Page 69 of Threads of Fate

Rowan freezes.

His omega—their omega, you dumbass, not just yours—is magnificent. Wild hair, fangs out and covered in blood, all while smelling like every wet dream Rowan has had or ever will have.

“Down, Ro.” There’s a push behind Gideon’s voice, and he realizes he’s trying to move Gideon out of the way. They’re facing off now, slightly down the hall, as if Gideon had met his push with some stronger force, edging their altercation away from the door. His wolf knows this command, so Rowan goes down. He’s on his knees in an instant, and even though this looks the same as it does for Luca, it is completely different.

Luca once explained that since they mated Gideon two years ago, he has never had this much relief from his anxiety. He calls it “giving over,” which required some explaining to the group from both of them. But it means Luca doesn’t have to decide the big things. Gideon does that for him: when to work, when to sleep, when to fuck, when to come, sometimes even what to eat; Gideon decides it all. He cares for Luca and gets something he needs in return. It’s complicated in its simplicity.

Rowan just thinks it’s beautiful that they all have a role to play in supporting them both. It has settled their pack like nothing else has before or since. Except for finding Nix. Rowan thinks that now they have him, things can only get even better.

When Rowan kneels, though, it means his alpha is deferring to Gideon; it gives Rowan a physical sensation to focus on to get better physical control of his instincts. When he’s like this, he’s not the “top dog,” as Gideon likes to call it. Rowan’s wolf is an enigma, and it means that everything his wolf wants is sometimes louder than common sense; by learning that Rowan-the-manis in charge, Gideon’s making sure Rowan can live a life he’s proud of.

Knees on the hard floor, Gideon’s hand pressing hard on the back of Rowan’s neck, Rowan starts the familiar breathing: in four counts and out five counts. It takes concentration in this state especially, and for those few precious moments, Gideon doesn’t relax a single iota. Finally, “Ro?”

Rowan snaps his fingers twice, and it’s a signal to Gideon that he’s in control again.

“I’m going to go patch Jay up. Count to a thousand in French. Then you can get up and wait for me outside the door. That’ll be enough?”

“Yes. Count to a thousand in French and wait outside.” He can do that, mind in a place where his wolf is quiet. He breathes a sigh of relief for the second time since they arrived.

“Good boy. I knew you could do it.” There’s a soft hand over his hair, and then he’s alone.Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq…

When he reaches a thousand, Rowan gets up, the sound of his knees cracking loudly in the still-empty hall. Twenty-three years old and his knees already protest the position. He’s a little leery about his control, but his task and Gideon’s firm hand have helped. He’s not saying it would have held up under exposure to a sexed-up Phoenix Rena, but for now, it’s good.

Rowan hopes itwillhold up when he’s face-to-angelic-face with his newest mate when they’re eating lunch, though.Stay down, dumbass.

There’s a whiff of cinnamon and hamburgers, and Leo is standing next to him in the hall, holding a box of takeout. “You okay there, Alpha?” he asks, raising an eyebrow. Rowan realizes he must look exactly how he feels: worn out and anxious. Without answering, he rips off Leo’s scent patch and takes the box from his hands, placing it carefully on the floor.

A moment later, he has his beta pressed up against the wall, his nose buried in Leo’s neck. Breathing in deep, greedy lungfuls of cinnamon, he lets it clear the lingering memory of that cloying sex-vanilla scent right out of his head.

“Whoa, what the fuck happened? You look like you went a round with Gideon.” Leo grabs his head, physically turning it to force Rowan to look him in the eye. “Holy Shit, youdid.I’ve been gone an hour. What the hell is happening? Is that blood I smell? And…sex?” He’s got Rowan by the arms and is checking his face.

“We’re okay. At least Gideon and I are okay. Finn was, too, when Jay called him in. Gideon told me to wait.” Rowan then notices Grayson isn’t with Leo. “Hey, where’s Gray?”

“He…thought he should go home.” Leo knows something he’s not sharing, and by the look on his face, it’s no small thing.

“Was he feeling sick? Is it the suppressants?” The two of them slide to the floor, with their backs to the wall beside thedoor. Rowan wouldn’t want Gideon to think he can’t do as he’s asked.

“I honestly don’t know. We were on the way here, and he panicked. Said he couldn’t do this right now. I’m not even sure what ‘this’ is, for fuck’s sake. Got home and he was inside before I could even get my car door open. I left him holed up in the rut room.” Leo is definitely worked up, his cinnamon scent making Rowan’s nose tingle.

Rowan pulls his phone out to check for texts, but there are none. That doesn’t mean he can’t text first, though.

12:28 PM - from Ro

You ok?

12:29 PM - from Gray

Yeah

…

Not sure what to say but I’m ok

Tell Nix I’ll see him at home

…

12:29 PM - from Gray

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