Page 148 of Tides of Fate

“They’re happy, Ro,” Gideon murmurs, and Jay finally catches Gideon’s eye over Nix’s shoulder.

His mate smiles gently and makes an almost imperceptible nod. They’re going to be okay. If Gideon thinks they can do this, then they can, right?

“I want a baby, too,” Luca whines, climbing Gideon like a tree and reaching out his hand for Nix. “Can you make me a baby, too?”

A quick frown passes over Gideon’s face before his neutral expression settles in place. It reminds Jay that Gideon had had a similar reaction before.

Does the alpha not want his own children? Had Jay misinterpreted the small smile earlier—or Gideon’s arousal at “putting a baby” in Nix? Either way, Jay knows he’ll be an exemplary father to their pack’s child, no matter who their biological parents are.

“Of course, Luc. Anything for you.”

Their omega holds out his hand, and Jay is forced to walk, dragging Grayson along behind them—now attached to Nix over Jay’s back, effectively sandwiching him between them until, eventually, Nix wiggles free.

“Does he know how biology works?” Rowan asks no one in particular, taking the opportunity to peel a banana and shove the entire thing in his mouth at once.

Finn smacks him on the shoulder, causing him to subsequently choke.

“Ow. Fuck off,” he growls, and Jay notices he’s not taking his eyes off Nix except to gather food.

Is that another banana in his pocket?

No, really. It’s an actual banana.

Why is Rowan squirreling extra food away when he can get what he wants whenever he wants from the kitchen—where it’s sanitary? And not lint-covered. Or body temperature.

Ugh.

“I hate to be a buzzkill, but I think the question here is—does anyone remember we have to be in the fucking mountains in three days?”

Leo’s question derails Jay’s thoughts quickly.

The mood in the room crashes, and Jay wants to tell Leo off for ruining Nix’s happy moment—but he can’t because he’s right.

What are they going to do?

The scent of sweet vanilla and baking bread is suddenly so strong that Jay wonders if it’s the baby’s doing or Nix’s. That’s what Luca could smell—and maybe what had Rowan pressed against Nix’s belly like a child to the bakery window.

It’s the perfect comparison.

The scent is delicious, and Jay feels himself settle into a nice, floaty, relaxed mode.

There’s a bit of a commotion when Jay tunes back in. The scent seems to have immobilized anyone in the near vicinity.

Nix is now sitting on the couch, lifting the blanket for the winner of the most recent Grayson-versus-Rowan scuffle (it’s Grayson, surprisingly) to slide under it and “hot-box” himself with omega/baby scent.

Rowan whines—when will it be his turn?—and sits down as close as he can to Nix on the other side, arms crossed like a petulant toddler.

“Holy fuck, is that good. What are we going to do? We definitely need to fly privately now,” Leo says, wiping drool off his chin.

Gideon grins suddenly, and it occurs to Jay to be extra cautious—because anything that follows that smile never turns out well for Jay.

Even Luca looks concerned and jumps down so he can grab Gideon’s cheeks. “Sugar, that’s scary. You promised not to smile like that anymore.”

“I’m smiling because I am about to get my wish,” he crows and swings Luca around.

“Your wish? A baby is your wish?” Finn asks, confused.

“No, puppy. My kitten is having a kitten of his own, and I am the next designated proxy.”

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