Page 45 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!

Before I can knock on the door, it opens, and Bella gives me a massive smile. “Hello, Alpha Adira. I was just going to work. Can I help you in any way?”

“No. I just wanted to check you liked the cottage and everything was as you would like.”

“Oh, the cottage is lovely. I like the fact it’s small and not a lot of rooms to clean,” closing the door behind her and stepping closer. “I don’t want to spend all my spare time cleaning. I want to make friends, get into this training that’s happening, and meet the children. I’ve got my eye on your Papa, too. He’s a good man, who sadly had a horrible mate.”

Now, I’m shocked, and it must show because Thorn chuckles as Bella laughs. “You are interested in my Papa?” I must sound like an idiot, but I can’t help it as I’ve never given my Papa having someone else a thought.

“Oh, yes. He’s one heck of a good shifter, and his wolf Radar is scrummy, well my wolf Caila thinks so. She keeps saying second chance mate, but I’ve not been able to get near enough to Earnest to check.”

A giggle builds from deep in my chest and crawls up my throat until it pops out of my mouth. It builds until I’m full on laughing and have to hold my knees as tears run down my cheeks.

“What’s so funny?” Bella asks with some indignation.

“Bella, if you could have been with my Papa instead of the witch he was with, my life would have been amazing. Instead, he suffered with her, and so did I. But to top it all we had to put up with Joliee too.”

“Well, Joliee is his daughter.” Bella is looking at me questioningly.

“Is she? Because I’m not sure. I saw my Papa in pain at times and my suspicion was Moma was not faithful.” We are at the front of the café, and I give Bella a smile. “If you need my blessing, youhave it. Make him happy. He’s not my real father as in blood, but he has been my father in my heart.”

Admitting that, even to myself, tells me I can forgive him for being weak where his mate was concerned. Bowing down to her and demeaning his own self-worth.

Jenni opens the café door and grabs hold of Bella. “Come on, we need you now.”

Before either I or Bella can say anything else, she is dragged through the door and I look at Thorn, who is still shadowing me.

“That’s going to be fun to watch, Alpha Adira. Do you want to take a bet how long before they get together?”

“Not likely, Thorn. The first time they touch, it’ll be all over apart from the mating.” I laugh and turn back toward the farmhouse, all the time thinking my Papa is in for a shock because Bella is a dynamo and she’ll have him whipped into shape and all loved up before he knows it.

Chapter 23

*Adira*

Yesterday was so busy that when I eventually got into bed, I went to sleep as soon as my head touched the pillow. I know today is going to be busy too, as I’m going to meet Alpha James on his pack border. From there, we will cross his land and enter the Strongbow territory. Nobody seems to know what we will find when we get there, but whatever it is, we will face it head on.

‘It is home to us if we want it to be. But we cannot be Alpha here and there. We may have to choose which we want.”

“Yeah, Blue, I know,” I reply with trepidation. I would love to live in the land of my forefathers, but I have my roots here now. It’s going to be a hard choice.

‘I feel something good is going to happen today!’

“What do you think is going to happen?” I ask Blue, but she shakes herself in the back of my mind before sitting on her haunches.

‘Don’t know, Adira. But feel something is about to happen, and change our course.’

Frowning as I think about what she has said, I admit to myself that she’s making me nervous. Whenever she has these kinds of feelings, something happens, changes, or shocks us. “Blue, we’ll see what happens, and be ready for anything!”

Little did I know what was about to happen!

Arak finds me pouring myself a juice I’d found in the fridge. I’m finding some interesting things these days that Robbie is making or experimenting. Yesterday he made a peanut butter cake, and it was exceptional, but the day before whatever he was supposed to make went into the garbage can, it was disgusting.

“Alpha Adira, I just wanted to inform you that the three bedrooms are all done. I can look at yours if you want me to?”

“Oh, Arak, that is great to hear. But, I’ve been thinking about the new pack members that keep arriving. Do you think you could roam around town and look at each empty building? If you think they are repairable, then maybe we could purchase them and get them ready for new arrivals?” I watch the thoughts flying across his face, then he must decide on something as he nods, turns and heads right out of the back door without another word.

Shaking my head at Arak rushing out, I turn and look out of the window. That’s when I see Papa laughing along with Robbie. I smile to myself because Papa does not know what is about to come his way.

Mavis walks into the kitchen, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Adira, the bank has sent you a confirmation letter that all legalities are done. They are satisfied with the report and they fast-tracked the account into your name.”

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