Chapter Twenty-Six Gideon
Gideon
After years of training under a retired Special Ops commander at a local club—and despite the late nights he spends at Quest or tangled up in the nest with his mates—Gideon has never broken the habit of rising early.
It’s why his eyes snap open at 6:30 AM, even when every part of him would rather sink back into the warmth of his mates. Both of his beautiful boys are still dead to the world, exactly where they’d fallen asleep six hours ago.
the Goddess hadn’t told him exactly how extraordinary Nix would be—how he would be a gift to Gideon, or how now that they are bound together with Luca in a way that is so fundamentally Were, or that his connection to Them would be stronger because of it.
Together, they are AlphaBetaOmega .
When the three of them connected through the bond, it was like Gideon had turned the knob on an old radio—where once there had been only static and white noise, their joining and bite had tuned the frequency to perfect clarity.
It would be crazy to say that They are speaking to him through this connection—he’s no zealot, no religious fanatic. And yet, since that frequency tuned in, his link to his wolf and the cosmic rhythm of being Were has never been clearer.
The thrum of the Moon, the way the spirit of the wolf pours into every cell of his body—it’s an epiphany. Even his connection to Luca feels stronger than ever, as if Nix’s bond amplifies the soulmate thread between them.
It’s miraculous.
And overwhelming.
His two sleeping mates are facing each other, each with their heads on his chest, faces mere inches from each other, hands entwined, breathing the same air in synchronicity.
Gideon had thought before that they had gelled in a way that none of his other mates had, despite being fated, and here is undeniable—profound—proof.
In an effort not to disturb them, Gideon quietly exits the bed, sliding down to the end and glancing back to see them seamlessly occupy the cozy space he had just left, their brows furrowed slightly.
Standing in the dim light of the autumn morning, dick hard and reconsidering his early morning stupidity of getting out of bed in the first place, he gently covers them with a sheet and throws on his running gear, grabbing his favorite shoes from Luca’s closet.
If there is coffee on, Gideon hopes there is some for him because if there isn’t morning sex, then coffee will have to do.
Yeah, yeah, he sees the irony.
Before he heads downstairs, he detours down the hall to where Nix now has his space—the room where he’d had the worst nightmare Gideon had ever witnessed.
He’s glad he doesn’t know the reality of what Nix has endured beyond his injuries from Hayes’s last attack because if he did, Gideon fears there would be no stopping him from hunting Hayes down and ending him, no matter the collateral damage and the consequences.
Because he is sure of one thing—a life sentence in prison would not be the place to keep his wolf’s dark side under control.
It had been horrific, but seeing the unadulterated viciousness of Nix’s wolf had been revelatory.
Gideon’s wolf had been angry when Nix had announced his intent to meet Hayes on the field of battle and then incensed that their pack alpha would allow it. Nix had already walked through fire and had proven his strength in the way he had survived. He shouldn’t have to prove it again with his teeth and claws.
Stopping in the doorway, he feels gratitude to whoever has cleaned Nix’s room and removed the destroyed bed linens, mattress, and bloody carpet to another location. The emptiness of the room hasn’t stopped Grayson from making a pallet of blankets on the floor, though, just in case his soulmate returned.
Gideon’s ethereal ice prince is still asleep, curled on his side facing the door, and in the low light of the room, he still glows. “Gray.”
His mate jerks out of his dream, and when he sees Gideon, he holds out his hand.
“Come on, let’s go for a run,” Gideon cajoles. “Afterward, I’ll buy you something sweet.”
“Come here,” Grayson murmurs. “ I’m something sweet.”
Gideon chuckles. While it’s true, he won’t be sucked in (or off) by a pretty face when his wolf is urging him to prepare his not-battle-ready omega to face a psychopath. He needs to run. “No way. Come and run with me. Your wolf will thank you.”
“You are passing up on a blow job to run through the streets of Nashville at the ass-crack of dawn and just for coffee? What is wrong with y–”
Grayson raises his nose and finally gets a whiff of Gideon, and his eyes flash red for a moment. “You bonded him? Is that why you didn’t go back to the nest?”
There’s frustration in his mate’s voice. Gideon can apologize for one thing without being sorry for another.
“Look, I’m sorry we didn’t get back to the big nest, but I will not be sorry for bonding with our omega. He asked, and Luca and I…we have wanted it, too.”
His mate is on his feet, shaking off his lethargy in an instant with a stormy expression on his face. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll meet you at the door.”
“Don’t run away, Grayson.”
“Five fucking minutes, so I can get my shit together and run this off. Please. Don’t push.”
Grayson’s scent is fiery, so Gideon gives him a wide berth as he blows past.
“Well. Fuck.” Gideon had been sure Grayson was okay about Jay and then Rowan for being first and second. It’s clear the alpha has powerful feelings about something, though.
When Gideon gets to the kitchen, there is sadly no coffee, and the house is silent otherwise. Gideon sends a text to Luca to let him know he’s gone running and will be back with breakfast, adding a reminder to be good at the last minute. Gideon might be able to resist their soft, sleepy omega, but Luca will undoubtedly have a harder time.
There are heavy steps on the right-wing stairs, and Grayson is out the front door without stopping—Gideon is going to have to run like fuck to catch up.
Morning is the best time to run, and this end of the city is like a place out of space and time. It is mostly Were homeowners on large estates like the Rhodes Compound, and in fact, the Were Prime’s estate is just to the North.
But it’s the small neighborhood town center that they head toward. It’s about a six-mile run to Common Grounds, and Grayson’s long legs and frustration mean Gideon has to move at top speed right out of the literal gate.
Gideon finally catches up at the two-mile mark—neither of them speaks, their feet pounding in sync, fallen leaves swirling in their wake. Grayson sets a brutal pace, and Gideon’s wolf surges, pushing at his chest.
The community has a small-town feel at this end of the city. It’s quaint and has a little of everything. The now-empty flower boxes in front of retailers have been replaced with the usual decorations that will undoubtedly give way to Halloween before long.
The biggest draw for Gideon, though, is Common Grounds, a busy cafe with the best pastries even by his exacting standards. It has a welcoming yellow brick facade and several cozy seating areas inside and out when the weather permits.
When he and Grayson slow to a walk, Gideon can see the line is already at least six people long.
People. Yay.
Grayson still won’t meet his eyes when he asks, “I’m going to go wash up. Could you get me my usual, please? And a breakfast sandwich.”
Ah, so they are staying for a talk. Fine. Good. Gideon loves talking about his emotions while soothing his mate’s feelings. Loves it. Where the fuck is Jay when you need him? Maybe he could call and get him here in time?
“Can I take your order?” It’s the friendly, tiny beta with pink hair and a smile that is too perky for so early in the damn day. Gideon orders his and Grayson’s coffee and remembers their sandwiches at the last minute.
He tacks on the dozen pastries to go, just in case they sell out before Grayson has had his say. He cannot go home without something sweet for his Luca, or there will be a divorce. Or, at the very least, a lot of loud complaints.
Gideon finds two chairs in a corner by the window with a small table between them. There’s a small, bushy-tailed squirrel outside, and he’s trying to crack an acorn open on the sidewalk. It’s so persistent while swishing his fluffy tail around that it reminds Gideon of Luca trying to open a jar of pickles the morning they heard about Nix.
Gideon had arrived in the kitchen after the fastest shower of his life to see Luca finally get it opened on his own, but he’d been distracted by Rowan before he’d even had a chance to eat one.
It’s such a random memory to have that when Grayson sits down, smelling of industrial hand soap and basil, he points the little guy out.
“Look at him, Gray. So determined.”
“Hmm.” Grayson bites into the veggie-and-egg croissant with his usual frown, as if the food pains him to his very core. It had taken a few of those one-on-one cooking lessons when they were courting to figure out his mate was more likely to make that face when he liked his food than when he didn’t. It had been a harrowing few dates while Gideon worked at getting a smile instead.
Gideon eats his own unsurprisingly good sausage wrap, and by the time he’s done, the squirrel has cracked his tough nut wide open.
Time for Gideon to do the same with his own ‘nut’.
“Okay, let me have it. Are you upset that Luca and I bonded him, or just that we were there before you?”
“Fuck you. Why must you always be an asshole about it?” Grayson’s voice is sharp, and Gideon is only a little sorry.
“If I wasn’t, we’d still be sitting here until Jay comes looking, and then you’d have to tell the both of us what this is about. I am doing us both a favor. Now spill.”
The wrapper from the croissant gets folded neatly in half and then in triangles. It’s mesmerizing the way his talented mate can make art out of anything.
“He’s my soulmate, Gideon, and at this rate, everyone will be bonded before me. My wolf is fucking loud about it, and he’s getting out of hand.” While talking, Grayson had kept his eyes on the wrapper and his fingers moving—like magic, the wrapper looked like a paper crane.
He could tell Grayson to just do it. Nix wouldn’t mind. His wolf seems intent on getting them bonded as quickly as possible and throwing every skill and wile he has at the task to get it done. It wouldn’t take much. Gideon is not implying Nix is easy, not at all. He is just motivated.
“What are you waiting for, then? Nix will welcome you regardless. You’re his soulmate as much as he is yours .”
The paper crane gets crushed in his mate’s long-fingered hand, and Grayson’s eyes are damp. “I want it to be special,” he says, voice suddenly thick.
Ah. That makes perfect sense. Grayson is romantic in big ways. Grand gestures of affection that fill the mates’ minds with memories. Gideon knows that the picnic Leo had taken him to at the arboretum had been Grayson’s idea, even if the rest had been pure Leo.
“So do it. You have a brilliant mind, pretty, and I am sure you have imagined a million different scenarios.”
“We can’t leave the compound. His scent is addictive—we’d have every Were in Nashville following him around like the Pied Piper.”
Their new omega is alluring and probably still too new for scent blockers. Gideon makes a mental note to check in with Finn about it.
“Romance doesn’t have to be big, Gray. What do you like? What does he like? And when you figure it out, just do that. I will magnanimously do my part to help you by keeping Luca busy.”
Grayson laughs at his generosity and sacrifice, even if there is still that frustration in his expression. “Thanks. I do have an idea, but…”
“No buts!” Gideon slams a hand down firmly on the table, garnering a few startled looks from neighboring patrons.
Grayson waggles his eyebrows, mood already a little lighter. “No butts? Then whatever will we do?”
“I am sure you’ll think of something, but you have to know—he will love it no matter what. The rest of our bonds so far have been perfect for us. ”
And they had. Jay’s warm morning of reconnection and Rowan’s fast-and-furious. Even Gideon and Luca sharing their moment with Nix and with each other. All are perfect in their own way, and Gideon is sure Leo and Finn will find theirs, too. Besides, Grayson is Nix’s soulmate. He couldn’t go wrong.
“I believe in you, pretty.” He gives Grayson’s foot a bump under the table. “You good, now? Can we call an Uber? I do not want to chase you home with a box of pastries.”
Grayson stands and throws their trash away while Gideon gets them a car with his app. When he comes back, Grayson takes the box and puts it back on the table so he can get in close, hug Gideon, and kiss his cheek.
“Thanks for being—oh, hey, how’s your hand?” he asks.
Gideon cannot pass up the opportunity to grab his mate’s perfect ass with both hands to show him it’s just fine, and fuck PDA.
The Uber drops them outside the gate, and Gideon feels lighter for the time spent with his prince. But his wolf still nags at him, an incessant pressure in his chest—he needs to get Nix in the gym, needs to see if he can draw out the wolf who had been ready to kill for Luca. Because until he sees it again—until he knows Nix has control over it, he won’t rest.
His kittens are on the couch, wrapped sleepily in a single blanket, pink-cheeked, and watching Howl’s Moving Castle. Grayson drops the box of pastries on the table and beelines toward the couch, throwing himself down beside his soulmate so Gideon can mirror him on Luca’s side if he wants.
Washing his hands and starting up the coffee machine, he takes plates down and grabs forks, as well. A moment later, there are soft feet behind him, and Gideon can’t hide his surprise that it’s Nix and not Luca.
Luca is sitting in Grayson’s lap, face between his hands and tongue down his throat.
Ah. Grayson is sweaty, and Luca thinks he smells like the equivalent of Were ambrosia . Grayson’s hands are under the He’s My Baby t-shirt, one up over Luca’s pec and the other with a firm grip on a bouncy ass cheek.
“Gideon?” His omega looks soft and hesitant—his vanilla scent so warm it puts the frosting on a cupcake to shame.
“Hmm?” Maybe he should have taken Grayson up on that blow job, after all. He can’t take his eyes off Luca, high on his knees, and the long finger Grayson has pumping in and out of the beta’s hole.
Luca is going to be disappointed when Gideon has to intervene. He does not have permission to come—or for anything. But he’s beautiful in his pleasure, so Gideon will give him a bit of leeway…for a minute or two.
“Hello?” Gideon’s mate waves a sassy hand in front of his face.
“Fuck, sorry, kitten. Hey.” Gideon puts the cinnamon bun he’d bought for Nix down on a plate and licks his thumb before opening his arms. The sweet, vanilla-scented boy is warm and still smells a bit like thunder and mocha. It jump-starts his heart rate. “You okay this morning? How are your wounds? Your bites? Can I see?”
“They’re good, but yes, of course you can.” He pulls up his He’s My Baby t-shirt, and Gideon cannot be blamed for his distraction.
Going to a crouch so he can get a better look, he runs his thumbs over two sets of perfectly-symmetrical, healing bites that frame Nix’s soft dick. The red, bruised skin is beautiful, and Gideon’s wolf is so proud of his work.—he can’t help having the biggest grin.
“Proud of that, are you?”
“Of course I am. They’re fucking perfect, kitten.” He can’t resist running his thumbs over the sensitive bites again, and Nix’s dick is hard in an instant. But they don’t have time to dirty up Gideon’s kitchen right now.
The claw marks from the night before and the tiny one on his cheek have all but disappeared. That’s incredibly fast, even for an enigma.
Omega physiology is a surprise a minute.
“ You’re perfect, come here.”
Gideon loves how Nix just goes pliant—melting against his chest, fingers hooked into his waistband, nose buried against his skin. “You smell so good. Did you run with Gray? I think Luca likes it when Gray is sweaty.”
“That he does. Oh, and thanks for reminding me.” He steps away from Nix and raises his voice. He may have left it a bit late, but he can at least try. “Luca, you do not have permission to come.”
“But Gray smells so good. Please?” Luca whines.
Grayson has latched onto the beta’s neck, but his eyes are on Gideon over his shoulder. He’ll stop winding Luca up if Gideon decides he’s had enough.
“Luca, I said no. You can finish Grayson off if you like—in any way you like—but you may not come.” Gideon doesn’t need to give explanations. Luca doesn’t need them, and they only make him push harder, which undermines the benefits of restraint.
“Gideon…”
Gideon just turns away, making sure Luca doesn’t have an audience for his sass.
Now, where was he? Ah yes, his soft, well-behaved kitten who is busy eating his cinnamon bun, white icing all over his full lips. He’s licking his fingers for good measure, making Gideon groan. “Fuck me, kitten. Is it that good?”
Nix’s face breaks into a wide grin, only for it to slip slightly.
“It’s so good. Oh, no…was it for me? I was hungry, and there it was, and you said I could eat whatever I wanted, and—is it okay?”
Gideon can only reassure him. “Of course. It’s for you, and there’s more, too.”
The thought of how Nix has had to beg, plead, and suffer for every morsel is enough to kill his boner on the spot. His scent must betray his inner turmoil because Nix winces.
Nix pushes his plate away, suddenly pale. “I’m sorry.”
Gideon is sure Nix has no idea what’s made him upset. “Nix, listen. You eat as much as you like whenever you like. If I… we … get a bit emotional about it, it’s just because it upsets us to be reminded that you weren’t cared for the way you deserved. I am happy you’re enjoying your breakfast.”
“You don’t smell happy. You smell sad.” Nix rubs his stomach, frowning. “Hurts my tummy when you’re sad, and now with the bond—it’s like it’s turned up to eleven, you know?”
Then, he leans in and whispers as if sharing a scandalous secret. “I can feel how Luca is…horny…”
Gideon snorts out a laugh before he can stop himself. “Are we back here again, kitten? Because if you can’t say it, you shouldn’t be—”
“Doing it! I know. Why are you so mean to me?” Nix is back in Gideon’s arms, and his deep voice sends shivers down Gideon’s spine. “Makes my wolf want to show you how to be nice to me.”
Well, isn’t that a mental picture? Gideon would like to see that for sure, and it’s as good a time as any to talk about some training in the gym. “Kitten, I would love any and all efforts you would make to show me how to be nice. What do you say we take this to the gym?”
“Right now?”
Gideon watches as Nix checks on Luca, who has Grayson’s cock in his mouth. Luca is lying flat on the couch, eyes closed, cock warming the alpha, who is typing on his phone with one hand and running the other through Luca’s hair. Both look content.
Gideon runs his hand over the top of Nix’s head. “I’ll find you some of Luca’s workout gear and meet you in the gym in ten.”
“Okay.” He kisses Gideon’s nose. “I think I should kiss you now because I’m guessing I might not want to later, eh?”
Laughter bubbles up before Gideon can stop it.
Nix is probably right.
Plans are already forming—he’s going to poke the wolf, push a few buttons, and maybe run Nix a bit ragged.
“Probably.” Anticipation coils in his chest. He’d expected a rough kiss, a clash of dominance to set the tone for the next few hours.
But instead, Nix meets his eyes, leans in, and presses the softest kiss to Gideon’s lips. “Love you, and thank you for doing this. I know you didn’t want to, but–”
“Nix. Stop. I am going to say this one time—I would like it if you would let me do this instead of you. I can’t lie to you about that.”
Nix interrupts, a frown between his eyes, as he twists his hands in front of him.“You just said you would—”
“You didn’t let me finish. I said I would like for you to let me end Hayes, and if you change your mind—right until the last minute—I will gladly take your place. Enthusiastically. But if what you need is for me to teach you, then that’s what I am going to do. But…”
“But what?”
“But this is going to hurt, kitten. You can’t win against him if you aren’t willing to be hurt or be willing to hurt someone. Can you do that? Can you give me everything?” Gideon hopes Nix knows he means every bit of hatred, every bit of darkness, every bit of who he was last night fighting for his—and Luca’s—life.
“I will. I will give you everything so you can teach me to do what I need to do. I can do it.” Nix tilts his chin up. Nix meets his eyes then with determination, and there is fire there.
Gideon’s bond twists in his chest, and for a single second, he sees a flash of iridescent silver-white out of the corner of his eye. Huh. “Alright. The gym in ten. Go, see your soulmate.”
“Soulmate?” He looks over at Grayson, who is looking back. “Whoa, do you think so? You’re not joking? Like you and Luca?”
“Mmm. Let him tell you, though, eh? But I think so. Go! You’re down to nine minutes.” Gideon gives him a bit of a butt-smack, and when he shivers, Gideon thinks he might have to have that detailed ‘play’ talk sooner rather than later.
“I’m going!” Nix is beside Grayson on the couch, rubbing noses and listening to Grayson while he runs his fingers absently through Luca’s hair. There’s a sudden outburst when Nix says, “Yes!” and then they’re kissing like Nix isn’t down to six minutes.
Gideon grabs two water bottles and heads back toward the laundry room, where he finds a pair of Luca’s shorts, dusty and folded up on a shelf above the dryer. He adds a tank top from Finn’s pile and heads into the gym.
When Nix finally gets there with twenty seconds to spare, Gideon tosses him the clothing. “Don’t want to ruin your cute shirt.”
“We should get you one. You could wear a He’s My Baby t-shirt, too. Oooh, I have a better idea. I wanted to get Jamie one that says, He’s my Daddy. Maybe that would suit you–” Nix quickly pulls his t-shirt off, folds it nicely, and pulls on the shorts. They’re too big, but hopefully, a few more cinnamon buns and they’ll be a perfect fit.
“Nope. Don’t even say it. There is only one daddy in this house, and it sure as fuck isn’t me.”
Speaking of Jay, Gideon checks the clock on the wall and sees it’s only just past 8:00 AM. Hopefully, Jay will sleep in today. Something tells him that having Jay present might not go well at all. Gideon does not want an audience for this, especially a grumpy, protective enigma.
Or three.
Rowan is not a morning person, thank the Goddess.
“Okay, Mom.” Nix can’t even say it with a straight face, and he laughs, big and loud.
Gideon is not having any of that sass today. “Why, you little shit.” Gideon charges Nix and takes them to the floor. He doesn’t pull up and lets Nix take the brunt of the impact.
Gideon isn’t disappointed at all when Nix tries to throw him off because he’s ready. He’s got his hand on Nix’s wrists and his thighs locked on his legs.
“Come on, kitten, you can do better than this. I heard you threw Ro off and made him chase you.” Gideon doesn’t transmit his intentions–because Hayes sure as fuck won’t–and Nix bucks and twists.
Gideon is genuinely confused. This isn’t the same boy who was throwing hands down in arm-wrestling contests.
It’s fucking scary because Gideon isn’t the strongest opponent, but he isn’t out to kill Nix, either.
Hayes won’t have anything to lose, and Gideon has everything. Lightning fast, he takes one hand off Nix’s wrist and puts it around his throat, squeezing–cutting off his air—and not in a sexy way. “ Come on, Nix. You have to mean it.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.” It’s wheezy with Gideon’s pressure.
Rolling off and standing up, Gideon hits the big bag in frustration. “Nix. You have to mean it . When we’re in here, you have to mean it. I can take it, and if I need to tap out, I will, but you have to show me what you’ve got.”
His mate’s vanilla scent is burnt around the edges—in embarrassment or frustration, Gideon can’t tell. Gideon needs to get to that frenzied omega last night without hurting his mate or fraying their new bond beyond repair. Maybe he’s going about it wrong.
“Let’s try something different.” Settling beside him on the floor, he picks up his hand, playing with the fingers. “Show me your claws.”
“Now?” Nix is confused.
“Mmm. Fangs and claws, go.” It takes a few seconds of concentration, and Nix has his beautiful fangs down and his clawed hand in Gideon’s. “Put them away and then bring them out again. Faster.”
“This isn’t fighting. Come on, you said you’d show me how to fight.”
“How are you going to fight him if you can’t get your weapons ready faster than this? Do you think Hayes is going to wait for you to be ready? Do you think you’re going to be thinking about these when he’s reminding you of all the ways he hurt you?”
Nix stares at him, his expression pinched. “N-no.”
“Then again, kitten. Faster. Whenever we’re in here, you need them out. Don’t worry about me. I have lots of training, and I am not afraid to get hurt. Are you?”
“No.” Nix looks at him with hard eyes. “I am used to it. Don’t fucking talk to me about being familiar with pain.” He tries to shake Gideon off, finally a little pissed off—but Gideon needs more.
“I didn’t ask if you were used to it. I asked you if you were afraid to hurt. Hayes will hurt you. Before he even tries to take you from me, he will hurt you—not just with fangs and claws, but with his words at twenty paces. And then he will make you bleed because he has nothing left to lose. Do you understand me? You have to fucking mean this.” He says it so quietly, not letting himself think of all the ways Nix had been hurt, but in the silence, Nix has no choice but to hear him.
“The only weapons you can take in there are these,” Gideon touches Nix’s hands and then runs a finger over his lower lip where his long fangs are just visible, “And what’s in here. Do you understand?” He lightly jabs him in the forehead.
It’s difficult to see his words sink in. Gideon wishes the reality of it would make his kitten change his mind, but even as he thinks it, Nix is on his feet, fangs and claws still out.
“I understand. Make it hurt, then, because I need to know I haven’t forgotten how it feels. I need you to make me ready because he may have nothing to lose, but I do, and I am not letting him take one more thing from me.”