Page 52 of Homecoming

Luka slowly heads down the stairs, holding the banister rail tightly with each step before hereluctantlyhands the small kitten to Helena. She smiles and kisses his head. “I look after her.”

“Helena,” Kat looks up, “I’ve left milk in the refrigerator for when Evelyn wakes and I’ll see you in a while, just as we discussed earlier?”

“Sure,” Helena winks. “Now go enjoy the party.”

“Okay, are you two ready now?” Digby asks.

“Yeah, I guess, but I still wish Darius would come with us. I don’t like leaving him here alone. I really wanted us to all go together.”

“He’ll come later when he’s ready. You know familygatherin’s are not his thing.C’mon…” Digby straightens his shirt, smoothing it down. “Let’s get this thing started.”

“You’re enjoying this,” Kat laughs as Digby stands tall, preening himself in the hall mirror.

“No. I just… Well, I gotta look the part, right? All those people arewaitin’to see the pack leader. So, let’s give ‘em a pack leader,” he smiles.

“Digby, this is Riley’s engagement party, not a meet and greet for you,” Noah frowns.

“Hey, I’ll have you know, having the pack leader attend your party is still a really big deal to some of those folks. I have to be… well, you know,lookin’like I’m a pack leader.”

“Man,” Kat laughs, “talk about feeding your own ego today. Have Zak and QT gone already?” Kat looks up the stairs and listens.

“Uh, yeah… Zak went to help Bud and Oz setup the barbecue and QT went to meet Quinn.”

“Is that something we should be encouraging? QT and Quinn?”

“Oh, they’re just friends. Kat, it’s okay, he’s justhelpin’QT with some medical stuff for his exams. Don’t worry, Zak will sort it out.”

“Well, you better hope he does. They really need to make up, and soon because I, for one, can’t stand the atmosphere and QT’s been so miserable lately.”

“Yeah, Zak too.”

“Well, I guess it’s down to us to play matchmaker today.” She smiles as she links her arm through Noah’s and the other through Digby’s. Taking a deep breath, she glances down the corridor at the closed office door. “Alright, let’s go.”

Rileynervouslysipshisbeer as he notices Kat walking across the grass towards him, arm in arm with both Digby and Noah.

“Amy they’re her.” He nudges his fiancé and slides an arm around her waist.

“Oh lord… so what do I do now?”

“Smile, honey,” her mother straightens her dress, “andstopfidgeting. Oh my... he is so handsome,” she mutters under her breath. “I can’t believe arealpack leader is at my own daughter’s engagement.” She beams a proud smile and looks smugly at her disbelieving friends, who are all silenced as they watch Digby, Kat, and Noah approach.

“Kat,” Riley steps forward and kisses her cheek, “you made it.”

“Of course. You know I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

“Let me introduce you to everyone. This… this is Amy, my fiancée,” he grins.

“Amy, I’m so pleasedto meetyou at long last,” Kat offers her hand. “Riley has told me so much about you and it’s good to put a face to the name. You’re right, she’s beautiful, andthat dress is so pretty.”

“I… I uh… Oh my gosh, I’m so nervous but I’m so pleased to meet you too.” There’s a cough as her mother nudges Amy’s elbow. “Oh sorry… this is my mother, Mary-Lou, and next to her is my father, Frank Forrester.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Mary-Lou shakes first Kat’s, followed by Noah’s hand. Then, as Digby steps forward, she beams a smile and curtsies. “Sir, I’m honored to have you here today.”

“Uh… oh, that’s okay. And you don’t really need to do that. It’s nice to meet you all too. Actually, would you mind if I just go check on my steak? I don’t want Bud to let them all go.”

“Oh, of course… please don’t let us hold you up. We’re just honored you had time to come. I know running the pack must keep you so busy, but before you go, I’d just like to extend a big thank you for coming and also to your brother for donating the champagne—it was very generous of him. I wish he was here, and I could have thanked him personally for the gift.”

“Yeah well, that’s Rhys—so damn generous,” Digby sighs. “Though I amwonderin’what in the hell he wants for it?”

---