Finlay was extra fussy and protective as we got ready to head home. I probably should put a stop to it, but I needed it just as much as he did to settle my nerves. Yesterday had been too close for my liking, and it was why I didn’t object to his fussing or the fact that we were heading home after just two and a half days at the alpha meeting.

"Ready to go?" he asked as he grabbed our bags.

"Ready," I confirmed. He opened the door and then put his free arm around me. I put my arm around him as well; it allowed me to be close to him.

"I texted Elder, and he will be waiting in the lobby to say goodbye," Finlay told me.

"Thank you," I said and kissed his jaw. In the lobby, it wasn’t just Elder who waited for us. James, Jonas, and Beatrice were also there.

"Beatrice! How are you doing?" I asked and took a step forward to give her a hug. She smiled back at me.

"I’m fine. I don’t have any lasting symptoms. How about you?" she asked.

"I’m fine as well." We took a moment to say goodbye to everyone. I was happy the last tension between James and Finlay was gone. James had changed for the better after his mating. I could see the young version of him come through, and he looked relaxed. He even laughed. I was happy he was happy. Elder gave me a long hug.

"Please just stay in your house and keep any urges of doing brave things at bay. If you keep scaring me like this, I will start going grey. Becky will hate you," he told me. I laughed.

"I will do my best. And grey foxes are sexy," I said and ruffled his hair. He chuckled and tried to ruffle my hair. Years of practice made it easy for me to avoid his hand.

"I will make sure she doesn’t get any bright ideas. I plan on giving her all the paperwork that needs to be done. I may have fallen a little bit behind," Finlay said. Everyone laughed. It was a little sad to say goodbye to our friends. We had a good group of allies. I was still happy to get into the car with Finlay. The first hour we sat in silence mostly, each of us occupied with our own thoughts. As always, it was a comfortable silence, and Finlay was holding my hand. He let go of it and pulled out a bread roll from his pocket.

"Hungry?" he asked. I looked at the bread and started laughing so hard I had tears rolling down my face and had a problem catching my breath. He looked at me with worry.

"Like a food magician," I wheezed. He chuckled and pulled the car over so he could face me.

"Are you okay?" he asked and wiped a tear from my face.

"I’m fine, I really am. I needed a good laugh. Thanks, love," I told him and leaned over to kiss him. He looked happy as we drew apart.

"So, is that a yes or a no on the bread roll?" he asked.

"A yes," I said and snatched it from him. He laughed happily, and we continued on our way.

When we crossed onto the pack land, I smiled and felt almost giddy. Finlay must have felt it through our bond as he looked at me and smiled. I mindlinked Matilda, and I could feel how relieved and happy he was. The top tier and Matilda stood waiting outside our house. As soon as I got out of the car, Matilda, Meadow, and Shelly were hugging me.

"It’s good to have both of you home again," Matilda said as she gave Finlay a hug.

"It’s good to be home," Finlay told her.

"You two should get some rest," Matilda said. I looked at Finlay. We had talked during the drive, and our nerves had calmed down. We were ready to deal with reality.

"I think it’s better that the three of us have a talk," I said, hooking my arm with hers.

"Yes, come inside, and we will have a family meeting," Finlay agreed. The others understood; they knew we would make time to talk to them and the pack later. Matilda and I sat down on the couch, and Finlay sat on the coffee table, facing us. He took out two apples from his pocket and handed one to me and held the other out for Matilda. "An apple?" he asked. The look on her face made me giggle.