Page 112 of Bonds of Fate

“I don’t want to ruin the mood, but I talked to Baz from Kennedy Pack today, and he has some ideas I think we should talk about.”

Nix tilts his head, his eyes darting around the room. He puts the bowl of rice on the table that Grayson had handed him and nods. Finn takes it as a good sign that he doesn’t get off of Jay’s lap. “Okay, I’m ready.”

He is braced for whatever bad news Finn has, and there is nothing he can do to make it hurt any less except to get through it. “First of all, is the court case. Henry has some legal suggestions that he’ll forward to Erin, but he’s recommending we get Mr. Costas involved. That’s Leo’s father. Would that be all right, Nix?”

“If he’s as nice as Leo, that will be okay. Do you want them to know about me?”

The entire pack is decidedly unhappy at their mate, thinking he could be unwanted, and it’s one more reason to loathe the Rhodeses.

Finn rushes to reassure him. “Nixie, Leo’s parents checked up on you every day you were in the hospital, either with him or Jay. I think he even spoke to his Mama-Frankie today. Leo, didn’t you say that she asked for the tenth time when you were bringing Nix to meet them?”

“Nix, our families want to meet you, and we’ve only been holding them back since it’s been so complicated. You’re our mate.” Rowan is rarely so sincere, but he’s maintaining a degree of eye contact that borders on awkwardness.

There are notable exceptions to the kindness of their families, of course, but Nix doesn’t need reminders of the Rhodeses, Wildes, or Gideon’s father.

“Really? Okay, you can tell your father about me, and maybe he will help Erin?”

“I am sure he will. Leo and Jay will call him, and then we can visit him later in the week. Baz also said the other omegas—unanimously and with great enthusiasm—want to come out in their countries when you do. We just have to coordinate it. We have some ideas about how to do that, and we can talk with Erin about strategy.”

“They want to come out with me? I won’t be alone?” There are unshed tears in his eyes, as if he’s never thought there would be any help from them. “But it’ll be hard, right, Finn? Will Erin and Mr. Costas have ideas about how we can help them stay safe?”

Finn takes it as a good sign that no one is trying to tell Nix he should worry about his own safety.

“Let’s worry about that when we speak with them. We have to get them up to speed first.”

“But we are running out of time, Gray. Erin says they’ll be asking about my Were registration, and I need to get training–” Nix is far too eager sounding for the current crowd, and the mood shifts abruptly. None of his mates is excited to be reminded that their treasured mate is barreling toward pain and injury.

While no one has burst into tears or impaled anyone with their chopsticks yet, Finn can still see the knife Gideon thrown embedded in the wall. It reminds him that Gideon is still holding back, despite his presence at the table, and hasn’t had his final say.

When he stands abruptly and turns to the door with Luca hot on his heels, Nix jumps up and calls out for him. “Gideon!”

It’s enough to stop Gideon in his tracks, back tensed. It takes him a bit to turn around, and Finn knows him well enough to see the restraint he’s using to meet Nix’s eyes with a gentle smile.“It’s okay, kitten. I just need to sleep on it, and it’ll be better in the morning.”

It’s so much a lie that Leo flinches, and Jay rubs a hand down his face.

Nix hesitates, looking like he wants to press but doesn’t know how. His hands twitch at his sides, and his voice, when it comes, is small.

“Okay then, night. Night, Luc.”

Gideon disappears out the doorway without looking back.

“It really will be okay, baby. Leave it to me.” Luca comes back and kisses him, and with a tiny wave, he follows Gideon up the stairs.

If anyone can bring Gideon around, it’s Luca. No one speaks, though, until Gideon’s door shuts, and Nix finally looks away from the door.

“Well, then. Hey. Thank you, Finn, for doing that for me. I’m sorry that it’s so—yeah. I think I want to go to bed, and Gray is right; maybe we can talk to Mr. Costas and Erin tomorrow?”

Finn stands up when he comes around the table, and he’s got an armful of sad-vanilla mate. He feels his mate’s slightly trembling body and holds him tightly. He’s trying to look strong, and Finn thinks anyone who is distracted won’t notice.

“Sure, Nix, maybe I’ll see if they can see us tomorrow. Will you be alright?” When it’s out of his mouth, he realizes how absurd it sounds because has he been okay at all in the past week?

Lips as soft as an angel’s wing touch his and then curve into the smallest of smiles. “Mhmm. I will.”

Nix squeezes Finn one last time, and he kisses Rowan’s head, then Jay’s mouth. Grayson moves to follow, but Nix whispers in his ear and kisses his cheek, and the alpha resumes his seat with a frown.

With a soft hand over Leo’s hair, Nix heads off into the left-wing alone—and maybe a bit lonely.

Finn thinks his mate should never be lonely again, but he’s learning that respecting Nix’s difficult choices—when he’d rather put him in his pocket and protect him—is on his list of hard-but-necessary-to-do things.

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