Page 115 of Bonds of Fate

Nix holds it back the best he can and tries to sound reassuring. “Let’s wait a few minutes to be sure he’s gone, and then I’ll get you out of here.”

Nix begins to count off the seconds like he usually does when he’s trying to give Dawson enough time to go. Nix does not want to distract him from his departure—delays mean pain.

“Nix. Nix. Let’s go, come on—if we go now, we can be home in time for dinner—Nix.” Luca’s voice is fading in and out, and it’s even more panicked than before.

It hasn’t been very long in his cycle of counting, but he has lost track of time…and dinner sounds good. Seeing his mates sounds good. Maybe they can both get away before Dawson comes back. “Okay.”

When they slide open the door, though, Dawson is waiting just outside. He shouts, just to scare them even more, and grabs Luca so hard that his mocha scent floods the room. It smells so desperate, so scared that this time, Nix throws up in response.

But he can’t let Dawson take Luca.

Not when Luca is calling his name, reaching for him.

“Come on, baby. Come back to me.”

Nix tries, holding out his arms for Luca to grab, but he can’t reach him.

Dawson has tied his legs to the floor again, and if he can’t move them, he can’t save Luca.

All he hears are Luca’s wails and Dawson’s laughter. “You couldn’t protect your pretty little beta. He’s mine now. Isn’t he delicious? You’ll be so sorry you ever thought you could get away from me, you useless cunt.”

It’s Luca’s screams of fear that break him wide open.

A flood of rage rushes through him, and he knows—he isn’t just Nix anymore.

He is the wolf.

Sharp fangs. Claws. Hunger for vengeance.

He tears at his restraints until they cry out and let go.

He turns, sinking his fangs into Dawson’s arm, intent on ripping the limb from his shoulder, shaking and growling.

He will make Dawson sorry.

Sorry he took Luca.

Sorry he thought he could touch Nix’s mates.

The wolf will make him pay—in pain and blood.

Dawson lets go suddenly, and it’s the opening the wolf has been waiting for. He rolls to his feet off the side of the bed and falls with the momentum. There’s pain because he has cut himself in an effort to escape the ties, but the pain won’t stop him. The wolf will get Luca back.

Where is Luca? “Luca!”

“Phoenix, you are safe. Wake up!” The Voice vibrates inside his skull, reverberating and bouncing around so loudly that Nix’s wolf is incensed—he growls menacingly.

Then he hears the wordswake up. Is he sleeping?

“Wake up, baby. Wake up. I’m okay. Please, open your eyes.” Luca wants him to wake up, so he will.

Is he back in the closet? Has he been asleep?

“Luca?” Nix jerks when he’s finally awake. He’s alone on the floor, and Luca is being held back by Gideon, whose arms are bleeding onto the rug near the bed. The pretty white rug that Grayson picked out. Nix is sad about the ruined white rug.

Blood is terrible to get out.

He would know.

---