"Every bond is different. Every omega requires different methods." He kisses my throat. "But the result is the same."
Another wave of heat begins building, and I lose the ability to think about anything except the need clawing at me.
Hours pass. The heat continues its relentless cycle—building until I can barely breathe, cresting in waves of desperate need, ebbing just enough to let me think before starting again.
My magic responds to each spike, creating ice formations throughout the room. Delicate frost patterns that mirror my internal state. Beautiful and chaotic at the same time.
When evening comes, Aratus still hasn't left my side. He takes care of me through every wave, every desperate moment when the need becomes overwhelming.
"Better?" he asks after another claiming leaves me temporarily sated.
"For now." I know it's temporary. Can already feel the heat building again. "How long will this last?"
"Until the babies decide they're finished triggering it. Could be days."
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it sends another spike of arousal through my exhausted body.
Another heat spike hits, and I arch against him with a cry. The need is overwhelming now, made worse by hours of his absence.
"Need you," I gasp. "Please, Alpha. Make it stop."
"I'm here." His voice is gentle, soothing. "Your alpha's here."
When we're finally knotted together again, both breathing hard, I feel complete. The heat is still there, will continue for days probably. But with him here, it's manageable.
"Any regrets?" he asks, echoing the question that's become our ritual.
I think about the life growing inside me. About the woman who will face what I faced in the coming months. About the choice I made to stay and build something with the man who claimed me.
"No," I say finally. "No regrets about where we are."
"Even knowing what's coming for the other courts?"
"Even knowing that." I press closer to him, our children safe between us. "The prophecy has to be completed. We're just the beginning."
"And if their claimings are harder than ours was?"
"Then they'll adapt. Like I did." The words come out steadier than I feel. "Because the alternative is worse."
He's quiet for a long moment. "You've changed."
"We both have."
"For the better?"
I consider the question seriously. Six months ago, I would have been horrified by my acceptance of what's coming. Now it feels like necessary truth.
"I don't know if better is the right word. But more complete. More honest about what this world requires."
Another wave of heat begins building, and I close my eyes as need starts clawing at me again.
"Again?" he asks, feeling my body's response.
"Again," I confirm. "Until our children decide they're finished."
As the next wave of heat begins building, I feel him hardening inside me again. My body responds immediately, slick flooding out around his cocks.
"Again?" he asks, feeling my renewed arousal.
