Page 21 of Bonds of Fate

Grayson rolls onto his back and pulls Nix into his side. His wolf is happy to bury his nose into his alpha’s chest, pressing kisses to his pec and his nipple, pierced through with a stainless steel barbell. He lies there, feeling Grayson’s heartbeat slow under his cheek.

It’s a comfort that seeps into his soul, and in no time, there’s a low rumble in his chest.

He’s not sure how long they lie there, but when he opens his eyes, it’s in the early hours of the morning. His belly itches, and he remembers there is come dried on his belly and shirt.

Was yum but is now, ew.

Nix realizes he’s covered in it, and the sheet Grayson had pulled over them is probably ruined.

When he tries to get up, Grayson growls a bit.

“Alright, grumpy-pants. I’ve got to wash this off, or we’ll be glued together.”

Grayson does not seem upset by the notion, basil scent satisfied and a proud smirk on his obscenely full lips. “So? I like it. You smell like me, and I smell like you—it’s perfect.”

Nix hasn’t seen this side of Grayson yet, and he’s incredibly amused. He’s a bit like a toddler who’s been told it’s time to go home from the park.

“You like me smelling like you, huh? Me too. But I want a bath. Want to join me?”

That gets Grayson vertical and grimacing because his own boxers are cold and sticky. “Not so fun now, is it, big guy?” Nix climbs off the bed and makes for the bathroom, putting a bit of a wiggle in his walk. He loves feeling desirable, and justbeinglike this with his mate is freeing.

After using the toilet, Nix washes his hands and lets Grayson in so they can both brush their teeth. Day-old come isnotthe flavor of the week, even if you couldn’t have told him that last night.

He takes all of thirty seconds to figure out his ass is wet.

At first, he thinks the slipperiness between his thighs is his own come, but when he runs his finger over it, it’s not tacky to the touch at all; it’s slippery. When he brings it to his nose, it’s the sweetest vanilla, with a musky overtone that makes his mouth water.

“Gray. Don’t panic. But I think there’s something wrong with me.” He holds up his fingers, and they glisten in the low light of the dimmed bathroom fixture.

Grayson’s pupils dilate, and his nostrils flare; he’s gentle, though, when he takes those two fingers and sucks them deep into his mouth with a groan. “Fucking delicious, Nix. Your slick is like ambrosia.”

“Mywhatnow? This is coming from myass,Gray.” Even after Grayson had sucked his fingers clean, they remain slippery…like lube. “Wait a minute. I’m making my ownlubenow?”

This can’t be real.

His knees feel weak. Thinking he’d better sit down before he falls, his slippery ass lands on the edge of the soaker tub. When he tries to sit—he nearly slips off with an indignant squawk. Forgoing the embarrassment of landing in the bone-dry tub, Nix begins to pace the confines of the bathroom. Seven steps one way. Seven steps back.

“Where is Jamie? Finn? I think I need an explanation about what the fuck is going on with my ass. I am done, Grayson.Done.With delays, prevarications, and omissions. Give it to me entirely. I mean it, this time.” That feeling of being out of control is creeping back, and there’s an unpleasant churning in his stomach.

“Angel, take a deep breath and give me a chance to explain. Breathe.” The panic that had been creeping in—black spots atthe edge of his vision while his angry scent turns the room into a bakery on fire.

It only ebbs after he takes a few deep breaths, trying to remember what Gideon showed him that afternoon—right before he walks straight into Grayson’s arms.

“That’s good. So good. Jay is with Rowan and the others. You said you remembered last night. That chase you gave Ro jump-started his alpha rut. It’s not going very smoothly.”

“What’s a rut, and why isn’t it going smoothly? Is it bad because of me? Did Ihurthim?” Horrified, he searches his memory for something he might have done to hurt his Rowan. “Did I bite him, too? Oh my god, I bit you. Let me see.” Falling to his knees, he yanks Grayson’s come-soaked black SAXX boxers down over his semi-hard dick.

“Ow, ow. Gently—they’re stuck.” Gray groans when the dried come acts like glue in his neatly trimmed pubic hair.

There, in the crease where Grayson’s groin meets his thigh, besides three other similar marks, is the imprint of Nix’s teeth. It’s red and inflamed, and when he runs his fingers over it and looks up at Grayson to be sure it no longer hurts, his alpha’s eyes are red, and his fangs are down. He looks fierce and beautiful. Deadly.

“Gray. Oh, my god. I’m so sorry.”

His alpha flinches, and his scent is suddenly reminiscent of rotten greenery. “My omega issorry? You didn’t want to bond with me?” Sadness so deep that it’s almost despair resonates in his voice.

“Bond with you? Youwantedme to bite you? It’s a bond?” Well, that explains that presence in his chest and the other bites he’d seen on the others.

But he can sense Jamie, too. Does that mean he bit Jamie? When and where was that? Was that what Riordan was checkingyesterday on Jamie’s shoulder? These are just more questions Jamie Rhodes better have answers for.

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