Page 133 of Bonds of Fate

It’s fucking scary because Gideon isn’t the strongest opponent, but he isn’t out to kill Nix, either.

Hayes won’t have anything to lose, and Gideon has everything. Lightning fast, he takes one hand off Nix’s wrist and puts it around his throat, squeezing–cutting off his air—and not in a sexy way. “Come on, Nix.You have to mean it.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” It’s wheezy with Gideon’s pressure.

Rolling off and standing up, Gideon hits the big bag in frustration. “Nix. Youhave to mean it. When we’re in here, you have to mean it. I can take it, and if I need to tap out, I will, but you have to show me what you’ve got.”

His mate’s vanilla scent is burnt around the edges—in embarrassment or frustration, Gideon can’t tell. Gideon needs to get to that frenzied omega last night without hurting his mate or fraying their new bond beyond repair. Maybe he’s going about it wrong.

“Let’s try something different.” Settling beside him on the floor, he picks up his hand, playing with the fingers. “Show me your claws.”

“Now?” Nix is confused.

“Mmm. Fangs and claws, go.” It takes a few seconds of concentration, and Nix has his beautiful fangs down and his clawed hand in Gideon’s. “Put them away and then bring them out again. Faster.”

“This isn’t fighting. Come on, you said you’d show me how to fight.”

“How are you going to fight him if you can’t get your weapons ready faster than this? Do you think Hayes is going towait for youto be ready? Do you think you’re going to be thinking aboutthesewhen he’s reminding you of all the ways he hurt you?”

Nix stares at him, his expression pinched. “N-no.”

“Then again, kitten. Faster. Whenever we’re in here, you need them out. Don’t worry about me. I have lots of training, and I am not afraid to get hurt. Are you?”

“No.” Nix looks at him with hard eyes. “I am used to it. Don’t fucking talk to me about being familiar with pain.” He tries to shake Gideon off, finally a little pissed off—but Gideon needsmore.

“I didn’t ask if you wereusedto it. I asked you if you wereafraidto hurt. Hayeswillhurt you. Before he even tries to take you from me, he willhurtyou—not just with fangs and claws, but with his words at twenty paces. And then he will make you bleed because he has nothing left to lose. Do you understand me? You have to fucking mean this.” He says it so quietly, not letting himself think of all the ways Nix had been hurt, but in the silence, Nix has no choice but tohearhim.

“The only weapons you can take in there are these,” Gideon touches Nix’s hands and then runs a finger over his lower lip where his long fangs are just visible, “And what’s in here. Do you understand?” He lightly jabs him in the forehead.

It’s difficult to see his words sink in. Gideon wishes the reality of it would make his kitten change his mind, but even as he thinks it, Nix is on his feet, fangs and claws still out.

“I understand. Make it hurt, then, because I need to know I haven’t forgotten how it feels. I need you to make me ready because he may have nothing to lose, but I do, and I am not letting him take one more thing from me.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Grayson

Grayson

Burning off the overflow of energy he’d been storing up since the night previous with a run had been a relief of sorts. Not the brain-melting blow job he’d imagined getting (and giving), but six miles at top speed certainly makes a small dent in the wolf’s demands for a bond bite.

Plus, if he plays his cards right and Gideon is feeling generous, he might parlay his sweaty abs into a make-out session with Luca and Nix.

Gideon had been right.

Grayson has a plan to get his soulmate bonded. He really doesn’t need to leave the compound to make it all come together, either—just a bit of time in the Art House without interruption, some well-placed phone orders, and his soulmate agreeing to be romanced a little.

Howl’s Moving Castleis playing quietly on the television when they roll in, and the two sweet, sleepy mates he’d been hoping to catch in bed are cuddled on the couch under a blanket, half on and half off each other’s laps. Grayson stops to watch for a minute because Nix has Luca’s mouth on his for deep, wet, tonguing kisses. They must have been at it for a while because both their lips are bright red and slick. Grayson’s dick can’t get enough of their combined vanilla-mocha scent that’s richer than the cafe’s sweetest treats.

Throwing off his shoes, he’s right up against Nix’s back faster than he can say ‘me too, please’, their partially-formed bond singing with the proximity. Grayson was getting used to the twinge in his chest the farther away he was from Nix, like he didn’t notice how badly it hurt until he had the relief of being nearby. The closer he is, the better he feels, and Grayson can’t fathom how good it’s going to be when the bond finally goes both ways.

“Oh, fuck, baby. Look, it’s sweaty-Gray, my favorite Gray to ever Gray.” Luca licks a swipe over Nix’s cheek and Grayson’s soulmate shivers. Grayson’s basil scent is strong, as much from sex pheromones now as it is from good, hard exercise. He’s not above using it to his advantage.

“Give me a kiss, Angel.” Nix’s hot mouth still tastes like Luca, and it doesn’t take long until the three of them are taking turns licking lips and sucking on tongues. Grayson can feel the suction in his cock, and his boxers are getting uncomfortable.

It’s unique to Grayson and Luca that they both get off on how much Luca gets turned on by this version of him: fresh from exercise, all stinky armpits, and sweaty balls.

“Baby, isn’t Gray so hot? Here, let me…”

Luca dislodges the blanket, revealing the two of them in nothing but their matchingHe’s My Babyt-shirts—too short for modesty, skimming just the tops of their thighs, just enough to hide their dicks. When next Luca sits, it’s directly on Grayson’s lap, bouncy ass grinding on Grayson’s cock with his hands up under Grayson’s tank.

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