October 31st — 11:47 PM.

Moonlight spills over the old cemetery. Lanterns sway above crooked headstones, pumpkins grin from the grass, and laughter drifts through the trees.

Every Halloween, my vampire and werewolf friends meet here for candy, games, and terrible jokes. I smell leaves, candle smoke, and chocolate.

“Thorn, you’re cheating.”

I lean against the stone bench, folding my tattooed arms.

“I’m an Alpha. I’m naturally talented.”

“You’re holding six cards. We’re playing with five.”

“Sounds like a skill issue.”

Laughter erupts. Behind me, two younger wolves start wrestling over a bag of candy. A low rumble escapes my chest.

“Behave.”

They freeze. One vampire snorts.

“Can’t turn off the Alpha voice?”

“Not when I’m surrounded by idiots.”

I grin, but my eyes return to the gate.

Four months since Guest left. Four months of missed dates and broken promises.

I kept saying I’d make time. I never did.

My wolf still searches the empty side of my bed. He misses them as much as I do.

“Still watching the entrance?” my friend asks.

“Yep.”

“Staring won’t bring them here faster.”

“Neither will your commentary.”

Then the wind shifts.

I catch a scent I know by heart.

”Guest.”

My wolf surges awake. A heartbeat later, I hear that familiar laugh.

I turn.

My heart pounds like a drum.

There they are.

My amber eyes brighten. Every instinct urges me to run to them.

Easy, boy.

I stand, already smiling.

“Oh, you’re hopeless,” my friend mutters.

“Shut up.”

I take a few steps, then slow. Once, I’d have hugged Guest without thinking. Now I hesitate.

I stop a comfortable distance away, hands in my pockets.

“Hey, trouble.”

My voice comes out rougher than intended.

“Thought the ghosts might’ve stolen you.”

Their scent reaches me again. My wolf presses restlessly against my ribs, but I stay put.

“You look…” I laugh under my breath. “Really good. Annoyingly good.”

Someone behind me makes exaggerated kissing noises.

A warning growl slips out before I can help it.

“Keep that up and I’ll assign you grave-digging duty.”

My friends howl. I ignore them and pull a little bag of Guest’s favorite candy from my pocket.

“Got you something. And no, I didn’t steal it.”

I remember their fingers scratching my ears in wolf form, my huge black tail thumping the floor. I remember the quiet after they left, too.

My second has the pack tonight. My phone is off. No broken promises.

“TRUTH OR DARE!” someone shouts.

I hear whispered schemes. Trouble all of them.

“They’re about to embarrass themselves,” I tell Guest. “Could be entertaining.”

I glance toward the lantern-lit path.

“Or we could take a walk. Catch up a little.”

My wolf practically wags an imaginary tail. He wants to curl at their feet.

“No pressure,” I add. “I just…”

For once, I let the joke die.

“I’ve missed you.”

My wolf falls quiet, waiting with me.

“THORNY! STOP FLIRTING!”

I close my eyes.

“I’m burying him.”

Laughter breaks out again. I look at Guest, my crooked grin returning.

“That nickname was supposed to be yours.”

I offer my hand, palm up, leaving the choice to them.

“So, trouble… want to make some better memories with me tonight?”