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“Mom, please tell me you saw who moved this?” My heart rate picks up, could he have been right here and somehow I missed it? Buthow?

She walks over and examines the stick, as if she’s never seen one like it before. Her head shakes slowly from side to side. “Can’t say that I did, but whoever made that for you, made that with absolute love and care. Each of those ingredients perfectly blend what you’ve been needing lately. He, at least I hope it’s a he, no shame if it isn’t,” she chuckles when she looks up to my face, but clearly I’m not amused, “has really been observing you lately if he knows that these are the pieces you need in your life. I say you smudge it and embrace it.”

I twist it from side to side thinking through everyone that I remember seeing today, but there are far too many. Honestly,most of their faces blur together, except for when Gail and Caelon stopped by around half-way to see if we needed anything. Caelon barely made eye contact before he mumbled something about how pretty the booth was and dipping around us to walk through it while Gail and I chatted about how it was going.

Outside of that, I’ve got nothing. Not a single person stands out and I definitely don’t remember seeing someone move it. Shrugging my shoulders as I take my mom’s advice, I slip it into my bag so I can begin breaking down the booth.

We have an hour before the afternoon activities start. Between the Sunshine Potluck Picnic, Herbal Infusion Workshop, and the Sun-Kissed Baking Contest, we are going to be busy all the way up to the Evening Ritual which is our final event for the night and Summer Solstice.

Mom and I work in silence as we both dissemble the booth, making a separate pile for the photographs people were bidding on. I didn’t even know that was happening until Mom mentioned that she had a sheet going with each person’s bid on them. The one where the sun crests over the mountains is up to $150 already, and several people have asked to be messaged if they aren’t the winning bid. So, I’m sure that we will be dealing with that off and on the rest of the night. I’m blown away that it even had bids, let alone a bidding war. It’s a stunning picture for sure, but I didn’t think people would want it so bad to battle for it.

With the wagon loaded, we make our way back to the house. I want to change into some leggings and a lose shirt, but I know my mom will want me to stay in the sundress the rest of the day, at least until the Evening Ritual when Odes and I change into the dresses we purchased for Bestiare.

The wagon bumps along the dirt path leading up to the Pack House, as everyone chats about the morning vendor show. Ieven hear some talking about my booth and whispering about how they hope to see me do more of them.

With a fond smile on my face, I look to my mom who also has one on hers. I’m sure she heard them as well. “Seems that fate has shown you where your place in the pack is, wouldn’t you agree?”

I nod my head as my eyes drop to the ground. It’s a relief to think that my passion will be my place in the pack. Hopefully Silas and Nova will accept it and support it. I know that having a role in the pack is something ever young pup thinks about. We dream of being a contributing member to the pack. It’s a relief to realize that I know where mine is now. Doing something that not only I enjoy, but I’m passionate about. There are so many ways that I can contribute with photography. From helping the historians all the way to capturing major moments in our pack. I can even offer sessions to families to capture their big moments: births, weddings, birthdays, and all those times.

When we pull the wagon into our front yard, Dad comes running down the few steps to swoop in as our macho man. Even flexing his arm muscles with a wink at both of us. We just shake our heads as we wrap our arms around each other’s backs. My head rests on my mom’s shoulder as we follow behind him. Life seems to be falling into place for me, at least this aspect of it. Before we walk into our cabin, I glance over my mom’s shoulder to Caelon’s dark cabin.Why am I so drawn to him?

Once we are inside we all gather around the kitchen island as Mom pours each of us a cold glass of Sun Tea. Generally made the day before, you harness the power of the sun by steeping dried rose buds, lemon balm, tea leaves, dried orange slices, and calendula by filling the jar with water and the herbs and setting in the sun for two to four hours depending on how strong you like your tea. It’s been a tradition dating back to the first wolfpacks and passed down to each new generation through events like this.

I swear my mom makes the best and she has yet to tell me her secret. Claiming she’ll only tell me when it's time for me to teach my own children. Damn secret keeper. Odes and I think it has something to do with the honey she uses, but she never confirms or denies it.

Dad claps his hands together, snapping both of us to attention. “Okay ladies, it’s time for my favorite part of Summer Solstice, Summer Potluck Picnic. Have either of you decided which of the activities you’re doing this year? I know you made a flower crown last year Snap, but are you going to venture into candle making or the Herbal Infusion workshop?”

I swirl my tea around my glass watching the ice spin. “Uh, I’m not really sure this year. I was kinda hoping to let fate guide my heart. Whatever calls to me while walking through, ya know?”

He nods his head looking to Mom. How about you sunkiss?

“I’m going to do the bouquet of fresh flowers and the sun water this year. I think the sunflowers will look beautiful here.” She leans over and taps the counter top.

“Good deal, alright, well after I stuff my face with a little of everything, I’m going to do the nature walk through the woods. Got to work off the food I’m eating.” He smacks his almost flat stomach as if he is 300 pounds and needs to watch what he eats. Years of being on patrol show on his body between his darker skin and his strong muscles, as if he hasn’t been retired for two years.

“That’s right my little Rebel, you walk off all those honey cakes that you sneak when you think I’m not looking.” My mom pats his stomach as she leans over, kissing his cheek.

Rolling my eyes, I go down the hallway as they banter back and forth. I want to bring the polaroid camera for this portion of the day. It would be a great time to capture some memories witheveryone celebrating the longest day of the year. My favorite is watching the young pups' eyes light up when they see all the sweets and honey infused items across the tables. The girls lining up to make flower crowns, the boys pretending to be scouts as they walk through nature, it’s all something I can’t wait to have my own pups for.

My dream is to have a big family with lots of pups running around and a house full of pattering paws, yipping fights, and love that seems intertwined within our walls. Let’s just hope whatever mate I get equally wants that. I don’t hate being an only child, but it can have its lonely moments when you’re sitting in a quiet room with no one to talk to.

“Time to go kiddo,” Dad yells down the hallway. Grabbing ahold of the strap of my polaroid camera and two packs of film, I throw my bag over my shoulder that will hold my film and the sleeve I put the photos in for safe keeping.

My hand brushes along the protection stick as I’m putting the stuff in my bag. Shit. I forgot it was in there again. Pulling it out, I place it on the nightstand right next to my dream journal. I’ll try to remember to do that tonight when I get back from Bestiare.

“Come on,” Dad says, hinting that he is about to come down the hall to grab me if I don’t get a move on it.

Rushing out the door, I slam it shut as I run down the hallway. “Coming, sorry. I wanted to grab the polaroid and extra film. Hopefully, I can get some really good shots.”

He nods his head as he wraps his arm around me. “I’m sure you will kiddo. But your old man is starving and Midge’s stuffing is calling my name.” He leans in closer as he whispers, “Don’t tell Lala that I prefer Midge’s stuffing to hers. I might end up with the worm in my Christmas hash if she catches wind of it.”

We both giggle as we walk out the door, Mom following close behind us. We all walk arm in arm towards downtown. Everyfamily is funneling down the path as the entire town shows up to celebrate. Not just the wolves, but the other shifter packs as well. Even our human friends love to come. Although Bestiare is strictly for shifters due to the magic floating in the air and its effects on humans.

Everyone excitedly moves onto the main road where each of the centers are set up for the afternoon activities. There are picnic tables lining each of the sidewalks, with a long row of tables down the center for everyone to place their potluck dish. Hundreds of dishes are already there when my mom places her blueberry pie down near the desserts.

We grab our plates and pile them high with a little bit of everything. It’s amazing to sample each family's take on dishes as well as a few new ones you’ve never tried. My dad has one plate literally full of only honey cakes hidden under his regular food dish like mom wouldn’t see it. My head shakes as he looks sheepishly at me. Got to hand it to him, the honey cakes are fire.

There’s a thump thump thump on a microphone drawing everyone’s attention to the stage set up between Scoop, There It Is and Citrine and Rose. Silas, our pack alpha, is standing in front of the mic as he waits for everyone to give him their attention.