What existed between them was clear, a deep-rooted, unending love that made this the right decision. “You’re of age to make the decision independently, but have you told your parents?” Keon asked to check he wouldn’t have angry m’weko storming his home.
As Callum slid into the spot beside Yosi, an arm wound around his waist. “Yeah. I figured when you said one hour, it gave us time to decide how, and if, we wanted to tell them first,” Yosi admitted, like the sensible guy he was. “My folks took it how I expected, but Callum’s are fine. Since you came home, they said it wasn’t dangerous anymore. They would have done what your dad did, telling us to keep it private.”
Nodding, Keon guessed, “My father knew about you.” It was hard to imagine anyone seeing Yosi and Callum andnotknowing, but it was amazing the things people could convince themselves of.
With sad eyes, Yosi scrubbed his hair. “Your dad was good to us. He’d let us stay, while Simeon was living in the Pack-House. He said people like us should always be safe,” he explained, his grief as raw as Keon’s.
He could imagine how proud his father would be of Yosi and Callum, for daring to be honest. “Please tell me you didn’t have sex in my bed before I did,” he said, lightening the tone.
“Nah.” Yosi cocked his head, as Callum hid his face in his side. “We’re waiting for m’nuni. Afuck youto guys like Simeon, who thought because I like guys meant I would screw anyone with a dick. He sure learned the hard way. His nose didn’t like my fist, but I’d be mince-meat if Gale hadn’t been nearby,” he said, laughing off the near-miss.
Mother help him. Had Simeon tried to corrupt every male under thirty? Keon rubbed the bridge of his nose. “My brother didn’t proposition you, did he?”
“Not me,” Yosi replied, glancing meaningfully at an oblivious Callum. A sign he was unaware of the incident. “He liked what came out of my mouth, but knew I’d never let him put anything in it. Besides, your brother liked them smaller, younger, sweeter. He liked to break the pure ones,” he elaborated, never taking his eyes off Callum. He’d clearly been a good mate and protected Callum, keeping him safe from Simeon’s depravities. Before Keon could think of how to apologise, Yosi met his gaze. “Don’t tell me you two haven’t done the nasty, yet.”
Laughter bubbled out, while Milo huffed and shook his head, seated on the sofa nearby. “There’s nothing nasty about what we do,” Keon protested, sparing a fond glance at his blushing mate. “We’re waiting for m’nuni. Enjoying the tension, and avoiding a political nightmare,” he admitted, unwilling to guess how Farley and Thatcher would react if they jumped the gun.
Milo’s snort was proof he was thinking the same.
Weston called, “Shall we start?”
Keon offered an apologetic glance, but Weston merely shook his head, unconcerned by the delay. “Yeah. Let’s go to the ceremonial room.”
Weston gestured for Yosi and Callum to join him, but Keon lingered. Milo’s legs were tired after their run, more sensitive than usual, forcing him to remain on the sofa. Keon kissed him briefly. “I can bring your wheelchair and you can join us,” he offered, though they hadn’t tested his ability to use it in the house yet. Something they should do soon.
Milo shook his head. “I’m fine. I want to practice getting these bandages right.” He tapped the book on the coffee table. He’d borrowed Robell’s tools from his medical bag, the doctor content to replace them when he returned to his practice. Milo’s hands weren’t the steadiest, and bandages proved a challenge he’d yet to master, the complicated, twisted movements hurting his wrists.
Keon worried every night he sat to practice, fumbling or dropping something the next day, from taxing his nerves and leaving them in pain. “Okay.” He kissed his forehead and left him in peace to retreat to the ceremonial room where he’d first faced Thatcher. It felt like a lifetime ago, and another lifetime until Farley’s return to unite him to Milo.
Where did the time go?
Keon met the boys in the private room, filled out the last of the paperwork, and completed the formal spoken ceremony of a mating. His would be more elaborate, but for ordinary pack members, the mating ceremony was the equivalent of an interview. He made sure both parties consented, as willing adults, and used his senses—in the case of a true mate bond, his nose—to detect the mating bond was reciprocated.
When it came to Callum and Yosi, their bond was undeniably strong. He didn’t need to scent it, because it was constantly present.
Keon signed the last page and passed it to Weston to notarize. His heart refused to calm, watching Callum and Yosi interact, sharing casual touches, Callum’s shyness clear in contrast to Yosi’s certainty. He saw himself and Milo in the youngsters. The ideal versions of themselves. The true mates of another world, another time, another alternative life.
A similar knowing look was in Weston’s eyes when he passed the final paper across the table. A warmth that said he loved how special this moment was. To have these two beautiful souls—in love, innocent and trusting, young, beginning their life—as the first in their pack to take this risk. The perfect symbol ofwhythis was necessary.
“You, me, and Milo need to sit and have a chat soon. He has ideas you’ll love,” Keon assured, knowing only good could come from them growing closer. Together, they could change the pack,E’Boolou, and Vihaan.
Standing, Keon stepped around the desk and shook their hands. “I’m happy to bind you, and I’m honoured by your bravery in being the first. I can’t wait to see everything we’ll do, as we work on building the pack into something new and exciting.” He took their hands and held them in his. “May your future be bright, beautiful, and happy. May you always love as much, if not more, than you do now.”
Callum’s eyes misted with emotion as he bobbed his head. “Thank you, Alpha.”
“May you have the same, Alpha,” Yosi replied, strong and clear, though his eyes drifted to Callum.
With the ceremony complete, Keon and Weston left them alone. They would leave when they were ready, once they’d exchanged a kiss, or a mating bite to the neck, customary at unions. Whatever they chose to do, the official m’nuni ceremony would take place in private, requiring marking and drawn blood during sex.
“I’ll inform the families,” Weston said, fulfilling his duty as Beta. With it official and never to be undone, he could tell the families they no longer had any say in how their children lived.
“Thank you, West.” He wished him luck.
Keon left the ceremonial room for the living room, feeling light and carefree. His heart ached at their young love, but seeing Milo on the sofa, book neatly put away, his heart swelled with love. He crossed to his mate, sat, and let Milo cup his cheek.
“You did a beautiful thing,” Milo whispered, placing a kiss to his lips. “You showed them they’re part of our family. You’ve proved to anyone who believed you only made the law for our benefit, they were wrong. You did this forthem. For everyone in your pack who was told they don’t matter. You showed them they’re important, seen, and you’ll fight for them.” He sealed his words with a kiss as sweet.
“You’re wrong,” Keon argued, sneaking another quick kiss. “It’sourpack.”
