Page 57 of Free Me

Thirty minutes and several phone calls later, Miko and Linus had permission to stay at the Porter cottage for two nights this coming week. Frey’s sire promised to have a local housekeeper freshen up the place and restock it with basic toiletries. Since it wasn’t a heat-related trip, they didn’t need any special supplies. The cottage had a full kitchen they could shop for, but Miko loved the idea of trying out new-to-them restaurants with food they’d probably never eaten before. Because of its proximity to the coast, real from-the-ocean seafood was available for sale there. It was expensive, but Miko hoped to indulge at least once.

They booked train tickets to leave in two days, early morning departure for an early afternoon arrival. They’d stay two nights and return two days before the gala. Everything was perfect.

To no one’s surprise, when Liam and Isa came home from wherever they’d been all afternoon, they were less than thrilled about the trip. “You two want to travel to Ampshire Province alone?” Liam asked with an affronted squawk Miko hadn’t heard since they were in middle school.

“Yes,” Linus replied firmly. “We’re both capable adults, and we have the credit to pay for the trip ourselves. We want to do something special, something unique to us as a couple, to celebrate being bondmates. To celebrate being alive.”

Liam flinched.

“I’m not saying I’m against the idea,” Isa said, “but I’m curious. Why don’t you think you can do something special here in Sansbury?”

“Because Ampshire is someplace Peyton and Layne have never been.”

Miko didn’t startle nearly as badly as Isa and Liam, but he was still shocked at how bluntly Linus had said that. He was alsoimpressed and proud of Linus for speaking his mind and saying what they both felt as the youngest in their respective family.

Isa eased into his favorite recliner; Liam perched on the arm, close to his mate. “Tell me why it’s important to go somewhere your brothers haven’t been,” Isa said.

Linus squeezed Miko’s forearm, and Miko nodded. “Because we don’t want our relationship to be a rerun of Peyton and Layne’s. We’re brothers from the same two families, each from the same age group or generation or however you want to say it. We’re best friends who are bondmates, and we found out through unique circumstances, just like them. We don’t want to shack up in a motel after the gala like they did. We want to do something that’s unique to our relationship. For it to be just ours.”

Isa’s eyebrows shot up, while Liam barely reacted to the motel comment. Liam and Layne had probably talked at length about Layne’s feelings over having sex for the first time, and Liam had apparently kept Layne’s confidence.

“I’m sorry you feel like you’ve lived in Layne’s shadow,” Liam said, his raspy voice thick with emotion. “You were always so outgoing and independent, Linus. I never thought I had to worry about you as much as I did Layne.”

“Well, to be fair,” Linus said, “Layne did have an emotional and mental breakdown over all the stuff he repressed after our kidnapping. Honestly, I’m glad I barely remember it. I hate that Layne carries those memories, and all I really remember is having to pee in a dirty toilet, and then later being in the car with Dent. You had good reasons to worry about Layne more. He was an introverted, suffering omega, and I was an outgoing, popular alpha.”

“It’s still no excuse on my part. You are my son, same as Layne. I love you both so much, baby boy. If I ever compared youtwo, or if you ever felt I treated you as less-than your brother, then I apologize.”

“It’s okay, Papa. I’m not mad at you or Dad. I’m just glad you’re hearing me and understanding my point of view. I know you guys are worrying now, because of my leg, but you don’t have to. I want to take this trip with Miko. So much. We can go somewhere and be ourselves. No expectations, no one who knows us. Just me and him and our feelings for each other.”

“And I want that for you. I do.”

“But you’re going to worry every minute I’m gone?”

“For sure.”

“I’m proud of you, Linus,” Isa said. “You have faced your new circumstances with courage and determination. I’m not surprised that you want to do the same as you create your relationship with Miko. You deserve to move forward in whatever way makes you happiest.”

Linus beamed at his sire. “Thank you. I want to take this trip, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, too. But I’m going to be nervous about doing a lot of things for a while, because I can’t just walk out of the house and, you know,dothem anymore. I have to think ahead and plan, especially until I’m more stable on the prosthetic and can walk with just a cane.”

“And one day, hopefully, without one,” Miko added. He knew his bondmate. Linus was determined not only to walk without assistance, but to run again, and he would. Miko had faith in his future mate.

Linus pressed a kiss to his temple. “One day definitely without one.”

“Well, if you’re going, you should both start planning what to pack,” Liam said. “Are your winter coats going to be warm enough for snow?”

“They’ll be fine,” Miko replied. “We asked Frey, and he said that even though the temperature will be colder, it sometimesfeels warmer with the snow. I’m not sure how that works, but I trust him. I’ve also gotta lay this plan on my own parents before I can pack anything.” Not that they’d need much for such a short trip, and if he forgot his toothbrush, he could buy a new one when they arrived.

It was a new province, not the middle of the wilds.

“Do you want me to call Brogan?” Liam asked. “So he knows your trip has our support?”

“That would be very helpful, yes, thank you.”

Liam put his mobile on speaker. Miko’s stomach wobbled with nerves when Omi picked up, but calmed quickly when both Omi and Dad offered their full support for the trip. Miko knew his sire well enough to hear the slight hesitation in his voice, but that was because this was Miko’s first overnight trip outside of Sansbury. And he was an unmated (although bonded!) omega. Any alpha parent would worry.

Miko’s parents also now understood how important it was for Miko to stand apart from his big brother, to be his own person, and not just “the youngest.” All six of them briefly discussed what Miko and Linus should pack for the trip, before Miko promised to be home by ten and they ended the call.

Liam and Isa went into the kitchen to start dinner. Miko snuggled up closer to Linus, mind whirring with all the possibilities now looming for their trip. “I’m so happy we’re doing this,” Miko said softly. “I can’t think of the last time I was this excited for anything.”

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