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“Listen to me,” he says, his voice low and calming. “I know you’re scared. I know this isn’t what you wanted or expected. But you are stronger than you think, Mia. You’ve survived things that would break most people. You can survive this, too.”

I look up at him, at the unexpected tenderness in his blue eyes, and something in my chest cracks open.

“It’s not about surviving,” I whisper. “It’s about choice. About having control over my own body.”

Kane nods, understanding in his gaze. “I know. And I’m sorry that choice has been taken from you. If there were another way, I would give it to you. But there isn’t.” His thumb traces my lower lip, a touch so gentle it makes fresh tears spring to my eyes. “All I can offer you is my promise that you won’t be alone. That we will all be there every step of the way.”

Another cramp seizes me, and I curl tighter, a whimper escaping my lips.

“It’s time, Mia,” Kane murmurs. “It’s time for you to bear our children.”

twenty-eight

. . .

Mia

Shock courses through me.Bear their children?Before I can spiral into panic, another shock of pain rocks my body. Groaning, I clutch my abdomen, hoping it’ll help.

The relentless heat has spread, consuming my entire body now. I feel each pulse shoot straight to my core, building into an unbearable ache. I stumble again, knocking a stool to the ground.

The ache overwhelms me, and I sink to the kitchen floor.

I press my hands to my lower belly and clench my thighs together. A new, hollow, clenching sensation takes over—intense and sharp. I look up at Kane with desperation and panic.

“How long will it last, exactly?” I gasp.

“Usually, at least a week.”

My panic overwhelms me, and my body trembles. I sit up and wrap my arms around my knees. Even my teeth are chattering despite the unrelenting heat coursing through me.

I want to protest further, but at that moment, my panic is replaced with an overwhelming need. A deep pressure betweenmy legs becomes unbearable. Copious amounts of wetness seeps from my pussy as my heart races faster.

“I’ll just wait until it passes,” I protest weakly, with no idea how this works.

Kane shakes his head. “Mia, you don’t want that. If you go too long into heat without a knot, you could die from complications.”

Die?He might be right. The heat and pressure are so overwhelming that my breaths become ragged pants. All I feel is the heat running through me and the unbearable pressure in my center requiring a thick nice cock.

I clench my thighs together, though it does little to help. The empty, pulsing ache consumes me, and a ragged cry tears from my throat. I would do almost anything for relief at this point.

My thoughts stray back to the ritual and how the knot felt so good inside me. Locked together with Kane, I had felt satisfied. Even when his release pumped into me, I remember feeling a sense of pleasure and relief. I wonder if it can satisfy this aching need now, maybe even ease my suffering.

At the sight of my distress, Kane’s expression sharpens. “Mia, I’m sorry, but we need to help you.”

His calm control gives way to something darker as he scoops me into his powerful arms, his grip firm and steady. I struggle against him as he carries me to the couch.

“Put me down, Kane! I mean it!” I shout. Without a word, Jace and Finn follow as I moan in pain.

I whimper as Kane deposits me onto the sofa cushions. Every sensation against my skin seems to intensify the cloying need within me.

“Listen to me, Mia,” Kane says, his tone firm. “You are ours by choice, and we would never take your freedom awayfrom you.”

I try to reply, but I am so consumed by the waves of heat and the empty pressure. All I can do is writhe on the couch.

Kane leans down and presses his hands against me, stilling my frantic movements. Our eyes meet, and I can see the seriousness in his expression.

Together, we take a few deep breaths.