The walk to the site was quiet. They parked at the house and followed a trail lit by wooden torches. The flames glowed a pale orange, and Rylan explained they were covered in a special oil which would keep them burning until sunrise. Norah kept close to Rylan, every noise making her stomach tighten. She had no fond memories of the forest at night. It was eerily silent, the full moon was high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow on the forest. The air was cool and she shivered, pulling her jacket closer about her. Olivia had promised the fire would be enough to keep her warm though so she walked faster in anticipation.

They had been walking for ten minutes before the sound of voices reached them. Norah could make out the flames thought the trees and she started to feel nervous.

Rylan’s hold on her hand tightened in reassurance. "It’s going to be fun. Don’t stress."

"Right," she muttered. They entered the clearing and Norah’s eyes widened.

The large bonfire was alight; the heat rolled through the clearing and most of the gatherers stood along the outskirts, unable to get close the huge flames. Norah guessed there had to be at least fifty or so people there. Nearly everyone had some sort of food or beverage in their hand and everyone was chatting animatedly. Norah didn’t recognise many of them, but knew they had to belong to the other clans of the Bluestone pack.

Norah let Rylan lead her across the clearing towards the food hut where Annie and Cassie were rapidly emptying out the stored fridges. They managed a quick hello before being swamped by men wanting more food. Old arm chairs and couches were arranged outside the hut in a crooked line, people hanging off them in small groups. Norah spotted Charlie and Olivia talking to a young guy with a large black Mohawk she didn't recognise.

The Montoya’s were spread out across the clearing and they slowly made their way around to everyone. Rylan introduced her to everyone they met, and Norah shamefully forget their names within moments. The amount of introductions was overwhelming and she was relieved whenever they came across a familiar face. Aston and Logan dragged them over to their small group and Norah’s smile faded when she noticed Chloe amongst their number. Her attempts to fool Norah were still fresh in her mind and she plastered a fake smile on her face.

"How are you enjoying the night so far?" Logan asked her.

"It’s good," Norah’s smile turned genuine as she turned to look at him. "I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of people, but I do love the atmosphere."

"Why even bother coming?" Chloe muttered, turning away.

Rylan wrapped an arm around Norah’s waist and she bit back a retort. Aston glared at his niece but she was moving away before she could feel its full effects. There was a moment of awkward silence the Montoya men felt embarrassed by her behaviour.

"Don’t worry about her," Aston sighed. "She still hasn’t grown up yet."

"It’s okay, I can handle her," Norah murmured.

"You’d be the only one," Rylan muttered and Norah elbowed him.

Logan grinned. "You're one to talk; I don’t know how you handle him, Norah."

"What are you talking about?" Rylan snapped. "I’m a catch."

"You are?" Norah asked innocently. "Since when?"

"Dammit woman, you’re meant to be on my side defending my honour!"

"I thought I was meant to be keeping your ego in check?"

"Not when we’re with other people!" He whined. "How else are they going to realise how awesome I am?"

Aston, Logan and Norah exclaimed with false astonishment at the news that he was awesome, and Rylan started pouting and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Norah called through her laughter.

"Somewhere I am appreciated!"

Logan mouthed, ‘Cassie’ and Norah laughed. She left the boys, finding a seat near Charlie on one of the couches. He was sitting on his own, watching the flames with a glum expression. "Hey, Charlie. Having fun?"

He glanced across at her. "I guess."

"Oh my God, are you still moping about Madison? Just man up already and tell her!"

"It’s not that easy," he growled.

"Yes it is! You just walk up to her when she comes home, grab her close and tell her you’re into her!" Norah grabbed Charlie by the shoulders, showing him the actions he needed to make and stared at him determinedly. "You got it?"

"Do I want to know what is happening right now?" Rylan had snuck up behind her and she jumped, falling onto Charlie.

"You left me so I’m mingling," Norah said calmly, wrapping an arm around Charlie.

"Dude, it’s not what it looks like," Charlie shoved Norah off of him.

"Of course it’s not." Rylan stepped over the back of the couch, sitting between them. He wiggled, forcing them both to move as he settled in. "Like anyone would ever cheat on this."

He wrapped an arm around Norah while motioning to his own body. Norah snorted and Charlie struggled not to laugh. He got up, moving away before he could and Norah slapped Rylan’s chest. "That ego of yours is in full swing," she grinned.

"What can I say? I thrive in a crowd."

"We may have to limit your interactions in the future," Norah said seriously, snuggling against him. "If your ego gets any bigger, I won’t be able to control it."

"Of course you will," he murmured, his hand stroking her arm gently. They fell into silence, watching the others run around them, raised voices and laughter filling the night air.

"Is everyone having fun?" Norah asked quietly.

"Hmmm," he mumbled into her hair. "Yes and no."

Norah saw Holden watching them from across the clearing. He looked happy, but there was a worry in his eyes which unnerved her. Somehow, seeing the matriarch on guard filled her with a ball of unease. Norah looked around, and was surprised to see Dylan sitting with Chloe near the food hut. "Isn’t that Dylan, Brad’s apprentice?"

Rylan frowned. "Yeah. Poor bugger, getting sucked into her web."

"Be nice," Norah murmured, though she secretly agreed. Dylan felt her gaze and their eyes met. He smiled, waving nervously and she waved back. He seemed like a nice guy, she just hoped Chloe and Brad hadn’t filled his head with bad things about her. Brad was avoiding her which still annoyed her. She didn’t like having bad air between them. She just hoped he got over his stupid moping and found someone else.

Olivia came and sat beside Norah as Logan and Aaron sat at their feet. Norah listened as they talked about the past gatherings and the games and tricks they had played. Olivia’s father was mentioned often and Norah liked getting to know more about the man they had all loved and admired. When Rylan spoke of him, she could hear the respect he had had for the man had ultimately been his surrogate father. She wished she had met him.

The bonfire began to die down and everyone moved forward. Luke made his way through the people, standing on a chair before releasing a shrill whistle. The crowd fell silent and all eyes fell on him. Luke looked confident, but his shoulders were tense. Rylan had told her this was his first time leading the run, and she knew he must be nervous.

"I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight," he began. "You are all aware that our pack is not at its strongest right now, but your support and continued loyalty gives us the strength we need to keep going. Family has never been about blood to our kind. You make your own family in life, and I am honoured to meet all the newcomers to the Braxton and Quiotta clans. You are now our family, as I hope we have become yours. This year we lost someone loved by all, my father. He loved these Gatherings. It was my father who taught me my family beliefs and told me that a true leader does not discriminate by blood. This is my first Gathering without him, and though his presence is missed, I know he is here in spirit."

There was a moment of silence, and Norah held Rylan’s hand, his fingers trapping her hand tightly in his own.

"It is now time for the midnight run," he grinned. "Finish your food and prepare to run."

Everyone stood up, Rylan pushed Norah back down as she moved to follow him. "You stay here. Annie will still be here, she’ll keep you company."

Norah felt a flare of panic as she realised all the werewolves were leaving. She resisted the urge to grab Rylan and beg him to stay. She knew this was important to all of them. Her cheeks flamed as one by one, everyone started removing their clothes. Modesty was no factor here and Norah closed her eyes, feeling embarrassed. Rylan leaned down and kissed her forehead. His lips were soft and the sentiment relieved some of her pent up nerves.

"We won’t be long," he murmured, his voice getting lost in the myriad of cracking bones as the shifting began. "Norah."

She opened her eyes. His voice sounded different. She looked up, his mouth was open like he wanted to say something, and she realised he was nervous.  "Rylan?"

"I…I’ll be back soon." Norah nodded, watching as he shifted, his white coat standing out in the sea of black and grey. A large grey wolf stood to her left and howled, nose pointing to the sky. The others followed suit and a shiver ran down her spine as one, they took off into the forest. Within a few moments, they were gone and only the humans remained. There was ten of them and they all smiled knowingly at each other from their seated points. Those who had been to a gathering before started merging towards each other small cliques forming on either side of the fire.

Norah saw Annie sitting near the hut and walked over to join her. "What did you think?" Annie asked as Norah sat down.

"It was pretty cool, though I had my eyes closed during the change." She admitted.

Annie laughed. "Oh I used to be like that. I remember the first gathering Cassie took me to. This large man just stripped down in front of me, and I swear I had never felt so mortified! I like to think it was the mortification which caused my excessive staring at his….nakedness."

Norah burst into laughter. "That sounds like a, 'how I met my husband' story."

"Oh no! I met my husband in a sports bar. I used to waitress when I was younger and this man copped a feel as I walked past him. I hit him – quite hard – with my service tray and the rest is history."

Norah giggled. "That sounds almost sweet."

Annie smiled fondly. "It was, after he apologised of course."

"Did he become a werewolf?"

"No, he died when Logan was just a baby. We knew of their existence, but he had leukaemia, and it just wasn’t meant to be."

"Sorry, Annie."

"Don’t be sorry dear. It’s nice to remember those we have lost. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him."

Norah smiled softly. "You’ll have to tell me more about him sometime."

"I’d like that," Annie smiled. She stood up. "Well I might starting clearing out the hut and take some things back to the car." Norah offered to help but Annie refused. "Rylan will be worried if he comes back and you’re not here. I’ve been watching the way he looks at you and I have to say, I’m happy you came to Bellvale, even though it was under sad circumstances. Seeing the look in Rylan’s eyes when he looks at you – it’s worth it."

Norah’s stomach fluttered as Annie walked away. Could that mean what she hoped it meant? Looking at her knees, she tried to control the stupid grin trying to break her face.

"Hey, Norah." Dylan sat down beside her.

"Hey!" She smothered her grin miserably. "I was surprised to see you here. I didn’t know you knew…"

"Yeah," he laughed awkwardly. "I found out last year after hooking up with Chloe."

"Ah, so are you two…?"

"No!" He replied hurriedly. "Just friends…with benefits," he mumbled the last word and she patted his arm.

"It’s okay. I won’t ask about it. Does Brad know you mingle with his arch enemies?"

Dylan smiled. "No, if he did I doubt I would be working there. He really doesn't like them, it's almost toxic. You won't mention it will you?"

"Mum's the word."

"Oh good!" He looked relieved. "I’ve been avoiding Logan and Aaron all night too. I know they suspect about Chloe and I, but I’m too nervous to face them on my own."

He looked around nervously, his leg twitching and she wondered if he was worried that they would come back early. Norah jumped as a wolf ran into the clearing, followed by two more and she grabbed Dylan’s arm as he shot up, thinking it must be Logan and Aaron. "It’s okay. It’s probably not them."

"It’s not them," he said calmly. The sudden shift in his tone made her wary.

"How do you know?" Dylan turned to look at her and her stomach dropped. Gone was the state of nervousness and a cold calm spread across his features.

"Sorry, Norah. You were always nice to me and I wish it didn’t have to be this way."

By this point, Norah had risen to her feet and was slowly backing away. Annie entered the clearing, having returned from the car and gasped as she stared at a large black wolf. "Nick?"

The wolf growled, lunging forward and his jaws clamped around her leg.

Annie screamed.

More wolves appeared from the darkness, attacking those left behind. Norah moved to run and screamed as Dylan jumped, bones cracking and he shifted, his paws shoving her onto the ground. She froze, heart pounding as her eyes remained focused on his sharp teeth, inches from her throat. "You're a werewolf too? Dylan what are you doing?"

He growled, teeth snapping and she tried to sink further into the ground, heart beating wildly.

"That will do, I will take it from here."

Norah’s body turned cold at the familiar voice. Dylan stepped off her, remaining close and she turned her head, body trembling. A naked man stood to her left. A large scar covered half his face, though Norah would still recognise him anywhere.

Daniel walked forward. "Miss me?"

Those words set her into motion and she turned away, trying to run. Something hard connected with the back of her head and she fell, the world fading into darkness.