Keon waited and breathed, as Milo undid the protective strap over his waist and pushed the footrest of his chair aside. He stood shakily, and Haley instinctively lifted a foot to step in to help.
Stop!Keon sent the mental thought, relieved Haley listened to the silent contact. The ceremony was the only tradition Milo cared about, and he’d been insistent on his role. Keon wouldn’t steal that, or let anyone else.He’s fine. Let him do this,he ordered, projecting calm and patience, despite her instinct to help.
Haley shot him a curious glance, no longer filled with hate and judgement. She’d learned to trust him, and he couldn’t be more grateful.
Milo had researched the mating, worrying about his condition and how it affected the ceremony. Confessing his wishes, once they had a date for Farley’s arrival. Keon promised not to help unless Milo was at risk of falling or getting hurt. It was important to Milo to do as much as possible without assistance.
Proof he was worthy of his Alpha, he said. In Keon’s mind, it was important to remind the pack Milo may be in a wheelchair and use crutches, but it didn’t make him less of a man or a mate. As he’d told them during boxing practice, Milo knew his limits. If it meant a stumble, a shuffle, or a spark of pain, he would endure it and Keon would grit his teeth.
Standing, Milo tugged the grey waistcoat into place over his white shirt, complementing the grey trousers he’d chosen. He paused, smiling shyly at his victory, and extended his hand.
Keon linked their fingers and sank to his knees in front of Farley, using his grip to support Milo. Keon gave his fingers a squeeze of support and celebration for making it without falling.Together,he said, where no one could hear. Where nothing mattered but them.
Keon had witnessed his fair share of mating ceremonies over the years, and presided over formal and informal ones. Some didn’t care for tradition; others chose to transition. He and Milo had agreed on every decision. Adoration flooded him as Milo released his hand and closed his eyes, summoning the shift. Keon followed, transitioning from human to m’weko, to stand side by side with Milo.
Two m’weko, two hearts, two souls, ready to become one.
Farley raised his hands and voice. “These two m’weko have pledged their lives. In human and m’weko, they have sworn to create a family of their blood and their pack.” His voice carried in the breeze, the sacred tree creaking and moaning in response. “The Mother has given Her blessing for this union. May She and the Fates keep you safe and loved for all your years. May they protect this mating forever.”
The traditional pack members uttered the words like a prayer, giving Keon hope for the future.
Farley peeled a piece of bark from the sacred tree, visibly weeping with sap. He swiped his thumb through the sticky substance and faced them. “May the Mother bless you, Keon: Alpha of the pack.” He smeared the sap from the centre of his muzzle to his forehead. “May the Mother bless you, Milo: mate, protector, and father of the pack,” he continued, repeating the gesture with Milo.
This is one deviation I’ll allow, Milo quipped, sending a flood of warmth through their link.
Keon wanted to kiss him.I couldn’t let him call you Secondary-Beta, like he wanted,he argued, as Farley retreated.Besides?He licked Milo’s muzzle as the pack shouted in celebration. ?you’re those and more to me.
I love you, Alpha, Milo replied, licking his nose.
“Let us celebrate the union and mating of our Alpha,” Farley shouted in celebration.
Keon looked at Milo and sighed. Perfect.
*
WITH THE CEREMONYcomplete, they should have gone running, but Keon wanted uninterrupted time with Milo and that meant shifting to their human forms to have a quick chat with his Beta.
“Congratulations, Alpha.” Weston hugged him and wiped at his wet cheeks when they separated. “I’m thrilled.”
Milo hugged him, thanking him as Keon should have, but his mind was stuck on what he’d planned to say. He didn’t want to get it wrong, in case Weston panicked. “Milo and I have moved into the Pack-House. With enough room for us to have a family and run the pack without tripping over our feet, Milo and I wanted to run two options by you.”
Weston frowned, not understanding.
“Option one: you move into the second wing, exclusively for you and Leo. Option two: you take these.” He glanced at Haley, who handed over the keys to his family home. “Make your home, get distance from your duties as Beta. You can come by in the morning and leave when your duties are done.” Both options gave Weston freedom and privacy to be with Leo without feeling like he was always underfoot.
Beside him, Leo wrapped his arm around Weston’s waist. “The choice is yours, Weston.” He glanced at Keon, eyes serious. “We’d be proud to live in the Pack-House with you. You’re a good Alpha, and a better man.”
Weston took a shuddering breath and held the keys out to return them. “Thank you, Alpha,” he whispered, tearful and smiling shakily.
“Excellent.” Keon had hoped Weston would make that choice. “If you don’t have objections, Milo and I had a contingency plan.” He put his fingers to his lips and whistled to get attention. “Yosi!” Keon waited, as Yosi and Callum paused their slow dance, Yosi sensing his intentions when Keon lifted his hand. Tossing the keys, Yosi caught them. “A late mating gift.” He didn’t explain, because Yosi would understand. They’d been having trouble with Yosi’s parents and had nowhere else to go. Living in Callum’s bedroom, in his parents’ house, was hardly ideal for a newly mated couple.
Yosi clutched the keys, as Callum caught his arm and shook his head. Knowing him, he would feel it was wrong to take the Alpha’s home to accept a gift as big as a house. Yosi had his head screwed on straight. He knew it would take a long time to build or get a house. With the exiles returned, and the defectors from Thatcher’s pack taking precedence, it may be a year before they had a home to call theirs.
Though they talked, Yosi grasped Callum’s hand. “Thank you, Alpha,” Yosi said, jaw tight but determined when he turned to Callum. “This is our chance to have a real home,” he argued to convince him of a decision already made. A decision they knew Callum would trust and agree with. “We deserve it.”
“You’re damned right you do.” Keon approved, while Milo was more sensible.
“Please.” He took Keon’s hand and gazed at Callum with understanding. “You should have it. You were the first to accept Keon, his laws, and trust he would keep his promises,” he said, with the logic Keon should have offered. Further proof of what a good mate he was.
