Page 106 of Hidden Fates

Not that we’re going to let her go out again for a few years. She needs to chill and take a real break before she works herself into an injury she can’t bounce back from.

“Sterling says dinner is ready when everyone wants to eat.” Caleb shifts on his heels in the doorway to the dining room, a tiny smile on his lips. “Want me to run her upstairs, bunny? I grabbed a blueberry from the fridge.”

I swear Mochi can understand what we’re saying. Her little head pops up, and she shifts to the side of the hood closest to Caleb. “Thanks babe.”

Gathered around the table, we pass around steaming packets of fish and veggies, and a plate of homemade sweet potato fries. “Does anyone have plans for Christmas?” Quentin asks as he plops a scoop of coleslaw on his plate.

“We’re celebrating here, aren’t we?” Skye asks, her eyes wide. She has a fry paused halfway to her mouth. Unease trickles from her bond. She doesn’t want any of us to leave. So we won’t.

“I already let my family know I wouldn’t be able to make it this year,” Caleb supplies. One of his hands disappears beneath the table, and our mate melts in relief. “Cora convinced Mom to wait until spring for us to visit.”

Skye’s lip wobbles. “It would be lovely to see them again.”

“And you will,” he soothes. “In the spring.”

No one else made plans to travel for the holidays, which means we’ll need to decorate the house and prepare dinner here. It will be our first Christmas in Skye’s dream home. It has to be as amazing as she is.

There should be a tree farm near Starburgh we can visit, but I can have Quentin order everything else. Taking Skye shopping downtown after her appointment was stressful. It’s crowded and everyone is in a hurry. My instincts can’t handle another trip like that. Not without hiring a security team to surround us everywhere we go.

And my Omega would put her foot down if I suggested that option.

“Not to bring the mood down, but Doctor Koch’s office emailed. The results of your blood tests are in.”

Everyone falls quiet, our breaths held. I doubt he’ll be able to tell us much. The doctor will want to speak to them in person, but any piece of information he can share feels immeasurably valuable.

“Your markers are a near-identical match for bond sickness. There is one outlier that they will look into, but they are hopeful they can treat you the same way they treat mates who bonded before their separation.”

Mama Aisha huffs out a heavy breath and reaches over to pat Skye’s hand. “Thank the Fates for that.”

We settle into quiet conversation, much lighter now that we know there is hope for an easier path forward.

After dinner, Sterling drives his mother home while I help Emmett and Bellamy clean up. Caleb had offered, but he needs this time with Skye.

“So, what are our plans for the night?” Bee asks, leaning against the counter as I wipe down the stove. “Video games? Action movies? You and Sly spit-roasting me?”

Caging him against the counter, I press my hips to his, my hard length pushing against him and our noses bumping from how close I’m standing. “You’re tight, bubbly ass is going to warm my cock while we game. And if you’re a good little slut, I’ll let you suck his cock while I give you my knot.”

Bee whimpers, his sandalwood and vetiver scent thickening.

“Can we finish cleaning the kitchen before you two start fucking?” Emmett asks, his voice nasally with feigned annoyance.

“’S okay to be jealous, Em,” Bellamy teases, ducking between my arms to smack a wet kiss to his cheek. Emmett makes a noise and wipes his cheek, glowering at my mate.

“All that’s left is the trash. It’s too late to take it out tonight, so I’ll run it down in the morning.”

“With that, I will be retiring to my bedroom. Enjoy your debauchery, asshole.” He bumps into Bellamy’s shoulder and flips him off. Bee laughs and blows him a kiss.

Dropping the rags in the laundry room, I swap everything over. Small things like this make work for our pack easier. We all pitch in where we can.

I choke when I walk into the living room and find Bellamy bent over the edge of the couch, stretching himself. “Feeling impatient, Beta?”

Placing my hands on either side of his ass, I spread him wide, watching with rapt fascination as his fingers glide deep into his hole. He’s a beautiful, horny, energetic man. One I love deeply.

“Seems like you two are having fun.” Sterling plasters himself to my back. “Are we stuffing our slutty little Beta with our cum?”

Bellamy moans, his hips jerking against the couch.

“He’s going to warm my cock while we play through our weekly missions in Termination.”