Page 8

Callum

I heft the last of the security equipment into the truck’s passenger seat. I grabbed everything I could find at our place—leftover cameras, motion sensors, a spare keypad lock we never installed. It’s overkill, probably , but I’m not fucking around. I stopped by the hardware store too, picking up extra deadbolts, window alarms, anything to make Seraphina’s apartment a fortress.

I’m pretty damn sure no one’s been in there, not with her always home but I’m not taking chances. I need to know she’s okay, that we can keep her safe while this heat tears through her. Climbing into the truck, I dial up Ambrose to see where he’s at.

“What’s up, Cal?”

“You wrapping up?” I ask, leaning back in the seat. “Grab some sweet shit while you’re there. Those weird pickles she likes, too.”

A small laugh escapes him. “Fuck off, man. I’ve got a list of shit already. Pickles, strawberry candy, that chocolate she hoards. I’m not an idiot.”

I wince, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Sorry,” I mutter. “I’m just… worried. This heat’s gonna be rough. I don’t know how it’s gonna pan out.”

He’s quiet for a second, the clatter of a cart in the background meeting my ears. “Yeah, me too. She’s already jumpy as hell. I got some stuff from the nesting store. I just hope it’ll be enough.”

“It’s something. See you at her place.”

I hang up and peel down the road, heading for Seraphina’s apartment. It doesn’t take long for me to gather the bags and carry them up to the apartment, the descenting process so engrained in my routine that I’m already in the living room before I realize it.

Lyle calls out from the bathroom, the softness of his voice worrying me.

I stalk over to the open door, my eyes widening at the sight that meets me. Seraphina’s naked body is curled against Lyle’s chest on the floor, dripping wet. Her dark hair plastered to her face, her breathing slow and even, little snores filling the air. Lyle’s clothes are just as soaked, his hands loose at his sides, not touching her. I see the bulge where they’re joined, his knot locked inside her, my breath catching in my throat.

“Are you knotting her?” I ask.

Lyle nods, his brown eyes heavy with worry. “She had a heat spike. We tried a cold bath, but it wasn’t enough. She’s terrified, Cal. I couldn’t even hold her, but god, she needs us so fucking bad.”

I crouch beside them, studying her face. She’s peaceful now, her cheeks flushed but the terror from earlier is gone. “How long have you been there?”

He shrugs as he leans back against the wall, shifting her slightly in his lap. “Not sure. Thirty minutes, maybe?”

I blink, my brows shooting up. “You’ve been knotting her for thirty minutes?”

“Yeah,” he says, a small sigh escaping him. “Makes sense, though. No idea the last time she actually had a knot. Her body needs this and it’s worse because she’s scared we’ll be like him.”

I can see the torture in his eyes, the way his hands flex like he’s dying to hold her but won’t. “She’s asleep,” I say, more to myself than him. “That’s good, right?”

Lyle nods, his jaw pulling tight. “Yeah, but it’s not just the heat. It’s everything. The nest, that sour scent, her fear. She was chanting ‘I’m sorry’ at first, then begging for help. I didn’t touch her until she screamed for it, Cal. She couldn’t even take my knot herself.”

“You did good, though. You gave her what she needed.”

In some part, I left Lyle here because my eagerness would have terrified her. I’m not sure I would have had the self-control that Lyle is currently exhibiting.

“It’s fucking torture, not holding her. She’s right here, and I can’t even…” He trails off, his hands flexing at his sides again.

“I get it,” I push out as I stand back up. “You need anything?”

He shakes his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Just keep Ambrose from buying neon pillows. She’ll lose her shit.”

A small laugh escapes me, easing the knot in my chest. “He’s got a list. Pickles and all.”

I throw him another nod before stepping back into the living room and starting in on the equipment. It’ll give me some peace of mind to know that all of this is here. I start with the sensors and then move onto the camera for the kitchen. It’s poised just right to see the entire living room, the entrance to her nest, and the mudroom. Then there’s the front door keypad code and the camera, a few screws and a drill. Finding an outlet was the hardest part but as I’m hooking up the last wire, a soft purr of satisfaction echoes from the bathroom, followed by a squeal and a bright, “That’s so messy!”

A small chuckle escapes me, warmth spreading in my chest. God, she’s adorable when she leans into her instincts, letting that Omega joy slip through her fear. I can picture her flushed cheeks, maybe teasing Lyle about the slick or the soaked clothes. It’s a glimpse of the Seraphina I’ve loved for years, the one who used to laugh with Felix, who’d blush at my dumb jokes.

Ten minutes later, I turn to see her padding into the living room. She’s in a new sundress, her dark hair damp and loose around her shoulders. Lyle’s right behind her, in a clean T-shirt and shorts, probably from the stash he leaves here. Seraphina’s cheeks are beautifully flushed as her eyes nervously dart around the room, before landing on me. “I’m sorry,” she mumbles, hands twisting the hem of her dress.

I shake my head, stepping toward her. “Sweetheart, you don’t have to apologize. These things happen.”

“No, they don’t happen to me. I always take my meds like I’m supposed to. That shouldn’t have happened.”

I have no idea how to explain to her that heats are fickle things and that they aren’t always as routine as everyone thinks. That and we’re her mates which is undoubtedly speeding up the symptoms. “What would you like to do, sweetheart?”

“For what?”

I glance at Lyle, who’s hovering behind her, his hands in his pockets. “Your heat’s due in a few weeks,” I say, choosing my words carefully and decide to just go for it. “But our scents seem to be a catalyst. It’d explain the heat spike.” I don’t mention the mate part. She’s not ready for that, not with her fear of what her scent might cause us to do.

She chews harder on her lip, her eyes dropping to the floor. “I… I’ll just call the doctor to come sooner,” she mumbles. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone and what just happened in the bathroom was embarrassing.”

I fight the urge to pull her close. “What if you didn’t?”

Her eyes snap up, confusion flooding her expression. “What if I didn’t what?”

Lyle steps closer, his voice a low hum behind her. “What if you didn’t have to sedate yourself during your heat?”

She freezes, panic flickering in her eyes. I know what’s going on in her head. She’s terrified of what could happen and no amount of persuading her will change that. We have to show her and that takes more time than we have.