“Hey!”
“I didn’t say I disapproved,” he said, blowing a kiss.
“You shouldn’t.” Keon knew fine well Milo enjoyed his unconventional side. He’d been enjoying it for an hour.
No one in Vihaan would admit to being an Alpha who liked to get fucked, to not being the one in control in the bedroom, or to taking what was considered the submissive position. In Vihaan, it was common to look at a man of Keon’s physique and status, and expect him to be the dominant force, the top, for a man with Milo’s slim build and condition to be the one to submit. He’d never conformed to stereotypes in his life.
No, Keon was anything but conventional.
Still, this required investigation. Focusing on Gale, he took another drag and gestured to the step. “Let’s take a walk and have a chat,” he suggested, eager to hear more.
Gale backed toward the two steps off the veranda. “Can’t, I’m afraid,” he said, taking the steps and walking backward from the house, “I’ve been waiting for your…ahem…tour to finish. I’m late for helping at the barn.” He winked, a warning he, and others, knew exactly what they’d been doing.
While Milo squeaked in shock, Keon took a last drag. “Fine. Come by for dinner. Haley’s making barbecue. You can bring Jude, and we’ll send him with Weston when we talk.”
“Deal.” Gale turned to leave and shot Milo a cheeky salute.
*
Milo
“WHAT’S THIS?” MILOaccepted the envelope from Weston, not sure why he hadn’t mentioned it this morning when Keon asked if there were letters. It had been a busy day, but they’d gotten a lot done.
Their visit to the house had gone spectacularly, and they had an afternoon with Haley and her friends to look forward to. This moment of relief from activity had been Keon’s idea while he took care of Gale’s plans for Weston without the Beta hovering to overhear. Milo was supposed to be resting.
“A reply from Drew,” he replied with a discreet wink. He began clearing away the coffee cups while Milo ripped open the envelope.
Dear Milo,
You sound like such a proper soul, but Keon has reassured me you can be feisty. I’m glad to hear it, so I’m taking your formality as a sign you were afraid to ask for a favour without having met me. Or perhaps you’re someone who finds it difficult to ask for help. You can ask me for anything, at any time, and I’ll always try to help.
Now…I applaud your interest in the mental and emotional health of your pack. As I’m not medically minded, but my husband is a psychology student, I’ll pass on your interest. Knowing Rylee, he’ll want to read every book or article before sending it to make sure it is applicable to the people of Vihaan, so it may take time to send you anything useful.
As for your union…congratulations! Keon warned me it was forthcoming, but I hadn’t realised it was so soon! Please find enclosed my wedding gift. A proper gift will be delivered in person on your visit to Dnara. Keon has promised he’ll introduce us, and he knows not to break a promise to me. For now, I hope you’ll enjoy this token of our love and affection.
Tell Keon we miss him, and I look forward to meeting you soon.
Best of luck to you for an eternity of happiness with my best friend.
All my love,
Drew.
Milo smiled, stunned by the warmth of Drew’s words. As soon as he closed the letter, Weston slid a box across the coffee table with a smile. “This is his gift?” he guessed, aware Weston would have read the note to check who it was intended for and the urgency of its contents.
“Yes.” The way Weston pursed his lips said he wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Intrigued, Milo opened the box and carefully removed the packing. Inside, two ceramic mugs lay side by side, both white but each with a different design. The one on the left read:Mr Bossy; the one on the right read:The ‘Real’ Boss. He chuckled at Drew’s sense of humour and lifted out theBossymug. He adored the cursive writing, but when he turned it, his smile grew upon seeing a howling brown wolf against the white background. Lifting the second mug, he saw a similar motif on the back, but this wolf was white with a low hanging grey moon behind it that let it stand out.
Milo glanced at Weston in surprise. “The wolf is white,” he said, showing Weston, who appeared unsurprised.
“Yes. The ‘real’ boss. How appropriate,” he remarked, a knowing smile appearing, as he lifted both mugs from the table. “Shall I store them to reveal to Keon at your ceremony celebration?”
“Yes.” That would be perfect. A way to bring Drew to their union, without him being there. Milo watched the care Weston gave the mugs while repackaging them. “They’re a wonderful gift. I know how much Keon cherishes the other mug Drew gave him.”
Weston laughed, folding over the lid of the box. “Yes. I imagine, if Drew has his way, we will need a new shelf to display them. We are growing quite the collection, and I don’t see him reverting to practical or less humorous gifts any time soon,” he mused, though Milo didn’t detect any real annoyance.
“Let’s hope not,” he agreed, glad Weston smiled to admit he was right. They both loved how much Drew cherished his friendship with Keon, and always found a way to make Keon smile.
