Page 34 of Hidden Fates

I love a good funishment. If it’s earned by doing something impulsive to make my Omega happy? Even better.

Pick of the Critter is a sanctuary for rescued pets and those in need of re-homing. They care for smaller animals, like dogs, cats, rodents, and reptiles. Their sister operation, Call It A Hay, houses larger animals, like cows, horses, and goats.

Large windows line one side of the massive blue and white building. Cat trees and perches stand behind them, some claimed by fluffy little felines just begging for pets.

Am I the guy who would die trying to pet a jaguar? Probably, but it would be worth it.

“An animal shelter?” Skye asks as we climb out of the car.

“We can help them take care of the animals, give them lots of pets and cuddles. It will be a blast.” I twine our fingers and swing our arms between us, enjoying the way she giggles and skips alongside me. Most of the sadness has slipped from her bond, and I mentally fist-pump knowing I’m the one who chased it away.

Sure, it will come back. Until Caleb is living in our house and wearing her bite, her emotions will be a rollercoaster, but I will be here to help push her back up the track every time she hits the bottom.

We’re met with the chirps of birds and the playful bark of a dog as we step into the building. The main room is a storefront where they sell animal supplies. Food, toys, housing materials, and other essentials.

Hallways branch from this area, leading to different habitats. I let Skye guide us through each one, and we spend our afternoon petting cats, throwing toys for dogs, and cooing over all the birds and reptiles.

The last room we visit is the small critter room. Enclosures sit around the room, housing mice, rats, bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs, and more.

Skye is awestruck by the fluffy, chunky guinea pigs. My best friend in elementary school had one, and he was the cuddliest, zoomiest creature I’ve ever met. She carefully pets the ones receptive to her touch.

The wonder on her face is too damn cute, so I snap a picture and send it to our pack group chat. My phone immediately dings with several messages of them reacting to her cuteness.

Onyx texts me privately, reminding me we travel too much to have a pet, but I choose to ignore him.

If we pick the right creature, it can travel with us.

At Skye’s surprise party last weekend, my little sister Cami was telling me about this book she read where the guy's pet rat traveled with him as he toured the world competing in the mountain bike circuit.

Fiction might not always be translatable to reality, but I did the research and I know we can make this work. If that’s what my Omega wants.

“Would you like to bring one or two of them to the open exploration area?” A staff member asks, pointing to a large, caged corner with little tunnels and ramps. Skye nods, and we carry the two females she was petting over. They explore immediately, tiny squeaks filling the air as they search for treats.

I lean against my mate’s side and watch them. This was a great idea. I can feel how happy she is. How much she loves taking care of them.

A tricolored fluffball named Mochi wanders between us, sniffing our bodies. Skye awes, her face melting and hearts filling her eyes as the tiny pig finds its way into the pocket of her hoodie and chills there.

“She’s so sweet and snuggly,”

“You should adopt her.” Wide green eyes meet mine; her lips pulled into a frown. “As long as we keep her in the front cabin when we fly, she can travel with us. We can even build her a little house on your bus.”

“The guys wouldn’t approve,” she mumbles, running a finger over the top of Mochi’s head.

Leaning back on my hands, I smirk at her. “I say we show up with her and work it out from there.”

She stares down at the sweet little nugget of fur, her lips rolled together, and I know I’ve convinced her.

Jumping to my feet, I head to talk to a staff member working nearby. “What do we need to do to adopt Mochi?”

An hour and a half later, we’ve been taught how to care for a guinea pig, and the car is loaded with all the supplies we’ll need. Including a n awesome connectable cage system that will allow Skye to design it however she wants.

My mate has barely put her new sidekick down. She’s in love, and I know the shit the guys will give me for this impromptu adoption will be worth it.

Skye holds the carrier, softly reassuring Mochi as we pull down out driveway. Onyx leans in the doorway, his eyes narrowed on me as I put the car in park right outside.

Someone must have known I was up to no good.

Oh no, I’ve earned a spanking. Or three, if I’m lucky.