Page 37 of Bonds of Fate

“Nix…” There’s a chorus of voices, and he knows they just want to be sure he’s okay.

He is, or he will be. Nix is sure that tomorrow, he’s going to have more thoughts about this complete shift in his gender identity, his role in the pack, and maybe—just maybe—being a parent. I mean, is there birth control?

Nope. Not tonight. Some questions will have to wait.

He moves in front of Jamie, wanting his alpha to pick him up—he’s getting used to being carried around like a king.

Once he’s back in his love’s arms, he rests his head against a broad shoulder, already anticipating the softness of a bed that smells like home. When he’s finally horizontal, he gathers various hands, pulling them up, over, and onto himself until he’s surrounded. The steady rhythm of his mates’ heartbeats lulls him, and he lets the world slip away.

Chapter Ten: Gideon

Gideon

There’s a proverb Gideon’s mother used to remind him of whenever he failed to finish his garden chores in favor of running through the forest:out of sight, out of mind.

And when Gideon wakes up in Jay’s bed—three alphas and one sweet-smelling omega curled around him—at nine in the morning, with Jay’s phone playing U2’sBeautiful Day, he can’t help but feel like there’s something he should have been thinking about.

“Fuck, Gid. Where’s my phone? Shit.” Jay tips Nix backward into Grayson so he can get up as stealthily as possible.

“On the dresser.” Finn is lying on his belly beside him, with his fingers tucked inside Gideon’s sweats, elegant fingers hanging on as if he thinks Gideon might get away. He gently pries them away with a regretful squeeze. Checking that their omega is still asleep, with Grayson spooned up behind, he follows his alpha out and down to the main level.

Leo is sitting naked at the breakfast bar, asleep with his head on the countertop, a half-eaten protein bar in his hand, and crumbs sticking to his pretty pink mouth. The donut cushion from the hospital peeks out from underneath his plush butt, and Gideon wishes he’d brought his phone to capture the unbelievable levels of cuteness.

Jay is standing in boxers, in a beam of fall sunshine, speaking on the phone. The warm light washes him in shades of gold, making him look like a debauched rock god—or maybe the Sun God themself. Broad shoulders, an eight-pack, and skin—that is always hot and smooth under Gideon’s tongue—glow in the soft, golden light. His phoenix tattoo looks ready to catch fire, its brilliant colors rippling with every breath.

He’s struck with the thought that it’s been too many days since he and Jay have had any kind of intimacy, and he might see if his alpha is interested in making good on the bet they’d had from the gym. The TKO illustrates that he’s the clear winner—even if Nixhadgiven him an unauthorized assist.

It’s usually a win-win, anyway.

Then Jay is turning toward him, eyes wide, and Gideon’s thoughts go fromI want to fucktowe are so fucked.That his mate looks unhappy is an understatement.

“Okay, yes, thank you, Erin. We’ll see you at 10:30. Do you need directions? No, that will give us enough time…and you can’t say…oh…no, that makes sense. Thank you for your added caution. Yes. That’s right…just ring through when you are at the gate. See you then.”

Gideon crosses to where Jay sits heavily on the couch. “That was the attorney? She’s coming here?”

Rowan is in rut, and tactically, that is a worse-than-terribleidea.

Jay runs his hand over his face and puts his phone on the coffee table, right beside those books Finn keeps amassing for their omega.

Once again, he’d taken his eyes off this ball, and ithadslipped his mind.Dammit.

There is nothing Gideon hates more than being taken unawares and unprepared, and now they are expecting somesort of legal talk with Nix’s representative. So many things can go wrong, and the worst is that Nix is not up to speed.

“Shit. We should get him up so we can let him know where we’re at with this.”

“What am I going to tell him, Gid? He’s just heard he’s an omega—the only one if Dr. Spencer and public opinion are to be believed—and now he’s going to have to see his lawyer and hear about his abuser.” He’s sweating a bit in the heat of the sun, or maybe it’s the heat of the moment. “Fuck this week.”

“Jamie? Gideon?” There are barefoot steps on the left wing stairs, and then Nix is in the living room with them. So soft, in an LRH tank top four sizes too big, and when he moves to sit on Jamie’s lap with a sigh, he, too, is washed in the golden light. They’re beautiful, and even though there are hard conversations to be had, Gideon grabs Jay’s phone to capture the moment.

They share a warm smile before leaning in, pressing soft, lingering kisses to each other’s lips in a gentle morning greeting. It’s true love, and Gideon is so happy for them both after all this time. Gideon is happy for their family because both men have more than enough love for them all.

“Gideon, you too. Come.” He lifts his legs so Gideon can pretend to be beleaguered and move in for a selfie. There’s a soft kiss on his cheek and then a small finger under his chin so Nix can kiss Gideon’s lips. It’s heavenly, and for a brief moment in time, he forgets Erin Christie is here in an hour.

“Mmmm, delicious,” Nix murmurs, his voice still gravelly from sleep. He’s moving lazily from Jay to Gideon and back again, licking and biting at their lips. The heat of the sun and their arousal are creating a delicious pocket of scent, and he could do this all day.

But they can’t. Gideon hates it, but he needs to be the voice of reason. Again.

“Nix. Mrmf..stop for just a second. Mmmmm. We’re having a visitor in an hour, and I think we should talk about it a bit before they come to see you.”

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