Eliseo swallowed, with tearful eyes Keon hoped came from understanding and relief. “Thank you. I won’t forget your kindness.” He left a delicate kiss on Keon’s cheek. “I hope you find a worthy mate.” Voice finally heard, he walked away, head held high, one hand clasped around the worn leather decorating his wrist. A reminder love could be equally a gift and a curse.
Chapter Eleven
Milo
Two Days Later
WAITING FOR THEMeskli was wreaking havoc on Milo’s nerves. The last two days, he’d tried everything to discreetly question the villagers about Alpha Keon, but the answers were…complicated.
Usher shook his head and tore teeth through a chunk of grilledvelle. “He can’t havenoweaknesses.”
“That’s not what I said.” Milo scolded him for oversimplifying the problem. “The real issue is how long Alpha Keon has been studying in Dnara. Everyone remembers a meek but loyal son, a respectful boy, heavily bullied, and overshadowed by his brothers.” It didn’t sound as sad when he said it like that, but Milo’s heart had hurt to hear the stories. Rumours about being heartbroken by his true mate at a young age, and Keon went to Dnara to escape the bond. How he was a sensitive boy, emotional and tender compared to his brothers. Stories of how older pack members pitied him, while younger members held hope for a progressive future.
Usher nodded and finished reading Milo’s notes while he ate. “Adult Keon is a mystery. No one knows what he experienced in Dnara, or how that will influence him as a leader.”
“Exactly.” Milo had no information about Alpha Keon’s time in Dnara. No notion of whether he’d had relationships, not a hint of how he’d coped, what he’d learned, or the people he’d spent time with. “All I know is that he physically changed. He went from an average stature and willowy to…” How did he describe Alpha Keon?
Milo had only caught glimpses from a distance, but what he saw was…majestic. Strong, bulky, and tall, Keon held himself with confidence and had a smile always at the ready, yet he spoke with an authoritative voice that made people stop and listen.
“Built,” Usher supplied, with a knowing smile.
Milo felt the blush rising but said nothing about Usher’s teasing. “I suppose.”
“It doesn’t matter. A scout claims they saw the Meskli and his guards a few miles from Keon’s boundaries.” He sighed and handed Milo the notes back. “I’ll find out everything I need to know about Keon once we start the challenge.”
Milo nodded but his stomach sank. He didn’t care that he’d failed Thatcher, but it hurt to see Usher accepting his fate. “Be careful. Don’t underestimate him, and don’t let Father push you beyond what’s acceptable. The Meskli will be there, but?”
“We both know that won’t stop Father. I get it,” Usher concluded, lifting a cup of water which he raised for a toast. “Pray the Mother walks with us both.”
Milo marvelled at his sportsmanship. Wishing himself and Alpha Keon the best was typical for Usher, but something he would never do in front of others. Milo felt proud and honoured to be the only one Usher shared his true self with. He only prayed he was right and nothing happened to him because their father was a selfish bastard.
“May the Mother hear you.”
*
Keon
ON THE FIFTHday after Keon summoned him, the Meskli arrived with no fanfare and a team of four men who guarded him with silent honour. Keon had been warned by his perimeter guards, with time to light a smoke and wait on the porch with the door open, ready to welcome the Meskli.
As the Alpha who ruled over m’weko, Farley was a man of distinction and incredible knowledge. He’d taught Keon and his brothers how to control their shift to reason with the m’weko inside to prevent outbursts of temper. After becoming the Meskli,his visits had dwindled, and Keon hadn’t realised how much he missed him.
When he arrived, walking with purpose, unimpeded by the guards flanking him, Keon took a drag and switched the cigarette to his left hand. Farley looked older, dark brown hair greying, a real silver fox. Tall, broad shoulders, a hardness to his body not present in his personality, grey eyes curious, no age lines despite being sixty soon.
Anyone would think him an extra in a human vampire movie. A long black trench coat, the collar tugged around his neck, and big black boots. He looked like an overgrown emo. He wished he had his phone to send Drew a snapshot.
“Alpha.” Keon smiled in greeting, as the Meskli advanced on his house. He held out his right hand, which Farley grasped.
Fondness and understanding lit his eyes when Farley caught his gaze. “This was always agoodhome,” he proclaimed, shaking his hand and releasing it to run an appraising eye over the house. “Yes. A sensible house for a sensible man, and a good place to grieve.”
The acknowledgement of his grief was appreciated. Keon bobbed his head in thanks and gestured to the house. “Come inside,” he said, mentally remembering Farley wasn’t here as a family friend. He was the Meskli, and had a mess to resolve. Familiarity would wait.
Farley entered the house, absently waving at his entourage, who would walk the perimeter. “It’s good to see you, lad. The only good deed your brother did was make you his successor,” he remarked, pausing in the hallway to remove his coat.
Keon hung it and led the way into the living room where Farley took the armchair by the fire. “I wish the circumstances were different, but I’m glad you’re here,” he confessed, taking a seat on the sofa but unable to resist laughing at the black T-shirt and trousers beneath the trench coat. “What’s with the outfit?”
A grimace graced Farley’s classically handsome face when he replied, “We passed through Pequij.”
“Why did you pass through vampire territory?” Keon finally understood the outfit. Shevoo remained sensitive creatures, with delicate eyesight despite centuries of evolution. The black fabric would put them at ease, and by covering Farley from head to toe in heavy fabric, the outfit stifled his scent, causing less discomfort. The few ancient creatures who existed in Vihaan had isolated in a community near the hills, where they wouldn’t be disturbed and couldn’t hunt in the wrong places.
