Page 65 of Threads of Fate

Gideon’s head pops up in surprise as if he hadn’t heard them coming, and maybe he hadn’t. He holds a single finger to his lips in a “shushing” gesture. When they get closer, they can hear vague whispers from the room. But it’s not the sounds from the room that have Gideon looking dumbstruck and sweaty, with the tips of his fangs just showing.

The scent flowing out of the small crack in the door is incredible. It’s a pine forest and the dirtiest, sexiest vanilla ever. Rowan’s original assessment that Nix smelled like sex in a bakery is not so far off. There’s a tinge of Luca’s mocha, too, and Rowan growls. His eyes flash red, and it’s only Gideon’s propped-up arm that stops him from blowing the door back off its hinges in an effort to get to his mates.

Finn pulls his suit jacket off and puts it up over his nose. It helps dampen the strength of the scents and he helps tug off Rowan’s so he can do the same. Gideon has his free hand on the back of Rowan’s neck and is whispering some of the scripts he uses in his Alpha Training 101. It’s working; Rowan’s eyes turn green again, and he slumps into Finn, jacket sleeve over his face.

“Finn, you okay?” Gideon is holding up their tall mate easily but looks ready to ease him to the floor if Finn needs help.

“I’m okay, but it’s a lot.” Combined scents like that are usually reserved for when packs are breeding. Outside a pack nest and a rut or heat, it might throw them for a loop. That Gideon has withstood it, for Goddess knows how long, is astonishing.

“That’s an understatement. But I think it’s easier already. Especially for you and me. On that note, where’s Gray? We’re going to be putting a lot of faith in those suppressants he’s on.”

Rowan eases to his feet, determination on his face. He’s not on suppressants and he’s going to have to rein in his instincts onhis own. He tentatively moves the sleeve away from his face, and slams it back over, eyes wide. “Holy fuck. Holy fuuuuuck.”

Suddenly a low sound echoes through the hallway and Finn can feel a slight telltale breeze of the ward’s heavy-duty ventilation system kick in. He removes the sleeve of his coat from his face, and the scent of his mates has lessened enough that he can remove it entirely. The tightness around Gideon’s eyes is gradually releasing, too.

“It’s a ventilation protocol, the system is circulating at top speed. Give it a try now, Ro.”

Rowan removes his coat from his nose and sighs with relief. “I can still smell them, but it’s manageable. Like a memory, rather than my nose pressed up someone’s ass.”

“Rowan Foster! That imagery is unnecessarily unhelpful.” Gideon smirks. He cocks his head and sighs. “I can hear him, I think.” His fangs have retreated, leaving a big smile, where his perfect teeth are on full display, and it’s a rare and beautiful sight. Finn can hear Nix, too. It’s deeper and raspier, and his words are short, not as smooth; but it’s definitely the boy he fell in love with almost exactly a week ago.

“His voice is…whoa.” Rowan breathes. “It’s so hot. I’m going to die.”

Just then there is a very clear “Finn!” coming from inside the room. Rowan immediately tries to circumvent the arm Gideon has thrown back up to keep him out.

“Me too. Please? Jay is calling us.”

“No Ro, he’s called for Dr. Merritt. So, it’s Dr. Merritt who gets to go in.” Their baby alpha whines pitifully.

Finn hands his jacket to Rowan and unbuttons the top three buttons on his shirt. Gideon reaches over to pull off his scent blocker patch and pats his cheek. “Go see our mate, Finn.”

He skirts around Rowan and under Gideon’s arm.

Finn sees his mate for the first time awake in a week, and he’s magnificent. It must be the alpha in him because his tiny mate’s hair is standing up wild all over his head, his face is covered in blood and he’s holding Finn’s white sweater that he wore yesterday. Suddenly his bare feet are running across the room and Finn has mere seconds to brace himself so he can catch him under his thighs. His bare thighs. He makes a slight sound at the impact but stands firm.

He feels a cold nose on his neck and great puffs of air as his…their omega breathes him in. He’s wiggling a bit and Finn’s worried about dropping him but is trying not to grab what he is sure is a very sweet, verybarebutt.

“Finn, don’t let him fall!” Luca is standing in his little black skirt, covered in what smells like coffee, and…come? That explains the mocha scent in the hall earlier.

Nix is squeaking and snuffling, and Finn closes his eyes and buries his nose in his mate’s dirty hair. He hums in satisfaction at finally getting his hands on his omega. “Hi, Nix.”

“Finn. Did you know I was here? I’m sorry I ran away before.” Nix’s words sound like he’s having a hard time putting them together, but there’s that certain earnest quality that Finn remembers.

“That’s all right, Nixie. I missed you, though. I’m glad you’re better now, and that you’re here with us.”

“Me, too. I uh…I’m sorry I took your blue sweater. I don’t know where…it is…” His vanilla scent goes a bit burnt as he struggles for the memory, and Finn doesn’t want him to have to go through that after what appears to be a rude awakening.

“No worries, I have a white one and a green one. Are you going to wear this one? It’s not been washed, but…” Finn really,reallywants to see Nix in his unwashed, thoroughly scented sweater.

His mate’s eyes go wide. “Don’twashit! It smells like you, and I need…” His deep raspy voice is confused. Finn makes eye contact with Jay and gives his head a small shake. “Why would I say that?”

“It’s okay Nix. I like the way Finn’s things smell, too.” Luca is quick to reassure him by choosing a pair of Rowan’s sweatpants and holding them up. “Uh…there’s no underwear, obviously, because that stays at the de–at home. But these smell nice, too.”

“Do you want that shower now?” Finn is eager to get Nix on to a task to direct his conscious mind away from the bad memories. It’s too soon and there’s a lot to talk about, hopefully before the hard questions.

He points to the restroom. “There are toiletries and towels.”

“Will you come?” Finn’s heart soars. His wolf is giddy, and he’s hard-pressed to not wag his “tail.” He can’t believe Nix chose him over Jay and Luca; perhaps it’s that he’s a doctor? Regardless, Finn isn’t a doctor in here.

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