The knock comes during a lull between waves. Soft. Respectful.
"Elowen?" Lila's voice muffled through the door. "It's me. Can I come in for a minute?"
I rise slowly, legs shaky, and unlock the door.
Lila slips inside quickly, closing it behind her. She's carrying a pitcher of ice water and fresh towels, her expression warm but not pitying.
"Hey," she says gently. She doesn't crowd. Just sets the pitcher on the table and perches on the edge of the chair. "How are you doing?"
"Surviving," I manage.
"Good." She pours water into my glass, hands it to me. "Drink. You're probably dehydrated."
I do. The cold feels like mercy.
She watches me for a moment, and her expression softens. "You’re brave, Elowen. I panicked when it was my first time, begged my mom to sedate me until it was all over."
"I thought about it," I admit with a smile.
She leans forward slightly. "You're doing great, Elowen. Really."
I don't feel great. I feel like my body is trying to turn itself inside out.
"The alphas are outside," Lila says. "They've been coordinating with Ms. Hartley, making sure no one else comes near the wing. Very... protective."
Heat rises in my cheeks, not the biological kind.
"They were pacing like nervous cats when I got here. It's actually kind of sweet."
Despite everything, I barely manage to contain a smile. They’re doing this for me.
"Do you want me to tell them anything?" Lila asks. "Or tell them to leave? I can do that. They'll listen."
I shake my head. "Tell them... I'm okay. And thank you."
She nods. "I can do that."
Another wave starts to build. I feel it, low and insistent, pulling at my focus.
Lila notices immediately. She crouches beside the bed. “I can stay if you want.”
"Lila—" The cramp folds me in two, and I focus on breathing through it. "Thank you," I say when it ebbs a little. "For... understanding."
Her smile is warm. "We look out for each other. That's what we do." She hesitates, then adds, "When this is over, we're getting tea and you're telling me how you managed to make three of the most sought-after alphas on campus behave like perfect gentlemen."
Then she's gone, closing the door quietly.
I choose not to lock it from the inside this time because I trust them enough.
The peak comes around midnight.
I've lost track of time entirely. The room is dark except for the small lamp by the bed, casting everything in soft amber.
The waves are constant now. No breaks between them. Just rolling heat and ache and need, biological, insistent, overwhelming.
I'm curled on the bed, clutching a pillow, sweat-damp and shaking.
My body knows what it wants, knows exactly what would ease this ache, what would satisfy the pull low in my belly.
