Page 44 of Knot That Delicate

How long do I have?Once I was at the height of a heat, I wouldn’t be able to think lucidly, I wouldn’t be able to control my thoughts and actions. I would be in pain.So much pain.A momentary panic gripped my chest. I had dreaded this day. I didn’t want to go into heat. My body had been keeping me safe by not going into heat, because I knew the moment I did, Alec would attack me. It was my lack of heat that kept me from being sexually abused by that monster in the basement. But now, I was surrounded by a bunch of alphas, and my body felt more secure,and it was deciding that now was the best time to go into heat. If you asked me, it was pretty damn stupid of my body.

I couldn’t access any heat suppressants. I couldn’t do anything. Could I get through a heat alone? Was it safe to lock myself in a room? Running my hand through my hair, I turned off the shower and quickly grabbed a towel to dry off. Part of me wanted to stay in my room. I didn’t want to leave, I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I wanted to pretend it wasn’t happening. If I pretended hard enough, surelyit would go away.I’d managed to will my body out of heat before; couldn't I simply do that again?

But even as I thought it, I knew it wouldn’t work. Deep down, I felt safe with these alphas. I felt secure when I was around them, I enjoyed their touch. Hell, the kiss I had shared with Carter had been amazing.

Once I had thrown on the first loose tee and boxers I could find, I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind running a mile a minute as I tried to think of my various options. There didn’t seem to be many options at all. I was stuck. I was always stuck!!

An irrational anger gathered in my chest. I shouldn’t be angry towards these alphas. They weren’t to be blamed here, but I was angry at the world. Why couldn’t anything be simple for me? Why couldn’t there be a simple answer? No matter what I did, my mind seemed to jump from one struggle to the next.

I should have been free, happy, and with my family. But, no, I was in a cabin in the middle of the woods, with three alphas who I was potentially falling in love with but were also complete strangers, going into heat, when I couldn’t get any medical attention.I am well and truly on my own.

I was so lost in my thoughts that a knock on the door startled me. "Who's there?" I called out, voice shaky.

“It’s me.” Dylan’s voice rang out, and before I could respond, he opened the door and walked in.

“Hey! I could’ve been changing,” I said, frowning.

He shrugged. “I knew you weren’t.” He stepped closer. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting dead jumpy.” His nostrils flared, eyes widening. “Is that...?”

I nodded and bit my lip. “I think it is.”

He was smelling my slick. His entire body tensed, the vein in his neck throbbing as he held himself back. “Shit. How long has this been coming on?”

“I’m honestly not sure. I only just realised what was happening now. I’ve never...done this before,” I said, tears gathering as I began to hyperventilate.

Dylan walked towards me, kneeling in front of me, his eyes blown wide, his pupils dominating his irises. “Okay, we need to talk to the pack.”

“What use is talking to them?” I cried.

“We need to figure out what’s best, and it's best we do that as a team,” he said firmly. His eyes darted to mine, almost apologetically. “Holy fuck, your scent…”

“I’m sorry?—”

“Don’t apologise. It’s a fucking fantastic scent, but we need to go and talk about this. Come on,” he said, shaking his head and offering his hand.

I took it gingerly, even the casual touch of his hand making my heart rate ricochet though my chest. Would he take his shirt off if I asked? I would very much enjoy some topless alpha cuddles. A deeper primal part of me screamed for it.

“Okay, let's do this,” I said, following him. I held my breath as we padded down the hall into the living area.

Carter turned with a smile when he saw us approaching. “Hey, Juniper. You joining us again? Were you unable to sleep?” he asked, turning back to the TV. When I didn’t respond, he looked back with concern in his eyes. “Juniper?”

“We need to talk,” Dylan said. “Juniper appears to be going into heat.”

That caught their attention. Asher and Carter both whipped around to look at us, their mouths agape. Their nostrils flared as they both took deep inhales, probably catching a slight hint of what I was going through.

“Oh shit,” Carter muttered.

I giggled ruefully. “Yeah, that was my reaction.”

Asher stood. “What do you want to do?”

“I don’t know what I can do. I’ve never gone through a heat, and I don't really know what it entails. Or how… I mean, my mother mentioned some things, but not that much. I was too young for details. I’m pretty sure my mother would have given me a more in-depth talk closer to the time when it would be relevant.”

Asher nodded. “Well, honestly, there aren’t many options. Normally, I’d suggest taking you to a doctor and getting you some heat suppressants, but we’re kinda stuck here. I don’t have anything I could give you. Your only choices are to ride it out alone or...” He trailed off.

“We can help,” Dylan interrupted.

I turned to look at Dylan, hopefully.Is he suggesting what I think he’s suggesting?

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