“Don’t worry about it,” Rylee replied, with a knowing smirk. “Just be prepared to meet Drew later. He’ll adopt you in a heartbeat; then you’ll never get rid of us.”
The way he spoke, it sounded like a bad thing, but Milo had a feeling it would be wonderful. HewantedDrew to like him and consider him family in the same way he did Keon. More than anything, he wanted to forge a bond or connection with the people Keon loved and respected, the same way Keon had done with his family. Already, he’d managed to break past Haley’s defensive barriers and was considering ways to win round Usher, or sway him from their father’s pull.
Keon had brought so much joy and love into Milo’s life that welcoming Drew and Rylee into their lives as family wasn’t a burden. It was a joy and an honour he would cherish for the rest of his life.
*
Keon
IF HE’D BEENa jealous man, Keon would’ve flattened Rylee for the way Milo waxed lyrical about the man on their shopping trip. They visited the city mall, shopped for an hour, and headed to their restaurant reservation for a romantic dinner.
Instead of jealousy, Keon’s heart filled with love for his mate. Though Milo gushed about the fraternity, about the work Rylee did, and how romantic it was that he talked incessantly of Drew, Keon loved knowing they could become friends. As he parked the car, Keon was happier than he’d been in a long time.
Milo was charmed by the Christmas decorations and lights, humming a new song from the restaurant speakers. He looked adorable in the outfit he’d bought at the store and insisted on changing into.
M’weko didn’t celebrate religions or holidays, but Milo’s face shone when Keon introduced him to Christmas festivities. They’d stopped by the moving display of penguins and polar bears in the centre of the mall, tried eggnog and candy canes at the cafe, melted over a hot chocolate, and got caught in the mad rush for last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve.
Every minute had been special.
As they retraced their steps, Keon took a deep breath of the winter air. Bells rang in the distance, chiming to another seasonal tune, as he trudged through the foot-high snow of the last three hours. He ignored the burden of a heavy backpack over his shoulder to brush snowflakes from his frozen cheeks.
Keon looked to his right where Milo sat in his wheelchair, out of sight, and snorted as snow gathered on his elf’s hat. He’d made Keon wear the matching jumper over his black jeans. He dusted snow off the hat and mentally stored the smile he received.
Thanks to Robell’s thoughtful envelope, and the stash of money kept at the fraternity for sudden arrivals from Vihaan, he had enough money to buy Christmas presents. The one burning his pocket was the most important, but would wait.
He pressed the doorbell and gazed at Milo with hope. Tonight. He couldn’t wait another day. He’d take him to the clearing, kiss him into a stupor, and give him the tiny box representing their future. Silver bands to mate them in the human tradition. He had a feeling Milo would love having the physical representation to look at, to twirl around his finger. All he needed were the right words.
I love you, mikha.
Milo cocked his head. Before he voiced the question, Keon lifted the largest shopping bag to hold in front of his face, hiding a massive wolf teddy he’d bought for Drew, a gag gift he could hug when he was lonely. Thanks to a quick trip into the changing room at the store, and a bag of herbs from the health store, Keon had smothered the teddy in his scent. Whenever Drew squeezed the monster teddy bear, he would release the scent of fresh grass and mint Milo claimed was pure Keon Linwood. The best present he could think of for the best friend he deeply missed.
“It’s our date night!” Drew complained on the other side of the closed door. While Keon pressed his lips to stop from laughing, the door opened. “Did you hire a stripper for Christmas?”
Keon flipped the bird and lowered the bags. He’d overdone it with the elf jumperandelf shoes, but didnotlook like a stripper. “Merry Christmas, Drew.”
Drew lunged and filled him with two arms of best friend, sniffing in his ear. “I knew you’d come. I told Rylee you would,” he whispered, proving the bond between them was reciprocated.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” Keon promised, breaking the hug. “With you. With Milo.”
Drew practically fell into Milo’s lap, hugging him tight. Babbling like an overexcited fool, he backed into the house, holding the door open to let them in. He called a warning to Rylee about visitors, barely noticing the snow falling from Milo’s wheels to the carpeted hallway.
He’s not what I expected,Milo whispered, as Keon helped him off with his snow jacket.
Keon knelt to help remove his shoes, always more comfortable without them if he could get away with it.He’s brighter now. With Rylee, he’s free to be himself,he explained, glad he hadn’t changed. He rubbed Milo’s feet to combat the cold and met his bright gaze.Rylee fixed his broken heart, like you healed mine.
Milo fluttered fingertips to his jaw and kissed him.Seems fair,he insisted, nudging his nose against Keon’s cold cheek.You changed my whole world. You made me love you, and nothing means more to me than knowing you love me.
Keon stole one more kiss, lingering as the scent of honeysuckle intensified and clover tickled his nose. Faint but sweet. Knowing this was the beginning of a whole new life, a new existence, Keon stood and helped Milo from his chair. They would walk in together. He would be the stability Milo could lean on, could trust, not to walk and retain his independence, but in life. Forever. As Milo had become the one person to remind him why Vihaan was home.
It was imperfect, needed to change, and it hadn’t always been fair, but Vihaanwashis home. As long as Milo was there, it always would be. They’d be the change it needed, in the flesh, made real. Strong and unshakable.
He’d been raised by wolves, and it was time to do more than be included. Time to lead them. To be an Alpha in more than name, and make it safe for people like him. For people like Drew. All he needed was time.
