Page 13 of This Pack of Ours

And through the hazy passage of time as they kept the heat and pain at bay, I kept breaking my own rules.

When I found myself facing Adrian’s tanned form as he drove into me.

Don’t get stuck looking at them when they knot.

When I straddled Ez’s eager face.

Never take the lead.

When Vander came up behind me as I was locked on Jhin, I leaned forward, whimpering in pleasure as he claimed my other entrance.

Never take two at once.

I didn’t just want to survive this heat with them.

I wanted more. I wantedthem. I was getting drunk on them. Ez. Jhin. Vander. Adrian.

It terrified me. This was sweeping me away like a river, like a tsunami, and I could see the end, see the hurt, see me crushed and broken when this was done, but I couldn’t stop.

I blinked. The curtains were drawn, and the room was dim. I felt nice. Relaxed. What time was it? I was tired, and the intensity of my heat was starting to wane. Must have been a few days then. Jhin was lying under me, knotted, holding me to his chest, his hand playing with my hair as we waited. He tilted my face up to his, looking at me. I shivered at the intensity of his gaze.

“You’re so beautiful, Juniper," he said softly.

Panic shot through my chest.

He’d used my name. Myrealname. How did he?—?

A hazy memory came back to me, of angrily whispering to them in the dark.

“No. Not Bella. Juniper. My name’s Juniper.”

They’d kept calling me Bella, and I couldn’t stand it. Every time picturing some other omega here with them. I’d wanted my own name on their lips.

How could I have been so fucking stupid?

They knew my name. That meant they could look me up, they could find out I was gold pack. That I was illegally hiding my golden eyes—and they could report me.

I couldn’t bring any attention to the Safe House, because we’d all be arrested if they found out.

I struggled not to panic, to stay completely still until I knew I could slip away.

As soon as I was able, I stood. The waves of heat came back to me, the pain starting, and I almost caved, almost fell right into Ez’s arms as he leaned toward me.

“Need water,” I whispered, and fled to the bathroom, pressing the buzzer we’d mounted on the wall.

I was breathing heavily; the cramps getting worse, and I grabbed the medical kit from the cabinet.

Heat suppressors.

I shook out three into my hand, and hesitated. I didn’t even know if this would work. That was a big dose. Like an elephant sized dose, but I was nearing the end and things were calming down. I needed out, now.

I put three under my tongue, closing my eyes as they dissolved.

There was a knock on the door.

“Get decent, boys, I gotta do a check in,” came Daisy’s cheerful voice, though she barely paused before barreling inside anyway.

She stepped inside the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

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