Page 24 of Tides of Fate

WithLong Road Home’slatest album blaring on Gideon’s excellent sound system, he let the caffeine finally kick in.

After leaving the city proper—and the worst traffic ever—in his rearview mirror, he’d received the texts from Gideon about Nix and Leo having gone missing without their phones. But by then, he was knee-deep, two hours away, and the only thing he could offer was a suggestion toLojack the fucking Lexus.

They’d done it tohimtwice before, and it had worked perfectly. Sometimes, Rowan has to wonder how they get anything done without him.

He had heard nothing else after that, and his bonds were still sparking—but not burning—so he tried not to worry.

Much.

That’s how he ended up—six hours later—standing in their courtyard, helping their guest from the car and shouldering all the bags by himself, only alittle, tiny, infinitesimallynervous about how Nix will react. He consoles himself, knowing that his mate is the nicest person ever. He’ll at least be polite.

“Okay. Ready?” He tries again.

Still, silence.

At least she’ll get along with Finn; that guy could silent-treatment somebody for a month. Rowan knows this for a fact.

The keycode beeps, and as the door swings open, he hears Jay talking in the living room. Nix’s and Grayson’s low voices answer, and then—“Hey!”—Leo’s voice cuts through the space, startling Rowan’s companion.

“Sorry,” Rowan mutters. “He’s fucking loud. Cute as fuck, though. You’ll get used to it.”

Leo sees him first. “Holy shit.”

Rowan revels in the surprise, soaking it up. It’s not the first time his mates have been in awe of his genius.

“Rowan Foster. Is that a fucking puppy in my house?”

Gideon’s tone is maybe abitsurprised. Rowan, unfazed, drops the bags and picks up the puppy—just in case Gideon has ideas about ruining Rowan’s plans.

“Duh?” He rolls his eyes.

Nix is on his feet and in Rowan’s space in three strides, so Rowan couldn’t care less.

“Oh, my baby. How are you so beautiful?” Nix croons.

Rowan is rarely referred to as beautiful—handsome, maybe? Hot? For sure. Nix’s baby voice is surprisingly stimulating to Rowan’s wolf. Clearly, Rowan has impressed his mate.

“Look at your floppy wittle ears.”

Wait. His floppy…ears?

Damn. He means the puppy.

Only alittledisappointed, Rowan rallies. “She’s for you, Nix. I’ve had her to the vet, and she’s actually really healthy. They said she might get big, though. Um…Irish Wolfhound, and maybe just plain wolf. The vet said he’s never seen anything like it.”

Frankly, the vet had clearly said:That is an ugly dog, sir.

Rowan sort of agreed. Like…really, really ugly. But they won’t be taking her back there, that’s for sure. You just don’t insult a man’s surprise dog-gift. That’s just rude.

Nix stills and looks Rowan dead in the eye. “You got her for me? She’s mine?”

When Rowan nods, Nix whispers, “For real?”

“Well, yeah. You always wanted one, right? You told me you never had a dog, and that you—mmpf—”

Nix’s mouth is pressed to his, and the puppy barks for the first time since Rowan found her on the side of the road—just sitting there like she’d been waiting for him to stop and pick her up. She’d huffed like he’d been late, then given him the silent treatment the whole way.

Rowan is no fool, despite popular opinion to the contrary, and he throws his arm around Nix’s waist, lifting him up hard against his body. He feels their closeness ignite the bond, and it surges with heat.

---