Page 98 of Bonds of Fate

He hesitates, not knowing how to say the rest.

“But?” It’s quiet and tentative.

“But if you’re sure this is what you want—what you need—then it’s not for me or anyone else to stop you.”

Leo exhales shakily. “You’ve already paid for this in your blood, and if I try to tell you what you can and can’t do, then I’m no better than…him.” His voice cracks at the last word. “I will back your choice. Luca will, too.”

Nix nods, presses a soft kiss to the side of Leo’s head, then offers him his precious yellow towel to wipe his face.

“I heard.” His voice is small. “It’s causing trouble with Gideon and him. I wish it weren’t. They’re both really sad. Hurts.” He rubs the center of his chest, frowning.

Leo sighs. “That’s between them. You know that, right?” He grabs a handful of tissues from the bedside table, blowing his nose before turning back.

“Can I ask you something?”

Nix lifts his gaze, waiting.

“Promise you won’t think I’m being…patronizing and shit?”

His mate doesn’t even hesitate. “I know you aren’t like that. Go ahead.”

“What makes you think you can fight and win? You said earlier that you can do it, that you’remadeto do it. Forgive me, but you are such apetitething.” He encircles the tiny wrist with his fingers, and they overlap.

“Let me show you something, okay? You’re strong, right?” Nix grins, tipping his head.

“Sure. I mean, not by Jay or Gideon—orespeciallyRowan’s standards, but I work out.”

Leo throws in a salacious eyebrow wiggle, and flexes, putting on a decent gun show with his biceps.

“You sure do…” Nix hums in agreement, eyes going hazy as he cups Leo’s arm, running small fingers over the muscle. “Mmm, these are very, very nice, Leo.”

His tongue catches between his teeth, and suddenly, it’s just like the day they met.

“Mmm, so nice.”

The blush floods Leo’s cheeks so fast it burns.

For a moment, they just sit side by side, Nix’s tiny hands still flexing around his arm as if memorizing the shape of him.

Leo clears his throat, desperate for a distraction. “You, uh…wanted to show me something?”

“Oh. Ha. You are distracting.” Nix blinks, then brightens like he just remembered. “Let’s arm wrestle.”

Leo stares. What? His gaze drops to Nix’s tiny but shapely biceps. “…Baby, uh, are you sure?”

Nix grins wickedly. “Come on. Play with me. I promise to go easy on you.”

Leo laughs outright this time. “Sure you will.” He shakes his head, amusement curling through his chest.

They make their way to their fronts on the floor in the classic arm wrestle position, and when they’re ready, Leo looks into hismate’s face and his charming grin. “You ready? Give me your best shot.”

To say he is shocked to be overpowered in that instant is an understatement, and even more so when it’s every single damn time after that, as well. Nix enjoys holding them frozen at the top, letting Leo push and wiggle their grip until he quickly tips the scales and Leo’s hand is flat in the blink of an eye.

Leo breaks a sweat, and after the first time he gets beat—hands down, literally—he gives it everything he’s got.

Nix laughs, and his vanilla scent is ice cream on a hot day. It is joy, and Leo wants to smell it just like that forever.

“See?” he whispers. He sits up so they’re cross-legged on the floor, facing each other. “I’m strong.Crazystrong. Arlo said omegas were theoriginalprotectors of packs.”

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