Page 30 of Knot Happening Again

Hours passin a haze of fever dreams and restless tossing. When I finally surface to full consciousness, the room is bathed in the soft glow of sunset. My skin feels like it's on fire, every nerve ending screaming for relief. I'm soaked in sweat, my dress clinging uncomfortably to my body.

A whimper escapes my lips as another cramp wracks my body.

This is bad.

Reallybad.

I've never experienced a heat this intense before.

I need help. As much as it pains my pride to admit it, I can't handle this on my own.

With shaking hands, I reach for my phone, intending to call for Rhys or Mace. But before I can even unlock the screen, there's a knock at the door.

"Ophelia? Are you alright?" Rhys's voice filters through the door, laced with concern.

I try to respond, but all that comes out is a pathetic whimper. Swallowing hard, I manage to croak out, "Come in."

The door opens, and Rhys rushes to my side. His eyes widen as he takes in my state, pressing a cool hand to my forehead. "You're burning up."

I lean into his touch, desperate for relief. "It's... it's bad," I admit, hating how weak I sound. "I've never... it's never been like this before."

Rhys's brow furrows with worry. "Here," he murmurs, reaching into his pocket and taking out a small packet of pills. They look like suppressants, but I don't recognize the brand. "These should help."

"Suppressants?" I ask doubtfully.

He shakes his head. "No. They won't stop your heat, but they'll help the intensity ramp up a bit more slowly. And they'll prevent pregnancy." He pauses. "They're completely safe, but I know I'm not your doctor, so if you want?—"

"No," I say quickly, eager for the prospect of relief. And I was going to ask about the whole birth control aspect when I got here, but I hadn't planned on taking a long nap, and I don't trust myself to be thinking about that kind of thing at allif this progresses any further. "I'll take them. Thanks. That was thoughtful of you."

He gives me a strange look. "It's the least I can do, Ophelia. You're trusting us to get you through your heat."

I want to tell him it's far from the least he could do, but he's already moving into the suite and returns a second later with a bottle of water I assume came from the refrigerator.

"Here you go," he says, handing me the water and the pills. "Just take two and drink as much as you can. They might dehydrate you."

"Thanks," I say, downing a couple of the pills and most of the water. I'm already parched from the heat, but my other needs are so loud, I didn't notice how thirsty I was.

The relief is almost immediate, but Rhys is right. It's not the heat-stopping relief of suppressants. More like it just dulls the edges a little. Makes it possible for me to think a bit more rationally.

"Let's get you cooled down," he offers. "A bath might help. Is that okay?"

I nod, not trusting my voice.

Without hesitation, Rhys scoops me into his arms.

I should protest, should insist I can walk, but the truth is, I'm not sure I can. So I let him carry me, my face pressed against his chest, inhaling his comforting scent. It's weirdly the only thing that makes me feel a little less overwhelmed.

That and his touch. His strong arms wrapped around me, cradling me against his chest like I'm something precious. Somethinghis.

The bathroom is a marvel of marble and glass, but I barely notice. Rhys sets me down gently on a plush bench against the wall and starts the water running. "Tell me if it's too cold," he says, testing the temperature with his hand.

I dip my toes in and sigh with relief. "It's perfect."

Rhys helps me out of my sweat-soaked clothes, his touch clinical and respectful. It's so different from what I'm used to—alphas pawing at me, taking what they want without a second thought. But it's clear from the look in his eyes it's not from a lack of desire.

He turns away as I slip into the water, giving me privacy I didn't even know I wanted.

The cool water is blissful against my overheated skin. I sink down, submerging myself up to my chin. When I surface, Rhys is watching me with a mixture of concern and something else I can't quite place.

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