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“Look who’s here!” Mary squeals.

I watch their car pull up with butterflies in my stomach. I don’t know what to expect. I’m used to fighting everything and everyone. But, in this situation, I don’t need to fight. I don’t think, or maybe I do.

Bailey gets out first wearing a simple blue-green t-shirt that matches his eyes. The only reason I can look away from him is because Kingston gets out and laughingly throws an arm around Bailey’s shoulder.

They look so carefree, so happy.

Mael and Edric carry bags over to the table, and I frown when I see all the meat. I open my mouth to tell them we don’t have a grill, but Bailey and Kingston jog down the side of their house and return with a huge metal barrel on legs, wait…is that a grill?

It is.

How did they…they built it. I look away so no one can see that I’m choking up. I shouldn’t be. Hell, I shouldn’t even be surprised.

These are the alphas I remember who were so enmeshed in this community with me.

They give me space, catching my eye several times and sending obvious smiles my way. I continue working while I find myself falling into a happy mess. I bring out the slices, sandwiches, and salads I prepared last night.

Did I make Kingston’s favourite? Yes, maybe I did.

More and more people arrive, and the table fills with food, and the air fills with laughter. Someone turns on the music, and the fairy lights and the booze are brought out.

Dot walks up and smiles at me. She looks happy and more relaxed than I’ve seen her in ages. She’s even wearing a really pretty sundress.

“Hey. Nice turn out this year. I particularly like the eye candy you invited.”

I snigger. “Hi, how are you, and they came on their own?”

“Oh, sure, they did.” She shrugs and glances over her shoulders at the alpha’s grilling. “They haven’t taken their eyes off you.”

I blush and pour her a drink. She reaches out and plucks it from my hand, chortling.

“Where’s Luna?”

“I have no idea where she is,” I murmur, letting the disquiet and unease rise back to the surface. Compartmentalizing is good sometimes, but, right now, it’s almost impossible.

I love Luna. She is the only family I have. She’s smart and good and has a brilliant mind when she uses it. So, why does she get so dumb around alphas?

“You haven’t seen her?”

I lift my eyes and find Jo Tanner not far away, eavesdropping. I’d be annoyed, except I know that he has loved her forever, and he is the only person who cares about her as much as I do.

He’s bigger than all my alphas and with far more muscles, but he lacks that aggression and dangerous edge mine have. He’s got gentle giant vibes and an old injury to his foot that happened in school that has given him a pronounced limp.

His hair is short and dark, and his eyes are kind.

I wish more than anything that Luna would wake up one day and realise that this alpha is it for her. She won’t find any better than him.

“No, she’s mad at me.”

He pulls a face. “She will forgive you.”

I shrug and pour him a drink. “I hope it’s before she gets into trouble.”

He bites his bottom lip and looks away from us.

“Maybe I’ll go look for her.”

“You should stay and try to enjoy yourself. She will turn up.”