Chapter Eight.

The night had left its mark on me, lingering in every inch of my skin, in the heaviness of my breath. I still felt the warmth of Theo’s touch, the soothing, secure pressure of his arms around me, as if he was holding the weight of the world off my shoulders. But now, in the quiet of my room, that feeling was a little more overwhelming. The heat that had simmered inside me during the night had intensified, growing steadily until I felt as though I might combust from the inside out.

I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them tightly, trying to ground myself. My head felt foggy, and every shift of my body only seemed to amplify the heat that radiated through me. I had to admit, I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening. My body felt foreign, a vessel for emotions and sensations I hadn’t fully prepared for.

Then my phone buzzed, breaking through the haze. I grabbed it quickly, the screen lighting up with a message from Theo, we had exchanged numbers before parting ways.

Theo: “Hey. Just wanted to check. You made it home safe?”

I stared at the words, the tightness in my chest easing a little at the simplicity of the question. The thought that Theo cared enough to check on me, to make sure I was okay... it warmed something deep inside.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, but the words came anyway.

Ivy: “Yeah, I’m home. Just... been feeling weird.”

Theo’s reply came almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting for me to text.

Theo: “It’s okay. Don’t stress. Just take it easy, If you need anything, I’m here. You don’t have to be alone with this.”

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension in my body loosen slightly. His words grounded me. I wasn’t alone. I hadn’t been, not since I walked into that VIP lounge and met them. Theo, Callum, Micah, Elias—each one of them had a way of making me feel seen, even when I didn’t know what I was walking into.

Ivy: “I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

There was a pause before Theo responded, his message softer, more understanding than before.

Theo: “It’s part of it. Your body’s just starting to react the way it’s supposed to. You’re going to feel a lot of things, Ivy, but I promise, you’re not alone in this. We’re all here for you. Just breathe.”

I felt a lump form in my throat at his words. I hadn’t expected this—this kindness, this reassurance. I had only read about pack dynamics before, but this... this felt like something different, something more intimate. My body was telling me something, but I wasn’t sure what it was, wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.

Ivy: “What do I do?”

Theo’s reply was quick, and I could almost feel the steadiness in his words.

Theo: “Just take care of yourself for now. Don’t force it. I’ll be here when you’re ready, and we’ll figure it out together. No rush. We’re not going anywhere.”

His message settled into me, making the weight in my chest lighten just a little. I didn’t have to understand everything right away. I could take my time, even though the ache in my body told me otherwise. The pull of it was strong, primal, but Theo’s words kept me grounded.

Ivy: “Thanks, Theo. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

Theo’s response was almost immediate, the words simple but filled with something deeper.

Theo: “You won’t have to. We’re yours now, Ivy. We take care of what’s ours.”

My breath caught in my throat. His words were final and possessive, but there was no fear in me. It wasn’t fear that surged inside me—it was something else. Something softer, something that made my heart flutter in a way I wasn’t ready to admit yet.

I set my phone down, the screen dimming in the quiet of my room. The heat still burned inside me, but now, there was a sense of comfort in it. I wasn’t sure what to do with everything I was feeling, but I wasn’t facing it alone. I didn’t have to.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to relax. The night had been a whirlwind, and I was still trying to make sense of it. I hadn’t expected this—the closeness, the affection, the pack’s undeniable presence in my life. But one thing was clear: I was starting to understand what it meant to belong.

Suddenly, I heard the door creak open, and Morgan stepped in, her presence a welcome distraction. I'd been out most of the night, and I hadn’t heard from her until now.

"Hey, you okay?" Morgan asked, her voice soft but concerned as she walked over to my bed.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just... a lot on my mind."

She sat down beside me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I can tell. You’re glowing." Her voice had a teasing edge, but her eyes were warm with understanding. "Did you have a good time last night?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain the complexity of what had happened. But Morgan knew me too well to leave it at that. She studied me, waiting for me to speak, until I finally let out a breath and said, "I met some people last night. And... I think they’re part of a pack. Like, a real pack."

Morgan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A pack? A group pack, woah look at you."

I flushed and nodded, trying to organize my thoughts. "Yeah. But it’s not just about what I thought. It’s... it’s different. I don’t really understand it all, but it’s real, Morgan. The way they care for each other, the way they support each other—it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before."

Morgan didn’t say anything at first, just processing my words. Then, her eyes softened, and she gave me a knowing smile. "Sounds like you’re figuring out something important, huh?"

I nodded again, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. It wasn’t just the emotional intensity of what I was going through—it was physical, too. My body was reacting in ways I couldn’t quite control, the warmth spreading through me in a way that made me feel both exposed and alive.

Morgan noticed the shift in me, her gaze sharp. "You’re feeling it, aren’t you?"

I looked at her, eyes wide. "What do you mean?"

She gave me a knowing look, her lips curling into a half-smile. "The slick. It’s your body’s way of preparing. I’m guessing you’re not used to it yet."

The word hit me like a shock, and I felt my cheeks burn even more. I nodded, unsure of how to explain that everything inside me felt off-kilter—too much, too fast.

"I don’t know what to do," I admitted, my voice small.

Morgan’s smile softened, and she reached out, patting my hand reassuringly. "You don’t have to know everything right now. Just... breathe through it, okay? And don’t be afraid to talk to me. If you need help, I’ve got your back, but Ivy.."

I met her serious eyes, my light blue meeting her dark hazel. "Your first heat is coming. These are the signs. Please be careful and make sure your some where safe."  she gripped my hands.

I nodded, grateful for her concern and  understanding, even though the truth was a little more complicated than I wanted to admit.

Letting go of her hands, I crawled on to her lap, and she wrapped her arms around me in comfort.

I still didn’t fully grasp everything about pack life about Theo, Callum, Micah, and Elias, but Morgan was right about one thing—it felt right, even when it didn’t make sense.