Page 80 of Hidden Fates

Grunting my agreement, I tear myself away from him to open the cabinet and spritz some onto my clothes. It stings, deepening my frown.

Patting my chest, Sterling leads me into our bedroom. “Come on, before you change your mind and lock Skye in her nest with you instead of taking her on a date. She deserves a night out to do something fun.”

Emmett carries Skye down the stairs, her ass in the air from where he’s thrown her over his shoulder. She’s stunning in a light red sweater tucked beneath a black, floral-printed overall dress that hits right below the curve of her ass. If it weren’t for the wool tights covering her legs, I would be in danger of punching leering assholes all night. I still might have to throw hands with how fucking adorable she is.

“Stunning,” I mumble, tugging a strand of her blond hair that isn’t tucked into space buns. “Ready to go?”

“Do I get a hint about our destination?” she asks, slipping into a pair of Mary Janes. Grabbing her coat when Sly offers it to me, I hold it out for her to slide her arms through. We haven’t gotten any more snow yet, but the temperature has held steady in the high thirties. Too cold for her to go with only a jacket.

“No. Now say goodbye to your other mates.”

She rolls her eyes, unable to hide the excitement that makes them shimmer like jewels.

While she ducks into the sitting room to kiss Quentin, I pull Sterling to me and slam my lips to his. “Stay dangerous,” he warns before sweeping Skye into his arms.

I grab our bag, double-checking we both have our phones, I have my wallet, and that there are rut suppressants, just in case I lose myself.

Her arm links with mine as I open the door, letting me leave first. Watching her yield to my need to protect her makes my chest warm, and I stand taller as we walk a few feet to the car. Bellamy volunteered to bring it up from the garage so that the interior would be cozy and warm for us.

“Dang, dandelion, you look good enough to eat. Make sure our Alpha feasts tonight.” He winks at me as he pulls Skye into his arms and dips her low, kissing the hell out of her. She giggles, fisting his long hair and making him groan. “Foul play, baby girl, making me hard when you’re leaving.”

She climbs into the passenger seat, eyeing the outline of his cock in his sweatpants. Her tongue swipes across her bottom lip, and we both groan. “I’m sure you can find a volunteer to help you with that.”

“And you say I’m the brat.” Bellamy’s pouting is cute as shit. Not that I’ll admit as much. He’ll enjoy hearing me admit it too much.

Dragging him close, I nip his bottom lip and crack my hand against his ass. “Thanks for bringing up the car. Behave while we’re gone.”

“No promises. We both know I love racking up punishments.”

He waves from the walkway as we pull down the drive, finally disappearing into the house when we reach the treeline.

With the heat on, music playing in the background, and my Omega’s hand in mine, I drive us south, out of Starburgh and into New Jersey. Skye is patient, chatting here and there, but mostly content to enjoy the setting sun and my company. I love the peace we’ve found in each other.

“Would you like to stop somewhere to eat before our date or order room service when we reach the hotel afterwards?” I ask, glancing at her as we coast along the highway, nearing our destination.

Humming thoughtfully, she places a hand on her stomach and I can’t help but narrow my eyes. I know that look. The one she gets when she’s thinking about her weight. Years of soft reassurance haven’t helped the way she sees herself. Seeing her so upset with her body eats at my Alpha instincts, making me feel like I am failing her.

“Let’s go after. We had a late lunch, and we’ll be walking a good bit. We’ll be hungrier. Bar food good? Wings, cheese fries, loaded potato skins, the works.”

Distracting her is the only way I know to help. Hopefully, after her bond with Caleb settles, some of her struggle to gain weight will fade.

“Yeah, that sounds like greasy heaven. Where are we?”

She tracks every sign we pass as I guide us off the highway. None of them have advertised our destination yet, but the closer we get, the harder it will be to keep it a secret.

“West Elkin, New Jersey. An academy town known for-” With perfect timing, we pass a sign for the botanical garden maintained by the Academy students. “That. They’re hosting a winter themed light up night through the first two weeks of December.”

“I have a million questions, but I’ll wait until we get there and can read a pamphlet.” Her teasing smirk draws me in, and I lament my inability to kiss it off her.

We should hire a driver, like the label keeps suggesting. If only so I never have to deny my mating urges.

Night has fallen, leaving the sky painted in dark blue with lighter shades to the west. Offering Skye my hand, I guide her through the half-full parking lot. Her lips are parted as she takes in the large, glass-domed building that glows a light blue.

We wait in line, time I spend with her tucked against my chest to ward off the cold night air, and then we’re ushered inside, special badges in hand to gain us access to private spaces if anyone were to recognize Skye and things were to get out of hand.

Not that I will allow that to happen. Tonight is supposed to be a fun date, not a fan meet-and-greet. They can fuck off and respect her privacy.

“Woah.”