“Good thinking,” Malachi praises. “Dash, how are you holding up?”

Dash’s laugh is strained, lacking its usual carefree tone. “I’m hanging in there, boss, but I won’t lie, this is… intense.”

I feel a pang of sympathy for him. As the youngest of us, this must be especially challenging. “We’re all here for each other,” I remind him, surprising myself with the gentleness in my voice. “If anyone needs to tap out at any point, there’s no shame in it.”

“What about the event?” Dash questions with tired eyes.

“I’ll call Willow,” Malachi states. “I’m not leaving Aria.

“Neither am I,” I state.

The others nod in agreement, and I feel a swell of pride in our pack’s unity. We may be struggling, but we’re struggling together.

Suddenly, a cry pierces the air—Aria’s voice, filled with need and pain. She’s awake. Every alpha instinct in my body screams to respond, to rush to her aid, but I force myself to think rationally.

“I’ll go,” I say, my voice tight with the effort of control. “The rest of you should rest.”

It speaks volumes that no one complains. This is our first heat as well, and nothing could have ever prepared me for this.

As I approach Aria’s room, her scent almost becomes overwhelming, a sweet, intoxicating perfume that envelops me, tugging at the very core of my being. I pause at the door, taking a deep breath to steady myself before stepping inside.

The room is bathed in soft, warm light, creating a cocoon-like atmosphere. Aria is curled up on the bed, her body trembling, her cheeks flushed with heat. Her eyes meet mine, filled with a mix of desperation and relief.

“Zane,” she whispers, her voice hoarse with need. “It hurts.”

I cross the room quickly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Her scent is even stronger here, wrapping around me like a physical touch. I reach out and brush a damp strand of hair away from her forehead. Her skin is hot to the touch, burning with the fever of her heat.

“I know, love,” I murmur, my voice gentle despite the storm raging inside me. “I’m here. We’re all here for you.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. “I don’t know what to do,” she admits, her voice barely a whisper. “I’ve never… I’ve never felt anything like this,” she says with odd clarity.

“None of us have,” I confess, my thumb tracing circles on her temple. “But we’ll figure it out together.”

Her eyes open, locking onto mine. There’s a moment of silence as understanding passes between us. Then, she reaches up, cupping my cheek. Her touch is electric, sending a jolt of desire coursing through me.

“Zane,” she whines, sliding her hands down her body.

I quickly grab her wrists. “Did I tell you to touch yourself?”

A coy little smile tips her lips before a haze settles over her gaze and her pheromones spike, drawing me in.

I swallow, trying to retain my control, which quickly slips away as I look at this beautiful woman.

“No, Master Zane.” She rolls her hips indecently.

“Such a naughty little omega,” I purr. “Present for me.” I release her.

This is what I want, what I need, and damn myself to hell, but as she moves, that barely restrained control begins to snap thread by thread.

With her breasts resting against the pillows and her ass in the air, I have to close my eyes and breathe through my mouth.

“That’s it, love,” I encourage, my voice a low growl as I open my eyes, tracing the curve of her spine with my gaze. Her scent is a drug, and I feel my control slip further, but I rein it in, determined to give her what she needs.

She looks over her shoulder at me, her eyes glazed with heat and desire. Her hips sway slightly, her body instinctively seeking relief. I reach out, running a hand over her heated skin, feeling the shiver that runs through her at my touch.

“Please, Zane,” she begs, her voice a needy whine that sends a surge of dominance through me. I lean down and press a kiss to the small of her back, tasting the salt of her sweat and the sweetness of her scent.

“Shh, I’ve got you,” I soothe, my hands stroking her sides, hips, and thighs. Each touch draws out a gasp or a moan from her, each sound pushing me closer to the edge, but I hold back, focusing on her needs and desires.