My Lycan Mate of Suicide Forest

"This circle of women was made after our previous Alpha and Luna were killed, but I know Genevieve would have embraced the wild feminine energy that we have tapped into and the companionship we have forged together," Sylvia reached to hold the hands of the women on either side of her, and like an inverse domino effect, an unbreakable chain was created with each woman holding the hand of the woman next to her.

"August Moon, we welcome you to the circle," Charlotte spoke. Various "welcomes" and "welcome to the circles" were repeated after Charlotte's.

"Thank you for having me," she replied shyly.

"As you can no doubt sense already, our future Luna is of a quiet, sweet spirit," Sylvia smiled affectionately at her, and August felt her cheeks grow warm.

"But she is also fierce enough to take on a bear," Greta spoke from August's side. The women chuckled, and Vera clapped with a little whoop before holding the hands of those next to her again.

"We are glad to hear you are healing well," Charlotte added.

"Thank you," August heard herself say with a soft laugh.

"Ah, the blessings of the mate mark," Sylvia said. "This circle, with these women, is our safe space to share whatever may be needed. We gather here to grow stronger from each other, to learn from each other, and to support each other."

As Sylvia spoke, August felt the energy in the room bloom larger with the unique signature of each woman rising to meet and gather with the others. It was like the opening of a lotus above the flame at the center of the circle, and August was mesmerized by it.

There were several moments of silence when the women either exchanged deep, penetrating gazes or closed their eyes in a meditation that concentrated their energies to further entangle with the others.

"Shall we begin?" Sylvia finally asked, and all of the women dropped their physical joining of hands for the energetic circle to remain.

"You each have a candle," Sylvia said. "We will light our individual candles from the center, sharing in the warmth and light from the whole."

Each of the women took their candles and leaned forward to light the wicks from the center before returning the candles to the holders next to them.

"Now, we take our dried flowers, which represent the growth and harvest of a knowledge only obtained from the earth and the life around us and mix them with the water of our feminine energy, of the moon's reflection, of our unconscious mind," Charlotte now spoke, demonstrating the depositing of the flowers into her bowl while each women did the same.

"With this knowledge and wisdom of the feminine," she then held her bowl aloft with both hands, "we will wash our neighbor's feet in a symbolism of humility and selfless love for the woman we find next to us. I will begin."

Charlotte set down her bowl, and with the delicate skin of her hands, she cupped the water and patted it down Sylvia's calves before taking each foot and dunking it in the bowl. When she was done, she patted Sylvia's feet with a small hand towel.

Charlotte was still bowed over Sylvia's feet, patting them dry, when Sylvia kissed her on the head and the two exchanged a gentle smile. Sylvia turned to repeat the process with the woman on her other side, this time taking the role of foot washer, and when she was patting the woman's feet dry, she received a kiss on the head.

The ritual repeated until it had circled around to Liv who removed August's socks and cleansed her feet with the marigold and rose water. When it was done, August held either side of Liv's head and kissed her just as the others had done. Liv raised her eyes and they looked at each other, sharing that moment of acknowledgment before August turned to bathe Greta's feet.

She had never looked at Greta's feet before, and as she did—as she applied the water to her calves and gently moved each of her feet into the bowl—she was overcome by the simple honor and humility of this task. This person whose feet she was washing was dear to her.

When she patted Greta's feet dry and felt Greta's kiss, she fought tears as she raised her eyes to the sister who she had come to know and adore. She saw that same adoration in Greta's eyes as they gazed in acknowledgement of the other's being before Greta turned to do the same with the one seated beside her.

When the ritual was complete and Charlotte's feet were cleansed as well, August felt a fierce loyalty to these women. She wouldn't have been able to explain exactly what had just occurred, but maybe that was the point. It was simple and profound and perfect. And somehow they all looked back at each other anointed with a mutual care that surpassed explanation.

This was a feminine energy she had never experienced before.

"Sisters, we are many and we are one. What wants to be said tonight?" Charlotte asked.

A beat passed when August felt Charlotte's gaze sweep each of them, and then it stopped upon Greta.

"Greta, you are with child," Charlotte said, both pleased and surprised. "Congratulations!"

A wave of happy gasps and congratulations went around the circle.

"Thank you. We are… cautiously happy," Greta replied.

"I understand, dear one," Charlotte smiled. "I feel that the arrival of your brother and his mate is but the first of many signs to come that there is hope for us yet. For the growth and flourishing of life that has seemed increasingly stagnant. Our future Luna just bathed your feet," Charlotte gestured toward August, casting her in the glow of her smile.

"I agree," August heard Greta say next to her. "I'm just. I'm afraid."

August's chest clenched with the vulnerability she heard in Greta's admission. She would have done anything for Greta before, but at that moment she felt a fierce protectiveness for her. This child would grow healthy and strong just like its parents.. And Greta would know the love of cradling a child in her arms.