Page 9 of Homecoming

Ohno leaned over to speak to her. “It isn’t that normal, but it’s only two of them that are out of control. The soon-to-be sister-in-law is sweet. Always reading and hiding near the pool. How did you know about it?”

Orc smiled. “We mentioned it to Aeryn this morning.”

Thera grinned. “I would take pictures, but I am not invited to the festive event.”

Kayak grinned. “Well, with two of us crewing, the other will have to take Thera on a tour of local sights. I think a slow boat to the overlook should be good.”

The orcas started bickering, and Thera said, “Guys, shut up, or no one is getting any until after my dad’s memorial.”

Silence snapped around their table.

Amby blinked. “We can do that?”

Thera shrugged. “Sure. Why not? As long as I don’t hit the water before things get back to normal, things will be fine. They can always swim to work off some tension.”

Ohno sighed. “Anyone can express a need for solitary sleep at any time.”

Amby looked at her mate. “Huh. Good to know.”

Dorian sighed. “But we are going to try very hard to make sure you don’t feel it’s necessary.”

Exoval smiled. “I will try extra hard.”

Serin watched the interaction and chuckled.

Kekoa grinned at her. “Is it good to be home?”

“It is very good to be home.” She grinned. “But brace for some noise. After this, we are going to my house and evicting the infestation that settled in.”

Aeryn chuckled. “I am building up the calories that I am about to burn. I rarely get to go all out. I am hoping for shocked screaming. The water is going to be really cold.”

Kekoa stared. “You are going to flush her house?”

Serin grinned. “Yes. It is far less than I used to plan, but the house is mine by virtue of my mother’s family gift. The house is mine, the land is mine, and anyone on it who isn’t there with my invitation is going to find themselves scrubbed out with their possessions. I believe I will recover more swiftly when the house is torn down.”

Kekoa blinked. “What?”

“I am destroying that house.” Serin nibbled at some fruit. “In that house, I was used. In that house, I was betrayed. In that house, my child died, and then, I left. They took hope for the future from me, so I will simply take the dwelling from them. They are adults. They can survive.” She laughed bitterly. “I know they don’t have children.”

Kekoa’s eyes went wide. “You and he were a true match.”

“Were. Past tense. He now is a match to no one.” Her smile was perky. “His sperm count is so low, I am amazed his cock isn’t an inny. I wonder if they have heard I am back in town.”

Alohi blinked. “I haven’t heard anyone talking about you.”

Serin grinned. “Oh, yay. I love a good surprise.” She rubbed her hands together.

Hara asked, “You miscarried?”

“Yeah, heanticipated the wedding night,so to speak. I wasn’t impressed with the event, but he was my destined mate. Everything in me called for him... until it didn’t. I felt pain, hollowness, and I staggered home to get help, only to find him and my half-sister fucking in the kitchen. More pain. I got a bag and left. One of the fishermen took me over to Emerald to get a flight, and that was that.”

The whole room was listening.

Serin smiled. “I kept in touch with Kekoa, but I omitted some details.”

Alohi softly asked, “How far along were you?”

“Four weeks. It only happened the once, so the timing was easy to figure out.”

---