Page 132 of Eternal Light

“If you’d like to do it here in front of your friends, then I am happy to oblige. It matters very little where I end you.” Gideon forces a smile.

To say Carnell is shocked would be an understatement. His jaw drops and he’s frozen, eyes popped wide in surprise. The few guests who’d thought they’d have a front-row seat to their interaction scramble like cockroaches from the light, fleeing down the stairs, leaving the four Rhodes Pack members and Carnell with his two guards.

Carnell gives a sudden clap, his blindingly white teeth curved into a smile, and his olive oil scent sparks hot with anticipation. “Well, what an exciting turn of events. You’re challenging your alpha for the right to rule on the night of the Wolf Moon. How interesting, boy; I did not see that coming. It makes perfect sense that in order to rule, you’d want to prove yourself worthy.”

It’s Leo’s turn to snort at Carnell’s choice of words.Boy? Worthy?Gideon wants to laugh at the sheer creative foolishness Carnell is engaging in, to justify what any other alpha would deem the gravest of insults. There’s no need to even address the insanity. Either way, he’s going to take his father’s heart; whether it’s here on the marble, in his office, or outside, it makes no difference.

Carnell continues without pause, rubbing his hands as the new delusion settles in his mind. “When you lose, you’ll know you’re not ready and will come home, where we can finish your training.”

There’s a surprising growl from behind Gideon’s left shoulder. Luca’s burnt coffee scent overpowers his scent blocker with his rage. His soulmate remembers what Carnell’s training entailed, and how it resulted in nightmares that still surfaced after all this time.

“You are a psychopathic fucking terrible excuse for a father!”

Despite being muttered under his breath, it’s still loud enough for Carnell to focus his eyes on Luca with annoyance and contempt.

“Allistair, you’d best get your bitch under control before I show him how I handle insubordination.”

Unsurprisingly, Nix takes a single step forward at the threat to his mate, eyes flashing blue. “You will not touch him,” Nix growls, his omega-voice echoing in the back of Gideon’s brain, even though it isn’t aimed at him.

Carnell’s eyes lose focus temporarily, and he takes a small step back, bumping into his large, similarly-dazed beta bodyguard. The collision startles him into shaking off the compulsion.

“We’re wasting moonlight. You’ll need to learn how to handle them if you wish to rule by my side, boy.”

“Are we doing this here? Because, as you said, we are wasting time.” Gideon unbuttons his suit coat and pulls at his tie.

There’s a collective gasp among the few remaining onlookers when it’s clear they are going to settle this with fangs and claws.

“Krunk, clear the house of humans.” Carnell gestures to the largest of the two men, who flinches but leaves to do his bidding.

Luca whispers,pull the lever, Kronk,as he slips his fingers into the back of Gideon’s pants. Just the touch of those soft digits along his back—even over his tucked shirt—makes his soul sing.

“I prefer not to have your blood on the marble. It’s proven difficult to get out, and good help is so hard to find. Speaking of which, where is that lazy bastard Connall? This suit is Bottega. Connall!”

When the mysterious, lazy Connall isn’t forthcoming, he growls, “I’m taking this suit out of your hide, you useless shit.”

He mutters, pulling off the white suit coat to reveal a silver mesh tank top.

“Lestrange, let’s take this to the back lawn,” he addresses the other bodyguard, handing him the suit coat. “Shall we?” He nods for Gideon and his mates to precede him.

“You first.” Leo stands aside, pulling Nix out of the way so Carnell can pass by while Gideon does the same with Luca.

“Ah yes, Costas’s disappointment,” he goads, but doesn’t wait for Leo’s reaction before passing by and down the stairs.

“Let me push him, Sugar. Come on. He won’t bounce,” Luca says, looping his arm through Gideon’s.

Gideon grabs Leo’s arm. “You’re not anyone’s disappointment, Leo.”

But Leo smiles and puts his hand over Gideon’s on his arm. “I know. I’m loved. You are, too,” he says pointedly, implying that Gideon shouldn’t listen to Carnell’s hateful words because his self-worth doesn’t come from him.

Gideon allows the words to seep through to the place he’d locked down before he started this tonight, and it warms the parts of him that feel cold with hatred.

“I’ll remember that. Let’s finish this.”

“It’s too simple,” Nix finally speaks. “He’s not going to go easily.”

“I know, Kitten. But if I can almost take you…” Gideon leaves off and boops Nix’s nose. “Just keep your eyes open. I don’t know if his guards will step in.”

“We’ve got your back, Sugar,” Luca says. “Kiss me before we go.” He jumps up, and Gideon gets hands on his butt, holding him up so Luca can eat at his mouth and suck on his tongue.