Page 15 of Homecoming

“Phew… that’s good to hear.” Noah takes a breath. “I was a little worried that it might be expected. What you said about us being brothers? Do you really believe we are?”

“I don’t know. I guess I should know. By rights, I should feel it, but maybe how I feel about you and Katbein’together wascloudin’my judgment. Rhys likes you and so… Darius suggested we should get a DNA test to find out for sure. So should we? Get one I mean. Do you wanna know for real?”

“If that would make you happy, then yeah, that’s fine. I’ll do whatever you want. I don’t want any trouble. Digby, I never wanted to cause trouble, but I just can’t help how I feel about Kat. When she came into my life, it… well, it felt perfect. Like she was meant to be for me.”

“Yeah, I know how thatfeels,and it’s not you. It’s me who’s beencausin’trouble and I had no right. I know you care… hell, I know you love her. I certainly know you didn’t ask for things to be this complicated. None of us did, but you also have to understand I am a wolf. I’m bonded to Kat and I can’t change that even if, just sometimes, I wish I could cut that tie and be free of the way I feel—but I can’t.” Digby sighs deeply. “Hell, listen to me. Noah, I’m justtryin’to be open with youcuzI know we kinda got off on the wrong foot. And I will admit, I’ve found it a little difficult since she came back with the pup to adjust tosharin’her again. I mean, when it was just my wolf and Luna out there on the mountain, I had her all to myself and we were what we are—wolves. Now I have to let not only Darius, but you back into that relationship. I guess I’maskin’you to cut me a little slack if I get my wolf-head on sometimes. I really amtryin’. Being with Kat has made me a different person—more tolerant. Sure, I know I can still be better and realize I have to stopfoolin’around, but I will admit that’s hardcuzthere’s been some big changes in my life. I’m not perfect. And I’m still gonna fuck up—hell, that’s in my DNA. I was brought up with different beliefs than a lot of people, but I’m really gonna try to make a change. I think you’ll make a really good brother and like Darius said, I need all the family I can get.”

“Well that’s a lot to take in but… Thank you,” Noah smiles. “I appreciate you addressing me this way. It takes a strong man to say what you just said and admit you’re not perfect.”

“Okay… so… we’re done here, right? The touchy-feelycuzI gotta shoot. Oh and uh… keep an extra eye on Kat and the pups. There’s been some poachershangin’around lately and I need you to take care of them while I’m not here.”

“I will. I’ll keep them safe and I’ll keep my eye out for poachers. I noticed there was more activity and strangers hiking the mountain this year than there have been before. Digby, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of them.”

“I know you will. Okay, so… Good talk.Sorry,I gotta run. We’ll catch up with you after I get back.”

“Oh and Digby…” Noah smiles, “I think you will make a great brother too. I will be honored to have you as mine.”

“Right,” Digby smiles, “I’ll get Marco to make the arrangements for the test when I return.”

Two days later

Laidinthegrassclearing under the rays of the afternoon sun, Noah turns onto his side and frowns. “So who was that?”

“Digby,” Kat sighs as she drops her phone onto the plaid blanket spread beneath them. “He was just letting me know that they’re back at the base. They have a debrief to clear first but should be back here later this afternoon.”

“Oh well, looks like our time alone is over,” he groans.

“Don’t spoil it. We still have a few hours and…” she hushes her voice, “the pups are asleep now so we could getjiggy,if you want to? I could do that thing you like.” She strokes a hand over Noah’s bare chest as he lays flat on the ground next to her. Smoothing her palm across the curve of his pectoral muscle, she can’t help but tease a flick of her tongue around his pierced nipple. “I can’t believe you did this to yourself. Did it hurt?” she frowns, playfully touching the silver bar.

“Not really. I was reading a book about body adornment and wanted to see what it was like.”

“Well, you’re braver than me. I certainly couldn’t do it—and definitely not to myself,” she smiles.

“I could do it for you?” he laughs. “And stop playing with it because you’re making me…”

“… hard? Yeah, I can feel that. You are really,reallyhard. Noah, do you want me?” she teases.

“Dumb question, I always want you. But we can’t, not with the pups just over there.”

“They’re sleeping. They’re fine and I know you want to.”

“I do, but just not here, now.”

“Why not here? This place is perfect. The sun, the fresh smell of sweet glade grass and it’s far enough away from the house to not be overlooked by anyone—in fact, it’s a perfect hideaway.”

“You know what? You’resoright. This istheperfect hideaway.”

He immediately stands up and starts pacing long strides across the short grass patch that’s surrounded by trees.

“What the hell are you doing? Noah, come back here.”

“Wait, can’t you see? This would make the perfect place to build a cabin. It has just enough room and—”

“Are you serious?” Kat smiles as he re-seats himself on the blanket beside her. “I want to go down on you, and you want to talk about building log cabins? You could build me a tree house instead? That would be much more fun. Up there, away from prying eyes, we could getjiggyall afternoon in a tree house without anyone seeing us.”

“Kat, mind your language around the pups.”

“They’re asleep, they can’t hear me,” she grins, stroking her finger on the lines etched deep in his brow. “You know, we still have some time before the guys return,” she whispers. “And with all the shifting I’m doing to feed Evelyn, it’s sending my sex drive through the roof. Are you really going to play hard to get? If you were a wolf, you’d—”

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