Chapter Nine.

Walking home from the café, the sky was alive with color, the sun painting the horizon in hues of orange and pink as it dipped below the rooftops. I whistled a happy tune, swinging the takeout bag I’d scored after closing: a burger, chicken and waffles, a chocolate scone, and three muffins.

Dinner is on me tonight!

I’d already texted Morgan not to worry about cooking, and the best part? I didn’t even have to break the bank. Thank God.

After a full-on week of juggling extra shifts and stressing about finding another job, the thought of a cozy night in with my best girl felt like the perfect antidote.

My phone buzzed in my pocket—a quick glance confirmed it wasn’t Morgan but Theo’s group chat. He and the others had been texting me on and off since adding me to the group chat last week.

Theo, of course, was relentless, but I could tell Elias, Callum, and Micah were doing their best to rein him in. Surprisingly, it helped. I’d been learning more about them—what they liked, their quirks, their hobbies.

Which reminded me.

Stopping under the warm glow of a streetlight at the corner near my apartment building, I pulled out my phone.

Ivy: Hey, what’s everyone’s favorite color?

I barely had time to slip my phone back into my coat pocket before I felt the vibrations.

Pulling it back out, I glanced at the flurry of replies:

Theo: Red.

Yeah. I can see that.

Elias: Blue.

Short and to the point, just like him.

Callum: Black, classy. Reliable.

Micah: Yellow. Bright and happy, like me! 😊

I chuckled, shaking my head. Their answers were exactly what I’d expected.

Ivy: Noted. Thanks, guys!

Theo: Wait, why? Are you buying us something? Ivy, you don’t have to—

Before he could spiral, Elias interjected.

Elias: Theo. Relax.

I tucked my phone away, feeling lighter as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. When I walked in, Morgan was already waiting, sprawled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn.

“Hey, dinner smells amazing!” she called, peeking into the takeout bag. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“Anything for my favourite Beta,” I teased, plopping down beside her.

We spent the evening laughing, eating, and binging our favourite show, the tension of the week melting away. But as the hours passed, I started to feel... off. My skin felt warmer than usual, my heart racing without reason.

My Heat.

It’s haunting me. Every day I wake up with more symptoms.

The slick trailing down my thighs is getting worse.

Morgan, bless her, gave me something called a “slick catcher” so I can get through work without a total meltdown. It helps—kind of. But I can tell she’s worried about me. Honestly, I am too.

That’s partly why I’ve been avoiding contact with the guys.

I know the acadamy taught us that a heat is bad enough with one person involved. The thought of leaning on Theo, Elias, Callum, or even Micah for something so... intimate? My entire body flushes with embarrassment—and worse, arousal—every time the idea crosses my mind.

The wave of heat crashes over me suddenly, leaving me breathless. My cheeks burn, and I feel the unmistakable pull low in my abdomen. Heart racing, I bolt for the bathroom.

“You okay?” Morgan calls, twisting around from the couch to glance at me.

“Yep,” I bark out quickly, shutting the door behind me.

Inside the bathroom, I press my back against the door, sucking in shallow breaths. My hands shake as I try to ground myself, focus on anything but the overwhelming ache coursing through me.

“This can’t keep happening,” I whisper to myself.

Splashing cold water on my face, I take a moment to gather my thoughts. It’s been weeks since my heat symptoms began, and they’re only getting worse. Avoiding the guys might have been a good idea at first, but I can’t keep running from this.

When I finally leave the bathroom, Morgan’s waiting in the hallway, arms crossed and her expression laced with concern.

“Still bad, huh?” she asks softly.

I nod, biting my lip. “It’s getting worse.”

Morgan steps closer, her voice gentle. “Ivy, you need to talk to them. Heat this intense isn’t something you should handle alone. Especially not with...” She gestures vaguely. “Well, you know. Four of them.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “I can’t. What if they think I’m weak? Or—what if they think I’m—”

“Stop.” Morgan’s tone is firm. “They care about you, Ivy. I’ve seen the way Theo looks at you. And Elias? He’d probably drop everything if you asked for help. The others would too.”

I hesitate, the knot in my stomach tightening.

“Just... think about it, okay?” she says, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading back to the couch.

~~~~~

That night, I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. The apartment is silent, Morgan already asleep in her room. My phone sits on the nightstand, the group chat unread.

Finally, with a shaky breath, I pick it up. My fingers hover over the screen before I type out a message.

Ivy: Hey. Can we talk?

The response is instant.

Theo: Of course. Are you okay?

Elias: What’s wrong?

Callum: Do you need us?

Micah: We’re here for you.

Their quick replies bring a lump to my throat. Swallowing hard, I type:

Ivy: Can you come over tomorrow? I think I need help.

~~~~

The next day, the guys arrive one by one, their concern evident. Theo’s energy is electric, his protective nature practically radiating off him as he steps into the apartment. Elias is calm and focused, taking in the situation with quiet intensity. Callum offers a reassuring smile, his steady presence grounding me. And Micah? Sweet Micah instantly wraps me in a hug, his warmth soothing some of my anxiety.

I sit them down in the living room, Morgan lingering in the kitchen to give us space. My hands twist nervously in my lap as I try to find the words.

“I... I think my heat is starting. And it’s bad,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

The room goes quiet, but their reactions are nothing like what I feared.

Theo leans forward, his jaw tight. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

“I didn’t want to bother you,” I mumble, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.

Elias shakes his head. “Ivy, you’re not a bother. You should’ve called. We could’ve helped.”

Micah nods fervently. “Whatever you need, we’ll do it.”

My gaze flicks to Callum, who meets my eyes with quiet reassurance. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Ivy. We’ve got you.”

The weight of their support crashes over me, and for the first time in weeks, I feel like I can breathe.

“Thank you,” I whisper, tears pricking at my eyes.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment before;

"Wait," Theo pauses, sniffing the air. His eyes narrow, his expression shifting as his jaw tightens. "Is that... you?" His voice is a low growl, his pupils dilating as his gaze locks onto me.

Elias freezes beside him, his head tilting slightly as he waits for my response. Meanwhile, Micah and Callum exchange a curious glance, their eyes flicking between each other and me.

"Uh..." I stammer, unsure of what they’re sensing. I don’t smell anything out of the ordinary—at least, not to me. Before I can finish my thought, Morgan’s voice cuts through the tense silence.

“Yup! She’s been stinking up the house for days!”

I whirl on her, my face flushing in shock and betrayal. “Rea—”

But I don’t even get the chance to finish.

Suddenly, both Alphas are on me, their noses burying into my hair and neck.

My breath catches, and my body betrays me. My stomach clenches, heat surging through me like a wildfire. I feel molten and heavy, every nerve alight with sensation. It’s unbearable, except where their hands find purchase—Theo’s firm grip on my waist, Elias’s steadying touch on my neck.

“Oh,” I whisper, my voice trembling with both embarrassment and something deeper.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, it’s over.

Morgan steps in like a force of nature, yanking Elias back by his arm while Callum restrains Theo, dragging him a safe distance away.

The sudden absence of contact leaves me reeling. Sound, which had been muffled and distant, crashes back into focus. I can hear the sharp sound of my own breathing, the low growls coming from the Alphas, and Morgan snapping commands at everyone to calm the hell down.

Then Micah is in front of me.

Sweet, calm, adorable Micah.

His hands gently cradle my face, his touch so soft it almost feels like a balm to my frazzled nerves. His bright Brown eyes search mine, full of concern and something I can’t quite name.

And then I hear it—a quiet, pitiful whine.

Oh.

It’s me.