Butterflies burst through my stomach as I pulled my hair on top of my head. I’d never been more nervous to attend a party in my life. I knew this one only consisted of pack members, but I still couldn’t tame my anxiety.

“Are you ready?” Eli asked. He stood in the bedroom doorway, watching me fret with my hair.

I exhaled a long breath, puffing out my cheeks. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Don’t look so depressed and ill. It’s a party. For you. You’re supposed to be happy,” Eli insisted with a teasing grin.

“I am happy. I’m just nervous.”

“Why would you be nervous?” He chuckled.

“I just am.” I shrugged.

My hands dropped to my sides as I walked past him into the hall.

“Well, don’t be. I planned a fun party. Lots of food. Good music,” Eli said as he followed me down the hall. “Hell, I even bought some moonshine for us to sneak a drink of. That’s what your Gran saw on my list and didn’t seem happy about.”

I glared at him over my shoulder. Drinking around my dad didn’t seem right. Not after he’d been working so hard to stay sober.

“I don’t think drinking alcohol tonight is a good idea.” I faced him once we reached the living room. “I know this is a party, and I know it’s not realistic to think my dad will never be around alcohol again, but I do think it’s too soon. He doesn’t need any temptation, and I don’t want everyone to act like he’s an elephant in the room they need to avoid either.”

Eli scratched the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought the whole alcohol thing through better. I won’t bring it.”

“Thanks,” I said as I leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek. “So, the question is: Are you ready?”

I hated putting him on the spot, but not serving alcohol was for the best.

“Actually,” he said as he sidestepped me. He headed toward the washer and dryer. “I have something for you.”

“A new washer and dryer?” I scrunched up my face. “Because really, you didn’t have to. The set we have is fine. There’s no washer or dryer you could get that would make doing laundry fun.”

“No. Not a new washer or dryer.” He rummaged around before grabbing something he shoved behind his back. “Something even better.”

“What?” I asked as I tried to peer around him to see what he was holding. I couldn’t.

“Paint.” He held a gallon out to me, along with a stir stick. “Purple paint. Professor Plum to be exact.”

My jaw dropped. “You’re kidding! You bought me paint? Purple paint? Oh my God!”

And here I’d thought this birthday couldn’t get any better.

“That was part of our bet. You did win, remember?” He grinned and I had to kiss him.

“I do remember,” I said between kisses. “This is the best. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” He set the paint on the kitchen counter and pried the lid off with a flathead screwdriver from in the junk drawer. “Check the color out. See if you like it.”

The scent of wet paint floated through the air as the lid came off, and I found myself smiling wide. I loved painting. There was nothing better than changing the color of your walls to switch up the entire feel of a space.

Eli dipped the stir stick into the thick paint and swirled it around.

“It’s a little darker than I thought it would be,” he said, sounding slightly afraid.

“Don’t be scared. It will dry lighter I’m sure.”

I lifted the lid off the counter and grabbed a paintbrush from under the kitchen sink, then headed to our room. My muscles tingled and my mind felt clearer as I swiped a few strokes of color onto the wall. When I was finished, I took a step back and stared.

“It’s going to look beautiful,” I said. My gaze drifted to Eli. “Do you like it?”

“Umm, yeah. Sure.” He scratched at his neck.

My arm fell to my side. “You hate it.”

“I don’t hate it. I just think it will take some getting used to.”

He hated it. Disappointment crashed through me. I didn’t want to paint the walls a color he loathed.

“It’s fine. I’m sure it will grow on me,” he said as he pulled me close. “I don’t care what color the walls are. All I care about is waking up next to you every day.”

He was too sweet to me sometimes.

“Let’s get out of here,” Eli said as he took the paint lid from me. “You have a party to get to.”

I followed him down the hall. “That needs to dry anyway. Maybe you’ll like it then.”

He chuckled as he placed the lid back on the can. I moved to the pantry and grabbed a plastic grocery bag to wrap the wet brush in.

“Ready?” Eli asked.

“Yeah.” I pointed to Moonshine who was following him toward the front door. “Are we not putting her up this time?”

“I figured I’d pop back in to check on her in about an hour. There isn’t anything she can get into. I’ve already made sure.”

“Why don’t we take her with us,” I suggested. “Gracie will probably bring Winston. They can have a puppy playdate.”

“Okay, sure. Grab her leash.”

I grabbed it off the counter and started for the door. Once we had her hooked up, the three of us stepped outside.

It was close to seven, which meant it was cooling off and the sky was beginning to darken. I enjoyed this time of year.

I walked beside Eli down the gravel road to the back of the trailer park. There was no central section designated for parties. Instead, Eli’s dad had asked the trailer park owner for a small building near the back.

Bobby had no issue with putting one up. He was a good guy.

Once the building was built we put it to use. Throughout the year we hosted multiple events there—ceremonial dinners, potlucks, birthday parties, and holidays. The space had brought us closer as a pack through the functions we held.

Music floated to my ears as we neared it. Someone had hung a string of white lights around the door and tiny windows, causing it to stand out against the beautiful sky. Kids played out front while a few of the adult pack members watched them and chatted. One of the kids held Winston in her arms. My gaze drifted around because I knew Gracie had to be close by. I spotted her leaning up against the building, watching while she chatted with Cooper.

I nodded toward them. “The two of them are inseparable lately.”

“They’ve been close for a while,” Eli insisted.

“Do you think they’re going to imprint once they become moon kissed?” I asked, unable to take my eyes off them.

It was hard for me to think of Gracie in such a grown-up way, but she would be turning fourteen soon. She was growing up whether I wanted her to or not.

“It’s possible.” Eli grinned. Excitement rang in his voice.

“Ugh,” I said as I smoothed a hand over my face. “I can’t believe I’m talking about my little sister becoming imprinted.”

“It’s bound to happen one day.”

“I know. It’s just crazy to see her with someone and think about it. I mean, she has a boyfriend! One she’s been with for two months. It’s insane!”

“It’s normal,” Eli insisted.

“Look! They brought Moonshine!” one of Sylvie’s girls shouted. She ran to where we were, almost smacking into Eli. “Can I hold her? Please! I won’t let her go. I promise.”

Eli glanced at me. I shrugged and flashed him a smile.

“Okay, sure. Just be careful she doesn’t get off this leash. She’s a hard one to catch,” Eli said.

“Trust him,” I said. “He had a hard time catching her this afternoon when she got a hold of some toilet paper.” I grinned, remembering the entire fiasco.

“Toilet paper? Ew, gross!” She made a disgusted face.

“It wasn’t used,” Eli said.

She reached out for the leash and ran away with her, ignoring Eli. Other kids came running up eager to pet her. She was the star for a moment while they greeted her, and she licked their tiny fingers.

Eli stepped in front of me, blocking my view.

“Stay here for a minute,” he insisted.

“Why? Are you going to warn the others I’m here?” I teased.

“I am.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little pointless since I already know about the party?”

“No. Stay right here,” he insisted once more as he walked away from me backward to the door of the building.

I folded my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes but remained where I was.

“Hey! Happy birthday,” Gracie said as she walked to where I stood. Cooper followed her like a puppy.

I pulled her in for a hug. “Thanks.”

Had she gotten taller since the last time I saw her?

“Have you had a good birthday so far?” she asked once we released each other.

I nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

“Mom said she took you to Whiteside Mountain.”

“She did. It was nice to be back there with her again.”

“I bet.”

We lapsed into an awkward silence. When had it become so difficult to talk to my little sister?

“Well, I’m glad your birthday has been a good one so far. We’re going to slip inside,” she said as she nodded toward the building. “I guess we’re going to yell surprise with everyone else. Even though I don’t see the point since you’re already here and know there’s a party happening for your birthday.” She chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be here. Waiting to pretend to be surprised.”

“It’s the thought that counts.” Cooper winked as they walked away.

He was cute. I’d give him that. He shared Eli’s eyes, same dark hair, and some facial features. I could see why Gracie was smitten with him. Something about those Vargas boys got under your skin in the best of ways. I knew the feeling well.

Time moved slowly as I waited for Eli to come back. I watched the kids play with Winston and Moonshine. I wasn’t sure who was having more fun—the puppies or them.

“Ready for this?” Eli asked from behind me. I tucked a few stray strands of hair behind my ear.

“Yeah. Let’s do this.”

My heart rate picked up. I hated this. Being the center of attention had never been something I was comfortable with.

Eli held out a hand. His face lit up when I placed mine inside it. “Close your eyes.”

I inhaled a deep breath, and then exhaled as I did as he asked. He gripped my waist with his free hand, and steered me inside the building. The music was turned down, but it still played in the background. The scent of something sweet lingered in the air. It was warmer inside by a few degrees, and I thought it was because of the people crammed inside. I could feel their presence, feel their eyes on me. My cheeks heated under their stare.

Once Eli had me where he wanted, he leaned in and whispered, “You can look now.”

I licked my lips and inhaled a deep breath before opening my eyes.

Ridley, Benji, Becca, and Alec stood in front of me surrounded by my pack.

A chorus of surprise rang out, but all I could focus on were my friends. How were they here? How had I not known they would be? Whose idea was it to ask them to come?

Ridley hadn’t given any indication earlier she’d be here tonight. Neither had Becca when I talked to her earlier, or Alec when he sent me a text.

“Are you surprised?” Eli asked. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and pulled me against his chest to place a kiss on the crown of my head. “You seem surprised.”

“I’m definitely surprised.”

“What are you guys doing here? How?” My words were rushed and frantic sounding even to my own ears.

“We couldn’t miss your birthday,” Alec said.

Becca nodded. “You only turn nineteen once.”

I untangled myself from Eli and pulled Becca in for a hug. Coming back to Mirror Lake had to have been difficult for her. She’d left for college shortly after Shane passed. Culinary school had probably been one of the best things to happen to her because it meant she got to put distance between herself and painful memories. I was touched she was here tonight.

“Thanks for coming,” I said. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Becca said.

My attention drifted to Ridley next.

“You,” I said with mock anger. “How could you not say anything about this? You even asked if I’d heard from Becca or Alec today.”

“I should go into acting.” Her cheeks turned pink as she adjusted her glasses.

“You should because you really had me fooled.” I pulled her in for a hug too.

“She really should,” Benji said as he stepped forward for a hug. “She acts with me all the time.”

“Is that so?” Eli asked, insinuating something different from what Benji meant.

Benji’s face grew tomato red. “I didn’t mean it like that!”

“Of course you didn’t.” Eli smirked. I jabbed him in the side with my elbow, and he let out a grunt.

After I said hello to Alec and Benji someone turned the music up again.

Eli’s arm slipped around my waist as he fused himself to my side. “Happy birthday.” He grinned.

“Thank you.” I smiled at him. “This is been the best birthday ever. Seriously.”

“Excuse me,” Gran insisted as she pushed her way through the crowd. “I need to wish my granddaughter a happy birthday. I haven’t seen her all day.”

Flickers of guilt shifted through me. Birthdays had always been a special occurrence in the Ryan household. The day started with being woken by Gran before the sun came up. She always held a cupcake in her hand with a single lit candle. A soft rendition of happy birthday would be sung before you were allowed to blow out your candle. Next, you’d be prompted to get out of bed and head outside with her. There she’d make you circle the trailer at her side until you found the best view of the moon. Meditation and a mental reflection of your previous year would have to happen before you were allowed inside again. A large breakfast consisting of your favorite foods, a million hugs and kisses, and a small gift came next.

How had all of this slipped my mind? My heart ached for having forgotten.

“Did you do your meditation and reflection this morning?” Gran asked as she arched an eyebrow at me. It was clear she already knew I hadn’t.

“No.” I swallowed hard, waiting for her to reprimand me.

“I didn’t think so.”

“I’ll do it tonight. I promise.”

Gran placed a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to. I’ve just always thought it was a nice way to begin a birthday.”

I opened my mouth to say something, to agree, but my mom and dad walked up to me next.

“Mina! Happy birthday, sweet girl!” Mom shouted. She pulled me into a hug. Dad stood behind her, waiting for his turn. “I’m so glad we got to go on a hike today.”

“Me too,” I said as my gaze drifted back to Gran.

I’d hurt her, and I hated myself for it.

“Happy birthday, honey,” Dad said as he pulled me in for a hug of his own.

“Thanks.”

The words to happy birthday echoed through the tiny building as Eli’s mom carried a cake toward me. The top was ablaze with candles, making it look like a fire hazard.

“Look at all those candles,” Eli said. “Damn, you’re getting old.”

“Still not as old as you,” I insisted.

“Somehow, I doubt you’ll ever catch up.”

I chuckled as his mom paused in front of me with the cake.

“Make a wish,” she said.

I closed my eyes and thought long and hard in an effort to form a good wish. Before I could decide on something, a loud scream came from somewhere outside. It was followed by the puppies barking and others yelling.

All hell had broken loose outside, and I was afraid to see what had caused it.