Page 83 of Feeling the Heat: Part Two
“I managed to avoid it in the last ten years,” River grumbles.
“You’re in love with Jackson?” I blurt, unable to keep the question inside.
“No.”
“Yes, he is.”
The two alphas glare at each other in a silent showdown. Despite River’s natural dominance over Ambrose, he breaks first, scrubbing his hand across his face with a groan.
“Yes. I’m in love with Jackson.” He sighs and pulls his hand away from his face. “But we have enough stuff to worry about without scaring our beta away because he’s afraid I’m looking at his dick when we’re all together.”
For the first time in this conversation, my omega is unhappy. A little whine gets caught in my throat and they both turn their focus on me.
“Shit, not that you’re a problem. I just meant you need tobe our focus. I shouldn’t add in confessing my feelings to Jackson when I’m still trying to earn back my place in the pack and…” He swallows hard, looking down at his hands. “And find a way into your heart.”
My omega purrs, satisfied with his answer. “You already have a place there,” I murmur. It’s not a declaration of love, because we’re not at that point yet. But he needs to know he’s important to me, and it could turn into more with time.
He blinks back at me, eyes growing watery. “Ah. Okay. I didn’t realize…”
I lean in and kiss him, pressing reassurance into his lips.
When we part, his eyes are shining, and he releases a shuddering exhale. “Thank you.”
A moment of silence passes with this new understanding between us.
Ambrose rests a hand on my shoulder and on River’s leg. “I apologize. I shouldn’t push if you’re not ready. And you’re right that there are things we should address before approaching something more with Jackson.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Your heat spikes being the primary one.”
Shit. He’s got his concerned medical professional face on.
“Right. Yeah. Guess the increased suppressant dose isn’t enough.”
Ambrose shakes his head. “It’s not. You could come into the clinic and we could run some tests again to confirm my suspicions, but the increased frequency of spikes within the last week indicate that the suppressants aren’t effective. We need to prepare for the possibility that you’ll go into heat sometime in the next month.”
“Oh.”
A cacophony of emotions surge within me, warring for dominance. Worry about going through another heat. Excitement to have that dedicated time to grow closer with this pack.Trepidation about what that will mean when they help me through my heat. Because it’s not an if. I’ve already decided I want them with me.
Still, it feels too fast. I’m only now getting a grip on my connections with each of them and there’s still more to do. Will a heat force the connection? Will they want to bond me?
“Breathe, sweetheart,” Ambrose murmurs, his hands coming up to massage my shoulders.
River moves in front of me and strokes my arms, a rattling purr emanating from him. It’s clear this sort of comforting is less natural for him than Ambrose, but what matters is he’s trying. And the look in his eye tells me his alpha will do anything for my omega. That he’ll do anything forme.
“We still have some time, but I think…” Ambrose’s hands still. “Please move in with us.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t…” The protest is weak, my omega not getting why I’m not agreeing immediately.
“It’ll be easier for us to take care of you as things get closer to the heat. We can spend more time together so you’ll be as comfortable as possible when it comes.”
I reach for an excuse to say no, but none come to mind.
My apartment is dull aside from my nest, but I’m sure we could rebuild that here.
My office is a little further away from their place, but not enough to make a big difference to my commute.
No, the only things I can think of are how amazing it would be to be able to see them whenever I want. How I’d get to hang out with Dolly. How incredible it would be to sleep in the same bed as them instead of alone.
“I’ll… Let me think about it?” My omega is demanding I say yes on the spot, but I need to clear my head and make sure that isn’t the hormones talking.
