Page 52 of Where There's Smoke
"Out back, getting a few jobs done," Elliot said.
Thank god. I didn’t want them anywhere near here. Elliot might’ve been a cold bastard when it came to Melody, but he was just as obsessed with her as she was with him. If any other male evensniffedher while she was in heat, he’d go absolutely postal.
You know what they say: it's always the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Elliot had spent so many years being calm andrestrained that when he finallydidlose his temper, it was going to be absolute carnage. Preferably, I'd like that anger directed at someone who deserved it—not a member of our own team.
As a group, we entered the room, and Melody was rearranging one of the pillows.
"There you are," she sighed, rushing over and wrapping her arms around me. I couldn’t help but hug her back, resting my nose on her forehead and inhaling deeply. That sweet melon scent clung to her—both relaxing and invigorating.
"You’re really warm," I told her. "I think you need a shower."
It was a cop-out, but I needed her to cool down while we figured out what the hell to do.
"I don’tneeda shower." She pouted. "I just want to cuddle."
Fuck.The desperation in her voice nearly brought me to my knees.
She was getting more and more worked up, rubbing against me, her hands starting to wander. She probably didn’t even realize what was happening—it was such a foreign experience for her.
"Melody," I said firmly, pulling back and holding her upper arms, forcing her to look me in the eye. "You’re going into heat."
I expected anger or fear. Ididn'texpect her to snort and say, "Yeah, right."
When none of us laughed, her eyes widened.
"Oh, shoot. You’re serious," she whispered.
I nodded. "Your scent issofreaking strong right now, and it’s not easy for us to contain ourselves. So, we’re going to get you in an ice-cold shower, and then we’re calling a doctor to talk about suppressants."
"That is, if that’s what you want," Fitz added. "I know this is all sudden and you haven’t had a lot of time to think about it, but do you want to suppress your heat—or let it happen naturally?"
"What are my options?" she asked.
Well, this was going to be a fun conversation.
"We’re happy to help you through your heat," Fitz said, "but we’re also happy to find a doctor to get you some suppressants. Or, if you want to ride it out solo, we’ll do everything we can to barricade you in this room and make sure you have peace and quiet."
"It hurts," she whined, rubbing her stomach again.
"I know it does. We’ll cool you down a bit, and then you can make a decision."
"Maybe while I’m in the shower, one of you could call a doctor?" she asked. "I think Idowant to try suppressants."
I jerked my head in agreement. "If that’s what you want, then we’ll make it happen."
"I don’t think I can stand on my own," she admitted. "My legs feel really shaky. Do you think you can maybe help me through the first wave? Just so this pain subsides a little?"
"We’ll happily help," I said, smiling briefly at Fitz, though it probably didn’t reach my eyes. I was too busy trying not to focus on how incredible she smelled.
“What should I do?” Elliot asked as he hovered in the doorway.
Fitz took the omega out of my arms and started guiding her toward the shower.
I turned fully toward Elliot. “Can you do us a favor and call the doc to get her suppressants while we get her in the shower to cool her off?”
My pack mate’s face was the picture of shock, and I was pretty sure his brain stopped working momentarily as the scent hit him full force.
“Elliot?”
