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“I tried to hold back this time,” I said with a huff, but she wasn’t having it.

“There’s no way you made it all the way through. Go, have fun, I’ll be good here,” she said, giving me that bestie look that promised she’d want all the details later.

“Are you sure?”

She gave me a thumbs up. “Just bring me back some Goblin Knots with a Phantom Fizz, please."

I swear they loved gimmicky names on the food this time of year, even though they sold it by their actual names the rest of the year. Who didn’t love a little whimsy in their lives?

"You got it," I said, giving her a quick hug before walking back out where the guys were waiting. I held out my hands and they took it without hesitation.

“Where to next?” Rook asked. “You’re the expert.”

“It changes every year. Let’s just walk around and we can stop if you guys spot something you want to check out,” I offered.

We walked for another hour but nothing really caught our eyes. By that time, I was starving and changed direction right for the food vendors. I could smell the spices and sweets halfway across the bazaar.

"Wow, they really stick to the Halloween theme, don't they?" Rook commented as we stood in the middle, taking in each truck and booth with wide eyes. "‘Hexed honey apples,’ Ghost fluff?’ Where do they come up with these things?"

“We do love a good theme around here. Plus, some of it is for the kids. The fun names and packaging get them to beg their parents for it and they sell twice as much. Even the teens get into it. The vampire punch is one of the biggest,” I explained as I pointed everything out.

The sad truth was we didn’t always have a lot to celebrate here, so we went all out for the holidays and celebrations. Plus, the kids didn’t usually choose to be here. They weren’t the cursed ones, just their parents. They deserved a glimpse of normalcy, too.

"What’s your favorite? Anything that you suggest?" Merrick asked. He was doing a lot better than I thought he would. His form stayed his own. I wasn’t sure if he even realized, but I wasn’t about to point it out.

"Harvest spirals with vampire blood are in the top five and I'll be getting one and not sharing. Sorry, but I will enjoy every bite," I smiled at him. “We can each get one.”

“What is that?” he asked, looking disgusted.

“A funnel cake with strawberry sauce,” I laughed as his face lit up. Even the grumpiest of people couldn’t resist the draw of a good fair.

"Do they come with other toppings?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah. Chocolate, churro style, the works. And for a drink, Witch’s Brew is always a hit. Then, for savory, the Goblin Knots. Which are just garlic knots," I answered, tacking on the explanation at the end.

"No protein?" Rook asked with an eyebrow raise. Clearly, the alpha didn’t approve.

"I mean, they do have that but most of them just use their boring names. Where’s the fun in that?” I said.

"Well, I’m all for carbs, but I have to have some kind of protein. I'd rather not throw up on our first pack outing,” Rook laughed.

"Is he always such a killjoy?" Merrick stage-whispered as he browsed the menu.

"Just sensible," Rook shot back in a haughty voice. I swear they were already acting like siblings.

"Don't you two start. We’re here to have fun," I reminded them as we moved forward in the still growing line.

"This food truck is definitely popular,” Merrick said. I glanced at the other lines that were significantly shorter. It was never intentional, but I liked to think it was our little town’s silent fuck-you to the outside world. We supported our own, first.

"What can I say? We locals are definitely loyal. Plus, their menu is the best. I do try to spread some of the love to the others, too, though,” I admitted.

"It’s smart, giving the locals a better boost," Rook agreed. He might not be cursed, but I had a feeling soon he’d be part of that category.

As excited as I was for this day out with my two guys, my mind kept going back to the mirror that was tucked in the bin with Blake.

At least, until someone screamed across the way and all the locals scrambled to grab onto poor Mr. Webb as he floated into the air.

"What should we do to help?" Rook questioned as he walked towards the commotion.