We ease out of the tight ring around the bonfire. The air away from the flames cools my skin, and I suck in a lungful, hoping for clarity.
It helps. For about three seconds. The next wave hits harder, and there's nothing I can blame it on this time.
"Naomi." Silas starts, his brows furrowed. "What's going on? Do you need us to take you to a doctor, or—"
"Wait." Liam's voice cuts through, his nostrils flaring slightly. "Naomi, are you... going into heat?"
The word lands like a brick.
"I—no. I can't be." I shake my head, trying to will it away, but the symptoms check out. "I'm supposed to have two more weeks. My cycle is extremely regular, it's never early, this is—this is ridiculous."
"I think it's us," Liam says gently. "Your DuoBlocks malfunctioned because we're scent matches, and now being around us is triggering your heat early."
"Great. Fantastic." I exhale slowly, then drop my gaze, suddenly unable to meet their eyes, my fingers twisting together. "And would you... Ahem, would you be willing to help me through it?"
The words come out barely above a whisper.
Silence.
I risk a glance up. All three of them are staring at me with expressions I can't quite read.
"I mean, you don't have to," I add quickly, the words tumbling out. "I know—"
"Naomi." Silas steps closer, tips my chin up with one finger. "It would be our honor."
"We've got you, angel," Felix adds, his voice rough.
"I'd love nothing more," Liam finishes, his voice low and steady.
A sound that is half-sigh, half-purr rumbles in my chest, my omega and I both satisfied with their answer.
Another wave crashes through me, stronger than all the others, and I double over with a gasp.
"Okay," I manage, voice hoarse. "I think we need to leave."
"Right." Silas straightens, shifting into captain mode. "We'll get you back to your hotel. You have a room at the Grand, right? It's only a few minutes from here."
"No!"
The word comes out louder than I intended. All three of them freeze.
I swallow hard, looking between the three of them. "I don't want to go back to the hotel. I want... I want to go back to your place."
Felix’s eyes soften as he tucks a stray hair behind my ear. "Let's go home then."
Chapter thirty-one
Naomi
The chalet door shuts and my head spins.
It's warm here and their essence is everywhere.
Silas's leather and dark amber. Liam's black tea and old books. Felix's honey and vanilla. All of it is baked into the air of this house.
The drive up from town couldn’t have been more than thirty minutes, but it was enough for the heat to build from uncomfortable to urgent.
I lock onto the fireplace and the empty rug in front of it. Except it's not just a rug anymore, it'stheperfect spot.
