“Good girl,” he whispered in my ear. “You did so good, hanging on for me. And now you’re in heat, baby.”

“I can’t wait anymore,” I told him, turning with tears flooding my eyes. The emotion was so clear and strong it stole my breath. Nothing was the same and nothing was real. It felt like a fever dream far away from anything I’d ever experienced. “I need my nest.”

“All right,” he said. “We’re going. I need you to stay here and sit while I get you a towel. Promise me you’re not going to move.”

I leaned my head on the cool porcelain edge of the tub and took a breath. Every single pull of air was a new line of heat. But away from Avery’s skin, the coolness of the water helped.

Rationally, I knew pleasure was coming and I was going to get everything I needed with them. But I hated feeling this out of control and vulnerable. Anything could happen, and I closed my eyes, trying not to sink into that spiral, especially if I wouldn’t be able to pull myself out of it. “Promise,” I murmured.

Avery brushed the top of my head with his hand as he got out of the bath, and I heard the sound of water dripping as he moved and a door opening. “Hey.”

Low voices floated through the crack in the door and hints of the other scents floated into the room.

Mine, mine, mine.

I needed the pack. Lust so sharp it nearly hurt cracked through me, along with a whine which was pure desperation. But I didn’t move from where I was. I’d promised him.

“Get them out of there,” Avery growled, and his steps were coming back to me. “Stand up, baby.”

I did and was wrapped in a huge, fluffy towel which was warm and soft, and Avery lifted me into his arms. Just being held calmed me a little, pushing back the raging fire burning beneath my skin.

“You ready to see your nest?”

My nest. The word beat in my heart. It was mine. Even if it wasn’t forever, right now it was mine, and it felt right. “Yes.”

The door to the hallway was open, and the sunlight through the windows was too bright. Why was it so bright?

We stepped through the door to the nest, and their scents overwhelmed me. They’d all been in here while Avery had me in the bath, and the cool, dark silence of the space was perfect. And it looked entirely different.

It was perfect.