Loving Shiloh

Chapter 17: I Will Return

I grumbled and huffed at Stephen while dragging my tired behind to the large Ford Expedition we were taking to travel to other packs. I was pulling the large fluffy blanket with me while rubbing my eyes and climbing into the vehicle. 

"You good there Shiloh?" Stephen asked amused. 

"When you said tomorrow morning, I was expecting 8 o'clock not 2!" I growled sleepily while Kai stifled a laugh and Stephen chuckled. Kai set Artemis down and passed me a pillow, which I set up against the door before curling up with my puppy and drifting into a light sleep before we even left the driveway. I felt us leave the safety of the pack and I shivered before putting my face in Artemis's scruff. She let out a deep breath before curling up closer and resting her head underneath my chin. After a few hours, Kai put his seat back and closed his eyes. 

I sat up and scooted beside him running my hands through his hair while he slept while talking with Stephen. 

"What is your favorite song small wolf?" Stephen asked. 

"Hmmm...Love was made to break, Andy Black." I stated with a smile. "And yours?"

"Easy, Honky tonk badonkadonk, Trace Adkins." I chuckled while shaking my head. 

"Next question...favorite color?" I asked. 

"Easy, orange." 

"Was not expecting that." I said honestly. "My favorite is a light pink color, like hot pink is yuck, but a light blush is actually really pretty."

"Did not take you for a pink girl." He commented. "Hmmm....If you could change one thing about your relationship with Malachai what would it be?"

"I would want him as my first and only mate." I said looking down at his sleeping form. "What do you expect your mate to be like?" 

"Perfect. That is what I expect her to be like, a perfect compliment to me like Pearl is to Shane and you are to Malachai." 

"That was deep man, I'm not disappointed in the least by your answer." Stephen laughed at my comment. 

"She also has to like dogs." He said side eyeing me. 

"You are not taking my puppy." I said dead panning. 

"No not taking her, puppy sitting." He responded. 

"Suurreee" I said rolling my eyes. "Next question."

"Describe the perfect date night." I thought for a minute responding. 

"I would say going out in the middle of nowhere with a screen, projector and laptop and watching a movie from the bed of a pick-up truck curled up in dozens of soft blankets and snacks." I said smiling to myself. "Although the movie would have to be something interesting, not some romantic piece of crap. Probably like Mission impossible, Young guns, or The Avengers."

"Good movie choices." 

"Why thank you, what is your ideal date night?"

"s*x, lots and lots of sex." I rolled my eyes. 

"That is not a date night Stephen." I growled. 

"Fiiiinnne, I would have to say a nice dinner for two at some high class restaurant before heading home and relaxing in a hot tub." I nodded. 

"Not too shabby." I said earning a small glare. "Oh please you could at least fill the hot tub with flower petals and light a few candles to make it smell nice." 

"I'll take that into consideration small wolf." He huffed before pulling off the highway and driving into a rest stop. "Get some food while we're here." I nodded and shook Kai awake, he opened one eye while looking around. 

"We're at a rest stop, now would be a good time to use the restroom." He nodded as I got out of the car with Artemis letting her use the restroom and setting her back in the car. Kai was running his hands through his hair which was messy from sleep. Once she was set we went into the rest stop and used the bathrooms, I waited for Kai when I was done. He walked out, his tall and muscular frame dwarfing most of the other men around. He took my hand and we found a subway and got our food. We also got some snacks from the souvenir shop, when we got back to the car Stephen was sitting at the closest picnic table with Artemis laying at his feet. We sat with him and ate our subs, his something he made up, mine a meatball sub with cheddar and provolone. 

"How long have I been asleep?" Kai asked once he was done with his food.

"About three hours." Stephen responded. "You should get a few more before you take over the drive." Kai nodded before yawning and getting in the backseat. Stephen and I chuckled before throwing away our garbage before getting in the vehicle. I slid into the backseat against the passenger side door and put Artemis in the front seat next to Stephen, Kai looked over at me before sliding over and using my lap as a pillow throwing his arms around my waist, laying on his belly his face pressed into my stomach. I reached down and ran my hands through his soft dark brown hair as he slept. 

"Sooo, next question..."

It took us two days to reach the first pack in Mississippi, by the time we got there it was already noon. We got out of the car and walked behind the Dark-water pack house and waited for Alpha Donald to introduce us. Artemis stayed at Kai and mine's feet, only straying to sit on Stephen's feet. He reached down and pet her head before sending her back to us. It was clear his mate wasn't there after 20 minutes, so we left and traveled another three hours to the next pack. The Gator-Swamp pack was just as big of a bust, honestly I was glad my Luna wasn't coming from there, all the wolves there acted like common whores trying to seduce Stephen and Kai anyway which had them both growling and grumbling to the Red-weed pack, where we would be spending the night. 

We got in late so we would have to wait to meet the pack in the morning, Kai and I got our own room while Stephen decided to share with Artemis. When morning rolled around we all went to breakfast and munched on some blueberry pancaked smothered in Nutella and syrup. I however refused to eat the fried catfish seeing as it was breakfast. Once it was over we met the pack and left Luna-less once again. Another three days passed of the same boring routine. 

After spending the night in Blue-sun I was cranky seeing as the pack was up celebrating the birth of their future Alpha. I didn't blame them, but I was tired so I ended up passing out in the car for the first two packs of the next day. I groaned when Kai woke me up around lunch time and said we found a place to eat before we went to the next pack. I rolled out of the car and rubbed my eyes, I mumbled a string of curses while Kai and Stephen laughed and Artemis yipped. I rolled my eyes and let Kai pull me into the diner they had found, I was so out of it I didn't realize where we were until a shrill screech pulled my attention to a small blur that launched itself into my arms. Kai caught me as I stumbled backwards, the blob began crying as it rubbed it's face into my shoulder. 

"Shyo!" It cried, I then returned the crushing hug and began crying happily into Lucy's small pink dress. 

"Shy!" I looked up at Dallas as he engulfed me in his arms, followed by Akila. I was too happy to speak so I settled for bawling happily, I felt a large hand rub my back. "It's good to see you." Dallas said pulling back and looking at me with his hands on my arms. He was taller than me, but was easily dwarfed by Kai and Stephen standing in at 6 foot even.

"It's good to be back big brother." I said before motioning to a large booth where we could all sit. Once we were all seated Dallas narrowed his eyes at Stephen and Kai who relaxed into the soft padding. 

"Who are they Shy?"

"That is a rather long story, we should eat then go to mom and dad's where I can tell you everything." He nodded and sighed. "Kia, will you have Nova join us?" She nodded and smiled at Lucy who was still wrapped around me. 

"Of course." Just then a new waitress I didn't know took our orders and handed them back to Lou. I sighed and took Kai's hand in mine interlocking our fingers. "So what are your names?" Akila asked Kai and Stephen. 

"I'm Malachai, this is my Alpha Stephen." 

"The Alpha Stephen?" Dallas asked choking on his coffee. 

"Yes, now stop dying and drink properly." I said sarcastically. Stephen laughed along with Kai and Akila, Dallas sent me a glare and flipped me off, I stuck my tongue out at him. His scowl turned to a smile and we both began laughing. 

"I'll be right back." Stephen said getting up, he walked out of the diner and came back in a second later with Artemis, she ran over and jumped into the booth licking Kai and I before sniffing Bear who squealed and hugged her as she wiggled. Once she was free of the toddler she sniffed Dallas and Akila who laughed at her before returning to Stephen and hopping off the seats and laying on my feet under the table.

"Where did you find her?" Dallas asked me.

"Tied to a poll."

"Not surprising, has she told you two about Dufus?"

"Oh yeah, the cross-eyed cat." Kai said with a chuckle. Dallas nodded while the waitress came back with our orders. We all munched on our lunch quietly, Bear was made to go sit with Akila who had her food. When we were done we set the table up so it would be easier to clean up before setting cash on the table for tips and the check. 

"We'll lead you to the house." Dallas said to Kai who had the keys. 

"Daddy can I wide wif Shyo?" I lifted her up and we both gave him our best puppy faces to which he deadpanned and let out a huff of air. 

"Fine!" He said throwing his hands into the air in fake frustration, he kissed both of our foreheads and I walked with her back to the SUV and got in the back with Artemis. Kai opened the door and set a booster in with us and I gave him a shy smirk while setting Lucy in it and buckling her up. He got in the drivers seat while Stephen slipped in the shotgun seat. 

"So what is your name?" Stephen asked Lucy who was giggling at Artemis who was laying in her lap showing her, her small white belly.

"I'm Wucy Bear!" She giggled when I rubbed Artemis's belly and she began shaking her leg with her tongue out. 

"It is nice to meet you little Bear." Stephen said with a small smile. "I'm Stephen."

"What is the puppy's name Shyo?" She asked. 

"Artemis."

"Awww, I'm gonna caw her Awty!" She stated loudly. We giggled the rest of the way to my parents where my old car was sitting in the driveway, Dallas pulled up right next to it while Kai pulled up right behind it. We all got out of the cars and walked up to the front door where my dad walked out of the front door. He looked at Dallas and Akila before his eyes found Stephen and Kai, then they landed on me and Lucy and a huge smile lit his face while a few tears rolled down his cheeks making me cry again. I set Lucy down and went up to him and pushed my face into his uniformed shoulder and broke down again. 

"It's alright baby girl, I've got you." He said holding me tightly. "C'mon lets get inside." I nodded and walked into the house and went to the couch where Dufus was laying down. I picked her up and held her in my arms, I put my face in her soft grey fur and began crying again while she purred. I felt strong arms pull me into large chest with my cat, I inhaled the mixed scent of Dufus and Kai. I was happy when she leaned into Kai's touch as he stroked her small head, he then placed a small kiss on my temple. 

(K: Are you okay love?) I nodded into his chest as an answer, I was better than okay.