Page 117 of Bonds of Fate

Nix slides a finger over the sting on his cheek, just now noticing it.

“And Jamie?”

Gideon sighs. “You were growling and hissing, and Jay pissed you off. It’s not your fault. Night terrors can be full mind-body experiences. We should have known better than to get in your way. We only made it worse. Next time, we’ll…”

Next time? Nix sure as hell hopes there isn’t a next time.

Grayson returns with another clean cloth and a bit of petroleum jelly. “Here, Angel, let me see your face.” His fingers are whisper-soft, and the gentle touch, combined with Jamie’s licks on his neck, is helping soothe the wolf’s agitation.

“You okay, Gray?” Grayson is shaking slightly. Nix grabs his wrist and kisses those soft fingers.

“I will be. The jelly will keep it moist until it heals up. I’ll do your legs next.”

Detangling himself to let Grayson work, Jamie heads into the bathroom, only to return with paper towels, cleaner, and a plastic bag. He makes quick work of the mess on the floor, and the clean scent of lavender is a welcome reprieve.

When he returns, he is quick to settle back in behind Nix and Luca. The beta has rested his head on Nix’s lap, with his nose pressed into his navel under his shirt with gentle licks and huffs.

“I’m sorry for waking you all up or interrupting whatever. I haven’t had one of those in a long time.”

Jamie runs his hand through Nix’s hair and scratches his scalp. “Baby boy, there is no apology necessary.”

There’s a loud commotion at the door, and Leo appears, trying to hold back Rowan.

The alpha’s wild hair is standing up in every direction, and his spiced rum scent is overpowering.

“Can we come in now? Rowan is like a freaking bull out here. He’s just dragged me and Finn from the left-wing like a tractor pull.”

“Leo, you have never even seen a tractor pull,” Finn teases as Leo finally lets Rowan in so he can push Jamie gently aside to get to his own mark.

Finn checks Nix’s face and legs with a critical eye. “You’ll put me out of a job, Gray. Good work.”

“I could have! I travel. I could know about tractors.” Leo drops to the floor beside them and runs his hand through Nix’s sweaty hair, then noses his shoulder.

“Sure, I believe you,” Nix snorts. “But I’m sorry I woke you up, too.”

“You were scared, and if you’re fucking scared, you can wake us up any time. You can, even if you’re not scared. But did you wake up on your own? I’ve heard you’re not supposed to wake people up abruptly when they’re having a nightmare,” Leo says.

“Jay had to use Alpha-Voice. I think that’s what did it.” The words are muffled by Luca’s location under Nix’s shirt.

“Was that Alpha-Voice? The weird vibrating thing in my skull? It just pissed my wolf off. It was Luca that got me to wake up.”

There are varying expressions ranging from surprise, skepticism, and then heart-eyes personified peering up from his lap.

“I’m sorry I used it on you, Nix—after I promised you I never would, I went and did it, anyway.”

With so much guilt, Nix wonders how Jamie moves through life with it pressing down on him.

“You were trying to save me, Jamie. I can’t be mad about that. It’s okay, but I don’t think it works, and since it just provokes my wolf, maybe we shouldn’t next time.”

“I promise.”

No one comments on his reference to his wolf, and that’s a relief because Nix isn’t sure he would have an explanation, anyway.

Nix’s insistence that it was Luca who woke him is enough to get Luca up and out from under his shirt. “Oh yeah, of course it was me. It’s our deep, deep,deeeeeepconnection. We’re like twins, so we have that bond, right baby?” He sticks his tongue out at Rowan, who then just pulls the neckline of Nix’s t-shirt aside and points so Luca can get a good look at Rowan’s bond mark.

Luca blows a raspberry and then pulls Nix into his side, only to have Rowan pull him back, and in a flash, Nix is the prize in a tug-o-war. Jamie just hangs on, making sure they both don’t get bowled over in the tussle.

“Hey, quit it, you two. Nix, how are you feeling now?” Thank goodness for Finn. Howishe feeling? His legs burn with fatigue, and his throat burns a bit. But it’s the pressure behind his eyes signaling tears he won’t shed that makes Nix feel the worst.

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