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Mom shifts her arm along the table, grasping my hand in hers.

“You know when you finally told Dad and I about you wanting to do this photography thing, I never imagined this is where we would be shortly after. Don’t get me wrong, I always knew you would do something that involved nature, but I didn’t see photography as the thing.

I’m so glad you finally told us so we could actually support you.

” Her golden brown hair is glowing in the morning sun as her eyes glisten with tears.

Sheesh, seems we are all going to be tearing up today.

“Awe Mom, you and Dad have always been a wonderful support system. Even when I told you guys that I wasn’t sure my place in the pack.

Instead of demanding I take my place at the hospital, you let me figure it out. I couldn’t ask for better parents.”

Her hand releases mine as she gently taps the top of it. “You’re the best daughter a mom could ask for. Now, let’s dry our tears and get ready for your first guests. I see some heading this way.”

The festival comes alive with vibrant booths: Bea from Crust Issues offers pastries; other vendors display handcrafted candles, leather items, and vibrant clothing.

Guests begin pouring in and out of my booth, each leaving a small note in the journal that I can’t wait to read later.

I’ve already sold all my copies that I had on my table, and so many have asked my mom why we have been hiding this talent all along.

Mom’s been fantastic with fielding these questions, almost as if she’s been doing it all her life.

I guess years of dealing with pack member families when they want to know how their family member is doing, would give you lots of experience with dealing with awkward, hard questions.

Time is flying by, I’m just walking a guest through the booth as she tells me all about a tale of her own from our town, when the final bell chimes.

Thankful that the vendor portion was only the first part of the day, my shoulders sag in relief.

I don’t think I’ve stood on my feet this long in my entire life.

The soles of my feet are sore and cramping, my lower back is on literal fire, and I’m pretty sure the only thing I’ve eaten today is one of the lemon and lavender pastries that Granny Fern left earlier today.

As the last guest files out of the booth, I plop down in my chair and heave out a loud sigh.

“Thank the Goddess that it’s over. As much as I loved hearing everyone’s thoughts on my story, I’m exhausted and my feet are killing me.

How do you do this every single day?” My arms fall to my sides as my head drops over the back of the chair, my legs sprawling out in front of me.

My long, sunflower sundress thankfully keeping me modest and protecting my lady bits.

My mom chuckles as her hand taps my knee. “You get used to it. You had a wonderful turnout though! We sold every copy you brought and you even have bidders on the copies you have hanging up! I have to say, not that I’m an expert or anything, that it’s a success, wouldn’t you agree?”

Without lifting my head, I look at my display from a different perspective.

I don’t know how I didn’t notice until now, had to be because I was slammed busy, but my sage stick is tucked beside the photo of Shadow in my display.

Nestled into the sheer fabric, the stick sits perfectly tucked next to the photo exactly where Shadow is looking. What the fu…

I scramble out of the chair, almost tripping over the skirt of my dress, startling my mom who was mid-sipping her sun tea, when I rush around the center pole to where the stick is. Pinching it between my fingers as if it’s possessed and moved itself over there, I look between it and my mom.

“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? But how ?

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. I even 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 wolf packs 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.