Chapter Fifteen Finn
Finn
Finn could only ever characterize Grayson as regal. The bearing and countenance of fae royalty, but paired with the passion of a Were. Finn has often lain watching his beautiful mate sleep and thought he might be a fae changeling, such is his beauty. But that his beauty transcends the mere physical is the most magical part of him. Finn is not alone in thinking that they are lucky to have such a caring man in their life. Even when his temper is flaring, he’s a more cold shoulder than a fiery argument; an ice prince, rather than a raging beast.
But it is a raging beast that charges half-dressed out of the lounge and into their mate’s sick room, and Finn is almost paralyzed with shock. Leo is quick-thinking, only a second behind Grayson. But by the time Finn arrives in Nix’s room, Yasmine has used the alpha tranquilizer gun that usually sits in a glass case on each floor to knock his normally sweet mate unconscious.
Rowan is nursing a smashed elbow in a bloody shirt that looks like it belongs to Finn, and Luca follows with a lacerated forehead and a (more) sore ass. Leo is using his t-shirt in one hand to apply pressure to the cut and is rubbing the sore butt with the other. Jay is trying to keep Nurse Hannah, who has freshly arrived for her shift, from calling security, and Gideon is checking the unconscious Grayson for injuries.
Nix lies sleeping like a princess and smelling like heaven.
His scent distracts Finn for a moment, and he takes a step toward his new mate but stops short.
Flabbergasted at his own audacity and overstimulated by the cacophony in the room, he yells the only thing he can think of: “What the fuck is going on here?!”
Everyone but Nix and Grayson turns to look.
“That’s what we’d like to know.” This is from Riordan and a stranger standing behind Finn. It makes him suddenly, uncomfortably aware that he is half-naked in front of his boss. “Finn, I leave you all for twelve hours, and you’ve already lost control of things.” It appears Riordan’s sense of humor is unaffected; his joy in teasing Finn is still intact.
Good for him.
Riordan is joking, but he’s certainly not wrong. Time to get things back under control. Gesturing to Grayson, where he lies with his head in Gideon’s lap, “Everyone but Jay out. Hannah, please arrange for my mate to be placed into care. Preferably not on this floor.” Checking with Riordan, who nods, Finn continues, “Ninth floor. Gideon, could you…”
Hannah returns with two orderlies, who carefully position the unconscious Grayson on his side on a gurney, preparing him for the trip up to the alpha ward. Gideon trails behind them, his tired but proud smirk unmistakable. As he passes by, Gideon offers a whispered, appreciative “rawr” for his take-charge attitude, earning an even deeper blush in return. Hannah interrupts the moment by handing him a scrub top, muttering under her breath that it’s hard to take him seriously with his nipples exposed. The quip sparks a flicker of relief—at least everyone’s sense of humor is intact because his own is sorely tested.
With a raised eyebrow, she turns her attention to Finn’s other injured mate. “Luca, let’s get you to the nurse’s station so we can get someone to look at your head.” Luca pouts at her, angry that he’s going to be excluded from what is sure to be more interesting than getting stitches or a bandaid. It takes both Rowan and Leo to wrangle him, and finally, after getting kicked in the shin, Leo throws him over a naked shoulder and smacks his butt.
“But I haven’t even smelled Nix yet! Put me down! Hey, can I have a tranquilizer gun, too?”
Seven voices say, “No!” and even upside-down, Luca has the nerve to look disappointed.
Turning to Yasmine, Finn says, “Nice shot.” He means it. It’s no easy feat to hit a fast-moving alpha, intent on his mate and throwing off dominance pheromones.
She is still holding the tranq-gun, and it does not go unnoticed that she has loaded a second dart just in case. She pretends to blow imaginary smoke away from the barrel like a Wild West cowboy after a showdown. “Aw, shucks. I do try.” She gladly hands it to Riordan as she leaves, looking all too glad to be making her escape from the chaos.
“Enjoy your time off, Yasmine,” Riordan teases.
“You have no idea,” echoes after her down the hall.
And then there were four: Riordan, the curious stranger, Jay, and Finn.
His mentor introduces the stranger while the normally easy-going and respectful Jay moves to put himself between her and Nix. This level of aggressive alpha posturing- his nose in the air, hands clenched, and the occasional snarl- is not something Finn often gets to see from his pack alpha—or at all, really.
Sometimes, Finn genuinely wonders about his capacity for stress.
The stranger—Dr. Spencer—nods politely. “Thank you for letting me consult you about your mate, Mr. Rhodes and Dr. Merritt. As Dr. Kennedy mentioned, I am a visiting adjunct from the University of Toronto currently on loan to the Were Division of the Vanderbilt Medical School, where I’m teaching a few seminars on the Human-Were transition process.”
Finn is impressed, as teaching at Vanderbilt means she must be well-respected in her field.
“My research primarily focuses on transition hormone disorders. You may be unfamiliar, but sometimes, when humans transition, the hormones that are responsible for secondary gender don’t develop as intended. Dr. Kennedy is hoping I might shed some light on what’s happening with your mate.”
“Thank you for coming, Dr. Spencer. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to make time for our pack,” Finn says, receiving a firm handshake in return.
“Certainly. May I approach your mate, Mr. Rhodes?”
Jay’s wolf had taken a few too many challenges to his position as pack alpha today, and even if they were unintentional, he could not be blamed for being extra-sensitive. Finn’s normally extroverted and smiling leader is scowly and responds with grunts.
The muscle twitching in his jaw makes Finn want to bare his neck. But he can’t do that here, in front of everyone; it’s too intimate. He approaches his alpha so he can hook his pinky finger around Jay’s in solidarity, but Jay is having nothing of subtlety. When Finn is close enough, Jay pushes Finn behind him instead.
Dr. Spencer is nonplussed as she approaches Nix, breathing deeply.
Riordan hands her the tablet with Nix’s chart. Her eyes fly over the rapidly scrolling pages, raising an eyebrow here and there with the occasional hum. Her nostrils flair, and at one point, she closes her eyes before going back to the chart.
Her reaction makes Finn curious about the other alpha in the room. Riordan is doing an admirable job of trying not to look like he’s smelling the air for Nix’s scent, too. He may enjoy teasing those close to him, but he is always the epitome of a consummate professional. Finn appreciates it, as he doesn’t think Jay could hold his wolf back if someone outside the pack looked like they might take liberties or had thoughts of trying to take Nix from him, even if they are close friends.
Dr. Spencer exudes low-key levels of excitement when she says, “Hello, Nix. I’m Dr. Spencer, and my specialty is hormones. I think yours might be acting up, and everyone’s in a tizzy. I’m going to run a few tests to find out what’s going on, okay? Dr. Kennedy, can we put a full CT on the schedule? I’ll do the blood work analysis on my own. I’d like to perform an ultrasound, too, if possible. I think the sooner, the better.”
Jay stiffens as her tone implies the need is urgent. “Is he okay? He seems better. Is there anything we need to be worried about right now?”
Finn concurs, the urgency in her tone has his anxiety spiking, too.
“He is doing well. I think you’ll feel better with some answers, though, no?” She says kindly. Riordan tries to smile reassuringly before gesturing to Dr. Spencer to follow him out.
The silence is deafening when he’s left with only his scowly alpha, so Finn wrangles Jay back into his chair and sits on his lap. “This chair is going to be useless to anyone else after we take Nix home. Your ass imprint is embedded already.” Pausing, Finn tries to gauge Jay’s state of mind. “Her credentials are impressive.” The tentative approach seems wise, given Jay’s scent is burnt around the edges.
Jay chuckles and then sighs, sticking his nose into Finn’s shoulder and breathing deeply. His high-alert attitude deflates now that Nix is on track to get some further help and some answers. “Missed you.”
Finn has missed him too, and he runs a finger down Jay’s nose and across his lips, pressing down on his plush lower lip and sliding the tip of his finger inside. Jay takes it easily, laving it with his tongue.
“Sweet.” Jay takes Finn’s face in his hands and presses his spit-slick lips to his with a groan. Finn will break his no-PDA-at-work rule just this once for some kisses from his alpha.
Snap . Snap . The sounds are loud in the silence and totally kill the mood. “Is that what I think it is?” Finn turns, elbowing Jay in the chest.
Sighing, Jay confirms it is exactly what he thinks it is. In the chaos, the rest of the pack hadn’t noticed. He shifts Finn so his bony (but still very nice, he’s been told) butt isn’t pressing on his alpha’s uncomfortable semi. “Finn, can I ask you something?”
“You already are.” Jay gently tickles him for a few seconds in retaliation. “Stop. Stop. Yes! Ask away.”
“Rowan and Grayson—they challenged me today.”
“What? Ro, too? Holy shit.” That explained the blood on Rowan. “I liked that shirt.”
“Take it up with him. Gray was two seconds from my throat too, and if Yasmine hadn’t been a good shot, we would be in trouble, because I don’t think he would have gone down like our baby alpha.”
Rowan was bigger than Grayson, for sure, but his heart hadn’t been in it. Finn wasn’t so sure about Grayson’s. Finn has never been more thankful for a firm hospital policy around errant behavior and insisting on comprehensive staff training.
“So, two enigma alphas gunning for your job? That doesn’t make sense. I know for a fact they do not want to make the big decisions. They are happy to have you as our Pack Alpha.”
“I don’t think it’s about my job. Rowan said it’s because of Nix. That he smells like…how did he put it? Like the best sex you’ll ever have…in a bakery. What is it about how Nix smells that made them think it’s worth going a round with me?”
Jay is understandably confused. And isn’t that the billion-dollar question? Pack dynamics are set early in a relationship; roles are solidified, and each person is clear on how things are run and who runs them. In the Rhodes Pack, where roles are more fluid, they’re equals, with no one’s voice louder than another. There are exceptions like Gideon and Luca’s relationship, but even as pack leader, Jay will always consider everyone’s opinion. But they all—without exception—defer to Jay’s alpha dominance. He may not bring it to bear, but they all know he could, and that’s enough for them.
Finn gets off Jay’s lap and moves to scent Nix up close for himself again. The scent is exactly like what Rowan describes: thick, sexy, and so, so sweet. Finn wants to lick and bite, too.
He remembers how he felt when he’d met Nix in the ER, how funny he’d been, how friendly and polite, and how beautiful in motion. His scent is extra delicious, but it’s only that; nothing can compare to how Nix is when he’s awake. His scent alone would not have Finn feeling the urge to challenge their pack alpha.
“What about you? You’re not marking your territory, and Gideon’s been here with you the whole time. You don’t feel you need to have him for yourself?” He doesn’t mean for it to sound like he’s goading his alpha; he’s just curious.
“Be careful, pup.” Jay’s eyes flash red, but the pack leader has a firm hold on this urge to show Finn who’s boss. He should not be disappointed (even if he is, just a tiny bit), and he feels a flicker of remorse for not watching his words or tone.
“Fuck. Sorry, Jay. So, you do feel it; you’re just better at keeping it under control.” From a medical perspective, humans who transition are betas, and their scent is usually mild; milder than, say, born Weres like Luca or Leo. It goes unsaid that Nix’s scent is anything but mild. “It’s strange that he’s triggering this response.” Finn’s mind races, caught between curiosity and concern. There is something here—something they didn’t yet understand.
Finn loved a good diagnostic mystery, the kind that made him dig deeper and question the obvious. He hopes Dr. Spencer can help connect the dots and give them some clarity.
For now, though, there were practicalities to deal with. Soon after, Finn convinces a grumbling Jay to wash up in the restroom while they come to get Nix for his CT scan. The urge to break his own rules and “wash his alpha’s back” is strong, but the cleaning staff is hard at work setting the room to rights, and that pesky self-imposed “SFW” policy keeps him in check.
When Nix returns, both he and Jay are eating leftover stale donuts from yesterday and soda from the hospitality supply in the waiting room. Leo had taken Rowan and Luca home to see if they could help Rowan burn off some of his bite, fuck, breed instincts , and he promised to be back before dinner with food for the others. Then it’s just Finn and Jay again.
It’s quiet except for Nix’s monitors and the occasional snap snap snap as Nix’s bones continue to repair themselves, so Jay exacts a promise from Finn to wake him if anything happens and climbs onto the bed beside his Sunshine. Throwing an arm over his tiny waist, he puts his nose in his hair and closes his eyes. Finn soon hears soft snores and reaches for his phone.
He’s admittedly worried that there’s been no word from Gideon and Grayson. He has a creeping sense of dread because the ketamine should have worn off already. If he felt he could get away, he’d run up to the ninth floor to check for himself. As it is, Finn is limited to sending texts while watching over his sleeping alpha.
2:00 PM - from Finn
How is Gray
He should be awake now
…
Gid you guys ok
2:19 PM - from Finn
are you both okay
2:24 PM - from Gideon
We have a problem. Grays in rut again
Finn cannot believe their luck. He gently shakes Jay, feeling awful as it hasn’t even been thirty minutes.“Jay. Gray is having a rebound rut.”
Jay sits up, rubbing his hands over his face, “Well, fuck.”
The phone rings, and even though Jay can hear it anyway, he puts the call on speaker. “What’s going on? Is Gray okay?” Jay asks. A rebound rut is uncommon, and it tickles something in his brain that maybe that dominance display had been part of his rebound surge.
But Grayson had never— would never be that instinctual during an actual rut; Finn can’t imagine a rebound would be that much different.
“Fuck no. It’s been a complete shit show. Leo and Luca are on their way back as soon as they drop off Rowan. Our boy’s teetering on feral—they won’t let us move him to take him home, and every time I try to leave, he loses it. We had to tranq him again—he was already awake by the time we got up here. Took out a security guard in the process.” Jay’s eyebrows are almost in his hairline, and he is climbing out of bed just so he can go back to pacing.
Gideon continues, “They used enough K to drop a bear, and we barely got him into the tank. They’ve had to restrain him.” At the sound of the word “restrain,” Jay flinches. Their beautiful, ethereal Grayson is so filled with need that he’d harmed another person and is now chained to a bed like a madman. Finn’s stomach twists, his doctor’s brain running through every bit of training he can remember.
Rebound ruts are dangerous; alpha hormones come in waves, ebbing and flowing through their rut and slowly fading away after the last wave. In a rebound, the last wave ebbs, but flows back like a tsunami after a few days. It’s ten times worse than the previous waves and lasts longer. If they’ve got him sedated again, Grayson is going to be sick from the ketamine, and when he comes out, he’s going to feel all the pain of the rut, especially if he’s alone. It would have been better if he could be at home in the den, with familiar scents to help ease him.
“Are Luca and Leo okay with it? Has anyone explained what’s happening to them? The risks?”
Gideon snorts under his breath. “Luca wanted Leo to turn the car around right then, he was so excited. He wanted me to tell you he’s going to need to be without his pants at your place of employment, and he hopes you’ll forgive him. Rowan wanted to come too, but with today’s display, I thought it best he stayed at home since we don’t want to set him off. His rut’s only a week out.”
The pack is already under so much pressure: It will be two ruts back-to-back while Jay is out of commission since he refuses to leave and Nix is still not out of the woods. “Text if Luca or Leo needs to tap out. Are you able to rest until he’s awake?” Jay asks.
Jay hates not being with his mates during ruts, but they all know Nix has to take priority now, and that has divided the alpha.
“I should go. He’ll be awake soon. I’ll text when I can,” Gideon says before he disconnects.
An hour later, after Jay has settled back into his chair and begun singing a Bruno Mars song that Finn can’t remember the name of, Hannah brings in a cast saw. “Nix, I’m going to remove these casts, and then you can have a bath of sorts. It won’t hurt, though, so no need to worry.”
That last statement is more for Jay’s benefit, as the alpha had tensed when he’d seen the saw blade. Hannah also removes the bandages on Nix’s face, so Finn can finally see the face he’d fallen in love with four days ago.
Has it just been four days? It feels like they have lived a lifetime since.
Nix is gorgeous, just like he’d thought that first night in the ER. Long dark lashes lie on his freckled cheeks, and he has a tiny, pointed nose sitting above plush, full lips. But now he seems healthier. Glowing, even with the leftover blood and antiseptic still dotting his skin. Jay is frozen and mesmerized, and Finn realizes that it must be like seeing a ghost. “He’s beautiful.”
Bringing his hand up, Jay runs his hand through Nix’s unwashed blond hair. “He had brown hair when I knew him. Before. But these freckles are the same. There’s one right here by his eye—see? It’s shaped like a heart. I used to tell him it was like he had galaxies on his cheeks. I couldn’t say it then because, well, the whole Were-Human thing, but I think he was kissed by The Goddess.”
“You’re such a romantic, but I imagine it feels like coming home?” Finn asks, wondering if Nix is listening and hoping that if he is, he knows how beautiful they think he is. Finn has plans to tell him every day of forever.
“Mr. Rhodes, I need to bathe him. Do you want to—?” Jay growls, causing Hannah to back up, hands raised. “Dr. Merritt, perhaps you and your alpha would like to handle this? I’m not quite as good a shot as Yasmine.”
So when she returns with the basins of water, soap, and a clean gown, Finn looks askance at his leader. Finn doesn’t want to bare his neck a third time today.
“You do it, Finn. I’ll just help when you need me.”
Finn starts with Nix’s face, carefully wiping away the dried blood and antiseptic that stains his cheeks. The water turns pink as he moves to Nix’s neck and shoulders, his tiny hands next. Seeing them unmarked by the bruises and fractures they once bore brings tears to Finn’s eyes, though he blinks them away. Jay follows with a towel, drying Nix to keep him warm.
Pulling back the sheet, Finn pauses, momentarily stunned by their mate’s quiet beauty—golden skin, lean muscle, and freckles the transition had left untouched, as though even the Goddess cherished them.
Nix’s sleeping form is an unmoving weight in Jay’s arms, but he doesn’t let go. If holding Nix feels like the only way he can help, even if he’s mostly in the way, then Finn will work around them. They move quickly and gently, mindful of his comfort, washing his hair and erasing the last traces of the casts. When the bed is fresh and ready, Jay finally lays Nix down, tucking him under a warm blanket with quiet care.
Jay settles beside Nix again instead of returning to the chair, and Finn’s chest tightens. Not for the first time, he misses the quick smile and warm, steady voice of the man who had so effortlessly captured his attention just days ago. Brushing a hand gently through Nix’s damp hair, Finn leans in and presses a soft kiss to Jay’s cheek, murmuring, “Sleep.”