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The mattress shifted as Rian left the nest, and I growled, not liking any of the omegas to leave.

“No doctors or hospitals,” West said firmly. “It will push her into being feral for sure.”

Ember shivered and it felt like an eternity until Rian brought the damp washcloths. He came around my side of nest and leaned over me. Through our bond he felt worried but pushed reassurance at me. I must be closer to losing my shit than I thought.

“Rian, keep your hand on her shoulder. Alphas, stay put.” West’s voice was calm and in control, but his scent was still burnt honey and soured milk. I grabbed him with my free hand and rubbed my cheek against his skin.

He shifted, and a cool washcloth brushed against my bare chest.

“Sorry, Ben,” West said, still moving.

“Whatever she needs.” Her baking heat had tapered off enough that I was no longer worried she would melt her brains.

Ember jerked suddenly. “What’s happening?”

“Are you awake?” West asked, moving over my arm.

“Tired.” Every muscle tensed in her body. “Oh my god, West, no. Make it stop.” Her voice ended on a wail.

“It’s okay, honey. We’re here.” I squeezed her gently.

“It’s going to be a bad one.” Ember rubbed her arms, scratching her skin. “Why now? Everyone’s going to think I’m crazy.”

“No,” I said quickly.

“We would never,” Alejandro said.

“Of course not,” Rian said, his voice husky.

Ember’s lemon scent became more bitter, until I resisted the urge to cough. She started breathing heavily. “I can’t stop thinking about it. Every time I close my eyes, I see the chunk of plane breaking off.”

Oh, shit. I really, really hoped she wasn’t saying what I thought she was.

“Breathe through it.” West moved his hand between us so he could feel her heartbeat. I started purring again, and Alejandro matched me.

“Breathe slowly.”

Ember huffed and sucked in a breath. She whined again and I tightened my grip on her. She could have asked me for anything in that moment and it would have been hers on a silver platter.

“Good, and out.” West kept working her through breathing exercises, but she wiggled. She scratched her arm until West took her wrists. “Hey, hey, it’s okay.”

West’s voice changed a bit. “Rian, which nest would she like the best?”

“She really sounded excited about the tunnel one?” My omega sounded uncertain.

I pushed my own reassurance at him. He was an omega; he had excellent instincts.

“I agree. Grab the blankets she’s been using. Stuff some of our clothes in there, some food, Gatorade, and anything else you can think of.”

Ember started panting heavier and couldn’t take a deep breath in. She whimpered for her parents, and her body shook like we were in the Arctic without a jacket.

“It’s ready,” Rian called, and I picked her up. We walked out of the bedroom, down the hall, and around the corner to the tunnel nest. It had a low ceiling, but if I squatted, I could get in. It was all soft materials and scents of the pack around us.

West slid next to me, his milk and honey scent still sour.

I tapped Ember’s shoulder. “You’re safe, omega. Make your nest.”

She grunted and started moving things around. We waited for her to settle but she never really did. She curled next to me, and the other three rotated behind her. She moved blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals from the textures I felt against my chest.