Triplet Alphas Gifted Luna

Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Homecoming

Thea went all out for the welcome 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 placed outside as well as inside the pack house.

“You Belong Here.”

“ Welcome Home.”

“Glad 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 uncomfortable, 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 welcome 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 “glad 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, Callan, 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 glad 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 relationship 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 applause, howls, and shouts of “ Welcome 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 was last 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 flames 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 welcomed 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.

“Welcome home.” He looked at her with adoration in his eyes, like deigning to speak to him had made the last 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 the last 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.

The greetings went about the same for the rest of the men, until the last 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?” Alaric 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 strange combination 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 and lace for Thea.

“Thank you for getting something appropriate for the occasion and all your extra help this week preparing for this,” Thea said. She leaned in for a hug. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“That’s my job,” Lizzy said, smiling.

Thea laughed.

Thea’s security detail flanked 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 out late into the night.