“And your mind probably needs a break too,” Milo adds. “When’s the last time you took a day off?”
I try to remember. I can’t.
“Exactly.” He grins. “So consider this an enforced vacation. No phone, no email, no vendor calls. Just you and a fire and three moderately attractive men to keep you company.”
“Moderately?” Ben raises an eyebrow.
“I’m being humble.”
“You’ve never been humble in your life.”
“Fair point. Devastatingly attractive men.”
I laugh before I can stop myself. It surprises me—this sound bubbling up from somewhere I thought was locked down tight. Milo’s grin widens, and warmth spreads through me that has nothing to do with the fire.
This is dangerous. All of it. The easy banter, the shared meals, the way they keep making me laugh and feel things I’ve spent years trying not to feel. But I can’t seem to stop it.
Maybe I don’t want to.
Milo’s expression shifts, grows more serious. “We should probably talk about what happens when your heat hits.”
My face flames. “Milo?—”
“I know it’s awkward. But I’d rather have this conversation now, while you can still think straight, than later when you can’t.” He leans forward, elbows on the table. “You have options. And I want you to know what they are before things get... intense.”
I stare at my empty plate. “Okay.”
“Option one: you ride it out alone. We bring you food, water, whatever you need. You stay in Ben’s room and we stay out here. It’ll be rough, but omegas have done it before.”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“Option two: we help. Hands. Touch. Taking the edge off without...” He clears his throat. “Without going all the way.”
“Option three,” Ben says quietly, “is knots.”
The word hangs in the air. My whole body flushes.
“No biting,” Milo adds quickly. “No bonds. Nothing permanent. Just... helping you through it. If that’s what you want.”
“And if I don’t want any of that?”
“Then we respect it. No questions asked.” Milo holds my gaze. “But I want you to know—whatever you choose—I want you. Not just because you’re an omega in heat. Because you’reyou. I meant what I said last night.”
I look at Ben. He nods once. “I’m in. Whatever you need.”
Elijah just holds my gaze—steady, warm, certain—and nods.
Three alphas. All willing. All giving me the choice.
“I don’t know what I’ll want when it hits,” I admit. “I’ve never... I’ve been on suppressants so long. I don’t know who I am without them.”
“Then we figure it out together,” Milo says. “No pressure. No expectations. Just us, here, taking it one step at a time.”
I look around the table. At Milo’s earnest face. At Ben’s quiet intensity. At Elijah’s steady presence.
My whole life, I’ve been alone. Fighting alone. Surviving alone.
Maybe I don’t have to be. Not this time.
