Page 28 of Threads of Fate

Grayson sits with Luca in his lap again, taking a juice box from Leo. Together, they coax Luca to drink and nibble on tiny pieces of chocolate donut. Across the room, Rowan is sprawled on the couch, dozing despite the commotion. Finn leans over, gently shaking his shoulder to wake him. The youngest enigma has a talent for sleeping through almost anything—handy on a tour bus, but not ideal in situations like this.

By the time everyone else has settled into their seats—except for Riordan and Henry—Gideon is already stationed by the door. His wolf refuses to rest with outsiders in their den, temporary as the situation may be.

“I’ll get started then. Jay has petitioned the courts to turn Nix without his express consent. How we arranged it is pure genius on my mate’s part, and I cannot tell you that this is the best news we could have had for your Nix today. His health is deteriorating quickly; the combination of injuries is too much for him to overcome without this.”

His mates’ scents sour, almost in sync. Grayson’s eyes are red when he buries his nose in Luca’s cheek. Leo and Finn are holding down a tensed-up Rowan in his seat.

Gideon can’t help but feel like this goes against everything Jay stands for. The alpha has always made consent his priority in every aspect of his life. From playing in their bedroom to letting them take part in the smallest and largest decisions a pack makes. If Jay is considering this, then there must be no other option. He worries that when the dust settles, his leader will be consumed with guilt.

“But the change might kill him too, right?” Rowan sounds unsure. No one wants to think about how this decision could turn into a lose/lose.

“Yes. But without this, hewilldie. Today or tomorrow, but definitely soon. His most recent labs show his damaged kidney has stopped working entirely, and the other isn’t farbehind. There is evidence that fluid has started to collect in his perforated lung. The infection is systemic, and we expect the damaged bowel to be the cause. It’s just a matter of time.” Their friend is sympathetic, yet Gideon appreciates him not pulling his punches.

“Are you giving up? Are we saying goodbye? I’ve not even seen him yet!” Rowan is on his feet, but he lets Leo drag him back down onto the couch.

“Sit, Ro. We aren’t giving up. It’s okay.” Gideon’s tone brooks no argument, and he ignores Rowan’s quiet growl.

Finn stands up and goes to Jay. “I believe in this. If they think science backs this choice, then I do, too.” The others look scared. They’re all raised on the consequences of turning humans without consent, both legally and morally. This is no small decision, even with the risk of death without it. Even with the court’s blessing, it’s hard to rid themselves of the deeply ingrained anxiety.

Finn puts his hand on Jay’s shoulder in support, and despite his initial misgivings, Gideon does the same on the other side.

“If you have any concerns, speak now. We can’t wait any longer.” The serious tone in Gideon’s voice gets their attention, as he knew it would. Gone is the teasing, aloof tone he uses to cajole and motivate, the one he relies on to keep them safe and their pack life running smoothly. Now, he is dead serious, and they respond accordingly.

His mates hold their peace, so Gideon nods and looks at Riordan. “All right, doc. What’s next?”

Less than twenty minutes later, the seven members of the Rhodes pack gather in Nix’s room. Rowan catches his first glimpse of his mate’s bruised face and immediately buries his head against Gideon’s shoulder. Beside them, a subdued Luca and a stoic Finn hold hands, their chins resting on either side of Leo’s strong shoulders.

Grayson remains near the door, his eyes locked on Nix with an intensity Gideon struggles to decipher. At the center of it all, Jay sits by Nix’s side, cradling his wrist and pressing soft, reverent kisses to the unbroken skin.

The room is heavy with silence, each member somber. They are here to bear witness for their pack, knowing this is the moment Jay chooses to end Nix’s human existence, welcoming him into his new life as a Were.

But,Gideon asks himself,is there really any choice at all? Isn’t a chance at a life better than a certain death?Gideon hopes Nix will live to think so.

With one last look at each of his mates, Jay takes Nix’s wrist and bites.

Gideon feels the shift in that place in his mind where The Goddess lives. They had told him not to despair and so he will put his faith in Them because now all they can do is wait.

Please, Goddess,he prays silently.Let this be enough.

Chapter Twelve: Nix

Nix

There is fire.

It’s burning in every corner of his body and he cannot catch a single thought. There is only pain, and when the darkness comes, he gladly follows.

Then there is a light that drags him back so he may hear the voices. The cycle repeats itself over and over. Pain. Dark. Light. The voices.

Heneedsthe voices.

He loses who he is over and over. The pain reshaping him from the smallest cell outwards. There is not one piece of himself that Nix recognizes.

He is changed.

***

Until, in one second, he is himself or maybe someone else. He’s standing near a lagoon with blue-green waters, and the sun is high in the sky. There’s a waterfall nearby that feels like maybe he’s seen it before, and Nix thinks he must be dead. If there’s such a thing as heaven, maybe this is what it feels like. He hears a giggle and sees a figure leaning over the water, letting it flow over Their hand.

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