Keon laid his arms over Milo’s shoulders and kissed his ear. “How about you let me worry about your feet and join me in a dance?” he suggested, hoping Milo could trust him enough not to ask what he had planned.Please.
I hate it when you ask nicely,Milo replied, tilting his head to frown.I can’t say no to you when you say please.
Keon shrugged, stealing a kiss. “I know.”
Milo snorted and shook his head, but held his hand out in acceptance.
Delighted, Keon stepped around the chair to grasp his hands. When Milo raised an eyebrow, he ignored his impatient, curious mate to help him stand. Stepping close, he wrapped an arm around his middle, lifted him from his chair, and tucked Milo’s legs around his waist.
Milo wrapped his arm around Keon’s shoulders and crossed his ankles at the base of his spine. “This is your big plan?”
“You want to dance. I want to dance with you. This is a win/win in my opinion,” he said, thrilled he wouldn’t argue or worry what anyone thought. Keon brushed fingers through Milo’s hair to sweep it from his eyes and took a risk. “Farley is due to return in a couple months. How about we write and ask him to mate us when he gets here?” he asked, fighting his nerves, heart beating wildly at the thought Milo could say no. It was too soon, sudden, unexpected.
Milo’s fingers drifted into his hair. “I want to be your mate, more than anything.” He pressed his lips to Keon’s and nudged their noses. “The minute he can make you mine forever, I’ll be ready.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Milo
THOUGH HE WAStired, Milo had enjoyed every second of the party: the way Keon’s eyes had shone with affection when Milo played the guitar; the happiness, as families reconnected with loved ones; the blend of joy and grief in Weston to be reunited with Leo; the young love of Yosi and Callum’s union announcement.
There was so much to be thankful for that his heart swelled with gratitude for being included in this moment in history.
Dancing with Keon had become his favourite part of the night. After the first dance, Milo dug into the pocket of his jumper for his emergency supply. With painkillers, a short rest, and food to fuel his lagging energy, Milo was ready to try again.
“Keon,” he whispered, leaning on the arm of Keon’s wooden chair to get close. When he turned with a dazzling smile from watching Yosi and Callum dancing, Milo’s heart skipped a beat at the warmth and affection behind it. “Can we dance again?”
Keon’s smile grew and he didn’t hesitate to stand. “Are you feeling better?” he asked, head cocked as if trying to decipher something complex.
Having a feeling their bond had grown to let Keon sense his fatigue and pain, Milo didn’t bother to lie or ask how Keon had known he felt drained, the first time they’d danced. “Yes.” He accepted the offered hand, stood, and took a tentative step closer to his mate. “Yes, I do feel better.”
Without asking what that meant, Keon took a small step back, waiting for Milo to mirror it. One step at a time taking them onto the unofficial dance floor of the clearing. Gale had taken over the guitar playing, while the drums were joined by a violin played expertly by an exile from Dnara.
The music fed something in Milo’s soul he hadn’t known was missing. Some piece of joy or wonder came through the music and made him want to dance, sing, be frivolous and carefree. Long enough to pretend the people around him were friends, and the man in front of him was nothing but his mate.
No Alpha’s tonight. No Betas. No duties, responsibilities, concerns, and no lost loves kept apart for decades.
Milo wanted to forget and focus only on the fact this man holding his hand to his chest, another wrapped loosely around his waist, was the man he would spend the rest of his life with. Keon held him, not tightly but with a gentle surety that said he was there if Milo wanted to lean on him but would keep his distance if that was what he wanted.
The security was astounding. Toknowwithout a doubt Keon would sense and anticipate a weakness in time to prevent a fall; that he was connected to their bond and could already feel Milo’s aches and exhaustion. Totrustthe man he was with would never let him falter, fall, or hurt himself by doing too much, yet trusted Milo to know his limits.
Laying his head on Keon’s shoulder, Milo let the music flow through his veins, bare feet shuffling through the grass in an attempt to dance without over-extending his abilities. The cacophony of sensations?the cool grass beneath his feet, the gentle breeze, the twinkle of lights in the trees, and the warmth radiating from Keon’s hold?lulled him into the sense that the world had disappeared.
Keon didn’t rush him, didn’t move in awkward, contrary ways, despite the fact this was only their second time dancing together. The first, with Milo coordinating his own movements. They weren’t entirely in sync, but the moments they faltered were few and minor to the point Milo would glance up to find Keon smiling with amusement. Enjoying the learning experience while embracing the humour of their missteps.
Of all the incredible moments they had shared, Milo felt sure this was one he would remember years from now, when they were old and had forgotten how they met or the troubles they’d faced. Whatever else he might forget in his old age, Miloknewthis moment would stay with him forever.
*
THE DANCE TOOKmore energy than he’d expected, but it was worth it. While Keon dealt with a minor dispute, Milo laid his head on his hand, elbow propped on the arm of his wheelchair. Soon, he would be ready to go home to get time alone with Keon and sleep off the excitement.
For now, he liked what he saw. The pack were functioning as a family, even down to the disagreements and jovial banter. The returning exiles had stories to tell, and the team who had gone to collect them seemed relieved for a night of reverie to end their mission.
“Milo.” A voice distracted him, and he looked up to see Callum standing by his chair, two drinks in hand. “Would you like a drink?”
“Thank you.” Milo gratefully accepted the cup of water, with a refreshing hint of verbena. He invited Callum to sit, surprised he wasn’t with Yosi, who he’d stuck close to all night. “How are you coping with the attention?”
Callum snuffed a laugh. “Fine, I suppose,” he admitted, glancing back to where Yosi stood with his brother, deep in conversation. “I’m glad we went through with the mating. I was…nervous. Yosi’s family are anti-gaoj, and they’ve treated him horribly, throughout his childhood.”
