Page 11 of Homecoming

“That would be really good.” She gives Bud a nod of approval. The twinkle in her eyes is the glint of a predator as she smells the large chunks of raw meat. “You’re right, I’m ravenous. And ribeye would certainly make a welcome change to elk,” she laughs as Bud disappears behind the grill.

The smell of smoke and sizzling meat juice fills the rapidly cooling evening air and Kat drops along,drawn-out sigh as she watches the rest of the commune stare in silence at her.

She feels awkward. It’s like she’s on display and as Digby lets go of her hand, he passes Evelyn back to her arms. “I’ll go get us a drink. Uh… you don’t want beer, right? I mean with the pup, you’re notdrinkin’?”

“Uh no. No, I’ll have juice, thanks. You’re right, I still have to feed her. It’s best if I don’t, plus I’ll need to find my feet with liquor after all this time. But you go ahead, it’s fine. And Diggs…”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For being so understanding. You do know I love you?”

“Hey, how could you not love this, right?” Hisfuck-me-nowgrin plasters his face as he winks and gestures a hand down his body. “I’ll be right back.” He strokes the top of Evelyn’s head and gives her a parting kiss before he walks away.

Kat takes another deep breath and looks down at the pup laid content in her arms. Evelyn’s eyes are tightly closed and she continues to sleep, unfazed by all the attention focused on them.

Kat smiles as she gently strokes her head. Her fur is fine and soft, her paws so very tinyandwith her comforted snugly in the crook of her arm, Kat rocks her back and forth. Looking around the garden filled with people, she heads for the familiar—Noah.

He’s standing alone on the fringe of the partying crowd, drinking from a bottle of homemade beer.

“Hey,” he smiles as they stare at each other. “Are you alright? Allthis,it isn’t too much for you, is it? I don’t want you getting overwhelmed too quickly. We can go back to the house or take a walk in the forest if you’d prefer.”

“It does feel a little weird, but I’m fine.” Kat can see Noah’s handsome features as he smiles. His cheeks flushed red and pupils dilated, the effect of too much alcohol. He looks nervous and slightly anxious. “Don’t worry. I guess we'll just have to get used to being surrounded by people again.” She looks down as Evelyn wakes and mewls nuzzling against her breasts. “I should feed her. I really missed doing that this past week.”

The evening is warm, not stifling like the day, and as the fading light glimmers around Noah, like a halo, Kat can’t help but think he looks almost god-like with his long hair tied back from his sun-etched face, bronzed tanned muscular arms, and broad shoulders.

Again, she looks down at the tiny gray pup now purring contentedly. “You know, having to watch from out there in the forest, it was hard to stay away.”

“I can only imagine it was.” Noah smilesandbrushing the stray curl from around her face, he leans close. Despite having showered, Kat’s covered in the remnants of mountain scent: pine trees and honeysuckle, which, along with the smell of beer and wine from the party, overpowers his senses. “So…” he hushes his voice, “did Digby say anything—about Evelyn?”

“Not much. He asked me earlier while I was getting dressed why she hadn’t shifted. I said I guessed she was choosing not to. Hell, Lukas is almost always a wolf, so it’s not that odd, right? That she’d choose to stay a wolf too? Noah, did I do the right thing birthing her as a wolf and keeping her away from the pack, or have I just caused more of a problem?”

“I can’t answer that, but don’t worry, it’s all going to be fine. Remember, I’m here for you—always.” He smilesandwrapping his arm around her neck, he kisses the top of her head and holds her close. His fingers are thick and strong from the work they’ve done around the cabin, withhis hair pulled back in a loose bun, his face is smooth, unblemished, and deeply bronzed from the outdoor sun. He wears a simple red plaid shirt, covering a clean white tee overjeans,and his shoes are a sturdy pair of handmade elk hide boots. Noah’s skin is warm, his body hard and muscular under his clothes and he has the most amazing scent of earth and fresh air.

There’s a low growling murmur from the opposite side of the garden as the gathered group chatter loudly among themselves. Kat’s face flushes pink and her eyes gleam brightly as she nestles closer against Noah’s body for reassurance.

Her jeweled pupils turn a translucent green as they meet withhis. “Noah, I’m sorry for putting you through this,” she whispers, watching the gossiping crowd staring at them from across the lawn. “I know how tough it is for you being here with all these strange people.”

The pup senses Kat’s anxietyandopening her eyes, she yawns and nuzzles herself closer against her mother’s breast as if she’s trying to comfort her. She may be small, but her eyes have a mesmerizing effect, almost like she’s hypnotizing those around her with her confident gray stare.

Digby selects a beer from the bar and as he turns around, he can hear the rumbling snarl coming from deep inside of Darius’s chest. “Hey, what’s up?” he frowns as the pair stare across the lawn.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s going to take a little time getting used to watching her with him; Noah I mean.”

“Yeah, if I’m honest, I’m not sure if I’m ever gonna get ‘used’ to it, but it is what it is, right? I guess we’ll have to find a way to deal with it now that she’s home.”

“Maybe if you accepted him more—made him a more permanent part of this pack, things would be easier.”

“What you really mean is that I should accept him as my brother?”

“Maybe. Diggs, he wasn’t the one who killed your mother—hell, she was his mother too. And neither of you got the opportunity to know her, but you can choose to get to know him. Why don’t youtry andsee how it works out?”

“What, because you think it would make life easier for everyone else?” Digby hitches his brow as sips at the beer.

“Maybe. But also because I think it would be good for you to move on from this grudge you keep forcing yourself to hold against him.”

“I’m not forcinganythin’but… How do I even know for sure he reallyismy brother—half-brother? Hell, I already have a brotherandI didn’t ask for another one. I don’tneedanother one.” Digby’s body stiffens as he grips his knuckles tightly around the neck of the bottle.

“Yeah, you do. Diggs, I know you and you need as much family as you can get. From what I can tell, Noah’s a good guy—socially inept, for sure, but if you watch, you can see how much he loves Kat. I think he’d do almost anything she asked of him. If I can see that, why can’t you?”

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