Page 63 of Homecoming

Alana stands silent as Matthew places his hand on her shoulder and rubs gently. “You tried baby, and that’s what Riley asked you to do. Now it’s up to her.”

“Yeah… You know maybe we should go? We could take one of those bottles of champagne home—for when we play wolf later?” she smiles.

“Oh, but I haven’t had one of those burgers yet and they smell so mouthwateringlydelicious. Let’s get one first.Oh my God…” Matthews’s chin drops as he watches the tall dark-haired stranger stride across the lawn with a small silver-gray pup tucked against his chest. “That’s him isn’t it?” he swallows nervously. “That’s Mr.I’ll-know-him-when-I-see-him, right?”

“Matthew please, let’s just go home. We don’t need to be here now. We’ve said our hellos. We could tell Riley you’re on call—you have your pager? You never go without it so… Matthew,” she turns to where he’s staring.

“Fuck. He’s huge. And yeah, I can definitely see the attraction—I guess. Okay, uh… yeah maybe you’re right, maybe we should leave.”

“Matthew, please remember, he was a long time ago and I’mreallynot interested in him now. Please baby,” Alana kisses his cheek, “let’s go home. Forget the wolf outfit, I could do myspecialshift instead.”

“Thespecialone? Oh… okay,” he grins. “Now you have my attention. Okay, I’ll grab the champagne, you say our goodbyes and then we’ll head off. But please… please could I just grab one of those burgers first? I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Okay, but be quick I’m feeling really turned on now. Maybe we could even stop—in the forest on the way home?”

“Okay, forget the champagne… I’m getting the burger then we’re gone.”

Alana smiles and kissing him passionately she then heads across the lawn towards Riley. Looking back, she watches as Matthew makes his way to the grill and with a loud sigh, she takes a breath. “Riley honey, I’m so sorry but your father’s just been paged and we have to leave.”

“Oh mom… but I really wanted to show you the house. I tell you what, how about Amy and I follow you back and we could stop on the way out—the big house is up near the entrance, anyway. It won’t take long but I really want you to see it—we both do.”

“Okay, sure. I’ll just grab your father before he gets too distracted by the barbecue?”

“Mom, are you okay?” Riley frowns.

“I’m fine honey. Mr. and Mrs. Forrester, it was really nice to meet you. I’m sorry we have to leave like this but maybe you can come over to our place one afternoon for tea?”

“That would be lovely dear. And it was very nice to meet you too. It was so nice to see Riley has such good parents because I have to say, I was more than a little concerned about this union—given the circumstances. The differences between us, if you know what I mean? But I can see you’ve raised him right. We’ll be very happy to welcome you all into our family.”

“Thank you. That’s appreciated and we really will talk again soon,” Alana air kisses her cheek. “Oh and Riley, I spoke with Kat like you asked me to.”

“Did she take you up on the offer?”

“She’s thinking it over. But you’re right, I think she does need to talk to someone. I can sense she has a lot of things bottled up in that head of hers. But unless she’s willing to talk, I don’t know what else I can do. I know how special she is to you but you need to concentrate on Amy now. I just wish you’d have let us help buy you a place in the city. You could have been a consultant at the hospital by now and…”

“Mom, we talked about this. This place is our home now. I’m happy here. I really feel like I belong and that I’m accepted into the pack. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Things are changing and the pack is a lot more accepting now.C’mon, let’s go rescue dad from the burgers then we’ll show you the new house.”

Riley frowns as he watches Kat and Darius in their continued argument across the grass by the edge of the forest.

“Hey Dad… Zak… so what’s going on over there?Is everything okay?”

“It will be. Oh, it’snothin’. Kat left Evelyn with Darius and I don’t think he’s very happy about it.”

“Oh, right…” Riley watches as Darius gesticulates and Kat clings tight to the small silver pup in her arms.

“Hey Riley,” Matthew turns around the burger wrapped in a paper napkin as he takes another large bite. “Mm—mm…these burgers are delicious. I don’t know what’s in them, but they taste divine.”

“Elk,” Noah smiles. “My special recipe. It’s fresh, I caught it yesterday. You just take the best side of elk, add some chopped wild herbs, and dice up an apple to sweeten the strong flavor of the meat. Elk burgers are my favorite.”

“Elk?” Matthew swallows slowly. “Wow… I don’t think I’ve ever eaten elkbefore. That’s certainly an…interestingchoice for a burger.”

“I know and it tastes so good,” Noah smiles.

“Yeah, I have to say when I get past theelkthing, they do taste pretty good. What’s going on over there? Are they arguing about something?”

“I can’t really say but I think it has something to do with Kat and the fact she left Evelyn, her pup, with Darius and I don’t think he’s happy about it.”

“Well, I guess not. Alpha wolves are not known for being great with pups. Anyway, why would she leave a pup with him of all people?”

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