Page 21

Nix’s tears of pleasure and soundless cries were a balm to Grayson-the-man. Even if he and the wolf rubbed their release into the skin covering that growing belly.

Grayson considered himself weak for allowing himself the indulgence.

But now, in the back of Jay’s Genesis, the 3D photos of the two-pack babies in his hand, he has to admit that the wolf had been right. That tiny baby B was Grayson’s pup–child.

Tiny, long fingers and Nix’s turned-up nose, with full lips and a pointed chin. A baby made from the perfect soul bond he shared with his earthbound angel.

If he closes his eyes, he can see a beautiful tawny-haired child with freckles, running in the yard behind their house, bare feet flying after Tsuki, or squatting in their diaper over colored chalk drawings in the courtyard, just to watch as they wave a hand so the chalk butterflies take flight and disappear in motes of sunlight.

It’s fanciful, but Grayson feels tears prick in his eyes at how much he wants that.

The wolf had been right, and now he wasbeside himselfwith joy at the confirmation.

Self-satisfied like nothing else, except maybe when he could rub his come into Nix’s bond bite on his throat like it was perfume.

Right now, the wolf is pumping out fresh perfume-y basil-vanilla, and it’s quickly overwhelming the ventilation system in the car. He’s embarrassedto admit he has no more control over it than he had as a newly-presented fourteen-year-old enigma.

Jay sneezes and catches his eye in the mirror, offering a querying eyebrow, while Leo opens the windows a crack.

Nix rubs his nose on Grayson’s chest and slides a sleepy hand into the front of Grayson’s waistband, like he always does when they sit just like this; on the couch, or at the table when Jay is out looking for Gideon over dinner time, or sitting up in bed watching one of those Netflix dramas Nix has missed out on.

Grayson has learned that it brings him comfort as much as it does Nix, even if those tiny, talented fingers often have their own ideas.

“Hey. You okay?” Nix murmurs. “You smell funny.”

Hesmells funny?Ha. Says the person with several scents going at once. He doesn’t say that, though.

No, siree. Grayson does not want that angry, narrowed gaze turned on him.

“Funny?” Grayson asks instead.

“Mmm. Like happy.” Nix breathes deep again. “And a bit like that candle Gideon has in his shrine…patchouli? It’s nice.”

That’s new.

Grayson presses his nose into his shoulder, and there it is, a bit mysterious and alluring…but it’s gone in the next breath. “I guess I am happy.”

“You are?” The surprise is clear in his tone.

The car stops at the gate, and Jay leans out for a retinal scan and presses a thumb to the gate scanner.

Sentinel does not fuck around with security.

The Escalade follows in after them, and both vehicles roll into the open garage doors.

Nix drags Grayson over to the couch and takes the ultrasound pictures from him so he can lay them side-by-side on the table.

“Are you? Happy, that is,” Nix asks again when Grayson runs a fingertip over the images of both babies’ cheeks.

Ishe happy? That feeling behind his ribs tingles, and he pushes some ofthat strange feeling along the bond, in hopes that Nix will be able to help him understand it better.

His eyes pop wide and a huge grins break over his beautiful face. “Youarehappy. And excited!”

Rowan comes out of the restroom, face wet and looking pale; he throws himself into Jay’s arms, who drags them both to the couch. “Gray’s happy? Since when?”

Since last fall,them’s would have been fightin’ words.

Just yesterday, that tone had Grayson holding Rowan down in the nest, Grayson’s chest to Rowan’s back while he’d worked him open so he could make Rowan beg to come. Which he always did, at least twice.