Page 15 of Bonds of Fate

“Fuck, no. But I have to ask: are you sure you feel ready? Nix is still…um.” He taps his nose subtly. Their home must be redolent with Nix’s vanilla scent, and the gesture isn’t meant to be rude—only to illustrate the issue Grayson had faced during his rebound rut.

Grayson tries to remind himself that this is Nix’s doctor, not some random person making lewd comments, but he knows his face betrays his displeasure.

“I’m not trying to poke the wolf, Grayson. I’m concerned for your well-being and his safety.” Riordan holds his hands up in a gesture of peace, making it clear he means no harm. Grayson’s wolf is mollified—enough to dial back the alpha energy just a fraction.

“I’ve got this under control. I could never hurt Nix. I didn’t know that until I saw him awake for the first time, but I promise—I’ve got this.” As he says it, he knows it’s true.

“What about Jay?” Riordan doesn’t need to clarify beyond that. It doesn’t take a genius to extrapolate Grayson’s intense focus on Nix, which would have easily turned into a knockdown drag-out battle pack alpha position.

The reminder of Grayson’s biggest fear makes his wolf think the other alpha has gone too far. Their pack dynamics and Grayson’s honor are of no one’s concern but theirs, and he says so.

“Forgive me, but I don’t see how that’s any of your concern—but to answer your question, I’ve got this under control. I’m tired of feeling disconnected from my mates, of being sick and exhausted all the time. Nothing I do feels right. I just want to experience this new life with him, you know?”

He’s reminded of Finn’s words about living a beautiful life.

“I understand perfectly. More than you know. Alright, I advise one half-tablet for the next two days, and then you can come off. That should be the smoothest process to avoid the worst withdrawal. Your senses will come back intermittently, as well.”

“Everything okay out here?” Gideon stands in the doorway, a tea towel slung over his shoulder, with Ewan just behind him, smirk firmly in place and arms crossed.

He and Riordan share a look that Grayson can’t decipher at all.

“Yup. I’ll talk to you later about it. Thanks, Doc. Are we waiting on Nix?”

“Gray, you should probably clear out. I doubt he’ll be entirely comfortable with our unannounced visitors, and we don’t want to have any more moving pieces than necessary.”

“What!? No. I need to be here.”

“Are you here for him or you?” It’s a cruel question, and Grayson clenches his jaw before he starts an argument in front of outsiders. It pisses him off that Gideon is right. Again. Fuck him. So, he doesn’t answer Gideon’s question.

“Thanks, Doc. Ewan, nice to see you again.” He nods curtly, taking the stairs two at a time. He blows straight past Leo, standing in the hallway, slamming the door to his room.

He wants Nix. Wants him right now in his bed, where together they can make it smell likethem.He’s got energy to burn and nowhere to put it. Maybe he should have gone out for a run, but just the thought of it makes him so sick he actually gags and has to spit into his trash can.

Fuck, okay, so no thinking about leaving the house without his soulmate.Check.

Maybe he should read that omega history book from Dr. Spencer:Omegas Throughout Historyby Dr. Judith Peora, circa 1970. It’s not a modern text, but the content seemed like it might have few grains of fact; Grayson just had to find them.

Climbing into his sadly-not-smelling-like-Nix bed, he’s only just cracked the binding when he smells an inkling of Leo’s strong cinnamon scent on the other side of the door.

“Come in, Leo.” Grayson sets the book aside and pats the side of the bed. “Whatcha doing? Did you get exiled, too?”

“Not as bad as that, Gray. You know…they just need some space for Nix to get his check-up. The better question is: what’sgot you so salty?” The beta lies on his side, propping his head up with one hand.

“Gideon.” Grayson matches his posture, and Leo just looks into his eyes.

“Ah, told you to get scarce, and you didn’t take too kindly.” What is with people thinking they can poke at him like this? It’s getting on his fucking nerves.

“Hey, fuck you, too. He’s my omega, Leo.Mineand he has no right to keep me away. What if Nix needs me? If he’s scared or hears something that upsets him. What then, huh?” He’s just about convinced himself to go down there anyway, to hell with Gideon and his pompous attitude.

Leo sits up, too, a look of disbelief and—dreaded—disapproval on his face. “Grayson. Do you hear yourself?”

Of course, he did; he’s fucking angry, and he didnotwhisper. His mate’s jaw tightens further at Grayson’s argumentative tone.

“Nix isourmate. Not just Grayson Pearce’s. Jay is with him, and Finn. Yes, Gideon can be a bit high-handed, but I think Ewan showing up unannounced threw him for a loop. It freaks him out when he’s not all-knowing. We’re all on high alert—with Hayes, with the police—it’s a fucking lot. Cut him some slack.”

Like we’ve been doing for yougoes unsaid.

“I don’t fucking care. There are strangers touching and looking at my–” At Leo’s raised eyebrows, he amends his sentence. “Fuck, fine,ouromega, and I’m not there to protect him. I hate it.”

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