I shrug, snapping the first-aid kit closed. “Anyone would have?—”
That’s when the room tilts slightly.
Or maybe I tilt. Hard to tell.
I grab the counter for balance, and suddenly Malik is there, his hand on my elbow, steadying me.
“Whoa. Easy.”
“I’m okay,” I say automatically, but my voice sounds distant even to my own ears.
“You’re shaking,” Malik observes. His hand is very warm on my arm, and up close, his cool, creamy scent is even stronger. Allalpha and concern and something else I can’t quite identify. “Your fever’s climbing.”
Is it? I hadn’t noticed. Everything feels hot and cold and weird.
“Shit,” Dax mutters. “Sierra, you need to get back to your nest.”
“Yeah,” I whisper, but when I try to prove it by taking a step, my legs feel like overcooked spaghetti.
Malik’s other hand comes to my waist, holding me steady. “Let me help you back to your room.”
I should say no. Should insist I’m fine, I can manage, I don’t need help from my rival who’s also an alpha and also smells really, really good right now.
But my omega has zero interest in pride or professional boundaries.
“Okay,” I hear myself say.
Malik guides me carefully around the counter, his hand never leaving my waist. I lean into him slightly (just for balance, obviously) and try not to notice how nice it feels to have someone helping, someone supporting me.
The walk down the hallway takes forever. Or maybe thirty seconds. Time is weird.
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I’m not usually like this.”
“You’re in heat, sweetheart.” His voice is calm, matter-of-fact. “Nothing to apologize for.”
Sweetheart? My omega tries to purr.
“Stop that!” I whisper-hiss.
“Hm?” Malik’s dark gaze finds my face.
My face heats. “Nothing. Just, uh, a little winded.”
We reach my door, and he helps me to it, making sure I’m steady before he lets go.
“You good?” he asks.
I nod, gripping the doorframe. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Thank you,” he corrects. “For helping Jalen.”
“He was bleeding,” I say again, like it’s the only explanation needed.
Which, to me, it is.
Malik smiles. A real, soft, genuine smile. “Get some rest, Sierra.”
I slip into my room and close the door, then lean against it, breathing hard.
