“Sore and tired,” he promised, though it made him curious. As they had a ten-minute walk into the centre of the village, he glanced at the girl in dark clothes, long leggings, and a jumper. “At the camp, you couldn’t speak to Isaac in his mind.”
Haley tugged the sleeves of her jumper over her hands. “I never understood it or believed it was possible. I could never hear Milo, when he tried to talk to me. Maybe I wasn’t mature enough, or I never believed. I thought it was a heecha gift.”
“Isaac’s story is not mine to share, but he will, if you ask,” Keon promised, aware of her confusion. With Janet and Isaac within hearing range, Janet unaware he’d been adopted, he wouldn’t risk explaining. Isaac would share in time. “I was shocked when Milo used it on me, and the team didn’t like it when he and Isaac shared thoughts between the group. I’ve gotten used to it, though. It’s nice to have a way to talk without anyone eavesdropping. Especially with m’weko hearing,” he reasoned, as nothing was private for long. “Some pack matters can’t be talked about around others, but we can with his link. It’s special. Private.”
Haley glanced at Isaac. “Sounds nice,” she said, considering it. Whatever was going through her head, she’d been through a lot and it would take time to filter through the bad shit to find what was left. What she would do, how she felt, and whether she wanted help to deal with it.
Either way, he’d be with her. As Milo would.
*
WHEN THEY MADEit home, the others filtered away. Janet and Isaac went home, their welcome clear from outside the house. Where Jude would once have stopped outside his parents’ house to say goodnight, he walked further into the village. He and Gale stopped to say goodnight when they approached Keon’s house, heading to Gale’s annex.
The pair had a lot to talk about, though Keon wasn’t sure doing it near Gale’s parents was a good idea, but it reminded him of the importance of the new housing. Most foame stayed with their parents until the day they took a mate or went to Dnara. The few who rejected their mate or didn’t want one petitioned for a place to live. Some inherited their family home, as Eliseo had. The pack offered few provisions for courting couples. If his father had been alive, Keon would have been in the same intolerable situation as Jude and Gale.
Haley rushed to open the front, watching with concern as Keon carried Milo into the living room and placed him on the sofa.
“Rest, mikha, while I check in with West,” he suggested, pulling the blanket from the sofa. He got a lick in appreciation, and left the siblings alone, Haley edging onto the sofa beside her brother.
Following his senses, Keon walked through the hallway to the rear of the house, the scent of fresh air and morning dew calling. He found the door open, Weston sitting in a chair, supposedly reading, Leo doing push-ups in sports shorts. Creeping behind his Beta, he bent to whisper, “Morning, Beta.”
Weston squeaked and jumped, book falling to the floor. “Mother!” he cursed, hitting Keon’s arm as he failed to regain his composure.
Laughing, Keon perched on the empty seat beside him and lifted the paperback. “I would apologise for interrupting, but we both know you weren’t reading.”
“I was!”
“No, you weren’t.” Keon enjoyed the embarrassment flushing his cheeks. “By the waves of need radiating from your mate—” He tipped his head to Leo, pretending not to notice them. “—I’d say he knew the whole time and has been giving you a show.” He winked, watching Weston’s eyes widen and lips part in speechless surprise.
Leo’s laughter rang clear, as he stopped his exercises to sit on the grass and gaze at Weston. “You think I didn’t notice?” He brushed a hand through electric-blue hair. “You coped well until I took my shirt off. You dropped your book and never noticed it was ass over end for the last hour.”
Keon tried not to laugh, but…an hour? Weston couldn’t be flustered by anyone, when Keon first met him. Nothing, not Simeon, or Farley, could ruffle the man’s feathers. Keon’s smart mouth had managed twice, but the way Leo did it was skilful.
“It’s only been days, but it’s good to be home.” Keon sighed as the realisation sank in. To be home, in this house, with these people. This was where he belonged. He wished he’d known it sooner.
“I’m happy you’ve returned safely, Alpha.” Weston cocked his head and flushed, tucking his book onto his lap. “Do you want a report or to wait until you’ve slept? You look exhausted.”
“Yeah.” There was no use denying it. “We found her.”
“I never doubted it, Alpha.”
No, he probably didn’t. “Want to go in? Haley will probably sleep, but I’m sure she’d appreciate a hot chocolate and a friendly face,” he offered, aware of how close they’d become when he was distracted. A mistake he wouldn’t repeat.
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“You’re her friend, aren’t you? Make sure she’s safe, for your peace of mind. She’ll appreciate knowing someone missed her.” Thanks to Weston, they’d been in time to follow her scent. Bringing her home, where she belonged.
Leo rose from the grass and dusted his shorts. “I’ll make the hot chocolate while you check on Haley,” he offered, kissing Weston’s forehead and headed for the kitchen.
“You two are doing well,” Keon said, glad his Beta had been taken care of. He knew how much it meant to have Leo. Not home, but with him, loving him. “Milo pushed his limits and we need to sleep. Wake me if anything important happens, and feel free to go home. You’ve been magnificent.”
Weston flushed and shook his head, but didn’t argue. “Thank you, Alpha.” He rose and followed Leo inside.
Returning to the living room, he found Haley hugging Weston, thanking him for taking care of her. Whatever walls she’d built had crumbled with Vega’s betrayal, and she was starting to realise she wasn’t alone. She hadn’t been for a long time.
“I’m wiped. I’m heading for bed,” Keon announced, as Leo handed Haley a cup of hot chocolate. Human again, Milo tugged the blanket around his shoulders. “I’ll see you when I surface, and hope you won’t take offence when I say I hope it won’t be soon.”
Milo snorted his amusement, and Weston rolled his eyes.
