Page 98 of Tides of Fate

It’s invigorating not to have to worry about killing his oppo—

—killing his opponent.

Like he’d thought he’d done in the gym.

Like that moment he’d looked down and seen Nix covered in blood and thought, for one soul-crushing second, that he’d killed his mate.

His stomach lurches at the memory, just like it had then.

It’s that single momentary distraction that lets Dill Pickle take him to the ground. In seconds, he has Gideon pinned, knees on his shoulders, heavy calves holding Gideon’s arms immobile.

“I’m not supposed to kill you, but there’s nothing to say I can’t hurt you a little—or a lot.”

He starts hitting Gideon’s face with big, meaty fists, and it’s not long before Gideon’s vision goes black.

When he comes to, Dill Pickle is no longer sitting on his chest.

Instead, he’s facing off with Gideon’s omega, ten feet away.

Holy fuck, could Nix have thrown him that far?

Nix stands as tall as he’s able between Gideon and their intruder, and when Dill Pickle climbs to his feet, Nix faces him down.

“Get out of my way, bitch. Let the big boys finish up here, and then we can go.”

He tries to go around Nix, clearly expecting him to be cowed.

“No. I will give you one chance to get in your car and drive away.” Nix’s voice is deep and vibrates along Gideon’s nerve endings, making the hair on his arms stand straight up.

Dill Pickle’s eyes glaze over before he shakes his head.

“What the fuck was that?” Dill Pickle roars, reaching for Nix.

Did Dill Pickle just say he’d come for Nix? Over his dead body.

Gideon climbs to his feet and sways, black spots at the edge of his vision, and when he feels himself falling, he just sits.

Nix takes his assailant’s hand, twisting it until Dill Pickle squeals, then swings his other hand around in a wild arc.

Blocking it with his forearm, Nix crouches and brings his leg out to knock his opponent on his ass.

Stepping back, he shakes out his hands. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he says, his tone serious. “But I will.”

The bigger man just laughs and lumbers to his feet. “You? That’s funny. Tiny-ass beta bitch. Don’t smell like shit; maybe you’re a dud. No accounting for taste, though.”

He’s right about one thing: Nix had sucked his scent right up.

It’s then that Nix lets his fangs drop, and his claws come out.

His blue eyes cast an unearthly glow, somehow brighter under a full moon that has come out from behind the clouds. His hair dances in a nonexistent breeze, and his deep, omega voice gives Dill Pickle one last warning.

“This is your last chance.Go.”

The command is powerful enough that the big oaf takes one step toward his car before stopping abruptly and charging at Nix head-on with a roar.

Nix calmly steps aside as Dill Pickle crashes headfirst into the iron gates.The impact doesn’t slow him down, and soon he’s throwing punches. Some connect, but Nix counters, hit for hit, as though sparring with Gideon in the gym.

Breathing heavily, Dill Pickle has to monologue himself all the way to the ground.What a fucking dumbass.

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