~Alyce/Faelyn~ Tristan and I woke up early the next day.  I was eager to spend some time with Mat before he and Cedric left the next morning. Tristan was just happy to see me happy and would do whatever it took to make sure I stayed happy. I stretched on the bed, as if I thought I could gain an inch or two in height with a stretch, then I rolled off the bed, running to the closet to get dressed. I dug out a pair of black, fleece lined leggings, and a long sleeved olive green shirt that was a little big for me, making it super comfortable. Lastly I grabbed a pair of panties and a sports bra. I could hear Tristan chuckling at me as I got dressed in a hurry and scurried out of the closet, jumping onto the bed, where he was still stretched out like a bum, “Come

The next morning after breakfast Tristan, Kami and I gathered out front to see Cedric and Mat off on their trip back to Dark Forest. “You two be safe, and hurry home.” I hugged Cedric and then Mat, squeezing him tighter and hugging him longer than was really necessary, but this would be the first time I would be away from him for any kind of extended period in almost ten years. Mat untangled himself from my arms and kissed my forehead, “It’s just a few days Aly, we’ll be back before you even really know we’re gone.” “I know. It will just be weird not having you around, even just for a few days. Hopefully the preparations for having Lucian here will keep me distracted and time will fly.” I felt Tristan take my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re tough, it’ll

All of us were about done eating, and I was already feeling a lot better. “Do you want more love?” Tristan asked, motioning to my nearly empty plate. “No, I’m fine, thank you.” I pushed my plate back a bit and leaned into Tristan, snuggling into his side a bit. He, Kami and Brandon were discussing new ideas for training sessions and while normally I would be inserting myself into the conversation, I left them to it this time. I closed my eyes and focused on reaching out to Mattie. It was not nearly as focus intensive as I had expected it to be given the distance between us, *Mattie, how are you two? Almost there?* *Aly! Yes, we’re about 2 hours from the pack border and we’re doing just fine.* *Good. I miss you tons! I’m having to find ways to distract myself while yo

“Alright, new topic.” I suggested, hiding my grin at my pack’s reaction, in Alyce’s hair. “We need to relocate Faith and Jake to their permanent room on the 3rd floor. I would suggest putting them into their own home in the village, but I don’t suspect that it would be their preference at this time.” Alyce chuckled, “You’re likely right on that one. Ironically, I’d bet Jake would be the one to protest. Faith is like a mother to me, but Jake is definitely the more protective of the two.” “I believe it. It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.” Kami snickered. “We also need to prepare Mat and Cedric’s permanent room on the 5th floor.” I shifted Alyce in my lap a bit so that I could lean back against the wall and stretch my legs out. “You and I can tackle M

Once again I found myself in town, albeit for slightly different shopping reasons. Which I found made it less awful. If only by a minute amount. Tristan had set aside a private home near the pack house for Jake and Faith, so we were going to furnish that but leave the decor to Faith, and present it to them when Mat and Cedric got back. Excitement was an understatement for what I was feeling about the opportunity to pay them back for everything they had done for me over the years, even if it was just providing them with a move-in ready home. “We should start with the big stuff I think. It will be easier to pack the smaller stuff in around it. So we need household furniture for Jake and Faith and more, basic necessity furniture for Cedric and Mat.” I glanced up from my lists as Tristan pulled the truck into the parking lot of a small strip mall, which housed the only furniture store in the plaza. Options wo