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“Dane, no!” Evie cries as he tries to extract himself from the nest.

Tears pool in her eyes and Dane hesitates. I can see the anguish, the indecision, tearing at his features. He wants to help her just as much as I do, but for some reason, he thinks he can’t.

“Please,” he mouths to me.

I give him a sharp nod and kneel beside Evie, careful not to crowd her, my instincts warring with every breath she takes. She’s wound so tight, shaking like a live wire. My fingers skim lightly over the damp strands of hair at her temple. “Shh, little one. I’ve got you. I’m here.”

Her glassy eyes meet mine, wide and desperate. “Please…”

Just one word. One syllable, fragile and full of need. It undoes something inside me.

I stroke a hand down her arm, slow and steady, letting her feel me, letting her decide if she wants more. She doesn’t flinch. That’s a good sign. Her body is betraying her – yearning forsomething she doesn’t fully understand. I can help. Iwantto help. But only if she lets me.

“You’re burning up,” I murmur, my voice a steady anchor. “You don’t have to fight it, Eviana. Let me make it better.”

A shudder runs through her. “I–I don’t know how?—”

I hush her, brushing my lips against her temple. “You don’t have to know. Just feel. If you’ll let me, I promise I’ll not only take away the pain, but I’ll make you feel good too.”

I trail my fingers down the side of her neck, barely touching, a whisper of contact that makes her breath hitch. Her sweet osmanthus scent with its usual delicate notes thickens, deepens with richer, intoxicating honeysuckle.

“Do you want that, little omega?”

She’s responding. Her body knows I can soothe her, even if her mind is still fighting it.

“You’re doing so well,” I praise softly, letting my hand settle over her hip.

A little whimper escapes her throat. I swear I feel it straight down my spine. My hand moves lower, stroking over the soft fabric of her sleep shorts, teasing along the hem. I keep my touch light, coaxing rather than demanding.

“Such a good omega, letting me take care of you.”

She exhales shakily, her legs shifting, parting just enough. A silent invitation which may as well be a scream for help.

“Good girl,” I breathe, voice thick with approval. “That’s it, omega, let me help. Let your alpha make you feel good.”

My fingers brush against the heat of her pussy. Fuck, she’s soaked. Her body is desperate for relief, for touch, for something she doesn’t even know how to ask for. I swallow down a growl, forcing myself to go slow. To be careful.

She gasps when I press against her clit, circling where she’s aching most. Her hips jerk, instinct taking over, and I let herguide the pace, let her feel what she needs to feel. Take what she needs to take.

“That’s it,” I croon, drinking in every little sound she makes. “You’re perfect like this, little dew drop. So beautiful. So good for me. The best omega for her alpha.”

She whimpers, writhing under my touch, her body tight with need. My name tumbles from her lips, a breathy plea, and it undoes me. I press a kiss to the curve of her jaw, murmuring praise after praise, letting her know how proud I am of her, how incredible she is for trusting me.

Her release builds fast, her body too overwhelmed to fight it. I can feel it in the way she tenses, in the way her breathing turns erratic, the way her hips mirror the circles of my finger as she chases her bliss.

“You’re so close, aren’t you, little one?” I whisper, my finger moving with slow, deliberate intent. She’s soaked and I’ve not even penetrated her yet, this is just from the onset of her heat and the delicate way I’m stroking her clit. She’s amazing. “Let go, omega. Let me have it.”

Her breath hitches, her fingers gripping my wrist like she needs something to hold onto. And then she breaks, shattering with a keening cry, her body trembling beneath my touch as she finally gives in.

I work her through it, whispering praise into her skin, easing her back down when she goes boneless against me. Her breath is soft now, her body pliant, her tension melting away. I tuck her into my side, stroking her back as she drifts, her head against my chest, her scent now laced with something softer, something content and beautiful.

Mine.

But as I watch her drift into a peaceful sleep, my jaw tightens. This was just the beginning. Her full heat is coming and strong. And when it hits?

There won’t be any holding back.

EVIANA