Page 36 of Homecoming

“Uh no. No thanks. But I do need a serious word with you?”

“Sure thing… Hey, you sort that little hottie out? Wow, does she have one helluva temper… I really wouldn’t wanna get on the wrong side of that, right?”

“Yeah, that’s kinda why I’m here.I did—I did get on the wrong side of her and that’s why I’m gonna need you to leave.”

“Leave? You want us to leave here? Okay sure, as I told you… as soon as the road opens up, we’re gone.”

“Uh no… I mean I need you to leave sooner than that—like tonight.”

“Tonight? Ohc’mon, you can’t be serious? You can see for yourselves they’re not exactly in the best of condition to be moving anywhere right now. I tell you what, you give us another day and we’ll beouttayour hair for good.”

“I know what you’resayin’but sorry… I still need you to leave.”

“No, I think I see. She’s been chewing your balls, right? She notputtin’out after the events of earlier? Hey, that’s all taken care of now. No hard feelings—at least not to you. I know it wasn’t your fault and I know what it’s like when you get disobeyed. You gotta stamp your foot down hard on that shit. Don’t take anybull-crapfrom anyone. You got a wholelottaalpha wolf still goin' onin that vamp, and I know how hard it must be for you to go against that, but you gotta rememberyouare the pack leader—not him. You want my advice…” Mikah slides an arm around Digby’s neck, “put that little bitch back in her place too. Trust me, you’ll pay for it later down the road if you don’t. I’ve done this for a long time and I know what it takes to be a true leader. You my man, have definitely got it, but...” he grins, “you really gotta keep your finger on the pulse. Make sure they all damn well know you’re in control—let them know that what you says goes.”

“Do you really think I’ve got what it takes?Cuzyou know, right now, it sure don’t feel that way.”Digby takes a breath, “So you’ll leave then? Just like I asked you to.”

“Yeah, yeah sure… Tomorrow, just like you asked,” Mikah smiles.

“No, I said tonight.”

“Yeah, but you also said you could see they weren’t up to moving tonight. A good pack leader could see that’s not possible—I mean, you’re not stupid, right? Anyway, why spoil a good party? You don’t wanna be known as the party-pooper, do you?”

“I guess not,” Digby sighs. “Okay, so we agree and you’ll go at first light?”

“First light—sure, you got it. First light, we’ll pack it up and be gone. Now, are you sure you don’t want another drink?”

“Uh, no. No, I just need those two.” He gestures his hand toward the sleeping heap that is Bud and Oz. “We need to get back to the house. Mikah, thanks for being sounderstandin’. Hey, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. It’s just Kat… well, she’s been through a lot recently and gets a little anxious around the pups. I know that’s not your fault but I have to do this and make things right.”

“Hey… hormones, I get it. Yeah, I know how temperamental bitches can be just after they’ve given birth. There'snohardfeelin’s, from me,” Mikah grins. “I hope you get it all sorted—but seriously, you need to assert some authority back into that pack. It’s a nice little setup you gotgoin’on here, you need to keep it that way.”

“We like it.C’monZak, grab Bud and Oz and well go back and get some sleep.”

BudandOzfollowDigby and Zak inside the hall as they return to the quiet of the house.

Taking a cigar from the box on the dresser, Digby watches the rest of the boys as they trudge up the stairs to their beds while he returns to the kitchen. Opening the refrigeratordoor,he grabs another two bottles of beer from inside and takes them with him as he plods slowly back to the lounge.

Stepping out through the open double doors to the garden Digby takes a deep breath and fills his lungs with the cool night air. As he takes a moment he notices the tall silent figure standing alone in the dark.

Darius, his arms folded across his chest, stands quietly with his back to the house.

“Do you want one?” Digby offers forward a bottle of beer as the two men stare at each other. “What’re youdoin’out here?”

“Keeping an eye on them.” Darius gestures to where Luna is laid in the grass. The wolf curled asleep as she feeds the small pup hidden beneath the thick fluff of her fur. The pair are almost unseen under a bush at the side of the house except that Noah is also in the garden and slumped in a reclined lounger, he has his feet up and his hand is rested on the she wolf’s back.

“Is he asleep?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Darius turns around and looks at Digby. “So, did you get rid of them?”

“Uh… yeah, they’repackin’up. They’ll be gone soon.”

“Good. Digby, I just wanted to say, I’m sorry. I really don’t know what to say about all this. I knew nothing and still don’t even know how she thinks it’s possible.”

“Seems crazy, right?” Digby sighs. “I mean, it’s the stuff you hear in legends and fairy tales. Hell, I’ve seen a few movies about it with humans and heard the odd drunken wolf tale, but I just thought it was fiction. Do you really think it’s true? Do you think it’s even possible?”

“I have no idea, but Kat seems convinced.”

“Is sheconvinced,or is it just wishfulthinkin’? That she wants the pup to be yours?”

---