Page 101 of Bonds of Fate

Gideon finally speaks, voice rough and raw. “Kitten, you’re not going anywhere. I’m sorry I scared you. I don’t—” He exhales sharply, shaking his head. “Fuck.”

Before anyone can react, he drops into a crouch, his elbows braced on his knees, bloody fingers yanking through his hair.

“Oh, Goddess.” The words barely make it out, hushed, like a confession or a prayer.

A prayer for guidance or strength, maybe—Leo doesn’t know. But Nix answers.

Nix sinks to his knees in front of Gideon, hands steady as he gently pries his mate’s fingers apart. He kisses each bruised knuckle, careful of the swollen, broken digits, lips brushing over the torn skin like an apology.

“I’m sorry.” His voice is quiet but sure. “I know you understand more than anyone that my wolf won’t let this go.Of course, I’m afraid—I’m really fucking scared.” His breath hitches, but he pushes through. “You said it before: what do I know about murder? About combat? Less than nothing, but that doesn’t matter because I need this.”

He meets Gideon’s eyes, voice breaking just a little as he pleads, “Can you help me?”

“Help you?How would it be fuckinghelp?Kitten, this will stain your soul. This isn’t about me thinking you can’t take his fucking head off.

“Do you think I’m upset about the idea of violence? If it were just that, I’d train you and be glad to do it. Fuck. This is about you facing him on that field and knowing he will do everything to break you down. He will hurt you again in ways that don’t heal like fucking broken bones.”

Leo had been so worried about Nix getting physically hurt and the possibilities his strength meant, but as Finn suggested, Hayes can wield weapons worse than claws and teeth.

Their omega holds Gideon’s hands up, kissing the knuckles again, and begins to unwind the tape.

“I know.” Nix’s voice is steady, but his hands tremble slightly as he looks at Jay. “I’ve thought about it—really thought about it. Trust me, I know how bad this will get, of course I’m scared.”

He swallows hard, then presses forward. “I thought…maybe I need to see him before. If I testify first, then it won’t be a shock on the field. Can we do that?”

It’s not what most of them want to hear.Not at all.The tension in the room is thick, their scents laced with unease, but Nix isn’t finished.

He turns back to Gideon. “You said you can train me.” His chin lifts just slightly, defiant but not reckless. “I want that. Can you help me, please?”

He refuses to back down—will neverback down. Leo is quickly learning that unyielding determination is just as much a part of Phoenix Rena as his name.

Leo isn’t sure Gideon will agree, but it’s Jay who speaks.

“Nix, when we petitioned the court to make you Were, I told myself I’d be satisfied if you lived long enough to hate me for taking your choice away.” Jay exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t do that again.” His voice is steady, but the scent of burning wood and smoke lingers, betraying the storm inside him.

He swallows hard. “Luca’s right. If we take this choice from you, we’re no better than him. So if you want to learn, and Gideon can’t do it—” he hesitates, just for a breath, then meets Nix’s gaze, unwavering. “I will help you.”

Jay winces, rubbing his temples as if the weight of the moment is physically pressing down on him.

“What! You will?” Grayson’s voice is sharp enough to cut. His scent, normally the fresh comfort of basil, is scorched beyond recognition. “Are you insane? Have you all lost your fucking minds?”

Nix steps forward instinctively, wanting to soothe, to explain, but Grayson backs away, shaking his head. “Fuck, Angel. You, most of all. I can’t believe—” His breath stutters, rage and hurt warring behind his eyes. “I can’t stand here and listen to this.”

He’s gone before anyone can stop him, the front door beeping as it unlocks.

The front door code beeps, and Nix flinches. Luca was right.

Having a soulmate looks like it hurts as Nix watches Grayson leave, his shaking hand pressed to a spot under his ribs.

Leo isn’t surprised, however, when he straightens his spine and asks in a deep voice gone strangely flat, “Anyone else have anything to say?”

No one does; the omega’s burnt cookie smell is so strong that it’s driving every instinct Leo has to soothe into overdrive, and he can’t imagine how the enigmas are managing to keep their feet.

“Alright then. Jamie, may I call Erin and ask her to meet? I hope the world is ready for omegas. I should call Arlo, too. He said they have a plan.” Nix quickly runs out of steam, the exhaustion of the day finally taking its toll.

“I think I’ll go to the spare room for a quick nap.” He’s all “fake it ‘til you make it” bravado, a small smile, and a stiff spine.

Gideon hasn’t said anything, but he does shift a clinging Luca to one side and opens the other for Nix so he and Luca can hold him close. Leo throws himself onto the tangle of mates, so glad when Rowan and Finn join in—he just wishes the fresh scent of basil were added to the mix.

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