Chapter 37
Chapter 37 Homing
Thea went all out for the wee home party for the pack members returning from their military
service. Now that she knew they had gone into the military to join her protection detail, she felt even
more obligated to make them feel appreciated. Signs were made and ced outside as well as inside
the pack house.
“You Belong Here.”
“ Wee Home.”
“d You’re Back.”
“We’re Proud of You.”
She oversaw the preparation of their individual rooms in the pack house. Even though it made her
ufortable, and she was sure she would end up disappointing them all, she understood that they
saw her as some kind of demi-god, savior, or angel incarnate.
She knew being in their rooms and leaving her scent there would mean a lot to them. Proof that this
person they think the world of had been there, thinking of them. She didn’t believe she was whatever
they thought she was, but she knew they venerated her. It was the least she could do to repay the time
they’d put into keeping her safe. ￠
She made sure their closets were stocked with clothes. She found out their favorite colors, styles, and
had the rooms decorated to suit them.
She put a wee basket in each of their rooms with foods they didn’t get to eat overseas. Toiletries—
if their preferred was known, that’s what she put in—if not, something nice.
A nice grooming kit for their trademark clean-cut looks. Apad of stationery and a fancy pen with their
name on it. On the first page of each pad, Thea wrote “Bucket List” at the top. She put a sticky note on
it and wrote: “Write down all the things you want to do now that you’re home. We’ll do our best to make
them happen.”
She encouraged all the pack members to do something—writing a note of thanks, or “d to have you
home,” or something personal if they knew the returning soldier. Those notes went in their rooms as
well. Some were sticky notes she put on their walls.
She dedicated a wall in the Dining Hall to the returning soldiers. The four fresh from the military—
Anders, Shaw, Channing, and Kurt— and the men doing private investigation, security, and
bodyguarding — Dolf, Can, Dillon, Ryker, Ethan, and Garrin. She put up a picture of each of them,
surrounded by remembrances of each one. Nice things people have said about them. Anyone could
add to it. She was d so many people had nice things to contribute. She didn’t remember much about
them.
She continued researching goddess gifts, matebond info, doing her school homework, and reading
rtionship books. She started leaving little gifts, notes, or surprises around for the triplets to find. She
had Lizzy stick love notes she’d written beforehand in their lockers. She rubbed the notes against her
neck so the triplets could smell her scent on them.
On the day the soldiers returned, the whole pack dressed up. Adults wore nice clothes to show respect.
The kids dressed up as their favorite superheroes to show the returning soldiers that’s how they saw
them. They prepared an outdoor banquet, so they could shift freely and run around the woods at their
leisure.
The pack waited for the men to arrive. Finally a convoy pulled up. The men got out of the vehicles to
roaring apuse, howls, and shouts of “ Wee home!”
Alpha Ulric and Luna Ada received each man with a handshake and a hug. As the future leaders, the
triplets were next to their parents in the receiving line.
Now that they knew these men weren’t just elite soldiers for the pack but intended to be part of the
team that protected their mate, they had a bigger interest in them. Were they good enough to be on the
team? Did they care enough? If so, how do they best honor them and keep them motivated? The men
knew they had to impress and prove themselves too. A lot was going on in each handshake and
greeting.
Thea wasst in the receiving line next to the triplets, representing her absent parents and as the
assumed future Luna. When the first returning soldier got to her, he froze. She could tell he wanted to
kneel before her, but she didn’t let him.
“Anders,” she said, recognizing him from the pictures she’d hung. She held out her hand.
He looked at her outstretched hand like it was the Holy Grail, and he would burst into mes if he
touched it. She felt the burden of all the time they devoted to her, sacrificing so much of their own lives
for a cause they believed in. It weighed heavy on her shoulders, especially since she didn’t think that
cause was real.
Now wasn’t the time to burst their bubbles. They were proud right now. They were being weed
home as heroes. She had to act the part. She bit back the dread that she would greatly disappoint
these men.
She reached with her other hand, grabbed Anders’ wrist, and guided his hand into hers. She gripped
his hand firmly with both of hers and shook it. She noticed he seemed to get taller and stand straighter.
“On behalf of my parents and myself, thank you for your service,” Thea said.
“Wee home.” He looked at her with adoration in his eyes, like deigning to speak to him had made
thest decade worth it. She hoped he didn’t see the guilt in her face.
“Thank you, Luna. It’s good to be back,” Anders said, a huge smile growing on his face. She couldn’t
help but smile back at the pure joy he emanated.
“I can already feel the energy of the pack strengthening me.”
Was that why he seemed to grow taller? Just being back in your pack gave you a breath of life? How
difficult it must have been being away thest eight years.
Then it was the next man’s turn. Anders reluctantly let go of the hand he didn’t think he’d be lucky
enough to hold again. He was sure the boost of energy he received came from her.
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The greetings went about the same for the rest of the men, until thest man, Garrin.
After her greeting, Garrin smiled big and kept her hand in his.
“Last time I saw you, you were only this tall,” Garrin said. He put his other hand out at hip level.
“You must have been only five or six years old. Now, look at you. Little Thea, our future Luna, all grown
up and about to shift. I hear you’re quite the fighter.”
“I train,” Thea said.
“Can’t wait to see it.”
She smiled, and Alpha Ulric put a hand on Garrin’s shoulder. Garrin let go of her hand.
“Let the festivities begin!” Alpha Ulric called out to the crowd. He pushed Garrin forward into the waiting
crowd.
“Let’s get these men some food!” The triplets each took their spot at Thea’s side.
“You hungry?” ric said.
“Always,” Thea said.
She had the kitchen prepare all the men’s favorite dishes, plus staples from all the major holidays they
missed over the past decade. It was a strangebination of foods on the banquet tables, but
everyone enjoyed everything.
Lizzy found Thea and the triplets in the crowd.
“You look so good in that dress,” Lizzy said.
“ Elegant but unassuming. I have excellent taste.” Lizzy had picked out a long-sleeved, A-line, off- the-
shoulder, asymmetrical cocktail dress made of burgundy chiffon andce for Thea.
“Thank you for getting something appropriate for the asion and all your extra help this week
preparing for this,” Thea said. She leaned in for a hug.
“That’s my job,” Lizzy said, smiling.
Theaughed.
Thea’s security detail nked her. They officially doubled the men on her, but every member of the
Delta team kept their eyes on her that night.
They were worried it would be easy for her to disappear in the crowd, but the triplets didn’t take their
hands off her the entire night, so they worried for nothing.
Overall, everyone had a great time celebrating. Wolves ran around, shifted to their human forms to eat
and talk, then went back out in the woods in their wolf form. People stayed outte into the night.