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There’s a moment of silence; then he swears. “Okay. That’s okay,” he repeats, as if he’s trying to convince himself.

“I think this triggered it—being trapped here and being so upset?—”

“I’m on my way, baby. I’m not too far from you.”

“But you don’t have a key!” I know I sound weak, whiny, and pathetic, but I can’t stop crying.

It’s too much, all at once.

This will be my first Heat around an unmated Alpha.

“I don’t need a key. Trust me,” Ace continues. “I’m coming to rescue you, baby.”

“It hurts,” I whisper.

There’s a moment of silence on the other end. “I know, sweetheart. Whatever you want from me, you can have. Okay?”

My inner Omega moans in delight.

I swallow. “I have Ben on the other line. I need to get back to him.”

“Whatever you want, sweetheart,” he promises. “I’ll be there soon.”

I switch back the line over to Ben, who tries his best to console me.

“I’ll get there as quickly as I can,” he promises me, his voice rough. “But you can do this. I’ll send a squad car?—”

“No, Ace is coming,” I pant. “He’s closer. He said he’ll take care of it.”

Ben pauses. “Take care of ithow?”

“He said he’ll get in,” I breathe. “He said…ohgod.” A cramp pierces me, and I drop the phone. I curl up into a ball, shrugging off my sweater until I’m just in my tank top, lying on the ground, my mouth facing the phone.

I’m so aroused it’s painful.

I’m in peril, and an Alpha is coming to rescue me.

My womb cramps and sweat beads down my forehead.

“Ben, it’s comingnow,” I whine, pulling at my hair. “Ben, I can’t. I need…”

“Fuck, Dev. Hold on, baby. We’re going to take care of you,” he promises me. “Hold on to my voice until Ace gets there. You don’t have to talk at all. Just listen, okay?”

I whimper in reply, and Ben begins speaking.

He distracts me with words, telling me all the reasons why he loves me, and how I’m always safe with him, Ace, and Connor.

He tells me it all in a calm, soothing voice, and I hold on to everything he says, ignoring the ache in my womb.

Tears of frustration spill down my cheeks, but his conversation stops me from turning completely hysterical.

That is, until lavender and pepper fill the parking garage, and I let out a gasp.

There are banging sounds, so loud that they would startle me at any other time.

But I’m drunk on that delicious Alpha scent, and my inner Omega has taken over.

“He’s here,” I say to Ben, letting out a delighted laugh. “He’shere!”