Page 46 of Homecoming

“Digby, please… you already made me do that twice. Can I not rest for a minute?”

“Nope. Nowc’mon, you know that’s what Darius is gonna test you on, so you need to be able to carry the weight. Kat, I’m trying to help. But this is one of those things you’re going to need to do.”

“You know, I didn’t think you’d be so supportive. I thought you’d back Darius and tell me it wasn’t a good idea.”

“Darius said no?”

“Not yet. I told you, I haven’t mentioned it yet. I wanted to start training and show I was committed. And I’ve decided that after the party this weekend, I’m gonna stop feeding Evelyn—I’ll put her on a bottle. That way I won’t be so tired, and I’ll have more hours to devote to training if Luna’s not having to nurse her.”

“Kat, I’m sure you don’t need to do that. She’s still so little and she needs you—she needs her mommy. We’ll find a way to work around it.”

“Digby, I’ve made up my mind. I can’t focus on training if I have to keep shifting to feed her. My body won’t cope with the extra demands.”

“Okay… whatever you think’s best.”

“I don’t think I have much time. I heard Darius say to Edwards he’d sort a permanent medic in the next month to six weeks. I guess switching out those temporary ones is not working out.”

“They’ve been fine. Sure, it’s not ideal, but it’s been okay. Kinda gotten used to having Harvey’s face around—even if he is a damn shifter. But I guess his unit wants him back.” Digby laughs as he drops next to her on the ground. He leans forward and kisses her before collapsing onto his back against the cool grass.

Closing his eyes, the sun dries the beads of sweat on his brow, and Kat strokes her hand gently against his cheek, shocked as he unexpectedly grabs and pulls her on top of him.

“Arrrghh…” she squeals, as he startles her. The warm softness of his lips pressing firmly against hers relaxes her and as they continue their passionate kiss, Digby’s tongue dips against hers and the overpowering musk smell of his unique scent fills her nostrils. Kat sighs. The sun is warmandshe makes the most of the heat. “Mm… you smell so good,” she smiles.

“Yeah, and so do you.” He sniffs at her neck, licking against the red mark on herskinwhich always seems so much more prominent when he kisses it. “So what the hell is this thing…” He gestures behind him to the pile of logs—some cut and positioned into a square.

“It’s the cabin Noah’s building so that he can have his own space.”

“Wow…” Digby hoists himself to his feet and wanders towards the large saw left rested on the woodpile. “Has he had any help to build this thing?”

“No, he’s been doing it all himself.”

Digby picks up one of the logs and, lifting the weight, he soon drops it with a heavy thud to the ground. “Geezus… Christ, he’s done this all by himself?”

“Uh-huh—I told you he’s stronger than he looks,” she smiles.

“Toofuckin’right, he is. I have to say, I’m seriously impressed. Maybe I’ll think twice about takin’ him on now,” he smiles.

“Wow…” Kat stands up and looks him straight in the eyes. “Say that again? You… You’re impressed by Noah?”

“Yeah, this is impressive. You know, maybe he won’t make such a bad brother after all. Hell, maybe I can finally get rid of Rhys.”

“You’re so stupid,” she laughs.

“That’s better. Youlaughin’… I like it. Kat,everythin’s gonna be okay. And though I can’t give you a fancy house, a log cabin—or even a damn pup, it seems—I do love you.” He leans forward and kisses her. Then, with a smile, he takes her hand and leads her towards the forest. “C’monlet’s go for a walk.”

The pair leave the cabin and meander slowly along a path into a denser part of the forest.

“Digby…” Kat stops and with her hand on his cheek, the other on his hip, she smiles. “I just wanted to say that none of that other stuff matters. What’s happened before, it doesn’t matter. I know we’re bonded and I would never want to hurt you, but I also recognize how tough this situation must be on you.”

“Kat, shh…. I know you didn’t. Deep down I know and it’sgoin’to be okay.”

“Alright… so what brought this deeper and more thoughtful Digby out to play?”

“I don’t know. Maybe during the ten-hour flight back from the mission, I had a lot of time to sit and think. I just wanna be able to do something and show you how I feel.” He takes her hand and concentrates on her face. “And maybe I did think ofsomethin’you could do… I thought that maybe you might… well, I thought you might mark me.”

“What?” she frowns. “You want me to mark you? Digby, what the hell? You can’t be serious?”

“I am. I mean it, mark me—here, now.”

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