Page 48 of This Fate That Guides Us
Bea finishes her hair and motions me over to attempt to tame my messy waves. I let her fawn over me, pulling the dark strands into a high pony to keep it off my neck during the show. As she starts working on applying a strong winged eyeliner, I feel the same vibration along my arm where the conversation with my mate is. I hold my breath as I blink my eyes open and look down.
I barely glimpse the words before more start to appear below them. The writing is different and my instincts confirm this is a different person joining the conversation. Another mate.
‘Fate doesn’t have an expiration date, and neither do we. -C’
‘Whenever you’re ready, Omega, let us know. -W’
“How did they know I was an Omega?” I scowl, starting to turn my face up to Bea’s, but more writing scrawls across my arm. A third mate. A pack. My pack. Panic threatens to consume me once more, but I force myself to focus on the messages.
‘We are always a message away if you need us. -R’
This time I notice the difference. The subtle shift in the way I feel with each of the messages. If I focus as they reply, I might be able to pinpoint each of their energy signatures. The idea excites me but I can’t allow myself to dwell on this. To obsess over a pack I may never be a part of will only make staying away from them all the more difficult.
I stare down at their words. Their promise to be there when I am free to pursue a relationship with them. One last message flows through, imbued with a hint of adrenaline that sends shivers down my spine.
‘Stay safe for us, Omega. -B’
Tears well in my eyes threatening to spill down my cheeks. Bea screeches, slapping both hands on my arm to block my view. “As sweet as this whole thing is, you’re going to ruin your makeup and we don’t have enough time to start over!”
Shaking off the lingering longing and regret I still feel, I carefully brush away the tears. Bea snaps a picture of the completed messages. After she has proof of the connection I focus on the words once more. This time to will them to fade away. My heart aches as they slowly fade from my skin and I can only hope I am making the right decision.
Opening my phone, I go into the folder where I saved the pictures Bea had taken of my first interaction with my Fate matched mates. I scroll to the last image, the one with all four of their responses. At the end of each of their messages was a dash before a single letter.
C, R, W, B.
Blowing out a breath, I close out of the pictures. They aren’t as helpful as I hoped. Without knowing the guys’ birth names, I can’t be sure the messages actually came from the four of them. And I can’t risk asking them now, just in case Titan connects the dots and realizes why I want to know.
I’ll figure out a way to find out for sure if we share this connection or not. For now, I need a nap.
Knocking on my door wakes me several hours later. Glancing at my phone, I realize it’s almost time for us to head over to the venue for tonight’s show. My energy is still low, my usual pre-show exhilaration non-existent. Let’s hope I can manage to get some decent shots tonight.
Walking into the venue, my eyes catch on Pack Graves where they stand across the room, their masks covering their handsome faces. Nexus sees me and waves his arms back and forth. I can tell he’s seconds away from walking over here so I turn tail and head in to start working by the stage. Hiding may not be the best option, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m afraid I’ll blurt out all of my suspicions if I talk to them.
If I do share our potential connection and we are Fate matched mates, I’ll have to tell them everything. All of my secrets will be laid bare. I’m not sure I’m ready for them to know who my birth family is.
Standing at the back of the crowded venue floor, I watch the guys perform. My camera is poised and ready as they dance around the stage. Nebula and Callisto are circling each other in the center of the stage, the reddish-purple lights casting them ina darker image than they usually create. Neb points a finger at Cal, beckoning him forward like they’re going to fight.
This song is one whose lyrics call out those who dare to try to suppress someone else’s Fate. People like the anti-pack supporters who try to force omega’s away from their mates when they meet them. I’ve always loved the powerful meaning behind the song, but tonight it feels as if they’re speaking to me. Like they’re calling me out for hiding our connection instead of trusting Fate to lead us to where we’re supposed to be.
Biting my cheek, I capture the moment and move on. I need to focus on my job, not the turmoil inside of my head and heart.
When Nexus takes the mic and says his usual farewell, I rush to gather everything I brought and get out of the venue before the guys can track me down. Lex notices my hurry but doesn’t comment. He just grunts and gives me a knowing look.
Which I ignore. He can judge me all he wants, it’s not like he’s tripping over his feet to get to Bea and talk things out with her.
The back door opens and Bea slides in beside me. Sweaty and exhausted, but beaming. “I’m starving!” I can’t help but laugh at my bestie. She’s never afraid to go after what she wants. One day I want to be as confident in my actions as she always is.
“So aside from food, what’re our plans for the night? Are you ditching me to hang out with Primordial Covenant again?” She fake pouts, her lips twitching into a smile despite her attempts.
“Nope, I think they had other plans so I’ll be on the bus with you.”
“Girls’ night?”
“Sure,” I reply. “Think you could touch up my roots? The brown is really starting to get noticeable.” Bea quickly agrees, pulling out her phone to order food to be delivered when we get back to the campground. She seems excited about the two of ushanging out and I feel a little guilty for not spending more time with her. Friends before dick or however the saying goes.
Music pounds through a speaker, the air filled with the lingering scent of Chinese food and hair dye as Bea dances behind my stool. I’ll be surprised if we don’t find little drops of color on the floor after she’s finished with my roots.
My phone pings several times on the counter and I’m not quite quick enough to flip the screen over to hide the unread texts from Pack Graves.
