Page 105 of Hidden Fates

“Ms. Pierce.” A polished Alpha who is graying at his temples pulls her attention to him. “Your contract requires another album within the next three years. No one in the company would bat an eye if you waited until the last week of that timeline to launch a record.”

“Shiloh is right,” the woman says. “Taking breaks isn’t a bad thing. You are allowed to have a life outside of your career. In fact, we encourage it.”

I pull one of Skye’s hands into mine when she starts picking at the skin around her nails. The watery smile she flashes my way guts me.

“There isn’t another performance on your schedule until March. Enjoy that time away. Spend time with your pack. With your new Alpha. Let life inspire you. The label will still be here.”

They leave, returning to their other tasks. As the door clicks shut behind them, I drag Skye into my arms, encouraging her to wrap around my torso.

“Darling, they’re only worried about you,” Quentin runs his palm up and down her back.

“I know,” she whispers, breath puffing against my throat. “It’s hard to step away. I feel so guilty when I’m not releasing new music.”

Patting her head, I tuck her firmly against me. “You didn’t put out any music or step into the studio while you were recording your season of the Musical Disguises,” I point out.

“I am not going on another reality show.” Her nose wrinkles at the thought.

Chuckling, I use my finger to smooth the skin. “There are other options, is all I’m saying. Podcasts, brand deals, vlogs. Ways for you to stay connected to your fans without pushing yourself too hard.”

“You know, that idea has a lot of merit,” Quentin interjects, his head tilted to stare at the blank wall beside us. “There are several brands that would leap at the chance to work with the Skye Pierce. Off the top of my head, I know Nested would love to help you create your own line of decor for their stores.”

Skye’s jaw drops. He’s rendered her speechless.

“Are you for real?” she whispers before leaping at him, her arms locking around his neck as she kisses his cheek. “Yes. I’d love that.”

“So would your fans,” I point out.

Quentin presses a kiss to her temple and offers her his hand, helping her climb off my lap. “I’ll start the paperwork. Why don’t you and Onyx take the car downtown and do some shopping? Christmas is next week.”

Great. He’s cornered me into taking her out in public days before a major holiday. My instincts are going to be a bitch to rein in.

Skye requests the fish packets Sterling loves to make, so we invite Mama Aisha up to eat with us. He feels bad that she doesn’t have the same freedom to come and go as she used to because of all the snow we’ve gotten this month.

Like it’s his fault he can’t control the weather.

I trudge down the path we made to her apartment, hand tucked into my hoodie pocket to ward off the cold. The keys to the SUV wait in my shorts. There’s no way I’m dragging her to the house and expecting her to walk back in the dark, not when it’s icy out.

After starting the car and opening the garage, I head around the back and knock on her apartment door. “Mama Aisha? You ready to head down to the house?”

“I’m just slipping my shoes on.”

The apartment has changed a lot in the few weeks she’s lived here. Colorful throws hang off the back of the white couch, and decorations cover the walls. Best of all, it smells like her. Warm, comforting chamomile. The scent of safety from my childhood.

“My handsome boy, all dressed up to see me,” she jokes. I’m in basketball shorts and a hoodie, nothing special at all. “Are you enjoying the weather? We didn’t get many winters like this in Kolcruz.”

Taking her arm in mine, I walk her to the garage, making sure she doesn’t slip. “It’s alright. Skye, Bellamy, and Quentin all love the snow. I don’t mind it, wish there wasn’t so much of it already. January is going to be a bit—a big pain if it gets worse.”

She smiles when I catch myself before swearing, a habit I picked up from being cracked on the knuckles with a spoon when I did it around adults as a kid. “I don’t like the cold so much. My place stays pretty warm, but it’s like my bones know it’s cold out. The chill seeps right into ‘em.”

I crank the heat when we climb into the SUV, letting it blast for the short drive down to the house. “If you need thicker blankets or a better heating source, let us know.”

She pats my arm as we park by the front door. “Don’t worry, son, I’m not afraid to advocate for myself. Not anymore.”

Skye meets us at the door, immediately pulling Mama Aisha into a tight hug. My mate has been hiding in the conservatory all day, sulking after being scolded by the label execs yesterday. I’m glad she’s out and surrounded by her mates.

“Hello, dear. And hello to you, Mochi.”

Peering around Mama Aisha’s back, I snort when I spy the guinea pig’s nose poking from the hood of Skye’s sweater. She loves carrying her around. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to take her on stage during her next tour.