Page 24 of Waiting for Fate
A video meeting will have to suffice, because I cannot drop everything to travel to Kentucky for a check in.
The line beeps as the call goes through, waiting for Sabine to accept. My fingers tap impatiently along the top of my desk, my annoyance growing with every passing second.
When her image flickers to life on the screen, I have to take a deep breath to steady myself. The sunlight shining through the window behind her creates a glowing halo around her dark curls, painting her in an ethereal light. I’d say she looks like a heaven-sent angel if I couldn’t see the fire burning in her eyes.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Acherley,” she greets me stiffly.
“Hello, Sabine.” I fight back a smirk when her jaw clenches, biting back what I’m sure is a scathing retort to my use of her full name. Though I’m not sure why she detests it. Sabine is a beautiful name. It rolls off my tongue with ease, begging to drip into her ear as I pin her to my bed.
“How are the bands adjusting after the unexpected protest outside of the Grand Rapids show?” I already asked Brady the same question, but I’m curious to see how she perceives things.
Her body language shifts as she seamlessly slips into professional mode, sparking a flush of pride through my mind. “Overall, they’re handling the changes well. It was unexpected in Michigan, but there will be other stops where aggressive protests are likely to occur. They were all aware of those dangers going in.”
“Has anyone been struggling? Do we need to consider outside measures to help them cope with the pressure?”
Her head shakes, making her curls fall down across her face. She’s quick to brush them aside, absentmindedly pulling the strands into a messy bun as she responds. “The sudden appearance of a large crowd of protesters outside of the show has certainly added to the anxiety of some of the band members and crew, but it hasn’t reached a point where I believe we need to intervene. That may become a necessity as we reach the Southern states and encounter volatile protesters.”
I hum my agreement but don’t comment. The determined spark in her eyes and the thoughtful purse of her lips tell me she isn’t finished speaking.
“Orbital Somatic’s drummer Lee is the only band member of concern. His crowd anxiety was already high before we saw external crowds around the shows. I’ve been working with him to find focal points to help him cope, but it will only work to quell his stage anxiety.”
“This is the band’s first extensive tour. Do you think he needs time to adjust to playing for larger crowds, or is his anxiety a deeper rooted issue?”
“Honestly, I think this is a make or break situation. He needs to learn to handle the pressure a large crowd brings if he wishes to continue performing in a growing band. What will happen if they grow in popularity and headline a festival in the future? Those crowds are enormous compared to these mid-sized venues the String of Fate tour is performing in.”
Her head tilts to the side, highlighting the unmarked curve of her neck. My teeth ache with the urge to sink into her skin, an instinct I fight to squash as soon as it rises. While a video call with Sabine may have eased the need to see she’s safe with my own eyes, it also fuels the desire I have for her. An obsession I have been adamantly trying to shake.
“Keep me updated,” I grit out as I wrestle for control of my alpha. “Are your bodyguards available for an update? And Miss Omen.”
Sabine agrees, temporarily muting herself as she adjusts the camera location to show all four of them sitting on a light gray couch. The dark-haired bodyguard throws his arm along the back, his fingers grazing her shoulder, and I nearly bite through my cheek to hold in the growl rattling up my chest.
“Good afternoon gentlemen, omegas. Working for the DAU, you may already know a new breeding ring has popped up here on the East Coast.”
Both men nod, but Sabine and Omen look shocked by this news. I suppose it’s in their best interest to not stir their worry with threats their bodyguards can mitigate, but I’d prefer they be aware enough to look out for themselves, too.
“My contact at the FCDA has reached out to express his concern over the rapid expansion of their numbers. To prevent this ring from targeting the Primordial Covenant tour, we will enforce stricter security protocols from here out. Head counts, extra security at venues, and regular check-ins will be required. Your safety, and the safety of the rest of the tour staff, is Soulbound’s utmost priority. I appreciate your cooperation in this endeavor.”
Both women are quick to agree, and I don’t wait for the men to respond before I bring the call to an end. It is their job to protect those omegas, and I will not settle for anything less than their complete dedication to the task. Nor will the DAU agent in charge of their placement.
Carefully slipping my shoes from my feet, I slide them into their spot on the shoe rack inside of the coat closet. The weight of my responsibilities at the label slips away with each step farther into my home. Starburgh’s city lights glint through the windows running around the exterior of the penthouse, creating mesmerizing imagery as the background to my casual life.
I beeline for the state-of-the-art kitchen on the right. The household manager I hired has a tray of Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas waiting for me in the warming drawer. I groan as the scents of cheese and spices hit my nose. I barely ate a quick sandwich from the local deli at lunch, too busy attempting to counter any issues this new breeding ring may create for my staff as they travel.
A glass of Pinot Noir in hand, I slide onto a stool at the island and dig in. Good food is one expense I refuse to budge on. Quality ingredients and dishes with high flavor profiles are a requirement regardless of where I eat. I refuse to settle for greasy fast food when there are mom and pop restaurants around the country serving incredible meals for a small jump in cost.
Opening my phone, I find myself drawn to the social media apps I rarely use. My fingers have a mind of their own as I search through the profiles to find Sabine’s account. Picture after picture flows across my screen as I scroll through them, noting all the things she seems to like. Concerts, specifically for the band Candy Courage. The soft, stuffed animals many young omegas seem to collect. Bright colored clothing shows off entirely too much of her golden bronze skin for an app where strangers around the world could ogle her.
I force myself to close the program, letting her image linger in my mind. It’s been years since I felt the longing for an omega mate of my own. Once upon a time, I coveted the idea of a pack bond. The friends I was closest to then seemed to be the perfect fit. We held similar moral values and wanted to live lives of luxury.
A Fated connection was all it took for that dream to crash down around me. We tried. My friends and their Fate matched omega. Despite no Fated bond between us, she enjoyed my company. Welcomed me into their pack and into her nest. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to last. I am not an alpha who shares his partners.
It was for the best. Our lives have led us on different paths. Where they hoard their wealth and only contribute enough to appease the masses, I relish the joy I get when I help others. I’m invested in making my community a better place. I simply cannot sit by and let my wealth grow when others are struggling.
Given Sabine’s connection to the DAU, it’s easy to imagine her slotting into my lifestyle. She grew up in an environment focused on catering to those less fortunate. What new ventures would she encourage me to undertake in the name of equality?
Rinsing my empty plate, I slide it into the dishwasher. Stopping at the freezer, I dig out a pint of the pineapple gelato I’ve been hoarding and grab a spoon. Wondering what life would be like with Sabine as my mate will only cause more harm than good. She’s not meant to be mine. Omegas need multiple mates to help temper the pain their heats can cause, and I cannot bring myself to envision sharing her with another. Even for her benefit.
I’m a selfish alpha.
