Cassian moves closer. He kneels on the floor beside my legs, his hands braced on either side of my knees, careful not to touch me directly. His voice is gentle.
"Look at me. Just breathe."
I try. I really do. My chest rises too quickly, and my scent grows thicker. Strawberries and honey. Hot sugar. A smell no Alpha can ignore.
Pine inhales, and his shoulders tense. His head drops forward for a moment as if he needs to gather control. When he lifts his eyes again, they are darker.
Jett lifts his hand to my cheek. His thumb brushes along my jaw. "We won't let anything happen that you don’t want."
My pulse slows. My breathing evens. I relax a little into the couch. Jett begins rubbing slow circles on the back of my hand. Cassian stays close enough to smell my scent but far enough to give me room. Pine watches my face like I am fragile glass.
For a moment, it is quiet. Warm. Almost peaceful.
Then a wave of heat breaks over me without warning. It rolls through my belly and leaves my skin prickling. My breath catches. My thighs press together on instinct. I try to hide it, but Cassian sees.
He places a hand under my chin and lifts my face toward him. His eyes search mine.
"You're in mini heat," he says softly. "You don't need to pretend."
I swallow hard. My voice comes out a whisper. "I don't want to lose control."
"Then stay close to us," Jett says. “We'll keep you steady."
My whole body trembles. The room smells like smoke and sandalwood and cedar and honey. The scents mix in the air, the kind of mix that sinks into my bones.
Pine shifts beside me. His arm brushes mine. The contact is accidental, but I gasp anyway. My breath stutters, and my scent spikes sharper, sweeter.
Jett notices first. His lips part slightly. He leans in, slow, like he is giving me time to pull away.
He presses a light kiss to my temple.
Soft. Careful.
My body melts toward him before I can think.
Cassian watches, jaw tight. Pine's hand settles on the back of the couch behind my shoulders, protective but not demanding. Their restraint should make me calm. Instead, it makes everything worse. My body burns. My heart stutters. Heat licks up my spine in slow torturous waves.
I turn my head, and Jett is still watching me. His eyes flick to my mouth. He hesitates, waiting for permission I do not even have words for.
I lean toward him first.
The kiss is gentle at the start. His lips are warm and sure, brushing mine with a softness that makes my chest ache. The gentleness does not last. The second I sigh against his mouth, he deepens the kiss. One hand cups my cheek. The other pulls me closer.
The world tilts. The sofa presses firm and real beneath me. Heat curls low in my belly. Pine's breath grazes the back of my neck, which only makes everything worse, because I know he is watching me fall apart.
Cassian stands slowly. He moves closer, steps silent, voice low.
"Easy. She needs space."
“I’m overwhelmed a bit.”
Jett pulls back, but only a little. His forehead rests against mine while I catch my breath in uneven gasps.
Pine places a large hand on the small of my back. The touch is steady and warm. He does not push. He does not rush. He simply gives me something to lean on.
Cassian kneels again in front of me. His thumb brushes gently along my knee. His eyes soften.
I swallow hard. My voice shakes when I speak. "I'm scared."
