Page 117 of Knot So Lucky

"—stable but?—"

"—need to move?—"

"—fuck, is that?—"

Then one word cuts through everything else with devastating clarity:

"Heat."

The single word makes my blood run cold despite the fever consuming me.

No.

No, that's not possible.

I can't be going into heat. My suppressants prevent that.

I've been taking them religiously for years, specifically to avoid this exact scenario.

Heats are dangerous for Omegas in general, but for an Omega hiding their designation? For someone whose entire life depends on people believing they're an Alpha?

A heat would destroy everything.

The biological reality can't be hidden or explained away. The scent would be overwhelming, calling to every Alpha within range. My body would respond in ways that make disguise impossible.

I try to argue, try to force words through my uncooperative throat to explain that this can't be happening, that there must be some mistake.

But hands move soothingly through my hair—familiar and reassuring—and Cale's voice whispers directly in my ear.

"You're okay, princess. Everything's going to be alright. I promise."

Princess.

The endearment he only uses in private, when we're alone and he can drop the pretense of casual rivalry.

Hearing it now makes something in my chest crack open.

Then another voice joins—softer, calmer, carrying a different kind of reassurance.

"You're safe." Elias. That's Elias's voice, gentle and certain. "We're going to take care of you. Take you somewhere safe where you can ride this out properly."

The combination of scents hits me all at once.

Cale's burnt cedar and coffee. Elias's sandalwood and steel. Two other scents contribute, clashing to make some complete formula that creates a harmonious aroma.

The fear that's been pulsing through me—the panic about being kidnapped, about going into heat, about everything falling apart—suddenly alleviates.

Not completely.

Not enough to eliminate the biological crisis happening in my body.

But enough that I can breathe without feeling like I'm drowning.

Enough that the heat consuming me feels less like torture and more like something that can be managed with help.

That I believe Elias when he says I'm safe.

My body is still burning. Still producing slick in quantities that are definitely soaking through whatever clothes I'm wearing. Still responding to the presence of multiple Alphas in ways that should probably concern me but currently just feelright.