Page 64 of Homecoming

“She thought it might give him a chance to bond.”

“Wait, I thought that guy over there… Digby, right? I thought Riley said he was her mate? I don’t understand.”

“It’s complicated,” Riley sighs. “Kat, well she has more than one relationship going on. But it’s okay, they're all cool about it.”

“Okay, that’s verymodernbut I guess lots of people live in different setups these days. And what? That’s his pup? No. No wait, that can’t be. Riley your mom said he was a—”

“Dad shh… Come here,” Riley drags his father away from the rest of the group. “You can’t say anything to anyone. Promise me now. This is between us, but Kat thinks that Darius might be Evelyn’s father. Really, I can’t say anymore—on medical grounds, I can’t break her confidence.”

“Not even to another doctor?”

“No, I’m sorry dad. I can’t. It’s really complicated.”

“You don’t think that guy’s good for her, right? He’s a complete asshole—a love ‘em and leave ‘em type? Yeah, a dominant alpha I’ll bet—you can just tell from looking at him, he likes things on his terms. That’s what you’re worried about?”

“No… No, actually Darius is really nice—once you get past the tough exterior. I get on with him fine, well as fine as you cangivenwhat he is. But that doesn’t make any difference to me. Actually, he’s always been pretty accepting of me even when the other alphas haven’t. Sure, he can be moody as hell, but strangely I drawn to him.”

“Okay. Well then, I guess that’s good. Look I should go, your mother will be getting anxious waiting.”

“Oh, that’s what I came to say. We’re going to swing by the new house first and show you around. Dad, are you taking that bottle of champagne home with you?” Riley sets his brow in a frown.

“Oh, come on Riley, they’re not going to miss it,” Matthew smiles. “With the amount they’re drinking, I don’t think they’ll notice one little bottle of champagne is missing—okay technically stolen by shifters,” he laughs.

“Dad, you’re so bad.C’mon, bringyourelkburger. And next time make sure to ask what’s in them before you eat.”

“I actually kinda like it. That guy seems nice too.”

“Noah? Yeah, he’s great. He has a real calming influence on Kat. He’s good for her.”

“You really do like her a lot. I can tell. She still means something to you.”

“I love her. I guess I always will. Something connected us but something also holds us back from being with each other. But that's something I can live with now.”

“Good. But a word of advice son, don’t make Amy feel second best. Love her for who she is and what she gives you in the now. You can be really happy if you don’t go looking for things you can’t have. And from what I understand, Kat’s life is complicated enough already to say the least—maybe you don’t need that kind of ‘complicated’ in your life.”

“I think you’re right. Dad, I love you.”

“I love you too, son—always will, no matter what. Nowc’mon, you know your mother’s not good at waiting. Patience is not one of her virtues.” He smiles and places his arm around Riley’s shoulder as they disappear toward the waiting parked cars.

“Ican’tbelieveyoudid that Kat,” Darius snaps as he tips the bundle of sleeping fur into her arms.

“Darius please, just let me explain. It wasn’t how you think.”

“I’m not listening to this. You set out to deceive me—to lie. You fabricated this little ruse with Helena and you thought I wouldn’t see what was going on? If you’d wanted me to look after her—and the damn cat—then you just had to ask.”

“Okay, for one I told you I forgot about the cat being there and that I’m sorry about that. You know I don’t know why one small cat would bother you so much? But as for Evelyn… I just thought if youhadto look after her then you would… because I know if I had asked, you would have said no.”

“Damn right I would have said no. And you know why? Because I’m not buying into this tale about her being mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back. I have phone calls to make.”

“Darius… Darius wait…” Kat bundles Evelyn into Noah’s arms. "Take her back over there with the others. I need to deal with him on my own.”As Noah returns across the lawn, Kat hurriedly follows down the driveway calling after Darius.

“Please don’t ignore me. Darius, please… talk to me. You know that it’s true. I know you know it. I know you feel it. Wait!” She growls deeply as she watches him climb into the black sports car and then tires squealing speed off down the road sending dust and stones spitting behind him.

“Fuck.” Kat sighs and looking across the grass she can see everyone staring in her direction. “Oh, for God’s sake…” Ignoring them all she fumbles with the buttons on her white shirt, drops the black pants, and strips off her red silk panties and matching bra. She then carefully folds them and lays them in a pile on the side of the road with her phone. Taking a deep breath, her body stretches and in the sunlight, the silver furred wolf appears. She roars in frustration before hurrying the same winding path in the hope of catching the speeding car.

Alana sighs as she watches the unfolding drama. Looking up Riley, Amy, and Matthew return beside her. “I told you there would be some kind of wolf drama and I wasn’t wrong.”

“Yup, all that was missing was a fight but they still have time,” Matthew smiles as he kisses her lips. “Should we take Kat's clothes?”

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