Page 39 of Hidden Fates

I love my pack. The life we’ve built together. The future we get to share.

Through the night, Skye wakes us another time, her heat spiking again. By morning we’re starving, exhausted, and grateful we have nowhere to be.

In the dining room, we find pastries and breakfast sandwiches from a local bakery, along with a full pot of coffee. Quentin sits at one end, his laptop open and a to-go cup in his hand. He looks up when we walk in, assessing each of us.

“Come here, Omega,” he rumbles, setting his stuff to the side and standing to make her a plate.

I ruffle her hair, beelining for the kitchen. I need coffee like I need air; otherwise, I’ll be napping in my chair.

Sterling joins me, making himself an iced coffee and grabbing a bottle of orange juice for Skye. Bellamy is still passed out in the nest, having refused to get up with us.

Part of me wanted to agree and sleep longer, but my mate’s rumbling stomach and our short to-do list changed my mind.

“You’ll need to be in my office by two,” Quentin tells me as I sit beside him. Skye is perched on his lap, his hand possessively splayed across her hip. Pride fills his face as she makes happy groans with each bite of her fruit-filled croissant.

I grab one of the bacon and egg bagels from the tray and take a huge bite. Replenishing my energy will help keep me awake to sit through the meeting with the label executives on the West Coast.

Last week, we decided to make our stay at the estate permanent. Our Omega is the happiest she’s been in months. Part of that might be because she has Caleb back in her life, but it’s also this place. Her sanctuary, as Q calls it.

An unfortunate part of our decision is transitioning our careers to Starburgh’s Soulbound office and leaving our longtime manager, Amirah, behind. They’ve helped us grow and thrive, becoming a member of our extended family over the years. They understand our decision, having an Omega of their own.

Our mates come first. Always.

“Caleb will be here Friday. He’s going to stay in the room beside yours,” he motions to me and Sterling.

“Good,” Sly comments, setting aside his iced coffee. He rests his chin on one hand, his expression serious. “We should ask him about changing the decor in there and just make it his bedroom. Him moving in is inevitable now.”

Skye tears pieces off her croissant, her brows furrowed and lips turned down at the corners. “We should wait until he’s ready.”

“I agree with Sterling, darling.” Quentin brushes his palm over her hair in a soothing motion, encouraging her to relax. “Being apart is hurting you. We aren’t going to demand he bond you, but he needs to stay close to ease the bond sickness you’re both feeling.”

“It’s not that bad-”

He holds up his hand, raising a finger with each symptom he announces. “You had another mini-heat last night, and you lost weight this week. Hormone spikes have made your emotions uncontrollable. Yesterday, you spent the morning crying in the conservatory, unable to eat more than a few crackers until after your date with Bellamy.”

“Caleb can court you from here,” I add, my tone stern. I won’t budge on this. Watching her go through hell is not an option. Not when we know what’s causing it.

Her lip wobbles, head ducking. “I just don’t want to scare him away.”

Sterling leans over and cups her chin, forcing her to raise her head. “You won’t, precious. When he left before, he assumed you weren’t Fate-matched mates. Things are different now. Have faith that Fate will continue to lead you both in the right direction.”

His finger rubs over her cheek, and she leans against his palm, whispering, “I’ll try.”

Skye sits at the wrought-iron table in the corner of the conservatory when I head to meet Quentin, a notebook in front of her and a guitar in her lap. She smiles, head turning up and lips puckering expectantly. I indulge her with a languid kiss before heading into the office.

“Good timing,” Q says, glancing up from his desk. “We’ll sit over there.”

I move to the heavy wooden table he pointed to and claim a chair. He brings his laptop over, the video call already ringing through as he moves his chair close to mine.

All three execs fill the screen, and I have to hide a sigh. This isn’t going to be a short call.

But it’s worth the monotony to ensure my Omega has everything she needs to be happy.

Chapter Thirteen

Anticipating my pack’s needs is what I do best.

To do that, I have to know what drives them; the matters important to their hearts.