Page 126 of Slow Heat

Bounding onto Vale’s porch, Jason reached for the bell, but Rosen pulled open the door before he had a chance to ring. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his hairy chest and his hair fell loose from the dark bun. His eyes were tired and weariness radiated from him in waves.

“Good. You’re here.” He tugged Jason inside, squeezing his hand reassuringly as he did. “You must be freezing.”

Looking down at himself, Jason realized he’d again left the house without a coat. Since he was wearing only soft pants and a blood-stained t-shirt, he supposed he must be cold, but he didn’t feel anything at all. There was so much distance between himself and the rest of the world—partially alpha quell but mostly shock—he could row a boat in it for hours and never reach shore.

Rosen rubbed Jason’s bare arms, trying to warm them, and clucked his tongue. “You’re quite the sight.”

Yosef and Zephyr also lingered in the foyer. They’d all obviously been waiting for him. Zephyr wound between his legs in greeting and Yosef gave him a soft smile, his white eyebrows drawn low in concern. He reached out to shake Jason’s hand and his grip seemed to lend strength. “Is everything going to be all right at home?”

Jason shook his head. He didn’t know what to say or if he evencouldtalk about what was happening at home. His faculties failed him.

“Come to the kitchen. Have tea and calm down,” Yosef said, putting an arm around Jason’s shoulders and hug-walking him into the hall.

“But Vale—”

“He’s sleeping,” Yosef said. “Finally.”

“Thank, wolf-god,” Rosen added. “There will be enough time for you to warm up in the kitchen.”

Settling Jason at the table, Rosen plied him with raisin bread he could barely taste and a cup of tea. He sipped it quietly and made crumbles of the rest. Meanwhile Yosef sat across from him and drank from a tall glass of water that made Jason think of the one he’d shattered in the hallway at home. He’d never cleaned it up.

Rosen took the open chair next to Jason and glanced at Yosef significantly.

“First let’s address the bigger crisis,” Yosef said, leaning against the table, lines creasing his forehead. “Tell us about your pater.”

Jason did his best to explain the disaster at his house, the miscarriage, the blood, and the probable sepsis, without crying.

“I’m Wolf 3,” Yosef said, as Jason drew to a close. He rose from the table. “I’ll go now. If Xan hasn’t arrived by the time I get there, maybe I can still help.”

Jason was too grateful for words and his eyes filled again. Rosen pushed the hot tea into his hands, urging him to drink it.

After Yosef left, Zephyr leapt into Jason’s lap. She nuzzled him and then settled in against him, her weight a comfort against his side. As he stroked her, the floodgates opened and the real tears came. Hot and silent, they slid down his face. He tasted their salt with each sip of tea.

Rosen squeezed his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Jason said, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. “It’s been a rough few days.”

“Don’t apologize.” Rosen handed him a handkerchief from his pocket.

“How is Vale?” Jason asked, getting himself together.

Rosen shuddered. “It’s been desperate. I thought I’d lose my mind listening to him. I was on the verge of calling you when…” He trailed off. “Jason, be honest—are you up for this?”

Jason looked down at his blood-spattered clothes and shaking hands. “I don’t know for sure. I’ve never handled a heat before.” Gathering courage, he met Rosen’s eye. “I guess I better be.”

Quickly, Rosen outlined the plan and then led him up to Vale’s bedroom bath, pointing out the towels, soap, and shampoo. He then grabbed fistfuls of alpha condoms from the giant box under the sink and took them out to Vale’s bedside table.

Jason tried not to think of why Vale had an entire box of alpha condoms. Though of course he knew. Vale must have needed them plenty of times over the years, and it was good that he’d used them diligently. They’d kept him alive and safe for Jason to find him.

“I’ll make sure there’s plenty of food prepared in the kitchen. In between heat waves, you’ll want to make him eat if you can. And you’ll need to keep your own strength up.”

“All right.” Jason was exhausted. He had no idea how he was going to power through this. Only that he could. For Vale he would.

“You know how it works?”

A weird crack formed in his fear, allowing a bubble of his native humor through. Jason laughed. “I’m aware.”

“Good.” Rosen smiled at him and gave him a reassuring shake. “You can do this. You’re his alpha.”