A rusty-red m’weko broke through the trees at a gallop and skidded to a halt when it found them waiting. Keon gave Milo a nudge of support. He stood and took a shaky first step, pausing and taking a second, more deliberate, step. When his ankle wobbled with the fifth step, Isaac loped close to nudge it into a better position, effectively helping Milo find his balance and reposition the foot refusing to respond.
His nerve condition was brutal, causing a miscommunication between the brain and the nerve. While the brain said ‘move foot’, the nerve responsible often twitched but didn’t understand. Isaac understood and helped, impressing Keon with his quick response. He’d been trying to solve the problem for weeks, yet Isaac took one look and knew. Maybe he had more heecha blood than they knew.
Thank you.Milo offered a playful nip to Isaac’s ear in gratitude. The pup responded by dropping to his belly and rolling over. A sign of submission, usually given to the Alpha.
You can speak!Isaac cried out like a puppy, tail wagging with excitement.I’ve tried to speak to others, but no one answered. How can you hear me? Can you speak to others? Can you teach me how to get better? Can I speak to Janet?he gushed, filled with innocent joy at finding he wasn’t alone.
Cool it, pup, Keon sent through his link with Milo.
Bounding to his feet, Isaac ran toward Keon and mimicked his submission, playfully kicking his front legs against Keon’s chest. A sign of wanting to play.Hi, Alpha. I didn’t know you could speak. Have you heard me?he asked, cocking his head as his tongue lolled.
Keon bent and caught the pup around the neck to physically lift him to his feet, sharing his amusement through the link. Isaac’s enthusiasm was adorable.
On his feet, Milo crossed to Keon’s side and rubbed their muzzles with affection.Keon can speak and hear you because he’s grown used to his link with me,he explained, despite the urgency.We’ll try to share the link with the whole group.
Isaac gazed between them with puppy eyes, eager to listen and learn. Keon felt guilty for not realising how much he wanted to help.I came to tell you, Alpha.You’re going the wrong way.He tipped his head to the east and took a step.Haley’s scent came this way, but is stronger over there. Someone’s leading a false trail.
Then it’s a good job you came.
Grinning like a fool, the silly pup waited for Keon to accept him into the team, bounding to Janet and rubbing his face against her shoulder in their equivalent of a hug. She tolerated it, but Keon could sense her annoyance. Worried for his safety.
Isaac was right. Haley’s scent was faint, leaving no clue where to go. Isaac could catch the faintest shift of direction with ease. He owed the sweet kid for being brave enough to disobey him.
*
KEON LET ISAAClead the team, leaving him free to keep pace with Milo. Their proximity quelled the fear and agitation Milo suffered, as they raced to find his sister. As he’d learned over the last few weeks, stress was a side effect and trigger to his condition. Both making his symptoms worse, while most of his conditions caused more stress in a vicious cycle impossible to navigate.
Whenever he caught Milo lagging or struggling, Keon waited to offer a nip or nuzzle of comfort and push strength through their bond. As hours passed and Milo’s voice grew tired in his head, he kept moving.
After four hours of walking, Isaac paused and cast a hesitant message into Keon’s mind. The muffled voice implied he’d navigated a new link, without using Milo’s. A consideration Keon appreciated.
Should we stop, Alpha? There’s a stream around the corner,he asked, young and innocent, but already a leader. In a handful of years, he would be a strong scout.
Thanks, pup. Scout the stream, check it’s safe to shift, and you three can eat. We’ll be there soon,he promised, determined to get time with Milo.
Isaac led the team to the stream. Whether he communicated with the others or waited to shift, Keon could count on him to provide privacy.
He nudged Milo’s head as he limped closer.Can you shift?he asked, offering a lick to his muzzle. He tugged the strap to release the two packs, nudged them aside, and shifted. His legs ached as he stretched, senses flickering between human and m’weko as nerves tingled. He shook his head to dislodge the buzzing from being tired and the silence of the clearing pushing in on his delicate senses.
Milo whined, eyes unfocused mid-shift.
A joint popped in relief as he sank into his human body, positioned on all fours on the grass. Keon shook his head to clear the last of the fog. Milo curled in, fully human but weak. Keon crawled closer and curled around Milo, offering heat and comfort.
I’m cold,Milo whispered, chittering teeth and grasping fingers breaking his heart. Another symptom of his condition: the inability to regulate his temperature. One switch in weather, from a bite of wind or unshaded sun, could have him chittering or baking.
Keon closed his eyes and carded fingers through soft white hair.I’ve got you.He waited for Milo’s breathing to ease before he shifted onto his knees to slip his arms under Milo’s body and lift him effortlessly. Two arms locked around his neck, as Keon stood and walked to the stream.Isaac.
Yes, Alpha. The stream is safe,he replied, without missing a beat.Shall I return?
Please. Collect our packs and find a blanket. Milo is frozen,he explained, trusting him to help without judging Milo. They would rest for an hour, but couldn’t risk longer. Isaac’s sense of Haley was strong, and they couldn’t be far behind. If they waited, the trail would grow cold.
Leadership warred with his mate bond as Keon tried to find a way without injuring Milo, leaving him feeling a burden, or putting Haley at risk. Keon walked Milo around the bend in the tree line, grateful when Isaac respectfully tipped his head. His worried eyes settled on Milo, a kinship between them, possibly a product of their heecha blood.
By the stream, Janet refilled water bottles. Gale divided helpings of cured beef and energy bars, the most logical food to feed their human and m’weko. Neither did more than glance across as Keon found a thick tree to sit against, cradling Milo in his lap.
Isaac dumped their bags by his side, and lay a thick blanket around Milo. They shared a look of acknowledgement—athank youfrom Keon and ayou’re welcomefrom Isaac—and settled to rest. Milo snuggled against Keon’s chest, skin burning hot despite his chills.
He hadn’t planned to use it this early, but had no choice. Keon removed a sachet of powder from his pack, a supply Doctor Robell had left for emergencies. A mixture of herbs and painkillers to feed Milo’s m’weko energies and fuel him for the journey. Potent enough it should only be used once every twenty-four hours, as it took an hour to digest and lasted for eighteen.
