Page 43 of Homecoming

“Hm… Oh, I can see that you are going to be a very,verybad wolf. Now come here wolf…” he smiles.

Watching as he places the weighted axe on the ground, Kat backsawayready to run. Noah gives chaseandcatching her easily, he pulls her into his arms, leans forward and drops a passionate kiss against her lips. The large velvet hood on the robe drops over his head and covers them both. “Mm… this makes a good kissing cloak,” Noah murmurs in her ear.

“Um-hm, it does.” She smiles and pulls the fabric more tightly around his neck.

“Are you being averybad wolf and trying to eat me?” Noah groans as they kiss.

“Maybe,” Kat laughs as she slides her hand down his torso to between his legs.

“Well, that sounds delightful.” He pulls her close, the taste of her turning him on. “Wait… where are the pups? Don’t you have to get back to them?”

“Do you want me to go already?” she questions with a smile. “Noah, they’re fine. Don’t worry, I haven’t left them alone.”

“I didn’t imagine you had, but I really need to get on with my work. After all, a cabin won’t build itself.”

“I thought maybe I could help you with yourwood?” she laughs. “Helena’s looking after Evelyn. I left some milk in case I didn’t get back for a while and the boys have just started at daycare.”

Noah steps back, staring at her. “Did you say daycare? Did you take them to Rosie’s nursery? But when we talked about that, you said—”

“Yeah, I know what I said, but I figured you were right, ifI am going to start training again, the pups will need outside care. The sense of routine may help Lukas to settle down and, in time, perhaps Luka might not be so clingy when he gets used to being there. It will make them less dependent on me.”

“And you took them toRosie’snursery? The same Rosie that you said…”

“I know what I said, but I also know that I have to make compromises and if I were to get my place back on the team, I need to know they’re being cared for, right?”

“Right. I mean, I have no problem with it, but did you tell Digby?”

“Not yet. I need to speak to him and Darius when they return. I figured if I could get in a few days’ training and come up with a plan for the pups, they might take my request to rejoin the team more seriously.”

“Sounds like a good plan. And once the cabin is done, I’ll be around more to help take care of them, too. I think… well, I’ve decided… I’m not going to stay at the club. I really appreciate Rhys giving me the work, but it’s not exactly my thing and that new guy he hired—the one who workedthebar—heseems to have got the club security in hand while I’ve been away. I thought I might focus on my furniture andcrafts,which means I’ll be onsite to care for the pups and look after the cat,” he smiles.

“Yeah, that damn cat. You do know Luka is having long conversations with it now? I tried to tell him the cat doesn’t understand but… he seems really taken with it. He even put it in his bag for nursery and when I told him he had to leave it behind, he cried. Helena told him she’d take care of it until he gets home and he seemed okay with that. He’s been asking for Digby a lot more, too. I’m considering that he might need some help—a psychologist or something. What do you think?”

“I think you just need to give him time. He was fine while he stayed with meatthe mountain. We read a lot and his speech really progressed. He’s truly ahead for his age.”

“Yeah, wolf pups develop faster than human children. They grow fast and learn quickly. It’s an instinct thing—they need to survive in their surroundings. Do you really think he’ll be okay?”

“I think he’ll be fine. He just needs to know people are around for him. The cat… well, she’s like his security blanket.”

“What did Darius say when you asked him about keeping the cat?”

“I didn’t exactly have time to tell him about it yet. But I will,” Noah smiles. “You know, I’m not afraid of Darius. I actually quite like him. He’s direct but makes good decisions.”

“I don’t want you to be afraid.” Kat looks up and smiles as she strokes her hand on his chest. “SoRed… do you want to show me yourwoodwhile we have this time alone?”

“You’re up to doing that? I mean, do you feel physically ready?”

“I feel fine. You know, I think everything is going to be okay. The whole situation with Evelyn had me rattled, but I’m beginning to relax since we got back. This cabin, the house, it feels like everything is finally going to be alright.”

“It is.” Noah kisses her hard and, as his hand slides down her body, he unbuttons her shirt.

Kat groans at the roughness of his hand brushing against the smooth skin of her breastandstaring deep into his eyes, she smiles. The strong musk of his sweat fills hernostrilsandshetakes a deep breath and sniffs.Then,pulling her shorts down, Kat stands naked in front of Noah and pressing her body to his, her fingers glide slowly across the firm taut muscles of his bare chest.

Kissing her passionately, Noah brushes the tips of his fingers lightly over her skin, as Kat slides her hand between his legs.

“Come on,” his deep voice whispers from beneath the hood of the cloak. “What's the big bad wolf going to teach me today?” He smilesandtaking her by thehandhe leads Kat towards thesoft patch of grass behind them.

“Oh, I don’t think there’s anything I need to teach you now. I think you’ve learned everything you need to know.”

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