Page 16 of Hidden Fates

Her emotions are a whirling wreck inside our bond. How much comes from her, I’m unsure. Caleb is likely unintentionally fueling it. The revelation that he shares a Fated connection with Skye and his manager being missing has to be causing him to experience an avalanche of emotion on his own.

Not that he or the other members of Orbital Somatic are to blame. I just know I wouldn’t be able to stop the guilt if I were in their shoes.

Our bags are packed and waiting on a cart when Quentin kneels before our Omega. “Agents have arrived and are searching for Bea as we speak,” he informs her, pushing hair away from her face. “There isn’t anything we can do to assist them.”

Her lips part, a protest sitting on her tongue, but he stops her with a knowing look. “Please, Omega, let us take you home to your nest. I promise to share any news of Bea’s disappearance with you as soon as I hear it.”

Collapsing against my side, the fight leaves her in an exhausted huff. Squeezing her thigh, I lean down and whisper, “That’s our good girl.”

She gives me the stink eye as I help push her to her feet, and I can’t help but laugh. I love this woman so damn much it feels unreal.

Our estate in Starburgh leaves me awestruck.

Black wrought-iron gates span our driveway, connecting the stone wall that runs the length of the property. Quentin added both when he bought the house for Skye a few years ago. Life in the spotlight means we have to take extra precautions to ensure our mate is always safe and free to be herself when we’re home.

As rarely as that may be.

As Onyx guides our SUV up the drive and beyond the treeline, the sprawling stone mansion comes into view. Skye leans over Emmett’s lap to press her face to the window. Something about this place has always called to her. A spark of magic only she can feel.

My eyes soften as I smile at her. Q made a good call planning our vacation here.

The car stops when the driveway curves toward the garage and Skye scrambles out, our laughter following her as she flies across the pavement.

Bellamy catches up to her as she reaches the arched pergola covering the walkway between the conservatory and the main house. In the spring it will bloom with fragrant wisteria, but this late in the year, it hangs bare.

He sweeps her into his arms, carrying her bridal-style to the door. “How many new cozy spots do you think Q had them add this time, dandelion?”

I grab a few bags from the trunk and hurry after them, not wanting to miss a moment of her happiness. There’s something about the way her eyes light up that heals me.

Giggles flow from the sitting room off the foyer. The entryway is dark and moody with a small hanging light fixture at the center, towering plants in each corner, and deep, patterned brown wallpaper. To our left, a large, wrought iron staircase leads upstairs.

I lean against the open doorway into the sitting room. What was once a sunshine yellow tearoom is now a jewel-toned haven with a large fireplace as the centerpiece. Skye coos, finding a cushioned bench tucked between two large bookshelves. Out the window is a stunning view of the front garden.

Her love for nature is written in every aspect of this house, from the sprawling garden out back to the plants that breathe life into each room.

“They finished the kitchen,” Q tells me as he steps to my side, his eyes glued on our Omega and his fingers tapping the wall. Pleasure filters through his bond with her, faint since we don’t share a bond.

Curious what he did with my space, I let them explore and head further into the house. An airy dining room sits off the foyer, decorated in greens and dark wood.

I whistle when I take in the high-end appliances and windows that now line the ceiling at the furthest end of my kitchen, letting beams of natural light fill the space. It’s all mixed woods and dark metals, playing into the aesthetic without sacrificing quality or space.

“Woah,” Skye whispers, tucking herself against my side. “He built you a mini herb rack.” She points to the large, round window above the sink, which is lined with planters.

“Of course he did.”

Quentin is a badass at anticipating our wants and needs. All of us, not just Skye. At first, it was unnerving, but eventually, I grew to love and appreciate how much attention he pays to our bonds and feelings. He’s a damn good packmate.

The man himself appears and pushes a door open beyond the fridge. “There’s a walk-in pantry here, though it is empty at the moment.”

“Holy shit, Q.” Bellamy saunters in from the living room, his eyes wide. “You outdid yourself this time, man.”

Quentin gives him an exaggerated half-bow. “I do live to serve.” His expression sobers as he meets each of our eyes. “I hope this will one day be our home. Permanently.”

Skye sucks in a sharp breath, her body vibrating against mine. Hope fills her bond with enough strength to make my knees weak.

“But, what about LA? The label?”

Holding her tighter, I fight back a disapproving growl. Like we wouldn’t do whatever it takes to move here if that’s what she wants.