*
SOMEONE HAD PUTa lot of effort into the celebrations. Lights inside jars, strung on tree branches, candles dotted in safe places, and sheer fabrics draped over harsher lights. Keon was proud of the way everyone helped make this a special night.
An hour into the party, when Milo agreed to play the guitar and people danced and sang to traditional songs, Keon marvelled at his luck. Here was a man liked by everyone in the pack, playful and fun, talented with the guitar and medicine, and gorgeous. Milo was a good Beta, a sweet, beautiful soul, and a strong man. Everything Keon had never expected in a mate.
Yet, the Fates had given him a mate who was cruel, selfish, and had betrayed him countless times without care. Somehow, they’d rectified that mistake by bringing Milo into his orbit. He had the right mate, though the Fates had never planned it this way. Milo wasn’t histruemate, but he was theonlymate Keon wanted.
The night proved a roaring success. Keon was treated like another member of the pack, listening to stories about the good and bad times. How Simeon had wanted them to live as their m’weko because it made them stronger, and how they rejoiced in knowing Keon wouldn’t put limitations on them. People talked about their hopes for the future, the new laws, and Milo’s plans to create a community centre. They welcomed the idea of living as an extended family, of returning to the roots of their people with modern conveniences and modern ideals. Few spoke about the laws regarding same-sex relationships, but Keon thought this was the perfect time.
Keon sent a mental warning to Milo, who stopped strumming the guitar, drawing the attention of most of the pack. When Keon stepped to his side and held a glass of homemade beer aloft, the word was passed to pay attention.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he called, loud and clear. “It does my heart good to see familiar faces returned to our pack. To the unfamiliar, I’m eager to get to know you better,” he added, intrigued by the older men who had run farms in America and could guide him on how to make the village more self-sufficient.
Keon perched on the arm of Milo’s chair—a sturdy wooden chair donated with countless pieces of furniture for the event—and let one hand drift into his hair. “Tonight, we’re celebrating three monumental events. First, to your return.” He raised his glass at the loud toast reverberating through the m’weko who had welcomed their loved ones home. “Second, we’re celebrating our first step into a brighter future. Together, we’ll build on what has been to create a new, innovative and glorious future.”
“To Keon!” someone shouted, echoed by the pack.
You notice, Milo hinted with a nudge,no one called you Alpha.His eyes glittered emerald in the low light.
They’re learning.
Keon tipped his head in thanks for the toast, and raised his glass higher. “Finally, we’re here to raise a glass to two brave souls,” he said, watching heads turn to the team members who had recently returned. “Despite the way this pack has been run these long years, they had the courage and belief to ask me to mate them. To believe in their love, their true mate bond, and to keep my promise.” He swallowed his emotion and gestured to the happy couple.
“Tonight, we toast to Yosi Toreto and Callum Forrest. The Fates chose you as true mates, and it’s always been clear to me that your hearts are two halves of a whole. To your union,” Keon called, watching curiosity ripple through the pack, “to your happiness, and to the legacy you’ll become. The first same-sex couple in this pack to be united under law. You will remain in the history books of Vihaan for eternity.”
“To Yosi and Callum,” Milo shouted, raising the call in the silence, as the rest of the pack recognised it as a toast.
“To Yosi and Callum,” they repeated, some more effusive than others.
Yosi raised his cup of beer, and Callum blushed but gazed at his mate adoringly, warming his heart with their happiness. “Here’s to you being next, Alpha.”
Laughing, Keon glanced at Milo and nudged their cups. “I’ll drink to that.”
While the pack laughed, and family and friends greeted the newly mated couple with congratulations, Keon bent to brush a kiss across Milo’s lips. When he checked on the young couple, Callum was locked in a tight hug from Jude, laughing and talking excitedly, while Gale hugged his brother.
He silently wished them happiness and returned to his perch on the arm of Milo’s chair. He soaked in the party atmosphere, drank his beer, and enjoyed seeing the blatant joy of everyone in attendance. Not far away, Leo and Weston swayed to a tune on the flute, barely separated by more than an arm’s length. They had arrived holding hands and rarely let go, but he imagined it wouldn’t be long until they united.
When Milo caught the flute’s tune and sang, it wasn’t only Keon who stilled, afraid to drown out the beautiful timbre of his voice. The flute player crossed to stand nearby and adapted his tune, as someone brought one of the empty barrels of beer, overturned it, and beat a steady drum.
Gaining confidence at the backing noise, Milo’s voice elevated the melody and sent a shiver across Keon’s spine. He’d chosen this spot, despite what it meant, because it was the largest open space he could think of. Rather than being special to him and Milo, it could become a place of warmth, love, family, and comfort for the whole pack. It would remain his private place, without the ghosts and demons of his childhood. He let the view become a balm to the dark memories, appreciating the twinkle of lights in the tree branches, the scent of jasmine and home-baked goods drifting on the breeze. Everything about this moment was special and he wanted to capture it in his mind.
Throughout the night, the pack proved they were beginning to reconnect with the ‘family’ vibe they’d had in his youth—the one lost when Simeon took over the Alphaship and became a dictator. Haley was behaving, dancing with girls her age and sending flirtatious looks to the boys smart enough to steer clear. Yosi was busy chatting with his big brother, but Gale and Jude never stood more than steps apart. A development Keon was sure spoke volumes about their future.
“Alpha.” Weston slipped into the seat by Keon’s side. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness and consideration,” he gushed, eyes glazed with emotion.
His Beta was drunk, and Keon had a hard time not laughing. “You mean the world to me, West. I’m glad Leo came home.”
“He makes me happy,” he whispered, swaying slightly. “The way Milo makes you happy.”
Keon’s heart melted with affection. “He does. I hope I make him as happy as he makes me,” he admitted, about to suggest he find Leo.
“You do,” Weston insisted, patting his hand. “I see it when he looks at you. When will you mate him?” he asked, clasping Keon’s hand. “You have?” His eyes glazed with confusion. “?months to your birthday. You need to mate him to keep him and be Alpha.”
The way he struggled to recall the exact number of months was adorable. Weston had never not known the answer to a question, and Keon loved seeing this side of him. It was sweet, but he had a point. “I promise to ask,” he vowed, rising to his feet to scan the crown for Leo. The tall man waved and made his way over, giving Keon the chance to leave while Leo convinced Weston to go home. The incentive his Beta offered was something he tried to pretend never happened.
Scrubbing the unfortunate sentence from his mind, he went in search of Milo and found him sitting in his wheelchair, watching Yosi and Callum dance to a slow song. He was smiling, but Keon suspected he knew the cause of the lingering sadness, and bent to whisper in Milo’s ear. “Want to dance, mikha?”
Milo twisted to meet his gaze. “Don’t be silly. I don’t know how to twirl this hulking machine with grace,” he argued, without anger or judgement.
