Page 69 of Homecoming

“But I can be. I’ve already been working out some and with Luna’s strength now we're more ‘at one’ with each other. Itwill really help.”

“Kat, I’m sorry baby. If I could give you more time, I would, but I already told you Edwards is kicking my ball sack on this. He’s keen for me to accept one of the shifter medics on a permanent basis, so I really don’t have any choice.”

“It’s okay, I understandandI told you I’ll do it—I’ll show you all that I can do it.” She stands up, takes a breath, and kisses Digby followed by Darius on the cheek. “Now you all stay safe out there.”

“Kat…” Darius calls her back, “could you call Rhys for me this morning and get him to postpone the architect? Tell him it can’t be helped and I’ll re-arrange when I get back. He wouldn't answer his damn phone to me earlier.”

“Okay, I’ll be sure and let him know.” She smiles as Darius leans forward and kisses her with a long, lingering stare.

“Thank you,” he grins. “And…thank you for last night—it was great.” He whispers against her ear as he strokes a hand on her throat and brushes her cheek.

“You need to get going.” She smiles and returns one final kiss.

“Alright guys, get yourassin gear and let's get out of here,” Darius snarls.

“You heard the man… let’s wind it up.” Digby grabs Kat’s face in his hands and kisses her slowly. He growls as an overpowering waft of her scent fills his nostrils. “I will see you soon and when I get back, I promise we’ll work on that fitness.”

When the final flurry of activity calms and the chorus of their goodbye fades down the hall, Kat sits on the stool in silence and now left alone in the kitchen, she becomes aware of the mewling cry from the kitten sitting on the stone floor in front of her.

“Hey there you,” she smiles.

Helena bustles back into the room with a large basket of laundry under her arm. “Oh, Mrs. Kat, I forget to tell you. Mister Darius, he says the cat, she gotta go.”

“Yeah, well, he’s probably right… a cat won’t exactly fit in living here with a pack of wolves. I guess it might be better if we find her a proper home. I’ll deal with it when I get back from feeding Evelyn. Just don’t tell Luka yet. Speaking of Luka, did Noah take the boys with him?”

“Yeah, yeah. They all went with Mister Noah, early this morning.”

“Okay, I’ll catch up with them. Helena, thanks. It’s so great having you here with us.”

“No worries Mrs. Kat. I like being here with you all too.”

“Wow!Noah, this is amazing!” Kat smiles as she watches himatthe top of the ladder, sawing one of the large wooden log roof struts. “You’ve gotten so much more done than the last time I was here.”

“Yeah. Digby got Zak and the guys to give me a hand and so I was able to get the uprights in place much more quickly. And I’ve been getting up at sunrise and working until late to finish it. I just have the roof to do today, but I should have most of that done by sunset.”

“The guys got recalled back to base. They just left but I don’t know how long they’ll be gone for.”

“Okay,” Noah grins. “And are you alright with that?”

“I guess so. I was just thinking that might be me soon, right? Rushing off full of excitement—adrenaline pumping.”

Noah descends the ladder and puts down the saw. As he wipes the sweat from his forehead, he strokes Kat’s hair away from her face and frowns. “Did Darius agree to you having your place back?”

“Not exactly ‘have it back’,’but he did say I could try out. Only problem is, I don’t think there’s enough time for me to increase my fitness level. I only have a month.”

“You’ll do it. If you want it enough, I know you will,” he smiles.

“Are you okay about me doing it—about me going back on the team?”

“Of course I am. If that’s what you really want?”

“I guess it is,” Kat sighs and looks down at the pup in her arms. “Is it okay if I stay here and feed Evelyn while you work?”

“Kat, you don't even have to ask that. Of course it’s okay. I love watching you feed her. I tell you what, I’ll take a break, put some water on the fire for coffee and come sit with you.”

“Noah, I really wish… I wish Evelyn could shift.” A solitary tear wets Kat’s cheek as she stares at the resting pup. “I’d love to feed her in human form in my arms like this, just to know how it feels. The boys, I only got moments before they were gone from me.”

“Kat, I’m so sorry, but trust me, she knows you love her. You have to know that.”

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