Page 88 of Threads of Fate

“Uh…Gideon, you’ve got a runaway,” Rowan says, grinning already at the potential for disaster that is Luca Wilde, as he useshis chin to point at Luca, who has crept up behind the couch to remain virtually unseen by the mates in the kitchen. He’s got his chin on his hands, watching his mates sleep from six inches away, breathing deeply of the combined vanilla-basil scent.

Sneaky, sneaky boy.

His tiny “eep” at Rowan’s tattling is enough to startle Grayson, who holds his omega to his chest and bares his teeth. Another louder “eep!” at the unexpected sight of all those sharp teeth causes a cacophony of comedic proportions as Luca falls on his ass, bangs his elbow on the glass door, and gets caught in the blinds, causing them to jangle and clash.

Their omega is hardly phased, though, just pushing himself up until he’s sitting on Grayson’s lap, tiny toes almost touching the floor, cheeks flushed pink like a sleepy toddler. He’s so cute. Gideon is sure he’s wearing the same dumbass smile as everyone else in the room.The horror.

“Luc…?” Nix turns to peek over the side of the couch, and it’s Grayson’s turn to “eep” and pull down the back of Nix’s sweater.

Luca untangles himself and jumps up, throwing his arms in the air like he landed a vault in the summer Olympics. “I’m okay!”

Nix giggles and holds his arms out for a hug and gets a “whoo-yeah!” for his trouble.

Grayson barely avoids a knee to the face when Luca flings himself over the back of the couch. “Sugar, he remembers me!” Luca kisses Nix’s cheek.

“Luc, watch the elbows, please.” He’s talking to Luca, but he’s not taken his eyes off Nix since they opened. “Angel-baby. Hi.”

“Hi, Gray.” They’re staring and Gideon now knows what Rowan’s text meant. They are definitelywhoa. Something tickles the back of his brain about it, but Jay calls “soup’s on,” and it slides away.

Best to catch what’s going on between the two cuties before it can devolve into something he’s going to have to break up (or join in), and that will require the couch to be cleaned. He pastes on a stern smile and uses an even sterner tone. “Alright, Rhodes Pack, let’s eat.”

Jay kisses Luca’s head as he moves to lift Nix off Grayson’s lap, taking his hand and guiding him to the table while everyone else takes their seats. He pulls out the eighth chair at the very end, with Grayson on Nix’s right and Rowan on his left, and presses a teary kiss to the top of Nix’s head.

Anyone could tell their alpha is happy—his pine forest scent overflows the space, palpable even to the brand-new Were. Jay takes his place at the other end, and Nix gives him a goofy wave.

Despite the solemnity of the moment, Leo’s tummy growls, breaking the silence. Nix quickly hides a giggle behind his hand.

Gideon feels like he should say something, so he does. He clears his throat, and in surprise, they all shut up. Finn sits across from him, eyebrow raised, and Jay is on his right with that goofy, “proud Dad” smile. “Fuck. Why am I doing this? Okay, I wanted to say that I am thankful we are all here together. Finally.” Luca laces their fingers together under the table. It’s surprisingly easy to let himself be happy.

Nix gazes at him, and he offers a small smile in return. The room is filled with the scent of food and the warmth of a happy family—Gideon’s favorite things.

“Alright, you dumbasses, let’s eat,” he says with a grin.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Gideon

Gideon

Gideon cooks and sometimes cleans at Quest but more often than not, he prefers to delegate the chore at home. Finn and Rowan are washing the dinner dishes by hand, as they often do when it’s their turn. It’s romantic, and they stand as close as possible while still being able to get the task done, Rowan with his hands in hot-pink rubber gloves and Finn whispering no doubt lewd things in his ear, towel in hand. There are kisses, too, Gideon is sure, although they never let anyone see. They’ll fuck like porn stars in the nest, but kitchen kisses are just for them.

Jay has gone out to uncover the hot tub and Leo has dragged Luca upstairs to find swim trunks for everyone, much to Luca’s horror. Gideon is checking up on Quest’s evening crowd by text with Maureen, who has taken to her newest promotion of general manager with an iron will and unsurprising talent. The restaurant has been running just fine—better than fine, really, and not for the first time; Gideon wondered if maybe it was time to let go a bit more and start something new. Maureen can handle it, and Elias would make a fine head chef.

“Gideon?” Nix’s voice is soft, and he’s twisting his hands in the white sweater he’s been wearing all day. Gideon briefly wonders if he can steal it from the laundry before it gets washed. “Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?”

Grayson stands just two inches behind him, his hands resting on Nix’s waist and his nose buried in his neck. He jolts and looks like he might cry when he hears the word “alone.” “Just for a minute? I’ll go…uh, find a swimsuit. Yeah.” But he’s dragging his feet, checking over his shoulder in case their omega changes his mind. Nix just gives him a tiny wave.

Gideon pats the couch beside him. “Anything for you.” And he means it.

Nix sits; the scent of vanilla is singed around the edges and he can’t imagine what’s got his kitten all worked up. His nose twitching like a curious cat, he rubs at it with a sweater paw. Gideon thinks he might actually meow, but instead, he complains, “Ugh, I cannot get used to that.”

“The scents?”

“Hmm. Smelling myself in particular. Everyone else smells really, really,really,good.” He stares after Grayson, who—unbeknownst to Nix—is lurking at the top of the balcony. Poor Alpha looks like he’d throw himself over if Nix even looked like he might need rescuing.

“I’m glad. What did you want to talk to me about?” He’s genuinely confused about what might have their kitten smelling a bit off and needing to make sure they talked alone.

“Well, first, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I don’t know what happened except that I promise it won’t happen again. I made you upset, and you ran off before I could, uh, before I could tell you I’m sorry. Please forgive me?” His scent is full-on burnt cookies now, and Gideon can hear Grayson growling as it wafts upwards. Nix’s eye twitches, and Gideon almost laughs; he should have known their omega knew exactly where his alpha was.

Gideon offers his hand, praying he will not fuck this up. “Nix. It’s okay. Today has been really hard, yeah? Even though youknow some of it now, there’s still going to be a learning curve. You didn’t hurt me or make me uncomfortable, even a little bit.”

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