“Don’t knock it until you try it,” Ginger says with a wink. “Trust me, it’s?—”
“Okay!” I interrupt, not sure I can handle any more details. “I think that’s enough advice for now. You guys should probably head out before… well, before things start getting intense.”
My friends exchange knowing looks then pull me into one last group hug. “Remember,” Willow whispers, “you’re in control. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.”
As they file out of the room, each giving the alphas a stern look that clearly saystake care of her or else, I’m left alone with my mates. The air is charged with anticipation and barely restrained desire.
“So,” Dash says, and I just freaking know that whatever is about to come out of his mouth is going to be salacious. “DP?”
“Oh my god.” I groan. “Out, all of you!”
Laughter wraps around me as I kick everyone out.
I just need a moment to myself before, well…
The double penetration.
39
ARIA
I wake from my nap,my body thrumming with a wild, untamed energy that claws at my insides. Late afternoon light filters through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow, but my skin feels like it’s ablaze, prickling with an intense, pulsating heat. The orange creamsicle scent that usually wafts gently around me is thick and cloying, filling the air like a dense fog.
This is it. My heat has finally arrived.
Despite all our preparations and knowing it was coming, the reality of it hits me like a tidal wave. We made plans and set boundaries, but nothing could have fully prepared me for this overwhelming sensation. I feel the waves of heat-induced desire lapping at the edges of my consciousness, threatening to pull me under.
I push the blankets off, the sheets sticking to my slick, flushed skin. The cool air hits me, providing momentary relief, but it isn’t enough. I need my alphas. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.
“You can handle this, Aria,” I whisper to myself, padding into the bathroom on unsteady legs.
The cool tiles are a shock to my bare feet, but I welcome the sensation. It’s a fleeting respite from the liquid fire burningthrough my veins. Splashing cold water on my face, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror—flushed cheeks, dilated pupils, and the unmistakable look of an omega in heat.
The first cramp hits me, a low, throbbing ache that echoes the emptiness inside me. It’s started in earnest now. My body is ready, calling out for the pack. The biological imperative is strong, a force that demands to be acknowledged. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. This might be new territory, uncharted and intense, but I trust my pack. Together, we’ll navigate this storm of hormones and desire.
I head back to my room, grateful for all the preparations we made—cooling packs, extra hydration, and a nest of blankets piled high, the softest ones within reach, ready to soothe my heating skin. It’s comforting to see everything in place.
My clothing begins to feel too tight and restrictive. I quickly strip, throwing on the silk robe from Willow. The fabric soothes my skin, but it isn’t enough. I need my alphas—their scents, their touch, their presence.
Taking a deep breath, I reach for my phone. It’s time to let them know. My fingers tremble slightly as I type out a message to our pack group chat.
Me:It’s time. I need you all.
I hit send, my heart pounding with anticipation and nervous energy. This is it. No more waiting, no more preparation. My heat is here, and I’m ready to face it with my pack by my side.
They guide me to the soft nest of blankets, the sweet, honeyed scent of my heat beginning to permeate the air. The coolness of the sheets against my overheated skin feels like heaven, and I sink into the safety of the space, my omega instincts taking over. Malachi sits behind me so I’m in his lap, his hand resting gently on my hip, and his touch sends waves of comfort and desire through me, while the others settle around us, their purrs growing louder.
“You’re safe with us,” Dash whispers, his voice unusually serious. “We’ve got you, sparkles.”
I close my eyes, feeling their love and support wrap around me like a cocoon, their scents merging and blending with mine. The room is filled with the warmth of their bodies, the steady rise and fall of their breathing, and the symphony of their purrs. My heart swells with the depth of the bond we share, my omega nature embracing this moment. For the first time, I realize that my heat isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace. It’s the final step in cementing our connection and becoming a true pack.
In the muted light of the room, I feel the first true wave of heat roll over me. My back arches, a low moan slipping from my lips. The sound seems to trigger something within the pack, their purrs growing louder and more insistent. Hands move to stroke my hair, arms, and legs, each touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake.
Zane’s voice rumbles close to my ear, his breath hot on my neck. “Tell us what you need, baby girl. Anything.”
I turn to look at him, his eyes filled with desire and love. I reach up and trace the line of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble against my fingertips. “Kiss me,” I whisper.
His lips are on mine in an instant, fierce and demanding. It’s a claiming kiss, a promise of what’s to come. I melt into it, pressing my body against his as my omega instincts scream for more.