His fathers nodded, Ellis smiling, and Karina was fighting tears. They needed to hear that just as much.
“So, where are you going on vacation?” North interjected, changing the subject and giving everyone some breathing room.
“I think I’ve had enough of the snow,” Karina said. “So, we’re heading to California for a little vacation on the beach.”
“That sounds amazing,” I said as she regaled us with the finer details they’d worked out.
When the conversation lulled again, Hayes spoke up. His voice was stronger now, but he lacked that coldness from our first dinner together.
“I hear you’re opening a location down here, son,” Hayes asked.
The waitress interrupted as she dropped off a round of hot chocolates and everyone’s food. As she swept away, Cole finally answered.
“Yes. My goal is to open an extension office where corporate meetings can take place, and I’ll have my permanent office there as well. It’ll get me out of the house and give me the space I need to conduct business properly.”
“I’m proud of you, son.” Hayes then turned his attention on Jack. “Your mother told me all you did to help make this festival a reality. The mayor speaks very highly of you as well. I’m proud of you, too, Jack.”
Then, just like that, Hayes was back to focusing on his food while his sons processed yet another emotional whiplash.
Thankfully, small talk took back over as we all finished our meals.
“We’re going to go enjoy a little bit more of the festival,” Hayes said definitively. “It’s been a while since we’ve been in Pine Ridge. I think I’d like to enjoy it.”
They stood up, Karina giving each of her sons a kiss on the cheek and then hugging North and me.
Then they were gone, leaving us alone.
Jack took a shaky breath. “I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.”
“But this is a good thing, right?” North said gently.
“It really is,” Jack agreed.
“Well, now that the excitement is dying down,” I said. “We still have more tickets to burn.”
“Have you guys gone on the ferris wheel? It’s my favorite,” Jack said, his eyes lighting up.
“You know what?” North said instead of answering. “I think the ferris wheel sounds wonderful.”
The line was much longer this time, but thankfully Jack didn’t question us again. My nerves were fucked at this point, but the longer we stood, moving inch by inch, the more I felt like something was off.
It started with a creeping feeling low in my gut then swirled through me. Even though it was icy outside, my skin was practically on fire. Sweat broke out on my lower back and brow and a wave of nausea hit me.
North leaned into my side, not realizing he was keeping me on my feet. Jack moved closer, putting his arm around us, but it just made it worse.
“I think all the stress is getting to me. I shouldn’t be this hot and sweaty.”
“Is it a heat spike?” Cole asked, concerned now. This was not the place to go into heat. I tried to shake my head, then stopped as a cramp hit me.
“Fuck,” I cursed. “It shouldn’t be. I’m on suppressors.”
“Maybe my change triggered yours?” North worried his lip as he leaned in, gently wiping my brow with his sleeve.
“Or mating,” Jack worried, stepping in closer, which did nothing to help. Now I could smell all three of them, the warmth amping up in response.
Cole gently shifted us out of line to check in with me. His eyes studied my face, dark and imploring as they raked over me. My body responded to the alpha’s attention, my scent perfuming around us. His eyes widened, breath catching for a moment.
“You’re in heat, chaos,” He said definitively. “We have to get out of here.”
