I looked up at her. "What? No. I don't go into heat. You know that."
"Naomi. You're burning up. You're sweating through your sheets. You're making sounds like you're in pain. And your scent—" She wrinkled her nose. "Your scent is different. Loud, musky, heady, like you’re summoning every Alpha and Beta in the city to our apartment."
"It's not heat. It's just my period."
"Omegas don't get sick like this."
"Well I'm not in heat." I pulled the blanket over myself even though I was burning up. I kicked it off immediately ready to claw off my skin. "I'd know if I was in heat."
"Would you? You've never had one before. How would you know what it feels like?"
"Get out."
"Naomi…"
"Get out." My voice came out sharper than intended. "Please. I just need to sleep."
Kira looked like she wanted to argue, but she backed toward the door. "Fine. But I'm coming back in a few hours. And if you're worse, we're going to the hospital."
"Whatever. Just leave."
She left, closing the door behind her. I buried my face in the t-shirt and tried to breathe through the pain. This wasn't heat. It couldn't be. I was on blockers. Strong ones. Medical grade. Heat was impossible on these. So what the fuck was wrong with me?
But when I woke again—hours later, the light outside my window fading to dusk. I found myself doing something I couldn't explain. Nesting. I'd pulled every pillow from my bed, every blanket from my closet. Arranged them in a circle around me. Creating barriers, walls, a safe space. And in the center, right where I'd positioned my head, was that damn t-shirt. I stared atit, at the nest I'd unconsciously built, and felt panic rising in my chest.
"No," I whispered. "No, no, no."
The door opened.
"Nai—oh fuck." Kira stood in the doorway, taking in the scene. "You're nesting."
"I'm not. I can’t be."
"You're literally in a nest right now."
"I was just… I was just uncomfortable and I wanted…" I blinked back tears, unable to control my thoughts. What was I doing? This can’t be happening to me. Not now…
"Naomi." Her voice was gentle but firm. "You're in a breakthrough heat. And you need help."
"No. No Alphas. I'm not—I won't—Can’t you get me something to knock me out? I can sleep and… and…"
"You're in pain. You've been at this for two days. And it's only going to get worse."
"I can handle it." But even as I said it, another cramp hit, vicious enough to make me cry out.
"No, you can't." Kira's expression was determined. "I'm calling them."
“Them, who?” I asked.
She took a deep breath. “Rowan and Kellan. They’re the only Alphas you’ve ever trusted, and you can’t go through this alone, Nai.”
"Don't you dare!"
"I'm calling them."
"Kira, if you do that, I will never forgive you."
She looked at me and I saw her decision crystallize.
