Haley glanced up, while Milo remained speechless. “I know how horrible I’ve been to him, and to you for choosing him, but it was selfish. I can see that now. I hated that he was taking up your time, and resented how he treated you,” she admitted, in a startling display that left him shocked to the core. “I thought he was overdoing it, trying too hard to show he cared about you, but I think that’s how he is as a person. He wants the people he loves to know they’re loved, and that’s not a bad thing.
“But I misunderstood it, and never bothered to ask whetheryouliked how he treated you,” she said, turning the tables so quickly he barely knew what to say. “When I heard how Vega talked about him, I realised Keon is a genuinely good person, who sometimes makes mistakes, but he owns up to them. He’s a good man, and a good Alpha, and…I’m sorry I didn’t see that sooner.”
Milo couldn’t have resisted the instinct if he wanted to. He let go of Haley’s hand to draw her into a hug, only belatedly remembering how Vega would have done the same, to muffle her scent with his own. “Sorry, is this…okay?” he asked, afraid to let go now he’d made the decision, in case she saw that as a rejection.
“Yes,” Haley whispered into his neck, tightening her grip. “I don’t want to smell like him.”
He closed his eyes, hating that their hug reminded her of the violation of her privacy and personal space. But if this made her feel better, he’d hug her all the way home. “You smell like Isaac to me,” he teased, hoping to remove the sting of that memory with a new one. The fact she wore Isaac’s jumper meant she’d already been trying to mask Vega’s scent, or she sincerely wanted to smell like Isaac, which could be the mating instinct she wasn’t yet old enough to understand.
In a year or two, she’d feel the full effect of the bond, and they’d have a whole new problem to deal with. For now, he was glad it gave her comfort.
“Yeah, I do.” She sounded happy, and it made him smile.
If having Isaac close, the protection of the team around her, and the people who did this to her far away didn’t help Haley sleep, Milo might ask Keon to spare some of the sleeping potion. It wouldn’t force her to sleep, as it did the prisoners, as he would only add a drop or two to an herbal tea, but if he could offer her a night of refreshing sleep, with no bad dreams, to forget her ordeal for a while, he would.
Everyone deserved to rest, now the worst was over.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Keon
THE NEXT TWELVEhours were calm after the chaos of the fight. Isaac gathered their backpacks and used restraints to secure their prisoners. With the fire raging and the team in need of rest and medical attention, they opted to use Vega’s campsite for the night. Jude made their prisoners drink a sleeping tonic to give them twenty-four uninterrupted hours. Which meant sleeping and preparing for the long trek home.
Keon used the stationary Weston had packed—the thoughtful Beta, hard at work—to write a note to Katarina, asking her to hold their prisoners until they contacted the Meskli.Having had no part in the fight, Isaac offered to deliver the note. One of her m’weko returned three hours later, trailing a six-man guard. They took the prisoners and left Keon a note of promise to hold the three prisoners for Farley’s arrival, where he’d oversee their sentencing. Katarina politely informed him that his presence wouldn’t be required.
Typical, but a relief. Haley had cried over Milo’s weakness, apologised a thousand times, and fallen into her brother’s arms to sob. They wouldn’t need a sleeping potion for her. She had been scarred by Vega’s insanity and erratic behaviour to last her a lifetime. Keon left her to Milo’s care and spent time checking everyone had enough to eat and drink.
Isaac offered to remain awake, on guard. With their prisoners in Katarina’s safe hands, it was possible to sleep and return home in the morning, when it was safer to travel. Keon was grateful not to waste time and energy dragging his prisoners home.
Doing his last circuit, he checked in with Janet, who had minor scratches. Crouching by Gale, the warrior struggled into a comfortable sitting position, but insisted he was fine, and Jude promised to take care of him. Keon left them to it and shifted to a warm m’weko body to lie by the fireside, curled beside Haley, who lay stiff as a board under a blanket.
Getting comfortable, the sight-line revealed Jude, tugging Gale into position to put lotion on his bite mark. The sensitive spot on his backside had Gale clenching his jaw and bristling with tension. Glad they were bonding, and sure they would be mated within the year, Keon cast a glance at Milo, who was packing medical supplies.
Relieved, verging on tears, Milo didn’t speak as he shifted to his m’weko and crawled closer. He snuggled into Keon, licked under his muzzle, and curled in to sleep. A wave of sad relief and gratitude flooding their bond.When we first met, you promised to keep Haley safe. Thank you for keeping your promise.
Of course.He nipped an ear and rested his head on Milo’s, a physical reminder of what lay between him and the rest of the world.I told you, I’d do anything for you.No matter what he asked, wanted, or needed, Keon would make it a reality. Anything to keep him happy.
Milo’s scent shifted, sweeter and more delicate.You said you’d enjoy courting me,he hinted, teasing and playful.
I have.
He gave one final nudge closer.Are you done courting me yet, Alpha?
Keon nipped his ear, in retaliation for teasing when he was tired.You know, I might be.Done courting. Hesitating. Putting off what they should have done a long time ago, but he wouldn’t regret having these weeks together. He’d grown as a man, as an Alpha, and could never have done that without Milo.
Good.
Keon couldn’t resist.Remember your promise,he tormented, smiling at Milo’s shiver of delight,because you promised to mark me as yours.
I will, Alpha, Milo replied, snuggling closer.Soon.
*
THE NEXT DAYinvolved walking, running, and sleeping. Expending energy few could spare. The time dragged, having Haley, injured, fatigued, and incapable of rushing. Milo limped with every step, and Keon worried about permanent damage at every pause. The whole team were in awful shape.
When they stopped for a rest at four in the afternoon to push through the night for the last stretch, he couldn’t keep silent. Everyone settled around their fire, eating, checking wounds, sipping on water, or chatting, as Keon made his way to Milo.
How are you, mikha?he asked, kissing his temple as he perched on a fallen log. He kept silent about how long it took to shift from m’weko to human, and how Milo had struggled to lift from the ground onto the log.
