Page 13 of Threads of Fate

“But you said you saw him yesterday. That’s why you were sad last night? He was hurt then, too?” Jay’s grip on him tightens, his smoky scent like a burning forest fire.

“Jay! You’re hurting him. Let him talk.” Leo’s voice is urgent. Finn will have bruises to show for it later, even if they won’t stay long, and Jay will surely beat himself up over it.

Finn doesn’t know how to tell this story without breaking his oath. All he wants to do is have someone read his mind and fast forward through the whole terrible tale. And that’s the crux of it: it’s nothisterrible story to tell at all.

He holds Jay’s hand to his heart and whispers, “It’s not my story to tell. There are parts of it that only Austin can share. Even if my oath allowed it, it’s not right. If—whenhe wakes up he cantell you the details, okay? When he’s ready. All I can tell you is that he was scared and hurt, and I think he left here to go back to a terrible situation. I tried to get him to stay, but he left without a word. Snuck out while I was ordering tests, and I had no way to find him.”

Jay is right to be angry at that moment. Austin–Nixis hurt because Finn let him leave.

“I would have done it, you know. Iwasgoing to look his information up when he was brought in. But I should have told you last night. I’m sorry, and now he’s–he might die.” The shame is overwhelming, and that his alpha might hate him forever is almost more than he can bear.

His mates look at him in surprise. Both knew how much he prized both his career and his honor. “I couldn’t let him suffer, but I was too late. I should have done something last night.” Finn presses the heels of his palms to his eyes in an attempt to stop himself from crying again and to try and get the images of Nix’s broken body out of his mind.

Leo gathers him close to his broad chest as their pack alpha paces like the apex predator that he very much is, putting all the pieces of what Finn described and what he left out together in a very clear picture. He must realize he’s still holding Nix’s piece of the photo strip because he gently smooths it out, tucks it inside his photos, and folds them back into his wallet for safekeeping. The scent of forest on fire burning through the ER.

Buried in Leo’s throat, he feels his soft lips against his ear. “You’re so brave, Finn. So brave to care for our mate and try to save him. Such a good alpha.” The beta is pumping out enough cinnamon scent that Finn could get drunk on it. “Hey, do we have to sit here on the floor while we wait? Doesn’t that staff lounge have a comfy sofa? And you should eat something while I call the others.” He climbs to his feet and helps Finn do the same.

The others. Fuck, where has Finn’s mind been? Were Luca and Rowan at the studio wondering where Jay and Leo had gone? Was Gideon home from the market? What time was it? Checking his watch, he sees it’s already noon. It feels as if a whole day has passed when, in fact, it has only been a few hours since they had taken Nix into surgery.

“You can’t call them, Leo. You should tell them in person, but I won’t leave Nix, and I’m sure Jay won’t, either.” The mention of his other mates has Jay back in pack alpha mode.

“Finn’s right. Can you text them and have them meet you at home? Tell them whatever you need to, but they shouldn’t come here. Right, Finn? You all should stay at home until we’re sure he’s going to…” Their leader couldn’t finish his sentence. The obvious conclusion is that Nix might die, and the breaking of the bond would be excruciating. Only Finn and Jay would be affected right now since they were the only ones to meet Nix. Finn is even sadder at the possibility that his mates will miss out on knowing him at all.

“What? No. They won’t go for that. Gideon will be breaking down the door. How am I supposed to sell that idea when I want to be here with you, too? If we lose him, we do it together.” Leo pulls his alphas in with his powerful arms, and the three of them lean together for comfort.

“No, this could be bad—” Jay says, running his hand through his hair.

“I will tell them they have to stay away until he’s out of surgery, then all bets are off. Until then, you should both eat. I know Gideon packed enough to share. I cannot listen to him go off on how it takes him forever to cut those tiny bits of seaweed into cute shapes and how no one appreciates his artistry. Okay? Come on, let’s find that comfy couch.”

An hour later, Leo pries Finn off his lap after a tight squeeze and the assurance he would let them know how everyone was inthe aftermath. The beta gives several reassuring hugs to both his alphas and disappears down the hall and out the doors.

It hurt to see him go.

Gideon has made more than enough food, and Finn tries to share it with Jay. Instead, Jay uses his fork to put the food directly into Finn’s mouth. Feeding his mate seems to ease him a bit, and Finn is relieved that his alpha isn’t angry, at least not at him.

“Leo’s right, you know. I should have said that right away. Thank you for taking care of him in whatever way you could. I’m sure he felt that ya know? You’re a good doctor, Finn Merritt, and an amazing mate. I’m so glad you were here with him last night and today. He must have been so scared. I’m glad it was you.” Finn didn’t know how much he needed to hear that at that moment, and the words eased something in his chest.

“He’s perfect. Just like you told us he was. Even though his life looks so hard now and like it…hurts,” the word choices are pushing up against the Oath’s magic, but Finn continues, “he was funny. And sweet. Made Dennie laugh, and he even tried to feed Nix a sandwich from the vending machine.”

Finn smiles at the memory of the soggy sandwich presented to the human with such ceremony, with Nix eyeing it dubiously but accepting it with grace. No wonder he left it when he ran. Noticing Jay’s eyes glisten with emotion as memories wash over him, Finn quietly closes the lunch box, leaving half the chicken untouched inside.“Let’s go sit on the couch. I need a cuddle, and it will be hours yet.”

Jay decides sitting isn’t the best way to cuddle, and his instincts to protect him have to go somewhere, so he puts Finn flat on his back, takes off their shoes, and then covers him easily, given that he is two inches taller and twenty pounds heavier.

Jay’s broad shoulders do most of the work, blocking out the overhead lights, and Finn tightens his hold. “I’m glad you’rehere, Alpha. It’s going to be okay.” He turns his face into his alpha’s neck, opening his legs a bit so Jay falls into the space between. It’s a familiar position and always a welcome one. Finn decides he doesn’t care who comes by and sees them. It’s been a hell of a morning, and it’s only going to get harder, so they are going to enjoy this calm before the storm.

“I hope so, baby.” Jay’s eyes close, and Finn follows suit.

Chapter Six: Leo

Leo

Autumn in Nashville is beautiful. The last bit of the summer sun warms his face as he pops the electronic locks on the Lexus. The leather is warm too, and Leo takes a minute to put his head down on the steering wheel to be still for a moment.

This is not how he imagined his day going.

Saturdays were decidedly low-key at Ripley Records, where he, Jay, and Luca write and produce music for themselves, as well as the ever-growing stable of talented groups. Together with Rowan, they’reLong Road Homeand living the rockstar life. That is, if the rockstar life includes dinner at home most nights and being in bed by ten pm.

He’d woken up early to find himself alone after a very satisfying night with Gideon and their baby alpha. Gideon called it “training” or “How To Be A Good Alpha 101,” but Leo called it ahelluvagood time. Rowan has great instincts, so his “training” is more about stamina and control, not that Leo complains about it either way. He just volunteers as often as he can.

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