Page 28 of Bonds of Fate

“Not just about that, Jay. He had their star charts run by reputable practitioners, and it’s legit. I researched their credentials in the faith—they’re experts. Published. They even have the High Council’s seal.”

“Their astrological charts?” Jay had only a passing knowledge of the Were faith, the Goddess, and her ties to the moon. He respects his mates’ practice, of course, but his practical knowledge is almost nil. “What are you saying?”

“They’re soulmates. Grayson’s been pretty worked up about it. They said it would explain his out-of-character behavior this week.” Jay plops down onto the bed.

“Soulmates?” Jay should be happy for them.He is.It’s something he’s only ever dreamed of, and he cannot begrudge them this extra connection. He never has—with Gideon and Luca.

But still, a pang settles deep in his chest, fleeting but undeniable. They are all fated by the Goddess. All bound as one. But to share a soul? That’s something else. Something rarer.Something that, for all the love he holds in his hands, he’ll never quite touch.

And maybe it wouldn’t sting—if it weren’t Nix because Nix was his first. The first love that shaped him, the first bond that made him whole. The first piece of his forever.

He exhales steadily. It doesn’t change what they have. It doesn’t change him. But the ache lingers for just a breath before he lets it go.

“Jay.” He must smell like he feels because Leo drops to his knees in front of him with a wince, a grunt—and then a shiver. “It’s just a spiritual chart. And an incomplete one at that.” His voice is steady and reassuring. “We already know we’re all fated. We all have a part to play—for him and each other.”

Leo pauses. Then freezes.

Eyes widening, he smacks himself in the head. “Shit. We missed your birthday.”

Huh. They had? What day was it? Was he twenty-seven and didn’t even know it? “It’s okay, we’ve had a lot going on.”

His Leo is so sentimental. “It’s not okay, and I am so sorry. When Rowan is sane again, we will celebrate, okay? I got you something special.” He gives an exaggerated wink.

“You did? Is it you? Because—best. Gift. Ever.”

Leo giggles, high and light, but the moment passes fast. His expression shifts—serious now.

“I’m serious. I feel awful. The others will, too, and Luca might cry.” Jay smiles at the memory of when they first met, and Leo and Luca found him alone in Ripley’s studio on his twenty-first birthday. Luca had burst into tears, then they’dbothsucked his brain out through his dick.

Leo must be remembered too because they both say, “Good times,” at the same time—then burst into laughter.

“Babe, don’t let this thing with Grayson and Nix mess with your head. He’s yours, always has been, and from the look at thatbite, he always will be. He’sourmate. Try to focus on the joy of having him here.” Wise words.

“I’ll remember, Leo. Thanks.”

Both their phones go, and Leo climbs to his feet and groans, going to fetch his. “Rowan is demanding my esteemed presence, post haste.”

“Is that what it says?” Jay asks suspiciously because that doesn’t sound like Gideon’s style at all.

“Ha! No. It saysGet your luscious ass in here now before Rowan breaks the fucking door down.”

“He’s not wrong.”

“Yeah, we do not want him looking for me on his own.”

“True, but I was thinking more about how your ass is luscious—juicy even.”

He follows his naked beta’s booty out of his room all the way to the nest room, where Jay kisses him before heading toward Gray’s room. “Good luck, luscious.”

“You too, alpha. Remember, he’s yours, too.”

Chapter Nine: Nix

Nix

It had been a long ass week; well, at least the parts he’d been awake for had been.

Waking up from a coma, hearing you nearly died, and are a new species entirely while finding your long-lost true love, and six other people who complete you really is just a short list of amazing but truly exhausting things.

---