Chapter 3 Moonlight Gatherings

I checked the Chafing dishes, ensured the food was still warm, and saw which trays were empty to take away. Most people had eaten by now; this was the last remnant for anyone wanting seconds. I always enjoyed helping my mom and her crew cook and bake but wasn't keen on all the dishes and the tidy-up.

Luna Eve had done an exquisite job of setting up the area, and as the night had now taken over, the actual effects of her design were taking shape. She had fairy lights scattered around the trees and bushes and hanging from lines crisscrossing across the yard. On the tables were mason jars with candles flickering in the slight breeze. All there to support the show's main star, the full Moon. It was all very organic and rustic in a chic way. Bean bags and cushions were scattered on the ground. Tables with mismatched chairs. A bar area was on one side, and the covered porch area, with all the food, was on the other. Although it was similar each month, Luna always managed to come up with something new. This month, because it was June, she had set up a bouncy castle with spraying water to entertain the pups, who had been yelping and having a ball all evening.

"Welcome back, everyone!" Alpha Chase started his regular address to the pack.

The crowd quietened down, and most found a spot to sit. A few pups complained that the water was turned off, but after a couple of growls from their parents, they were sitting on the ground with their little arms and little legs folded, waiting for their Alpha to speak.

I carried on quietly packing away the dishes as Alpha continued.

"It is great to have everyone back. We are missing part of the Weston family tonight: John and Sarah, and the kids are visiting Sarah's old pack this week, so we wish them a safe return. Also, Gamma Clark and pack warriors Benson and Oliver are on a quick trip to the Blacktail Mountain Pack in Montana to check in and see how the Northern Packs are faring. As you all know, there has been trouble brewing in the North with rogue packs forming, so Gamma Clark has gone to see how we can assist. We also give blessings from the Moon Goddess to Warrior Leo and his mate Daisy, who had their pup earlier today. No name yet, but we look forward to meeting the newest addition to our pack, a boy, I believe." Alpha glanced over at Luna Eve, who nodded her head.

"Yes, a boy! That deserves a cheer. Everyone raise your drinks and..."

I missed the rest of what he was saying as I took the last of the dishes into the kitchen. Rosemary, lemon, and sugar added to the baked fruit pie and spiced meat aromas wafting around the kitchen-warm and comforting. A kind of cozy chaos. Two of Mom's crew washed and put things through the commercial dishwasher. It was a relatively quiet machine, considering how high pressure it was and how quickly it cleaned and dried the dishes. I finished scooping the leftovers into Tupperware containers and putting them in the chiller. No doubt some people will be hungry when they return from their run at midnight, so I put them on the rollouts for easier access.

I leaned against the counter for a second, catching my breath. Nights like this were beautiful, sure, but also exhausting. All that smiling and pretending not to notice Canne looking like a carved god among mortals-absolutely draining.

I walked back out to the yard, someone had spilled punch earlier, and the scent still lingered faintly like summer berries and regret.

Spontaneous and loud applause.

Wait what?

Phew! Not for me, thankfully.

Canne was standing beside his father now, smiling in a way that made it hard to tell if he knew the effect he had on people. Probably he did.

Others were with Alpha Chase too. Felix (the Beta in training), Silas (the Delta in training), and a dozen other teenagers, including Kaia (the wannabe Luna in training). I hadn't heard what had been said, but everyone looked pleased. I knew some of them had nearly finished school as we had a week left before the end of the school year, but others like Canne and Kaia were juniors like me. Oh well, I'll ask Mom later. She was sitting at the bar having a drink with Silas's mom. They all sat back down, and the Alpha finished his speech.

Canne caught my eye and then smiled at me. I grabbed a juice and tried to act normal. Like my brain hadn't just short-circuited trying to remember if I had cupcake batter on my shirt. (I did. I checked later. It was dried and crusty. Of course.)

I slid into a cushion at the edge of the group, barely noticing Alpha's speech. The moon was high now, casting a silver glow over everything. Somewhere deep in my chest, my wolf stirred softly, yet with longing. These nights always made something inside me feel a little more wistful.