Page 62 of Homecoming

“Oh we weren’t married back then. Mary-Lou was still young; her parents didn’t have jobs. She was forced to give him up—for the good of the pack.”

“Oh my God, Frank that’s awful… I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay, we’ve learned to live with it and of course we eventually had Amy—that was a blessing. Amy has herself a good man there, even if he is a shifter. She loves him very much, which is the most important thing. I get a feeling he’s stronger than he looks and the fact you chose him as a friend and your pack seem happy to have him around, that’s good enough for me.”

“You’ve been here a long time, Frank? At the commune I mean.”

“All of my lifetime. I’ve seen a helluva lot of changes and I have to say, this is the first time I feel like the change in pack leader might be good for the commune. Darius does a good job.”

“Oh, Darius is not—”

“I know all about Darius and what he is but in my eyes that doesn’t stop him from being a good pack leader—despite what anyone else might say about him. Oh sure, he’s made mistakes in his life, but he paid for them. What he’s done here since he came back—erasing the evil that went on—that’s good in my book. Your wolf, Digby… he’ll grow into the role. He’s young and still likes to have fun but it'll come in time. I have to say the ranger being here, that was a bit of a curve ball. I didn’t even know they still existed. I thought they’d all given the mountains up long ago. But... the important thing is for you to be happy.”

“Frank, what you said about the land—about the fires. Do you really think that’s true?”

“Oh, I know it’s true. But, like I told you, I can’t prove it. Sorry, I should get some food. Mary-Lou has had way too much champagne. She needs something to eat to soak some of it up.” He smiles. “I love that woman to the core of her soul but fueled with liquor, it's not such a good thing.”

Kat smiles as she watches him. “She certainly seems to be enjoying herself.”

“Oh, she’s enjoying it. She finally gets to have one up on thosesnidesfrom her craft group. You’d think Amy was marrying royalty the way she carries on. That's why I have to keep reminding her Riley’s not actually related to the pack leader.”

“No, but Riley’s as much part of my family as anyone else in it. I love him dearly. Amy has a really good man there. I hope she’ll make him happy where I couldn’t.”

“Oh, I think you have more than enough on your plate and…” Frank picks up the dish of food and whispers against her ear, “whichever one of them the red satin is for, tell him he’s a very lucky wolf.”

Kat giggles a smile. “Well, he’s not here to see it right now but I’ll be sure and let him know. And Frank… I’ll see if we can get some more help for the fire crews. I’ll speak to Darius and tell him about your suspicions.”

“That would be good. This pack needs to be prepared. It needs to be stronger now than ever before. I feel like something is coming. There’s a change in the wind and the pack will need to be strong to deal with it. Darius might just save his soul yet.”

Kat frowns watching as Frank heads back across the grass to rejoin the rest of the group. Still curious as to what he meant, she's lost in her thoughts and as she sips slowly from the glass of vodka-laced juice, she turns andbumps with the woman behind. “Oh, I'm sorry... Alana! Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s okay,” the blonde smiles. “Kat, while I have you alone, I think I should apologize for earlier—when we first met. I know I may have seemed a little abrupt. That was rude of me but believe me I didn’t mean to be. It was just me being protective of Riley.”

“I know and if I were you, then I’d blame me for what happened to him too. Sorry... I don't mean to be rude but I need to go. I have to try to make up with Darius… he’s really angry with me right now and I need to smooth things over.”

“Darius? He’s not coming, here today?”

“No, it's rare for him to do family gatherings on this scale. Oh, it’s not that he doesn’t like Riley—he likes him a lot. It’s just this whole meet and greet, it’s much more Digby’s style.”

“Must be tough for you to juggle three men and three pups all at the same time. You must be exhausted. I have enough trouble with just one man, let alone three alpha wolves.”

“Riley told you about that?” Kat frowns.

“Oh we talk about everything—well most things,” she coughs. “Kat, if you… if you ever feel the need to talk to someone then… I’m here. It’s just Riley said…”

“I’m fine. Really. Thanks for asking but I’m good.”

“Okay, well cards on the table. Riley asked me to talk with you, about maybe having a session or two, away from here.”

“Professional help? Oh, I don’t think so. I have everyone here helping me. I don’t need therapy.”

“But maybe you do—I know Riley seems to think so. Perhaps despite all the attention you have, maybe you’re lonely. Maybe you don’t have anyone to talk through your problems with. Perhaps I could be your sounding board? It would all be totally confidential—hell, I wouldn’t risk my license,” she smiles. “But I think Riley might be right, it would do you some good.”

“Riley said I need help from a shrink? Well, I don’t. I told you I'm fine. I’m actually trying to get back on the team right now and I don’t need anyone’s help.”

“Kat, please…” Alana grabs at her arm. “Okay, well if not a session then how about a coffee? We can meet up in the city away from here and just talk. I’ll listen and if I don’t think you need any help, I’ll tell Riley you’re fine. Kat, he’s worried about you and when he’s worried, I’m worried. So please…” she hands her a business card, “call me. It’s just a coffee.”

“Okay, I'll think about it,” Kat smiles. “Oh, shit…” she looks as the phone rings again. “Sorry, I have to go. We will catch up soon, but right now, I really need to sort this out.” Kat turns and places the phone to her ear, “Darius… Darius, wait. No, I can explain all that.”

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