Page 49 of Pack Down Bad

My last thought is that the room smells divine, all of our scents weaving together in the perfect mix.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Belle

Hot.

That’s the first thing I notice when I wake up disoriented with a sheen of sweat covering my body.

How long have I been asleep?

I’m wrapped tightly in a fuzzy blanket with two large bodies squeezing close on either side of me. Being cocooned between the alphas, countless pillows, and warm blankets doesn’t help, but I sense that they’re not the only reason for my overheating.

My vision and thinking both feel blurry. I hurry to take stock of the nest as quickly as I can, desperate to make sure all three of my alphas are accounted for.

Rhys is behind me, one arm slung over my waist, his slow and even breathing blowing against the back of my neck. Knox is facing me, his lips pursed in a grumpy expression even in his sleep. Percy has shifted closer at some point, too, his arm draped over Knox so that he can reach me, his hand curled around mine.

The room has grown dark aside from the glow of the muted television. I glance over to verify that the curtains are still open; the sun has gone down.

What time is it?

With the TV playing soundlessly, I can hear the distinct sounds each alpha makes as they sleep, but I don’t get the chance to check if any of them drool at night. A sudden cramp seizes my lower abdomen, and I curl in on myself in pain.

“Fuuuuckk,” I groan out.

It’s happening.

My heat is here.

Knox is the first to stir, his eyes flashing open and meeting mine with concern. “Belle? Are you alright?”

He maneuvers his arm out from between us to brush my cheek with his thumb. He pulls away with a curse.

“Hmm?” Rhys mumbles, half asleep, “Cuddle me, Snow Bunny.”

He presses closer as I hold still, letting him fall right back into the clutches of deep sleep. He lets out a soft snore a split second later.

Knox blinks himself more awake, his lips already pursing to speak again.

My lower lip wobbles as I shake my head slightly at Knox, not wanting him to wake the others. I try to shift quietly into a more comfortable position and let the guys sleep, but the second I move, the discomfort clenches me deeper in its grasp, pain twisting low in my belly.

The ache starts as a slow throb but quickly sharpens into something deeper. Harder to ignore. I suck in a deep breath and clench my thighs together, trying to will the feeling away, but I know my efforts are in vain.

My scent perfumes through the room, alerting the two still-sleeping alphas to my condition.

So much for letting them sleep.

“Shit.” Percy bolts upright on the bed, squeezing my hand tighter as he leans over Knox to get a good look at me.

“I think it’s starting,” I barely manage to wheeze out before I have to clench my jaw together and press my lips in a thin line to keep from whining out in pain.

Rhys drapes himself over my shoulder to give me a quick squeeze of comfort. “Okay, we’re totally prepared for this. Don’t you worry, Snow Bunny.” He’s trying his best to sound confident, but I can hear the underlying worry laced in his voice.

Knox tips his chin up to kiss my forehead. “We got you, Belle. I promise.”

I hang on to his words with every scrap of hope I possess as the heat haze fully takes over.

ChapterTwenty-Six