Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
My Omega was gone too long.
When we were touring and she had other obligations, I didn’t feel the need to track her down and drag her back to me. Somehow a few weeks away from our careers has changed me. Shaped me into an even more possessive asshole than I was before. Now, I hate having her out of my sight.
Feeling her through the bond isn’t the same as watching her expressions as she experiences each emotion.
And I want them all.
Which is why I’m stealing her away for the night.
A plan I have not shared with her other mates yet. They’ll be fine for one night.
Rifling through her closet, I toss a spare outfit into my duffel bag.
Her drawers are stuffed full, and I have to dig for what I want.
I finger the sheer babydoll nightie Emmett bought for her birthday, contemplating adding it before deciding to save it for a night when her other mates can also enjoy it.
Tonight, I’m going to take her out for a fun, stress-free evening, and then I’m going to take her to a hotel where I will strip her down and keep her locked on my knot.
All. Night. Long.
The only sleep she’ll get is with me balls deep inside her.
With our bags packed, I frown at the racks of clothes on the wall.
Picking something for her to wear out isn’t something I am good at.
I’d be happy to see her in one of my shirts and a pair of leggings that hug her ass, but we’ll be out in public.
While Starburgh doesn’t have nearly as big a paparazzi population as New York or Los Angeles, there is always the chance someone will recognize her and share a photo of her on social media.
No way in hell will I let my poor fashion sense lead to her being dragged online.
A quick text to Emmett sorts the situation out. He’ll make sure she’s magazine-worthy.
Leaving the planning of her outfit to him, I seek Quentin out to let him know our plans. I already booked our hotel, ensuring its security was top-notch. Especially after what happened with Orbital Somatic’s manager being kidnapped two months ago.
Risks aren’t worth taking when they endanger my mate.
Knocking on Q’s bedroom door, I wait a long moment, but he doesn’t respond. He could be in his office and not have heard me, or he could be somewhere else in the house. Better to text him and find out than try to hunt him down.
He responds quickly, letting me know he’s in the sitting room.
I jog down the steps, duffel thrown over my shoulder. It hits the floor by the front door, ready for me to grab on our way out.
“I’m taking Skye for the night. Want me to send you the details in an email?”
Light gray eyes study me. “Please do.”
Half an hour later, I’ve changed into form-fitting cargo pants, heavy-soled boots, and a sleeveless shirt, all in shades of black. Thick silver chains hang around my throat and along one of my thighs, matching the rings slid onto my fingers.
Running a hand through my messy hair, I attempt to arrange the short strands so they’re less messy.
“I love the way this shirt stretches over your torso,” Sterling comments as he joins me in the bathroom, levering himself onto the counter beside me. “Skye’s going to soak her panties when she sees you.”
Snorting, I wash the product from my hands and step between his thighs to bury my nose against his throat.
Caleb’s near-miss rut has me on edge. It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced one myself, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to have set me off.
That, paired with my growing comfort having Skye in the house all the time, is a recipe for disaster if I don’t get a hold of myself.
“She never cares what we’re dressed in.”
Sly’s arms wrap around my shoulders, holding me close. The position is definitely messing up my hair, but I don’t care as long as he continues to hold me.
“Are you going to wear a scent blocker? With how edgy your scent is today, it might be a good idea.”
Wrinkling my nose, I knead his thighs with my hands. Scent-blocking cologne burns my nostrils. Too sterile. Too wrong. Still, he’s probably right. If I don’t want to blast waves of aggression every time someone looks at my Omega, I should use it.
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.”
Yeah, woah indeed. The first space is full of dozens of fir, spruce, and pine trees, each decorated with a different theme. Several include matching statues sculpted out of flowers. Along the ceiling, giant glowing bulbs light the space in a wintry blue. It’s beautiful.