Page 33

They turn onto Sweetgum Way, a quiet cul-de-sac with a modest single-car driveway and a garage big enough to fit both vehicles. The house is smaller than they’re used to, but Jay doesn’t mind the compact, easily defensible space.

Hopping out, Finn keys in the garage code, so Jay can pull the car inside with the CR-V close behind. He glances at Nix, who sits still in his seat, concern flickering in Jay’s chest.

“If I get dressed, will you walk over with me?” Nix’s voice is barely above a whisper, laced with such quiet desperation that Jay can’t bring himself to say no.

“Of course. Let’s get everything inside first, then I’ll break the news to Gideon.” Jay knows his mate won’t like the idea of them leaving the house without him, especially in unfamiliar territory, but it’s a toss-up whether Gideon will let it slide so he can make dinner or insist on joining them.

They pile out and into the main floor of the house. Gideon is already washing his hands while Leo drags bags down the hall toward the small laundry room at the end of the hallway.

Hot on his heels, Luca is squawking about washing the nesting materials, already stealing things he doesn’t want to be washed from the tops of the bags.

“I’m taking Nix on a short walk,” Jay offers when Nix returns, finally dressed in his red shorts and a T-shirt.

“Now? Can it wait? I’m cooking dinner,” Gideon says, glancing over his shoulder from the stove .

“Just me, Gid,” Jay replies, his voice calm but firm.

“And me,” Rowan interjects, arms crossed, standing stiffly in the foyer with his shoes still on as if bracing for the inevitable argument.

“No, Rowan. Just me and Jamie right now.”

“What? No.” Rowan shakes his head, his expression resolute.

Sighing, Nix steps closer and takes Rowan’s big hand in his own.

“I know you want to come, to guard me and the babies. But this isn’t about me being a Were.

This is about when I was human. If you want to see those places, I’ll take you—and anyone else who wants to go—tomorrow.

But right now, I need it to be just me and Jamie. ”

Rowan looks unconvinced, but before he can argue further, Grayson mutters from the doorway, “I don’t like this either.”

“Gray,” Nix sighs, his tone exasperated.

“But I respect your decision,” Grayson concedes, leaning against the doorframe and wiggling the burner phone. “Although, for the record, I’m going to watch you on the app, and I’m not apologizing for it.”

Nix chuckles softly, his shoulders relaxing. “Okay, I can live with that. Rowan?”

Rowan isn’t as easily mollified. “No. My wolf has a bad feeling, so…no.” The words are growled, his eyes flash from green to red and back again. It’s obvious to everyone that he’s losing the battle against his instincts.

“Rowan, down.” Gideon places a damp hand on Rowan’s neck, applying downward pressure. “Count. I’ll tell you when to stop.” The young enigma sinks to the floor, eyes closed.

Jay isn’t sure if it’s so he doesn’t see Nix leave or so he can concentrate.

“Go,” Finn whispers, handing Nix a pair of slip-on shoes.

Nix looks hesitant at Grayson’s clenched jaw and Rowan counting under his breath in a mix of languages.

Not wanting to miss their opportunity, Jay leaves his mates in Gideon’s hands and hauls Nix out the beautiful stained glass front door, only stopping once they’re at the end of the driveway to let him put his shoes on.

“Do you think they’ll be alright?”

“Yeah. Gideon has them under control—hopefully. ”

It’s weird being back in Nix’s old stomping ground, and when Nix slides his hand into Jay’s, it sends a shiver of déjà vu down his spine. They’d walked just like this on these same streets so many times.

Sweetgum Way is only two blocks over from where Nix used to live and it’s a simple walk that they make in silence. The Renas had built their home in a relatively new neighborhood shortly after Ivy had been born, and Nix had lived there until the day his family died in that accident.

Jay feels that old mix of sadness and relief at the thought of them. Sadness, because the Renas had been more of a family to him in the year and a half before he’d left than his own. He had grieved their loss, even though he’d been overwhelmed by losing his mate.

There’s also relief—a tsunami of it—that Nix is alive and well. Thriving. Here.

The Renas’ neighborhood had changed very little—maybe a few more mature trees, but still the same dried green lawns. The sounds of kids playing and the scents of food on grills lingered, just as they always had.

Nix’s nose is in the air, and he turns damp eyes to Jay’s. “Still smells like home. You know?”

Their house is only three doors down, and when they get to the end of the driveway, Nix hesitates. It looks well-kept—still the same, at least from the outside. Jay isn’t sure what he should do.

Do they knock? Face a stranger at the door? Tell them Nix’s story, only to confirm what they already know?

Nothing is the same as before.

“Hey!”

It’s a woman’s voice, coming from the neighbor on the left. She has graying hair, and she’s a Were.

“Well. Look at that. Is that you, Nix Rena?”

Jay hasn’t met her before, but Nix stiffens beside him in shock.

“Mrs. Stavros!”

Pulling free, Nix is at the low white fence with his arms around his old neighbor before Jay can call him back.

His wolf growls at the sight of another Were touching his omega, but Jay reins him in, reminding himself what happens when they let their instincts run the show.

“Well, this is a surprise. And you haven’t changed a bit,” she teases, returning the hug.

“You’re Were, Mrs. Stavros! Me too!”

She laughs and pats his cheek. “You don’t say. Is this your alpha?”

“That’s Jamie. He’s from before, but I have a pack now, too.”

Nix reaches back, offering his hand. “Jamie, this is my old neighbor, Mrs. Stavros. I’m sorry—I don’t know your first name?”

“Elena. Would you like to come in?” she offers. “I made loukoumia this afternoon. I remember you used to like that.”

“I wish we could, Mrs. Stavros, but my Gideon is making dinner, and I didn’t bring Rowan.”

Jay understands that sentence perfectly, but Mrs. Stavros only raises an eyebrow.

Still, she doesn’t ask. She simply gives Nix’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“I understand. I’ll send some along, then. When you’re ready to come back, we can visit properly. Can you wait?”

She doesn’t linger for an answer, already disappearing into the house.

The moment she’s gone, Jay’s burner buzzes with a flurry of texts. No doubt from the alphas in question. Nix’s bonds are pinging on all frequencies—sad, happy, surprise.

Mrs. Stavros returns with a small tin filled with wrapped treats which Nix accepts and holds to his chest reverently.

“You’ll need these then, I expect?” she adds, handing over a set of keys on a yellow ribbon.

Nix freezes, lifting the keys to his nose, he inhales, bursts into tears, and drops onto his ass on the corner of Mrs. Stavros’s lawn.

“Shit. Sorry. What are they?” Jay is confused as hell.

Mrs. Stavros crouches and runs a soft hand through Nix’s hair.

“Nix, filaraki . I’m sorry. I thought that’s why you were here? To get the keys to your family’s home? After all this time?”

Oh, shit . Jay had not expected that .

The phone starts ringing, but Jay ignores it so he can gather his weeping beloved into his arms and join him in the grass.

Mrs. Stavros gasps and points.

Grayson is barreling down the street at full Were speed, Luca just behind him. Jay can only imagine what they did to keep Rowan in the house.

“Shit.”

“They belong to you, I imagine,” Mrs. Stavros says gently. “Well, I’ll leave you to it , alpha . Filaraki , come see me again. I’ll tell you all about it—when it’s not such an enormous shock.”

She disappears into her home, and Jay doesn’t blame her. Especially not after he gets a look at the very public, very not-subtle show of incoming alpha dominance.

Grayson barrels to a stop—claws out, growling—and Luca throws himself on his back, breathless.

“He got away from me. Fuck, he’s fast. Dammit.”

“Everything’s okay, Gray. Dial it back. This is a human neighborhood,” Jay murmurs, pressing Nix’s nose to his neck. He keeps his scent steady and calming, even though his heart is still racing.

“What happened, Angel?” Grayson crouches low, and Nix thrusts the keys out, tears flowing in earnest again.

Jay leans in, finally catching the scent on the long yellow ribbon—coconut and sunshine. Rose Rena. These were her keys.

“They’re keys. To what, though?” Luca asks, still catching his breath.

“They’re the keys to his parents’ house,” Jay answers softly, pointing behind them at the home that’s been quietly waiting.

“For real, Nixie? This house? I thought his grandmother sold everything.”

“We did too. It’s a complete surprise.”

The phone starts ringing again, and Grayson opens his arms so Nix can collapse against his chest.

Jay answers.

“’Bout fucking time. Tell me you’re alright, or I’m gonna have to tranq Rowan again, and Finn says too much K is bad for him.”

“We’re fine. On our way back. We’ll explain everything. Does Rowan need to talk to him?”

“He can’t talk right now. Leo has him doing laps in the pool.”

“We’ll see you in ten,” Jay says. “Baby Boy, let’s go back to the safe house, and I’ll bring you back tomorrow. It’s a lot for today, yeah?”

Nix nods, burying his face in Grayson’s neck. “S’lot. Babies are hungry. Need Rowan.”

Luca picks up the abandoned tin from Mrs. Stavros. Jay notices he’s barefoot—but at least his ass is still covered.

“Up you go, Luc. No shoes?”

“No time. One minute I had a tongue in my mouth and a hand under my skirt, and the next I was chasing the owner of said appendages out the door.” He drops his voice, conspiratorial.

“That was my job, you know? Keeping him distracted. Was working perfectly until he nearly bit my tongue off and booked it in this direction.”

“Sorry, Luc,” Nix says, reaching a hand across the space between them. Grayson carries him koala-style, and Luca latches on to his fingers as they pass Jay.

That’s how they make their way back to the second safe house: walking in silence, except for the occasional hitching breath from Nix.

There’s nothing Jay can say to soothe the ache of grief he feels around his heart, whether it’s his own or Nix’s, traveling along their bond.

It’s a blessing to think Nix might have a part of his family still there waiting for him, but the intensity of the renewed grief is palpable—just one more thing Nix has to make room for in his healing journey.

Jay looks back along the street. It’s surprisingly quiet for this time of evening; no cars or kids, just the sound of birds in the evening gloom.

He hitches Luca up from where he’s slipping and squeezes his thighs when Luca kisses the back of his head. It helps him remember to be grateful.

About the big things—like second chances.

But also for the small graces.

Like the fact that there’s no one around to see them in the twilight. No one to witness two members of the famous LRH strolling the sidewalk alongside a barefoot, shirtless, long-haired warrior who looks like he could just as easily murder you as walk the runway.

And that there is no one to witness their angel’s joy and pain but them.