Chapter 139 - Come Feel

Violet had a good heart. That's what Greta said.

And that's why August didn't say anything when she rejoined the women. Violet had probably seen Finn by the market when they were at Sylvia's and was nice enough to bring him something to eat. It was a kind thing to do.

Plus, the afternoon with these women had been so wonderful, there was no way August was going to jeopardize that by accidentally instigating a scene where a pregnant Greta ran off into the shadows to kick Violet's ass again. That would be humiliating, and then Finn would wonder why August had said anything.

Finn would see her as a tattle-tale or someone looking to cause a problem, and that wasn't who she was meant to be here. She was meant to be strong—a leader. Not someone who becomes insecure because her mate's ex is bringing someone a sandwich.

So she returned to the women and, after chatting with Agnes and the two other tokers, began to feel even better than before. This was life—unity, sisterhood, togetherness out in the forest with the stars and the trees and… Agnes' shirt was so detailed.

"Agnes, look at the little designs on your shirt! I didn't even notice them before. They're so delicate," August was touching the fabric in amazement.

"She didn't even take a hit," Vera giggled. "Want to lay down in the grass with me, August?"

"Why? Is that good?" August asked, and Vera giggled, taking her by the hand.

"Come feel how soft it is," the girl with the short red hair sat down and patted the spot next to her. August followed, and she instantly realized what Vera was talking about.

"You're right. This is amazing," August giggled.

She spread her hands out on the bed of grass and moved them back and forth, feeling the soft blades of grass tickle her skin with their soft edges as Vera mirrored her. Then Vera laid back to look at the dark sky.

"Lay down," she turned to August and reached for her hand—the skin so soft that it sent the hairs on August's arms pickling upright. "Look at the stars with me."

They both laid back and giggled for no reason other than the fact that everything was delightful right now. Everything was right with the world—because they were alive and living it.

"Did you know that stars sing?" Vera asked, breaking through the soft laughter that they were both consumed with.

August turned her head to look at the girl with her eyes wide.

"It's true—they do. The movement inside of a star makes them vibrate like an instrument. The biggest stars sound low and deep," Vera's voice did an imitation of a low and deep voice as she said it, and both the girls giggled. "And the smallest ones have higher voices. Like flutes."

"I have heard them," August said in awe as she looked at Vera. The girl's eyes were a beautiful hazel with blue, brown, and golden flecks in them.

"You have?" Vera's beautiful hazel eyes got wide as she gazed back into August's golden ones. August nodded.

They both turned to watch the stars again. "Can you hear them now?" Vera whispered, and they both hushed until the quiet became very funny and they began laughing again.

"I don't hear them now," August finally admitted. "But I hear the wind and the women and some water running. Is there a creek near here?" August turned over onto her stomach to look out into the darkness that surrounded the backyard.

"You have leaves in your hair," Vera giggled and plucked them out.

"Is there water near here?" August turned to ask her again.

"Yeah. There's a creek somewhere," Vera finally answered.

"Hmm." August rested her chin on her hands and listened to all the sounds that had somehow become amplified in the night.

"I'm so glad you're here with us, August," Vera's expression sobered, and she put an arm around August's back as they both looked out into the forest.

"Me too," she replied with a smile before they both erupted in giggles again.

———————

"They sure are having a good time," Finn observed.

Violet was still keeping him company, but her attention had turned to the women in Agnes and Ethel's yard.

"Yeah they are," she chuckled, forcing her tone to sound light and amused, but seeing August like this—suddenly so close and welcomed by the women in this tight knit group—set a flame alight in that uncomfortable part of her chest where her jealousy hid.

It was an ugly feeling that she was very familiar with. She hated it, but as she pushed it down to keep the young Finn from being aware, she felt it roar back at her and start eating away at the delicate reparations she had set about doing since August arrived.

This was different than August being Graeme's mate—this was somehow worse.

This particular group of women had never approached Violet to come and spend time with them, and yet—they were part of the same pack. Violet was lycan. She actually belonged here unlike the human or witch or whatever August was. What gave August the right to show up one day with Graeme and then start winning people over who had never even given Violet the time of day?

And there August was—rolling around giggling on the ground like a pup with Vera who had always acted too cool for Violet. Vera was weird, though, so it hadn't bothered her. At least not until now.

Ugh. This was not good. She hated these feelings. She wanted them to go away.

She tried to block out the violently spiraling thoughts and return to the whole reason why she was out here in the shadows like an outcast to begin with. Finn.

"I've never seen you running with any girls, Finn," she batted her eyelashes at him and watched as his face spread into that innocent boyish grin of his.