Page 9
Kean’s smile faded. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Dane, staying when everyone else had left.”
“You knew him?”
“Bray is one of my mates.”
Mates. Now there was an old-fashioned word Mostyn hadn’t heard in a long time. His grandparents had always referred to each other as mates, but no one used that term anymore. “I’m so sorry for his loss. Dane was a sweetheart.”
Only then did Mostyn realize Kean had used the plural form. “Wait, mates? As in more than one?”
Kean nodded, and an almost besotted smile played on his lips. “There’s Bray, and then there’s Ruari, who’s an omega. We have a son named Jax.”
Oh wow, that was quite extraordinary, wasn’t it? “That’s wonderful. So the people here are accepting of that…arrangement?”
Kean’s eyes sparkled. “You could say that. My younger brother, who lives here as well, is part of a foursome.”
Holy shit. A foursome? “I don’t think I’ve ever encountered that before, but good for him.”
“You’ll find we do things differently here in many ways.”
Mostyn gestured at the field around them. “You guys run a pretty impressive operation here. You’re self-sufficient, I assume?”
“Not quite, but we’re getting close. And yes, that is the goal.”
“Good idea, especially with what’s happening in the capital.”
“Yeah, we’re very worried about where all this is leading. But you’ll be safe here.”
Mostyn hesitated, then decided to just ask. “Does that mean I can stay for a while? Because I’m a little vague on the details Bray mentioned, to be honest. I was so exhausted. I don’t know how I was still awake.”
“You can stay as long as you want to.”
“Are you the one who decides that? No offense, but I want to make sure you’re in a position to make that promise.”
“None taken. No, that would be the brother I mentioned earlier, who’s second-in-command, but I know what he’ll say.”
Second-in-command? Of what? That made it sound like he’d ended up in some kind of paramilitary unit or a cult or something. Unease filled Mostyn. “And who is leading this…ranch?”
Kean blinked. “I’m not doing a good job of explaining all this to you, sorry. I’m a little out of sorts after Bray’s expedition to the capital and all the horrible news we heard.”
“Explaining what?”
Kean took a deep breath. “We’re not just a ranch or a group of people living together. We’re a pack.”
Mostyn listened with growing shock as Kean explained what that meant, how they’d become an old-fashioned pack under the leadership of Lidon Hayes. When he mentioned that name, that buzz of power grew stronger, and a shiver trickled down Mostyn’s spine. What was that about?
But Kean wasn’t done yet. He continued by sharing how they’d uncovered the conspiracy behind the Melloni gene.
Something struck Mostyn. “Palani Hightower. Of course. I’ve read all his blog posts on the gene. That’s why your last name is familiar.”
Kean nodded. “That’s my brother.”
“What he uncovered is truly shocking. I have an omega cousin who was recently diagnosed, my mom told me. Luckily, before his first heat came, so he’s prepared now.”
“I’m so glad he was spared the horrible experiences so many of them have had. My mate Ruari is a gene carrier as well.”
He didn’t say anything else, but he didn’t have to. Mostyn could fill in the blanks himself. “I’m so sorry.”
“As horrible as it’s all been, I’m grateful it has brought us all here, where we’ve created a pack, a safe space for anyone who wants to join.”
