Chapter 176

Michael POV

I'm making my way up the road that leads to the main pack house, where all of the single wolves live. My family's home is off to the side. Right now, my parents live there, along with my oldest brother and his mate. My other brother is in the main pack house, since he hasn't found his mate yet. They've just finished our house, which is right down the road from my parents. The two plots in between are for my brothers, once they want a home of their own. My older brother James and his mate want to wait till next year to build. They have held off having children for now, as James is often away, training to take over for my father.

Little cottages are scattered throughout the trees. Children are running around playing, seemingly without a care in the world. I watch as a woman comes out of one of the cottages to yell at two boys who are throwing pine cones at each other. The pine cones were hitting her kitchen window. One of the boys hangs his head and scoots inside the house, his mother on his tail, lecturing him. The other boy scurries away, I assume to go home. This is what I miss about here. This is the activity, the normalcy of everyday life; this is home. This is where I want to raise my children. I can't wait to see Shawna out in the yard, making our children behave or come inside. I can't wait to play with them in the grass, let them climb on me until they are too big to do so. Playing catch and having picnics during spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom. I can't wait to take Shawna to pick peaches from our peach orchard and see the look on her face when she bites into a fresh Georgia peach.

When I pull up in front of my parents home, my mother bursts out the front door. She barely waits for me to exit the vehicle before she flings herself into my arms, sobbing with delight. "My baby is home, finally." I let her hug me far longer than is normal for a grown man, but she is my mother and it has been three years since they last saw me. "Let me see you," she says. "You're bigger I think," she furrows her brows. "Oh my goodness, my manners," she says as Shawna comes around the truck to stand beside me. "You must be Shawna," she grabs Shawna's hands and holds them in her own. "So beautiful, and glowing," she says. "Wait," she pauses looking Shawna up and down. "You're having a pup," she squeals with delight and then pulls Shawna in for a hug. "You're making me a grandmother," she says as she pulls back.

"Mom," I say. "Give her some room to breath, you didn't even let either of us say one word." I am smiling as I tease her.

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry. You must be so tired too, you've been traveling all this time. I can't wait to hear all about it." My Mom turns and starts walking towards the house. "Come on you two, I've got lunch ready in the kitchen. Your dad was finishing up a call at the office and then he will be right here." Shawna smiles up at me as we follow my mom into the house.

"You okay," I whisper quietly, not wanting her to feel overwhelmed.

"I'm great Michael. We're home."

We enter the house, a house I haven't been inside of in three years. It looks the same, aside from a new sofa. It smells the same, like the lavendar cleaning solution my mother has always used. It's a familiar and pleasant scent. It makes me feel grounded for the first time in five years. It was five years ago that I had decided to go through training as a guardian. At the time, it seemed like a good plan, knowing I wasn't going to take over the pack. I can't say I'm unhappy I did it, it brought me to Shawna. Everything worked out as it was meant too, but I'm glad to be home. "House looks great Mom," I comment. She has always prided herself on keeping a nice home, even though she's busy with her Luna duties. She's never had an Omega clean or cook for them. She said she was still a wife and mother and she would take care of the house. I honestly dont' know how she did it all when we were young. Three boys and my sister, we were trouble often.

My mother waves off my comment, "Come let's eat, you must be hungry. As big as you are now you must eat a whole dear in one sitting." I laugh. She isn't serious of course, but it sounds ridiculous for her to think that.

Shawna hasn't said much, she's just looking around the house. As is customary for the Alpha's home, it's large. There are huge floor to ceiling windows from the open concept kitchen and dining area, that face the woods. It's always a beautiful view, day or night, no matter the season. It's not any different now, as summer is starting to come to an end. Everything is green. A deer grazes on the grass near the tree line, birds flitter about with my mothers bird feeders always full in the back yard. "It's so lovely here," Shawna finally says as we sit down at the dining room table.

"You like it?" My mother asks.

"Yes Luna," Shawna replies.

"Don't call me Luna, I'm your mates mother, you may call me Mom if you're comfortable. Otherwise Janice is fine." My mother is very casual about being called Luna. Only unrelated pack members call her Luna, even her best friend Simone calls her Janice. Just then, the back door opens and in walks my father. A large man, just an inch shorter than I am, with broad shoulders and a stern expression. He walks in looking like he's ready to hit something, but as soon as he sees us, his face breaks into a smile.

"Son, you're here," he walks around the table and I stand to greet him, extending my hand for a shake. "What is that?" my father says, grabbing my hand and pulling me in to a tight hug. "And who is this beautiful young woman?" he says as he pulls away. Shawna is standing just behind me, having stood up as soon as my father entered.

"This is Shawna," I say and pull her around in front of me. She extends her hand as well and my father disregards it and gives her a quick hug, before sitting in his seat at the head of the table.

"I'm glad you are both here finally," he says. My mother starts putting plates of lasagna with garlic bread down in front of us, the flits about the kitchen getting water and a cold beer for my father. He always drinks a beer with lunch. I can't remember when he didn't. It's not that alcohol affects us much, he just loves the taste.

"So, I got some news," my father says. "From your pack," he nods to Shawna.

"Old pack," she says. "I pledged to the Lone Wolf Pack two years ago. I will of course now pledge to yours Alpha."

My father nods. "It's Dean, call me Dean."

"What did you find out?" I ask. "Are there charges pending?"

"I don't think they are going to charge the Alpha, to be honest." He looks rightly upset.

"You're kidding me?" I gasp. "How can they not?"

"The two women refuse to testify anything negative, and we now know why."