Page 131 of Bonds of Fate

Luca is going to be disappointed when Gideon has to intervene. He does not have permission to come—or for anything. But he’s beautiful in his pleasure, so Gideon will give him a bit of leeway…for a minute or two.

“Hello?” Gideon’s mate waves a sassy hand in front of his face.

“Fuck, sorry, kitten. Hey.” Gideon puts the cinnamon bun he’d bought for Nix down on a plate and licks his thumb before opening his arms. The sweet, vanilla-scented boy is warm and still smells a bit like thunder and mocha. It jump-starts his heart rate. “You okay this morning? How are your wounds? Your bites? Can I see?”

“They’re good, but yes, of course you can.” He pulls up hisHe’s My Babyt-shirt, and Gideon cannot be blamed for his distraction.

Going to a crouch so he can get a better look, he runs his thumbs over two sets of perfectly-symmetrical, healing bites that frame Nix’s soft dick. The red, bruised skin is beautiful, and Gideon’s wolf is so proud of his work.—he can’t help having the biggest grin.

“Proud of that, are you?”

“Of course I am. They’re fucking perfect, kitten.” He can’t resist running his thumbs over the sensitive bites again, and Nix’s dick is hard in an instant. But they don’t have time to dirty up Gideon’s kitchen right now.

The claw marks from the night before and the tiny one on his cheek have all but disappeared. That’s incredibly fast, even for an enigma.

Omega physiology is a surprise a minute.

“You’reperfect, come here.”

Gideon loves how Nix just goes pliant—melting against his chest, fingers hooked into his waistband, nose buried against his skin. “You smell so good. Did you run with Gray? I think Luca likes it when Gray is sweaty.”

“That he does. Oh, and thanks for reminding me.” He steps away from Nix and raises his voice. He may have left it a bit late, but he can at least try. “Luca, you do not have permission to come.”

“But Gray smells so good. Please?” Luca whines.

Grayson has latched onto the beta’s neck, but his eyes are on Gideon over his shoulder. He’ll stop winding Luca up if Gideon decides he’s had enough.

“Luca, I said no. You can finish Grayson off if you like—in any way you like—but you may not come.” Gideon doesn’t need togive explanations. Luca doesn’t need them, and they only make him push harder, which undermines the benefits of restraint.

“Gideon…”

Gideon just turns away, making sure Luca doesn’t have an audience for his sass.

Now, where was he? Ah yes, his soft, well-behaved kitten who is busy eating his cinnamon bun, white icing all over his full lips. He’s licking his fingers for good measure, making Gideon groan. “Fuck me, kitten. Is it that good?”

Nix’s face breaks into a wide grin, only for it to slip slightly.

“It’s so good. Oh, no…was it for me? I was hungry, and there it was, and you said I could eat whatever I wanted, and—is it okay?”

Gideon can only reassure him. “Of course. It’s for you, and there’s more, too.”

The thought of how Nix has had to beg, plead, and suffer for every morsel is enough to kill his boner on the spot. His scent must betray his inner turmoil because Nix winces.

Nix pushes his plate away, suddenly pale. “I’m sorry.”

Gideon is sure Nix has no idea what’s made him upset. “Nix, listen. You eat as much as you like whenever you like. If I…we… get a bit emotional about it, it’s just because it upsets us to be reminded that you weren’t cared for the way you deserved. I am happy you’re enjoying your breakfast.”

“You don’t smell happy. You smell sad.” Nix rubs his stomach, frowning. “Hurts my tummy when you’re sad, and now with the bond—it’s like it’s turned up to eleven, you know?”

Then, he leans in and whispers as if sharing a scandalous secret. “I can feel how Luca is…horny…”

Gideon snorts out a laugh before he can stop himself. “Are we back here again, kitten? Because if you can’t say it, you shouldn’t be—”

“Doing it! I know. Why are you so mean to me?” Nix is back in Gideon’s arms, and his deep voice sends shivers down Gideon’s spine. “Makes my wolf want to show you how to be nice to me.”

Well, isn’t that a mental picture? Gideon would like to see that for sure, and it’s as good a time as any to talk about some training in the gym. “Kitten, I would love any and all efforts you would make toshow me how to be nice.What do you say we take this to the gym?”

“Right now?”

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