Chapter 10: Humphrey's Return

Morning came a little too quickly for Kate and the others, the sun was barely up and she was already on the move to Humphrey's den. Her father had planned for them all to meet by the river at mid-morning and she had to go get Humphrey and tell him about what happened. The day was pretty gloomy so far, light rain was falling and there was a good breeze that made the treetops sway. However if everything went well then this day would become one of the best in her life even if the sun was not shining. She decided to not worry about what was to come and instead thought about what the future could hold for her and Humphrey.

They would get married and settle down as mates in the pack, after that she would just enjoy the experience and the love that they shared. She could join in when he was out playing games with his omega friends whenever she had free time, as well as getting to know them better. It will defiantly be different to hang around omegas and play their games, which was something other alphas never did. However she did have great fun playing Humphrey's games while he has been a lone wolf out here, there was always something new he was coming up with. While she could see it being just the two of them for the rest of their lives, deep down she desired to have a family. She knew Humphrey would someday like to have one as well, he was so good with the pups in the pack when told to watch after them. She had never seen it herself but she did hear that during her absence at alpha school he would take care of pups on nights of a moonlight howl or during some other event. While she didn't think much of it, now she understood that he would make a great father for their pups when the time came. That time was very distant though, she wanted a good year or two of just enjoying it being Humphrey and herself in their den before changing that.

Kate smiled to herself as she continued to think and walk through the rain, for being a spring storm it really wasn't that cold in her opinion. In fact she enjoyed rainy days, it offered something different from the snowy winters and sunny summers. Eventually the cliff where Humphrey's den was located came into view through the trees. She continued to walk at a quick pace feeling excitement build within her, she couldn't wait to see his reaction to the good news. While it wasn't guaranteed just yet, she had a strong hope that Tony wouldn't be so hard to negotiate with, especially against six wolves and a whole pack that was happy with being united. She didn't need to clog her mind worrying about it anymore, instead she focused on the fact that she was getting to see her love again.

Turning and walking into the cave like den she could see the rough silhouette of Humphrey lying on the ground. She walked up by his side and saw he was still asleep, she didn't blame him, she would love to be asleep right now as well but there were more important things to attend to first. She placed her paw gently on his shoulder and lightly shook him a bit.

"Humphrey dear, it's time to wake up" She said in a gentle tone as the sound of rain falling could still be heard.

The omega groaned as he awoke and realized that something was pushing on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he turned his head around and was greeted with a pleasant sight. "Kate..." Humphrey slowly replied still trying to see straight in the dim den.

As if it suddenly clicked in his head he quickly got up, startling Kate who walked back a step. However luck wasn't on his side because he ended up knocking his head against the low stone ceiling of the cave. He fell back down on his side and held a paw to the top of his head "Ow..."

"Woah take it easy hun, there's no rush. Are you okay?" She replied sitting down beside him, trying not to laugh because of his sudden behavior.

"Yeah I'm fine... Wait, didn't you say you had alpha duties this morning, so why are you here?" He asked again looking up at her from the floor.

"Well do you want the good news first or the bad news?" She replied looking at him as he got himself into a semi sitting position.

"I guess the bad news first" He answered still trying to wake up fully.

"Well while Garth and I were here yesterday a patrol group found out scents leaving the territory, which caused my father to send two of them out to find us. About half way back home we ran into them and they told us to report to my parents and inform them of why we left." She said, Humphrey was starting to figure it out and assumed that the worst had happened, but waited for the story to finish. "One there we told them that we were just out for a walk to explore a hidden cave, they bought it but I forgot one thing. Since we were found by the alphas I never got the chance to wash you're scent off in the river like I usually do. So my mother caught whiff of it and that's when it was over, I told them everything about us as well as Garth and Lilly who were both present in the den."

The smile of Humphrey's face faded away as she spoke on, he looked down towards the ground. 'Just a few days away from using our plan and she ends up getting caught, and I was positive that we were in the clear...' He thought to himself, Kate pauses seeing his sad expression. "And the good news?" He asked looking back up at her.

"Well at first they were upset and enforced the fact that Garth and I needed to stay together for the benefit of the packs, regardless of how we felt. However after the three of us reasoned with them they eventually realized the fact that we all deserved to have true love and not be forced together. My father understood the mistake he had made and now has a plan for how we can get the lives we desire." She continued

Humphrey just lit up upon hearing that, one moment he thinks what they both feared the most had happened and the next he hears that they could get what they wanted the most after all. "You mean we get to live in Jasper as mates?" He asked feeling excitement build within him.

"It's possible, we just have to get Tony to agree to Garth and I divorcing and still keeping the packs united as well as removing the law that keeps us apart. If all goes well then yes we will be living in Jasper as mates." She answered with a large smile on her face.

That was just the news Humphrey wanted to hear, his excitement got the better of him and he quickly tackled Kate who shrieked in surprise. She landed on her back with him standing above as their noses firmly pressed together, she came out of the shock and kissed him back. She didn't care if it wasn't for sure yet, this was what they both desired ever since they began to see each other out here. Humphrey was ecstatic, not only could he marry his lifelong love but he also gets to see his omega friends again and regain his old life back in the western pack. They broke apart and stared into each other's eyes, Humphrey couldn't help but laugh at how he managed to tackle down Kate with no trouble.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself, I'm just so happy to hear that our dreams have come true." He said lightly as their noses hovered a few inches apart.

Kate smiled and laughed as well "You don't have to be sorry, I'm just as happy as you are about this. However I've never seen you move that quickly before."

"What can I say, I had someone special teach me how to tackle down prey as well as other wolves." He replied licking her cheek before stepping aside and helping her up on her paws again.

She giggled from the affection "That is true, but try not to get too excited because we're not sure if Tony will agree to this."

"Pssh... I'm sure we can get him to agree with your parents on our side" He said with a reassuring smile

"I hope so but from what Garth and my dad say, he's not the best to negotiate with."

"Well I have a feeling that it will go just fine"

"Yeah me too, finally we can get married and be one of the two alpha and omega couples of the pack." She replied happily while rubbing up against his side as they stood facing the dens entrance.

While she may have only been away from Humphrey for less than a day she couldn't help but miss him just as much as she would after two days without him. Their relationship had come to the point where they wanted nothing else but to be by each other's side and express their love. Humphrey just smiled as Kate leaned against him, they were like this for several minutes, simply enjoying the fact that they were alone and in each other's company. They were mostly silent until Kate realized that they should get moving back to Jasper before they would be late. As much as she wanted to keep cuddling her soon to be mate they had a more important matter to attend to, besides there would be plenty of time later for that if everything went alright.

"We should get going, don't want to be late to meet up with my parents as well as Lilly and Garth." She said starting to leave the den and out into the rain.

Humphrey sighed lightly before exiting the den behind Kate, this was it, this was the moment he had waited for, he was returning to the western pack after a nearly three month absence. He took one last glance at the little cave he called home as it sat in the rain, this could be the last time he would ever see it again. He smiled at the memories he had here before turning and continuing to follow Kate into the woods. However he remembered about Jake, he would have to come back out here to say goodbye to him. Perhaps he could get him to join the western pack and stay with them, surly Winston wouldn't mind the addition of another wolf. Yet he knew Jake liked being a lone wolf, it was the whole reason he left his old pack anyway. After all this was settled, he would come back out here and ask him.

"So how is this going to work" Humphrey asked after a few minutes of walking

"We're going to meet everyone by the river before heading into Tony's side of the pack." Kate replied

Back when the packs united, instead of everyone moving to one centralized location Winston and Tony agreed to just staying in their den grounds and wolves could move freely between the two areas. It was easier than having to build a whole new den area to support the pack that was now several strong, uniting made the pack one of the largest in that part of the world.

"That's it? No ideas on what we're going to say?" He asked

"Well I was just going to let my parents do most of the talking, they are the leaders after all. I'm sure Garth will as well since he is his father."

He nodded "Alright sounds good, I'll just sit back at listen I guess"

Kate laughed lightly "Yeah you get to do nothing, meanwhile I had to deal with telling my parents which was not easy."

"I'm sorry babe, I would have been there to support you if I would have known." He calmly said as they entered into the western territory.

"That's okay, not like I had a choice anyway"

Humphrey looked up at the clouds as rain fell upon him, both of their coats were soaked, especially Kate's. But they didn't care, it was still warm out so there wasn't a chance they would get sick or something. "You know for a day that is so post to be one of the best, it sure is gloomy." He said looking at Kate

"I know right, but I like it." She replied

"Yeah it's nice to cool down, the past few days have been pretty hot."

"We better enjoy it while it lasts, summer will be in full swing soon."

"Yep, I guess we'll be visiting the river all the time like we did as pups." He said

"Oh that's right, those were fun times, everyone enjoying the nice cold water." She smiled, recalling the memories.

They continued talking as they walked alongside the den grounds of the pack, on their way to the river that was on the other side of the river. The few wolves that were up at this time didn't seem to notice that fact that Kate was walking next to someone who had previously left the pack. However it was as they were passing a den that Humphrey heard his name called from behind.

"Humphrey?" A voice called

They both stopped and looked back to see who it was, Humphrey instantly recognized it was Shakey, his best friend that he had not seen for so long. "Shakey!" He said happily, turning around to face him along with Kate.

"It's about time you came back, the omegas the guys have all missed you." Shakey said, while he was happy to see his friend back he began to wonder why Humphrey was wandering around with Kate, after all as far as he knew she was the reason he left in the first place. "Why are you back anyway? I figured you would be gone longer seeing that you wanted to explore the world and all."

Humphrey looked at Kate who only smiled back at him, she knew they should keep moving but at the same time she wanted to see his friend's reaction to the truth. "Well I'll tell all you guys the full story later today, but I never really left. I've been living a few miles outside the pack and this one would come and visit me every now and then." He answered, lightly elbowing Kate in the side when he mentioned her.

Shakey raised an eyebrow at hearing that "What's that so post to mean?"

"Kate and I have secretly been seeing each other outside the pack, and now I'm back to help break the law that keeps us apart so can be mates here in the pack." He said simply.

Shakey couldn't believe what he heard, did Humphrey really get his dream girl after all that time chasing her? "You sly dog... but how?" Was all he said

Kate and Humphrey both laughed "I'll tell you and the guys all about it after everything is all straighten out, try to keep this a secret until I say so." Humphrey said

"Yeah please, we don't need the pack going crazy before the actual news comes out from my father." Kate added

"You have my word, but is it true? Did you both fall in love?" Shakey asked

"It's true alright, I love Humphrey with all my heart." Kate replied

"Yep and you already know I love her just as much" Humphrey said with a smile.

Shakey smiled and shook his head "Wow I would have never thought you would actually get the girl of your dreams, I'm proud of you. After all the time we tried to tell you otherwise you still went after her, good job."

"Thanks Shakey, I never dreamed this day would actually come but it has." Humphrey said

Kate smiled "Alright, I don't mean to break up the moment but Humphrey and I have a meeting to attend to." She said

"Yeah we don't want to be late for that, I'll see you around Shakey." Humphrey said before they both turned around to continue on their journey to the river.

"Good luck, it's good to see you back man" Shakey said before watching them walk off into the woods.

He still couldn't believe that the alpha male's daughter was really in love with his best friend, not to mention they had been secretly seeing each other this whole time. He was happy for Humphrey, he was going to get what he desired the most in his life and that was amazing considering the chances of it becoming a reality. He smiled to himself before turning around and heading back to his den.
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A/N: Yay Humphrey has returned to Jasper! Soon the whole pack will be a buzz when the news comes out, but first the meeting has to go well in order for that to happen. I was going to have the meeting in this chapter but obviously this part alone turned out to be long enough as a standalone chapter. I guess you can say the big moment for the story will be next chapter, will it go well or not so much? Who knows I'm still deciding on what way I want it go so you'll have to wait for the next chapter. Cya.