Page 17 of Bonds of Fate

Fuck.

If there’s one thing alphas love, it’s a chase. The scent of their mate, adrenaline pumping, and the test of wills. The oldest instincts of predator and prey, where the captured is devoured by pleasure, not pain.

Shortly after they’d bonded with Gideon, he and Luca had taken a weekend trip to the mountains. They’d invited everyone along, but none had accepted, knowing that they’d spend theentire time third-wheeling for whatever kinky plans Gideon had made.

Upon their return two days later, Luca had shared quite enthusiastically–and with detail–the absolutethrillof being chased through the woods by Gideon and subsequently edged for twelve hours straight, only to come until he blacked out. Twice.

Grayson had asked Gideon afterward whether it had been Luca’s idea, as most crazy ideas in their home were. Gideon had debated whether it had been anyone’s business but his and Luca’s, but in the end, he had shaken his head, letting his blush surpass the capacity of his ears.

He hadn’t gone into detail except to say it was a core memory and that if Luca ever wanted to, they would do it again.

Grayson supposed that if the desire to chase is instinctual for alphas, maybe the need to run is the same for omegas.

There’s a noise in his room, and he nearly breaks his neck, throwing open the glass door of the shower to slide into his bedroom on wet feet.

Leo is carrying his beautiful but unconscious mate in a bridal hold. Nix smells like heaven, and Grayson’s cock gets so hard, so fast he’s lightheaded. In that minute, he’s grateful he’s still had a half-dose of his suppressants because,holy shit, does he smell good.

“Gray! Hey, you there?”

Grayson hears his mate over the persistent but thankfully still-subdued noise of his wolf. “Yes. Fuck, sorry. Put him on the bed.”Yes, get that scent in the bed.

“I’m going to leave him here, Gray. I’m going to check on the others and get some water. He’s safe with you.” He’s worded it as a statement, but there’s a slight uptick at the end like it might be a question, too.

He is completely at a loss for words, so he just nods.

Nix is alluring, lying on his white sheets, cheeks flushed, and two pinpricks of blood on the outside corners of his bright red mouth. He smells satisfied, and Grayson’s stupid wolf thinkstheyare responsible. It’s surprising how calm that lets him be when his dick is as hard as it’s ever been.

There’s a ripped black skirt-thing tangled around his omega’s legs, and the long t-shirt is wet in the front. That has to feel cold and clammy—and maybe he should try to make him more comfortable.

No, he doesn’t have permission, so instead, he pulls up his fleece blanket just in case he’s cold. A shiver runs down his spine in sympathy, and Grayson realizes he’s completely naked.

“Fuck.” He wouldn’t want Nix to wake up and be alarmed. Nothing like a big dick in your face—unannounced and unwanted. “Pants, pants, where are my fucking pants.”

“Hmmm. Don’t cover up on my account.” Eyes at half-mast and pushing himself up on his elbow, Nix licks the blood from the corners of his mouth.

“Hi.” Grayson is the soul of wit, though, to be fair, there is zero blood in his actual head right now.

“Come.” Nix’s voice is deep and gravelly, and it shoots straight into his dick. Grayson can only do as his omega asks, and he approaches the bed slowly. When he’s within reach, Nix reaches for him with a questioning eyebrow as if to ask,is this okay?

“Wait. Nix.”

His omega looks forlorn. “No?” he asks, the two little lines between his (very sexy) eyebrows furrowing.

“I want to be sure you’re okay. Thatthisis okay.” Grayson doesn’t want to fuck up whatever this is.

“Grayson. Let me decide if I’m good. I want you in my mouth—have since I smelled you. Now, does that work for you?”Despite his bravado, Nix looks unsure, like Grayson might not want him.

Does that work for you?It sure the fuck does. Like there is some universe where Grayson ever says no. He nods enthusiastically.

Nix gets to his knees, kicking aside the skirt, which Grayson now realizes are the remnants of Finn’s shorts. He throws off the damp t-shirt, adding it to the pile, and Grayson gets his first look at his mate’s beautiful body.

Perfectly proportioned, with lean muscles and tight abs. His thighs are narrow but perfectly shaped and covered with a smattering of freckles. His hard cock is small and leaking steadily, rivulets of delicious precome sliding down its length. Grayson wants to worship it on his knees so he can follow those droplets down, down, down.

The slide of Nix’s hot palms up over his pecs, pulling gently on his piercing and then down over his belly to distract him. The slow glide makes his cock twitch, and it’s electric—a sizzle of desire straight to his gut.

Nix looks up the length of his torso to meet eyes and then back to his cock, bottom lip caught between his teeth. “Can I? Please, Gray. Please.” His omega squirms—his deep voice raspy as he pleads.

He’s immobilized for an instant—the scent of vanilla and musk is thick between them—warm, wet, and utterly intoxicating. Grayson aches to taste it. But he will give Nix anything he desires. Everything.

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