Chapter Twenty-Three

Ricardo

My eyes rove anxiously over the crowd in search of a familiar blonde head. Logically I know she's not here yet because I haven't been notified, but my heart beats erratically in my chest by just the thought of seeing her.

I have been sorting out pack business the whole week, trying to ramp up security in the light of the attack and I didn't want the bonfire canceled and make the pack worried that we can't handle the situation. I've been sleeping at the pack house again and at times I thought I'd go crazy if I didn't get a whiff of lavender.

My phone pings in my pocket and my heart rate accelerates even more when I read Mark's message that they've just arrived. Truth be told I would love to have her hidden away for my eyes only, but she's going to be Luna soon, and the pack needs to get used to having her around and she needs more exposure to people.

"The weather turned out really nice." My mother chirps up next to me. "I was worried it would rain."

I stuff my phone b