Maya

I wake up in Dakota’s room, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the blinds, and for once, there are no nightmares clawing at me. I’m fully rested, my body heavy with a peace I haven’t felt in ages. Blankets cocoon me, more than I remember from last night, a chaotic pile of colors and textures—blues, greens, a random plaid that smells faintly of lavender. I stuff my face into one, inhaling deep, and catch that floral sweetness that used to suffocate me four years ago.

Sitting up, I rub my eyes, and it’s like an explosion of color happened overnight—or maybe I was too exhausted to notice when I passed out. Pillows are everywhere, stacked against the headboard, spilling onto the floor, a haphazard nest that screams frustration. It makes sense now—Dakota trying to build something instinctual, maybe giving up when it didn’t feel right, then running to me.

I need to get back to my regular life, all the normal stuff, the one that doesn’t tangle with men, mates, or packs. Especially if I’m seriously considering that assistant coach position the dean dangled in front of me. Hockey’s my anchor, always has been, and I can’t let this derail me—regardless of how much I want this little pocket of my happiness in my life. I spot my hoodie draped over a chair, discarded last night when Roman let me in. He’d been so casual about it, just a quick “Goodnight” before disappearing, like me crashing in Dakota’s nest was normal. It feels too domestic, too easy, and that scares me more than I want to admit.

Tugging the hoodie on, I then slip on my shoes and head for the door. Before my hand hits the knob, it slams open, my heart jumping in my chest. Dakota’s standing there, his face brighter than I’ve ever seen, brown eyes sparkling, that lingering floral sweetness rolling off him. He’s clutching a tray of coffee cups and a paper bag that smells like fresh bagels—definitely not the sad cafeteria kind. Holt looms behind him, looking dead on his feet, dark circles under his eyes, and Roman’s there too, leaning against the frame, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Dakota’s smile quickly molds into a frown as he catches onto the fact that I’m fully dressed. “Where the fuck are you going?” he demands.

I glance at Holt, hoping for some kind of explanation, as Dakota barrels past me to spread the haul on the little table between the beds—coffee cups lined up, bagels tumbling out. Holt sighs, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “We stopped by the clinic this morning after he wouldn’t fucking sit still. They said it’s not impossible but definitely uncommon for an Omega to present this late. It’s going to be like an adult going through puberty, but every Omega’s different. If this was Roman, he’d probably be real quiet about most of the changes, though you’d see it in how he hangs around us.” He nods at Roman, who snorts. “Dakota’s never been a quiet Beta, so…”

“So, you’re to expect all the cuddly stuff?”

Holt nods, his gaze softening as he looks at Dakota, who’s tearing into the bagel bag with a grin. “He was asking for you most of the night,” Holt admits. “Nearly fought me to get out of that room. I’m trying not to scare you, but Dakota’s not the easiest guy to stop when he’s got something on his mind. Apparently, the strength isn’t going anywhere.”

I laugh, a short burst that surprises me, but it fades into a sigh as Dakota stumbles over, still grinning, and scoops me up like I weigh nothing. He deposits me back on the bed, right in the middle of his pillow pile. He’s not saying anything now, just rumbling softly.

“The pheromones are hitting him hard,” Holt explains, leaning against the wall. “There’s cases where they go nonverbal—apparently that’s now. He insisted on getting you breakfast, made sure to pick out the cinnamon raisin bagel with the sugar on top. Said it was your favorite.”

He remembered. Even after four years, Dakota remembered and that means more to me than he’ll know. Dakota plops onto the bed and drags me into his lap, a low needy sound following when I squirm in his hold. Roman pushes off the archway, moving to the other side of the bed. “I’d just give in,” he advises, crossing his arms. “Took Holt about fifteen minutes to get me untangled from him when they woke me up.”

I twist around in Dakota’s lap, mumbling my thanks to him. He brightens the slightest bit, dragging the bagel bag onto the bed before pulling out mine. I try reaching for it, but he whines, his hands moving fast to keep me from doing anything with mine. He digs into the bag, pulling out a small tub of cream cheese and a plastic knife, working quick to smear a thick layer across the bagel before holding it up to my lips. His other arm slides around my waist, locking me against him, and I glance at Roman and Holt, desperate for answers.

I’m not entirely against this development but I’m also not sure how it’ll pan out over time. Giving in, I open my mouth, Dakota feeding me, a triumphant hum rumbling through his chest. The sound has me clenching my thighs, the thought of his rapidly growing cock inside of me giving me ideas I can’t satisfy.

Cream cheese clings to my lips as I swallow, warmth spreading through me despite me trying to keep my emotions in check. “Did they say how long this is going to last?”

Holt scratches his jaw, brown eyes flicking to Dakota. “It’s all leading up to his first heat. They said it softens out with time.”

I frown, the reality sinking in heavier than I expected. “See, I know Omegas go into heat, but it didn’t really occur to me that Kota would.” My words falter as Dakota tries feeding me again, the bagel hitting my teeth, smearing cream cheese across my lips. I groan, swiping at it, but he sets the bagel down, grabs my chin, and leans in, licking the mess off my lips with a slow, deliberate swipe of his tongue.

A little moan slips out and before I can process it, Roman’s there, dragging me off Dakota’s lap. Dakota lets out a possessive growl, Holt dropping onto the edge of the bed and planting a firm hand on Dakota’s shoulder to keep him there.

I stumble into Roman, trying to figure out what just happened. “What?”

“He’s not the only person in this room who’d have liked to do that,” Roman states. “He’s just the only one not in control.”

My cheeks burn as I try to keep from reacting to his statement but the way his nostrils flare tell me that I’m failing miserably. I run my hands down my sweatpants, looking for a way out of this conversation. “The dean said I could try for the assistant coach position,” I blurt out.

Holt leans back slightly, his hand still on Dakota, who’s watching me like he’s ready to pounce the second Holt lets go. “Carrying on your dad’s legacy?”

I shrug, picking at my hoodie sleeve. “Well, he was a head coach. I suppose I’ll get there eventually, but for now, this is good. I need something to fill… the hole of extra time.”

Roman chuckles beside me, a wild grin forming on his lips that doesn’t match the situation. “She’s under the impression this is all off-limits,” he says to Holt, gesturing at Dakota, “as well as the fact that you’re gonna go all territorial on his ass.” He turns to me, head tilted. “Did I get that right?”

“Why do you seem so nonchalant about all of this?”

Holt watches me for a minute, almost as if he’s seeing through me before he speaks. “Because there’s not really a problem when it comes to dating on the team. It might be unconventional for Dakota to have a relationship outside the pack now that he’s an Omega, but…”

I throw up my hands, cutting him off. “There’s no relationship,” I insist, “We got a little carried away when I came back. Besides, a coach dating a player? No administration’s okay with that.”

Holt’s brows lift. “Maya, that’s not really a rule here. Taboo, sure, but not illegal or anything.”

My reasons for saying no are crumbling around me. But for some reason, I can’t trust my instincts because the one time I did, I landed in Nox’s arms. “Right, let me just get through this interview first, okay?” No one objects as I turn around to leave, a low whine spilling out into the room from behind me.

“This sucks,” Dakota mumbles and then he’s there, caging me against the door with his arms braced on either side.

I twist around to look up at him, his eyes still glazed over a little.“I always wondered if you could get any more adorable, Kota. Guess the universe’s answer to that’s a big fat resounding yes.”

He gives me a small, lopsided smile. “Sorry,” his voice softer now, almost shy. Then he leans closer, breath brushing my cheek. “I really need to kiss you. Can I kiss you?”

My heart stumbles, caught off guard by the earnest plea in his tone as I tilt my head up. “Of course, sweetie,” The word slips out before I can stop it. Confusion swells in my chest because I’ve never called him that—not once in all the years we were us. Sweetie didn’t fit back then; he was my protector, my rock, the one who held me together. Now, though, with his eyes soft and his body trembling under this Omega shift, I feel this urge to shield him, to wrap him up and keep him safe.

He dives down, lips crashing into mine, and it’s all tongue and heat, a wet, licking kiss that presses me harder against the door. His body crowds me, his hands sliding to my hips, and I melt into it, my fingers curling into his shirt, pulling him closer, but then he’s yanked away again . Roman’s there, one hand gripping Dakota’s arm, his citrus scent sharp with exasperation—the first full whiff I’ve gotten of his scent. “Maya, please tell me you recognize some of what’s going on?”

I swallow hard, looking at Dakota—his pupils blown, a flush creeping up his neck. “I can smell him a little bit now, which means it’s probably really potent?” My voice wavers, unsure, and I let my gaze roam the room, trying to catch more than just the heavy lavender clouding the air. It’s overwhelming, like stepping into a flower shop mid-bloom, but then my eyes drop, and I see it—the thick bulges straining against all their pants, unmistakable even through jeans and sweats.

“If you expect to get out of here before class starts, I’d leave now,” Roman suggests, although it comes out more like a warning. As much as I want Dakota, I am not ready for him in this state. Not yet.

I barely hesitate, spinning for the door as Dakota lets out another whine. The sound hits me like a wave, a blast of pheromones that nearly buckles my knees in the hallway. I grip the wall, steadying myself, and force my legs to move, heart pounding as I stumble toward my dorm. I kind of forgot about this part too. The part where an Omega in heat puts everyone else on edge too and while I can’t smell Dakota like the others can, my body feels all of it. My pussy is clenching around nothing, a need growing in the pit of my belly as heat courses through me. They’re all saying a relationship with Dakota is okay but I need a good hard fuck first.