All three of us.
Together.
Finally.
9
REINA
Finding a secluded spot had been Jaxon’s idea.
"We need somewhere private for your pre-heats and eventual heat,” he'd said. "Somewhere away from the city. Away from teammates and media and anyone who might notice."
Luca had agreed immediately. "My brother has a place. Up by the lake. He barely uses it in the winter."
"Your brother?" I'd asked.
"Noah. He owns a bar in the city but he bought this cabin a few years ago. Says he needs somewhere to escape." Luca had pulled out his phone. "I'll call him."
Now, three days later, I was standing in the middle of said cabin with my overnight bag in hand, looking around at what would be our sanctuary for the next week.
It was rustic but comfortable. One large main room with a stone fireplace, a small kitchen tucked into one corner, and a bedroom visible through an open door. Big windows looked out over the frozen lake.
And most importantly, it was isolated. The nearest neighbor was a few miles away.
"This is perfect," Jaxon said, dropping his duffel bag on the floor. "Your brother's not going to show up, right?"
"He knows we're here. He won't come by." Luca was already building a fire in the fireplace. "I told him I needed it for the week. He didn't ask questions."
"He's going to figure it out eventually," I said. "When I go into heat. When the scent gets everywhere."
"Noah's good at keeping secrets." Luca struck a match, held it to the kindling. "And he's not going to judge."
I hoped he was right.
My skin was already starting to feel to hot and tight like a rubber- band being stretched to the max. The suppressants had been completely out of my system for three days now, and every hour I could feel my body gearing up for what was coming.
My first unsuppressed heat in twelve years.
And it was going to happen here. With both of them.
The thought was terrifying and thrilling in equal measure.
"You should eat," Luca said, standing up from the fireplace. The flames were catching now, spreading warmth through the cabin. "Before it hits. You'll need your strength."
"I'm not hungry."
"Eat anyway."
Jaxon was already in the kitchen, pulling food out of the bags we'd brought. "Sandwich okay?"
"Fine."
I sat at the small dining table, watched them move around the cabin. Luca adjusting the thermostat, checking the windows. Jaxon making food, filling water bottles.
They were taking care of me and getting preparing for what was coming.
"How long do we have?" Jaxon asked, setting a sandwich in front of me.
