told him, her eyes darting away. She couldn't stand to see the look of pure anguish in his.

"No," he argued. "That can't be the only way."

"Let's talk about it in the water. Come with me," she said, attempting to pull him again but his silent refusal remained.

"I don't need this, August. You should not have allowed yourself to be drained because of me," he replied, pulling her back towards him so he could get a better look at the gold that had filled her irises once again—like bright twin crowns.

"Fine, I need it. Come with me," she insisted and began removing her clothes, throwing first the sweatshirt and then the shirt to the side.

He sighed and looked down at his feat. When she took the last item of clothing off and began walking toward the water without him, he finally raised his head to watch her—the retreating form of his mate. Something about seeing her walk away had him instantly moving to join her.

Once August got to the middle of the stream, she ducked her head under and came back up, smoothing the hair back off of her face. Before she opened her eyes, she felt him. His arms drew her close, caging her body against his.

"I wonder how long we can stay like this," she grinned, raising her hands to smooth his hair back as well.

She hoisted herself up, hands on his shoulders, trying to push him under where he would get the full benefit of whatever magical healing this hot spring had to offer, but he wouldn't budge. Instead, he took advantage of how her breasts had emerged right in front of him, water sluicing over their soft swells, and cupped them in his hands. His head leaned forward, mouth finding her and taking her into himself like it was a delicacy he might not get again.

August softened under his hands, and when he pulled away and tilted his head to look up at her it was with the most heart wrenching emotion. He couldn't let her go. He couldn't let her leave him.

She slid back down against him.

"Graeme," she spoke softly. "I would never leave you if there was another way. I need you to trust me that I will return. I might be able to help all of the alyko…"

"I don't care about all of the alyko if it means sacrificing you. There is no contest," he hushed her, and with those words she felt a lump form in her throat.

"I am not sacrificing myself," she said.

"What about our child, August?"