Page 109 of Bonds of Fate

“It’s incredible, right? It’s shaking shit up around here like crazy. I’m glad Arlo could see your Nix.” Finn is glad, too—he can’t imagine what it must feel like to know you are not alone in such a big thing.

“Do you have time to talk a bit? After Arlo’s visit, Nix has decided to come out as omega, and I was hoping you could help us by sharing any plans you might have?” It only made sense that the omega advocacy group had a contingency plan for discovery.

“I’m not surprised. Arlo said Nix didn’t want you to have to lie. However, Dan would have filled out the registry form, like he has for Arlo. Something about his role as Administrator skirting the Oath—it’s a useful loophole.”

That news catches Finn off guard, sparking a welcome surge of affection for his boss. Riordan is a straight arrow, much like Finn’s own pack alpha, but that he’d risk bending the rules to protect Finn’s honor—and his job—means more than he can put into words.

“I don’t know what to say. That’s…” Overwhelming? What does one say about someone who is willing to end up in prison for your sake? “Nice. Thank you for telling me.”

“Ah, don’t go getting sentimental. We’re invested in the outcome, too. When you say Nix has decided to come out, you must mean he wants this trial-by-combat thing. Nix told Arloabout it, though he didn’t say much except that it’s the pack alpha’s privilege, or he can choose a proxy.”

Finn is reminded of the very thing that started all of this—the reason their fragile, short-lived harmony is fracturing. He doesn’t blame Nix; how could he? But just the thought of him injured, fighting for his life, unearths the horror of that morning—the scent of blood, the sharp tang of fear, the way Nix had teetered on the edge of death. It lingers in his memory, raw and vivid, unless he’s regularly exposed to the living, breathing, happy version of their mate.

He won’t tell anyone, but it’s why he wears the white sweater as often as possible; it gets washed and then quickly re-scented with hugs and close contact.

Even then, Finn has not been back in the ER since.

It’s not a problem yet, it’s not. Even though he’s not been to see Dennie or even been down to that floor, every time he thinks about it, he gets a jolt of anxiety and…

Well…maybe itisa problem.

“Finn, hey. Was it something I said?” He must have zoned out for a moment. He doesn’t know Baz well enough to go into it, even though his friend is a well-qualified social worker, but there won’t be anything Baz could say that he hasn’t told himself a hundred times.

“Sorry, we’re still trying to get up to speed with the idea of other omegas. I was hoping you might help. Riordan told us you are acting as the point person for the network?”

“Network. Ha. It’s too small to be a network, but I suppose I am Arlo’s contact with the others. He’s not one for groups of people—or groups. Or people. I think Riordan mentioned that we know of six omegas now, and Nix is the only one who was human first. We haven’t told anyone about Nix yet, but I’m concerned about how different Were Communities might handle the news.”

“Agreed. Many countries don’t regulate their Human-Were transitions strictly, although many developed countries do.” Finn shudders to think of the less-than-honorable alphas’ intent of growing their packs and turning humans—non-consensually in the hopes they could gamble on creating an omega of their own.

“It also concerns me about government interference. We certainly don’t want our mates in laboratories or consideredbreeders, but the other omegas and their packs have considered all avenues, especially after Daiki presented in Japan.

“It’s a sign that the concentration of omegas being born in this generation is increasing, so we want to connect them as much as possible despite the risks. It makes sense to share healthcare discoveries, for example. We’ve been speaking with the Argentinian pack regarding a birth plan for the past few months.”

“I hadn’t even considered how urgent that would be for you. Riordan said you have a plan regarding the coming out?”

“Well, it’s not much of one. Every omega’s home turf has different risks, and most of the omegas are urban dwellers, so the risk of exposure has always been high. It’ll be hard to unravel the long-term protections we’ve put into place. Similarly, we all share the issue regarding the deliberately inaccurate gender registration and legal issues, but we felt we needed to have at least discussed it as a group. Omegas may be deemed mythical by public opinion, but a transitioned human one will undoubtedly draw most of the attention.”

“It’s so risky. Nix feels he has to do this, but Arlo and the others could still hide. It’s possible the authorities might think it’s an anomaly because of the change.” Nix had been so happy not to be the only one that just thinking he might be left swinging alone in the wind was not pleasant at all.

But apparently, this band of omegas is brave.

“That’s what I said, but after the meeting yesterday, we received word that unanimously, every single omega wants to be free of hiding. No matter the attention they will garner. Enthusiastically. Arlo has seemed lighter since meeting your Nix.”

“Nix has that effect.”

Finn is proud to say it’s true. Nix is pure sunshine, and not one person–aside from Hayes–has disagreed, either in thought or deed. “You wait until you meet him. He’s irresistible.” Finn knows he sounds lovesick, and with this claim bite high on his throat, he knows Baz can’t help but notice.

“I believe you,” he chuckles with a sly grin. “So tell me what you’re thinking for Nix, and then maybe we can arrange to all come out simultaneously and divert attention from any one person.”

Finn doesn’t tell him it’s Nix who really has the plan. “Nix is going to testify, and then he’s going to deliver the sentence himself.” And there’s that nauseous fear again.

Baz is silent, mouth agape. It takes him a minute to process that statement before he shakes his head. Finn is ready to defend his mate’s choice, despite his desire for the opposite, because as much as Finn would lie, cheat, and be willing to lose his job to protect him, he also has to be willing to let Nix save himself.

It’s surprisingly difficult.

“When Riordan first said trial-by-combat, I hadn’t imagined it would be Nix. I wish I could tell you I am surprised. Fernando, the omega in Argentina, has shared many of the old oral histories in his family. I hope you can meet him for yourself because he is incredible.

“Arlo is the strongest man I know, physically and mentally. He will deny it and also prefers we treat him with the princely reverence he deserves, but he doesn’t have to have it. If Nix thinks he can do this, then he can. How is Gideon taking it?”

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