Page 48 of Waiting for Fate
Something is holding him back, but I won’t push. When he’s ready, I will be here to discuss the pull between us.
Ridley’s head pops through the open door a few minutes after Brady leaves for a meeting. Did he sense I was thinking about him and sneak back here to see me?
“Jane gave me permission,” he admits as he crosses the room to lean against my desk. “Donovan called. They’re safe.”
I collapse in my chair, relieving the stress from my body in one crushing wave. Tears brim in my eyes and I quickly brush them away. My mate is safe, and Omen wasn’t captured by her birth family. It feels like I can breathe for the first time in days.
“They are still in hiding, but they’re okay.” Ridley whispers soothingly, rubbing his palms over my shoulder and up my neck.
“Thank you, Alpha,” I reply softly, sitting up straighter.
“I’ll let you get back to work. I’m going to call Pack Graves and let them know-“
“No.” His eyes widen at the vehemence in my voice. “They made their choice when they rejected Omen. They don’t deserve the relief of knowing she survived.”
Ridley studies me for a minute, not agreeing with my rigid stance on keeping them away from Omen, but he eventually relents. I promised the men of Primordial Covenant I would make sure they never get another chance with her, and I meant it. They dug their grave, now they can die in it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THE CONFRONTATION WITHSabine is still at the forefront of my mind when I meet Brady that afternoon. He has nothing but praise for the young omega for her work with Orbital Somatic during the tour. Even the band seems to approve her efforts, speaking of her empathy and strong backbone when dealing with the bands and venue staff at each stop.
Brady recommends she take over the band’s managerial tasks full time. Claiming throwing her into the deep end will help her grow into the role. I’m inclined to agree, if only to see how she handles issues without someone seasoned to step in and guide her.
Glancing at the digital calendar on my desk, I realize this was my final meeting for the day. Making sure my office door is closed , I take a moment to myself and pull out the sweater I’d stolen from Miss Powell’s desk several weeks ago. Pressing the knit fabric to my face, a frown tugs the corners of my lips down. Perhaps I should slip it back into the office now that her tipsy coconut scent has faded.
I’m reluctant to let this small piece of her go, though, so I shove it back into my desk. Straightening my jacket, I head to the door. As lovely as drowning my longing in alcohol sounds, I have plans requiring sobriety this evening.
Standing outside of the elevator bank, my spine stiffens when I hear Bea’s soft giggles behind me. The happiness in her scent spikes my jealousy to irrational heights, making my fists clench at my side to stop myself from planting them in her bodyguard’s face. Being here, with the two of them, reminds me of a past I’ve worked hard to forget.
Parking in the driveway, I loosen my tie and slip it from around my neck. My pack mates may give me shit for accepting a corporate job requiring professional wear, but I enjoy the sleek look and soft fabrics of a tailored suit.
I lock my car on the way to the front door, excitement brimming in my veins at the thought of seeing our omega after a long day. Cedes isn’t Fated to me the way she is the rest of our pack, but she loves me anyway. We’ve found our version of peace together, making our mismatched family work.
Stepping into the house, I’m greeted by the sight of Cedes beautiful ass bent over the arm of the couch. The exaggerated curve of her spine instantly hardening my length. Her moans fill the air, but a feeling of wrongness slithers up my spine. The sound of her pleasure sparks an inferno in my chest.
Watching as my pack mate, Jameson, pounds into her, his hands denting her hips, I lose control of the tight grip I keep on my instincts. I barely recognize the growl ripping from my chest, too lost in the haze of vicious anger taking over me. My feet carry me across the room, my fist slamming into his face with enough strength to send him flying to the floor.
Glass shatters and Cedes screams, flying over the couch and nearly crashing to the floor as she scrambles to get away from our brawl. Instinct has my arms flying out to catch her before she can land on the unforgiving hardwood. I pull her against my chest, ignoring the way she fights against me.
She’smine!This other alpha shouldn’t be touchingmyomega.
“Shiloh, let go!” Her cries fall on deaf ears. My alpha is lost to the protective haze, unable to recognize her concerns for her mate, who is staring at me with wild eyes where I knocked him to the floor.
Resignation settles across Jameson’s face, and I think he’s going to cede to my claim. I don’t see the attack from our other pack mates coming. They tackle me, pushing Cedes from my arms. Jameson scoops her up and runs up the stairs. A snarl rips from my lips, a bark following, but they aren’t affected.
I struggle beneath their combined weight, fighting to get back to my omega. Something sharp digs into the side of my neck seconds before my limbs go numb. My eyes are so heavy I can’t keep them open. A growl still rattles in my chest as unconsciousness claims me.
I’m tied to a folding chair in our garage when I wake up. Disorientation pairs with nausea as I try to regain my senses. Everything is fuzzy after I got home from work. The last thing I remember is-
Shit! I wiggle, trying to escape the binds. I need to check on my pack and our omega! I don’t know what made me lose my shit earlier. Cedes is probably scared out of her mind!
“Settle down, Shiloh,” Danny demands as he steps into the room. He looks wary, which I understand.
“Are they okay?”
He nods, pulling another chair up to face mine. His hair is a mess, sticking up like he’s been running his hands through it repeatedly. “What happened?”
I shrug. That is a question I cannot answer. Perhaps lack of sleep is getting to me, or something earlier in the day set off my instincts and I didn’t recognize it before I lost control of myself.
