Page 15 of Tides of Fate

Leo tries to slow his descent so Nix and he can stay parallel. It’s only seconds, really, but Leo files every giggle and peal of laughter away for a rainy day.

They hit the bottom at the same time and stick the landing like pros, both laughing.

“Leo Costas, balustrades are not for sliding.”

“Shit.”

Both of Leo’s moms are standing at the bottom of the stairs, butso are Gideon and Jay—four sets of stern arms crossed over their chests.

Leo tries to remember he is a grown-ass man, but he is in so much trouble.

A veritable scent tsunami of disapproving black tea, smoky fire, a rolling thunderstorm, and…a pleased, sweet apple.

Thank goodness for his Mama.

Nix, however, is frozen with fear.

“I am so sorry. Please forgive me.” He hasn’t even blinked, and his frightened vanilla scent is turning this childish prank into a potential disaster—because now Jay is growling at Nix’s distress.

It’s all going to go to shit, because this is his alpha-mom Lauren’s house, and she will not take kindly to Jay’s territorial posturing.

Thank goodness for Gideon (He does. Every damn day). “Jay.”

It snaps his pack alpha out of it, and Leo pulls Nix under his arm.

“Nix. Come on, it’s not that bad. It’s okay now. They’re not scary. We’re not in trouble.”

Leo makes big pleading eyes at his Mama because the other three would have them believe differently.

Jay and Gideon have something to say, and Leo doesn’t know why or how they’ve shown up here unannounced.

Had Leo missed a call, or seven?

“Boo-Boo, introduce your mate,” Mama-Frankie says.

Manners, even in a time of stress, can often ease the way. Mama always has an idiom to share, and Leo hopes she’s right this time.

“Mom, Mama, this is Phoenix Rena, my mate.”

Nix abruptly sticks out his hand and then pulls it back, blushing.

“Hello, my darling. It’s nice to see you up and well.” Frankie Costas is as charming as her wife is self-possessed. Gentle and soft, exuding overtly calming maternal energy.

“Nix, this is Frankie Costas and Lauren Arnell Costas, my moms.”

Nix jolts himself out of his trance, and it’s a testament to Nix’s fortitude that he can be both simultaneously polite and petrified.

“It’s a p–pleasure to meet you both. I apologize for—” Nix is almost green with his faux pas.

“Think nothing of it. I am sure it was entirely Boo-Boo’s doing. Come. Let’s have tea. I am sure you must be parched.”

His Mama coughs delicately and guides Nix away toward the kitchen, his Mom following along after a raised eyebrow in his direction.

It’s only then that Leo realizes they have been home for a while. There is no luggage in the foyer, and his mates have lost their jackets.

Holy shit.

He and Nix had not been quiet.

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