Page 41 of Hidden Fates

“Thanks, Quentin. I appreciate how receptive you’ve been about me being here.”

I force my mouth to remain closed. Telling Caleb about Skye’s bond sickness symptoms isn’t my place. She has to open up to him about the repercussions of their separation.

Or Onyx might do it for her, depending on how much self-control our pack leader can manage the next time she exhibits a side effect.

Skye hasn’t stopped chattering since she woke up and saw Caleb. Her bond shines with excitement and contentment. He belongs here, with her.

“Dinner’s ready,” Onyx grunts, poking his head into the family room where we are hanging out. The kitchen has been buzzing since Sterling disappeared an hour ago, slowly filling the house with a warm aroma.

Skye uncurls from her spot against Caleb’s side and stretches, smiling softly as he joins her. Something squeaks, making his brows furrow as he looks around the room. A tiny, furry nose peeks out of her pocket, likely having heard Onyx’s mention of food.

“Darling, no sidekicks at the table, please,” I call.

She purses her lips and pulls Mochi out to tuck against her chest. I barely disguise my laugh as a cough when Caleb’s eyes go wide and his mouth hangs open.

“Wait, you had that in your pocket this whole time?”

“Yup. This is Mochi. She’s my sidekick.” Skye pets the top of her head, leaning so Caleb can see the guinea pig. “Isn’t she adorable?”

“Very.” Caleb frowns when Skye moves away, his eyes seeking mine as she skips away, taking her pet back upstairs to her cage. “Is it safe for her to carry it around like that?”

“Mochi has quickly become attuned to Skye’s scent. Being close makes her feel safe. Though we limit the time Skye can carry her. If we didn’t, we’d never get a moment alone with our mate.”

When Bellamy returned from the pet sanctuary with Mochi in tow, I started studying up on the small creatures, wanting to ensure she receives the best care.

Skye takes a break from cuddling with Caleb and plants herself in a chair between Onyx and Bellamy. “Sly, this smells amazing.”

Her compliment earns a tip of his lips as he sets another dish on the table. His love of cooking has led to a well-balanced diet when we aren’t on tour. There isn’t an option for him to cook when we’re traveling, so I keep the kitchen stocked during their breaks.

“Thank you,” I tell him as he sits down on Onyx’s other side.

“You can thank me when you try it,” he jokes.

We all know anything he makes will taste incredible. He is too thoughtful to serve us something he doesn’t feel lives up to his impeccable standards.

We pass around homemade bread and a bowl of salad before dishing up the Coq Au Vin. It’s savory, hearty, and warm. Perfect for a chilly November night. Conversation rolls around the table, pairing with the laughter and red wine to create an atmosphere as heartwarming as the food on our plates.

Calebs soak it all in. He doesn’t talk much, only responding to questions directed at him, but he isn’t as tense as he was earlier. His body language is relaxed and open, which I hope means he is finding his footing here.

We need him to stay.

For his sake and for Skye’s.

Chapter Fourteen

Watching Shattered Horizons’ perform their sound check, my chest aches. Leaving Orbital Somatic is the right choice, but I’m going to miss performing.

I dedicated so many years to the stage; it feels like this is the first time I’m trying to build a life off it.

When their show starts, I stand with Skye in the wings. She’s stunning in a floral sundress that hugs her waist and breasts, highlighting the soft curves of her body. The dangerously high white heels she’s wearing add a few inches to her height, but she still only reaches the middle of my head.

She cheers when Sterling greets the crowd, as excited as the fans shouting at the front of the stage.

His voice isn’t deep like mine, but it has a raspy quality that makes his screams edgy.

Ripped red jeans make him seem taller, which is insane when he’s already taller than my six foot three. The band shirt he’s wearing hugs his torso, highlighting the lean muscle in his body, and I find myself unable to look away as he moves around the stage, singing and vibing with the others.

Arousal hits me like a tidal wave, nearly knocking my legs from beneath me as blood rushes to my dick. I find Skye’s teeth dug into her lip and her cheeks flushed.