Page 51 of Homecoming

“Hey, I’m the lucky one. I know this is hard for you after the way some of your friends reacted about you dating a non-wolf like me. But Amy, I love you so much. Today is going to be so good and I can’t wait for you to meet Kat—she’s going to love you just as much as I do.”

“I hope so, but I have to say, I’m more than a little nervous knowing how much she means to you. It feels a little odd. I mean, it’s not a normal situation to meet an ex-girlfriend in circumstances like this.”

“I keep telling you, she’s not an ex-girlfriend. Nothing ever happened between us except for a couple of kisses—it always felt wrong. We are meant to be friends. Here, let me get you some more champagne. Mrs. Forrester, would you like another glass of champagne?”

“Oh yes, please, honey. I’m now coming over.” She smiles with a tilt of her head as the other women surrounding her chatter among themselves. “Did I tell you ladies that the pack leader’s brother donated the champagne for the party?” She beams with pride. “It’s a very expensive one.”

“Mary-Lou,” a large woman sniffs, “is the pack leader really going to attend, or did you just say that to get us all excited?”

“Yeah, I heard the uh… the other guy. The tall dark one, the one that’s… well, you know, the…” she lowers her voice, “Darius. Is he going to come too?”

“Oh, I… I don’t know. I mean, I’m not sure exactly who Riley invited. But I’m sure it will all be fine. Don’t worry.”

“I have to say, Riley seems very nice for anon-shiftingshifter. Did you say he’s a fully qualified doctor?”

“Actually, he’s a gynecologist,” Mary-Lou smiles.

“Kat…areyoureadyto go?” Digby calls again as he and Noah stand waiting by the front door. “Kat,get your damn ass down these stairs now! Hell, I’mstarvin’, and I don’t want Bud to have cooked all those steaks before we even get there.”

“Wow!” Noah’s mouth drops as Kat finally heads down the stairs. She’s dressed in tight black cropped pants and a crisp white linen shirt tied at her waist allows a glimpse of the deep red satin bra to peep from underneath. “Holy moly, you look amazing.”

“Oh these old things… they’re nothing special, something I had in the closet and you know you’ve been hanging out with Marco too much,” she smiles. “I can’t believe I was finally able to get in these pants.”

“Aren’t they new? I thought I saw them in the bag on the bed. They still had a tag on them.” Digby frowns, his eyes skimming across the curve of her ass. “I mean, it doesn’tmatter.I like them,” he grins. “And Noah’s right, you lookfuckin’amazin’,” he kisses her cheek.

“Digby, mind my lip gloss.” Kat takes a deep breath and calls up to the twins. “Lukas… Luka… Will you two get down here right now? We’re ready to leave.”

“Kat, are you okay? Only, you seem a little nervous?” Digby laughs. “You are. You’re nervous about going to the freak-shifters party?”

“Will you stop that? And don’t you dare call him that today—even injest.And no, I’m not nervous, it’s just… okay, well, maybe just a little nervous. This is a big deal—meeting AmyandRiley’s parents. I don’t know if she’ll like me and I want this party to be perfect for him.”

“What?” Digby coughs. “Why won’t she like you? You’restunnin’.”

“It’s not the point of how I look—it’s a woman thing you wouldn’t understand. Riley’s my best friend and it's important his fiancé likes me. I don’t want any of that she-wolf jealousy bullshit going on.”

“You’ll be fine.” Noah kisses her cheek. “Just relax and enjoy the party.”

“Do you think I look fat in these? I mean, can you tell I’ve been working out or do you think maybe I should change my pants for a looser pair?”

“Kat, you look perfect. Hey, hey Lukas, slow down there, buddy!” Noah sighs as Lukas takes a tumble down the stairs. The wolf pup gets up, shakes his head, barks and skids along the ceramic tiles to the door.

“Lukas…” Kat yells, “I thought you were going as a boy? I left you an outfit to wear on the bed. Lukas, I said you’re not going out like that. Dammit Digby, tell him he needs to shift.”

“What? Kat, relax. If he wants to go like that, then let him. No one’s going to take any notice. He’s fine. Kat, he’s justbein’a pup.”

“Don’t worry, I have a spare pair of shorts in my pocket,” Noah smiles, “just in case he shifts when he sees the burgers.”

“You always come prepared,” Kat smiles as she reaches up and kisses Noah’s lips.

“Yeah, like some overgrown damn boy scout.” Digby sniffs. “Lukas,c’monbuddy, let’s getgoin’.” He opens the door and the small black pup scampers outside.

Kat turns around, watching as Luka slowly makes his way to the top of the stairs. “What is it, sweetie?”

“Kitty-cat… come.”

“No, you can’t take Kitty-cat with us. Helena is going to look after her and Evelyn so they can take a nap. Luka, she’ll be fine, so put her down and come here.” She looks around as Helena comes to the doorway.

“Hey, Mister Luka, come. Give Kitty-cat to me. I take good care of her. Now go play. The pups from the nursery will be waiting at the party and you don't want to miss out on cake, do you?”

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