Cordelia
Itry my best to look completely and utterly bored, but I am charmed; I am so charmed. I love winter, and I absolutely love the idea of a pack-making event centered around the Winter Solstice and especially doing the whole thing at night.
Adorable, just absolutely heart-warmingly adorable.
In just one day and without any of my help this time around, Main Street has been transformed. There are lanterns and stars, moons and snowflakes. Everything is gold and blue. It’s not over the top, it’s like holiday decorations.
“I tried everything I could think of to get out of this, but my mother will not be swayed,” Asher says, grabbing my elbow. “She is determined that Sofia, Devon, Mack, and Elijah weren’t a fluke and it was all a grand design. She’s gone pack making crazy.”
Asher shoves her caramel-brown hair behind her ear and glowers at everything around her.
“It’s pretty, though.”
Asher gasps. “Have you joined the dark side?”
I snort a laugh, but it’s weak. A few months ago, I was loud and happy, and that’s all gone. I feel so tired and drained these days; the energy to keep up the facade has slipped away.
Everything is the same. Nothing changes.
I have only one escape: my secret, and no one in Sunshine Cove knows it, and I’m going to keep it that way.
Sofia sidles up next to us, and I pull Danger out of her arms and hug him.
“I needed puppy hugs,” I whine when Sofia protests.
“Why? What’s wrong with you? Is your mum okay?”
“She’s fine!” I say, forcing a wide smile. “She is filling the house with flowers so she can do her annual flower dyeing.”
Sofia, bless her, keeps her face carefully blank. “Oh, is she? But she’s never done flower dying before-”
“Shh, she has done it every year,” I say flatly.
“Oh, well, then. Yes, of course, slipped my mind.”
“Mm, just like the wood carving and stamp collecting, and tango lessons, and calligraphy, and, well, you know what I mean. Flower dyeing is all the rage.”
“What exactly does flower dyeing entail?”
“Drying flowers, and then producing dye that you use to dye material and soap, we’re going to be soap makers next month.”
“Oh, how…charming.” We all ignore how high her voice has gone. “Have you two seen the new alphas in town?”
“What alphas?” Asher asks, smartly seizing the lifeline Sofia has thrown before I get into a mood again.
I don’t really care; I’m too busy looking at the gold stars dancing in the breeze. I’m tired. Not in my body, but in my soul. I just want to lie down and stare up at the dancing stars.
“They came in two weeks ago; they’ve been staking out my bookstore.”
I frown; that does catch my attention. How strange. “Why?”
“No idea, but they come in everyday.” Sofia shrugs her shoulders. “They are really cute, Asher, totally your type.”
“I am so jealous that you are getting out of this,” Asher mutters, ignoring Sofia’s playful tease. “Do I look like I’ve picked up a book in the last decade?”
Sofia smiles widely. “Find a pack to woo you.”
“You are not funny!” Asher growls. “Oh, gods, he’s here again.”
