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He carries me through the corridors, and I'm vaguely aware of other people moving out of our way, of orders being shouted, of doors opening and closing. None of it matters compared to the fire consuming me from within.

"Her temperature is too high," Leo says from somewhere beside us. "We need to cool her down."

"The helicopter has medical supplies," Evan replies. "We can stabilize her until we reach the safe house."

"Will she make it that long?" Axl asks.

No one answers. The silence is answer enough.

We burst through a final door onto a rooftop where a helicopter waits, with the blades already spinning. The rush of cool airagainst my skin provides momentary relief, but it's still not enough.

"Get her inside," Evan commands.

Onyx carries me into the helicopter, laying me on a padded bench. The others climb in after us, the door sliding shut behind them. The confined space fills with their scents, and I moan, arching off the bench involuntarily.

"Jesus," Axl mutters. "What did that bastard give her?"

"Some kind of synthetic heat amplifier," Evan says, rummaging through a medical kit. "It's forcing her body to produce pheromones at a dangerous rate."

Leo presses a cold compress against my forehead. "Her skin is on fire."

"We need to get her temperature down," Evan agrees, filling a syringe with clear liquid. "This should help with the fever, but not the rest."

I feel the prick of a needle in my arm, and it's gentler than Hammond's cruel jab. The medication spreads relief through my veins, but it does nothing for the desperate ache building between my legs.

"It's not enough," I gasp, clutching at whoever is closest. "Touch me at least…I need…"

"We know what you need," Onyx says, "But not here. Not like this."

"I can't wait," I sob, twisting against the hands trying to hold me still. "Please, it hurts."

The helicopter lifts off, the vibration of the engines only adding to my torment. Every sensation is amplified a thousand times: the brush of fabric against my skin, the press of hands trying to help me, the mingled scents of four Alphas driving me wild with need.

"How long to the safe house?" Leo asks, pressing another cold compress to my neck.

"Ten minutes," Evan replies.

"She won't last ten minutes," Axl argues. "Look at her."

I'm beyond caring about their discussion. My body moves of its own accord, seeking relief that won't come. I tear at my clothes, desperate to cool my burning skin.

"Stop," Leo catches my hands. "Dahlia, you need to stay still."

"I can't," I cry, tears streaming down my face. "I can't think. I can't breathe. Please, please help me."

"We're here," Evan says, taking my hand and pressing it to his chest. "We've got you. But you need to tell us you want this. That you're choosing this."

Even through the haze of need, I understand what he's asking. They won't touch me without consent, no matter how desperate my body is.

"Yes," I gasp. "Please, yes. I choose this. I choose all of you."

Chapter 27 - Onyx

Icarry Dahlia through the front door of the safe house, her body burning against mine like a furnace. Her scent is intoxicating, and it's taking every ounce of my control not to respond the way my wolf demands.

"Let's go to the bedroom," Evan directs, leading the way down the hall. "The master suite has everything we need."

Leo rushes ahead to prepare the room while Axl follows close behind, his eyes never leaving Dahlia's face. She struggles in my arms, her hands clutching at my shirt, tearing at the fabric in desperation.