We all make complacent sounds, removing ourselves as slowly as possible. We each kiss Octavia on the mouth, her pussy wetting even at the short, but intense, kisses.
It takes a lot of work to fight my instincts and leave the room. But we all do, linking tails as we shut the door to the nest.
“She is trusting us,” Lux purrs as we head down to Ati’s room.
“It’s intoxicating,” Ati responds.
“It’s perfect,” I add.
Chapter Twenty
Octavia
After my pack leaves, I sleep restlessly. The rain sounds are soothing, but I can’t get comfortable. Perhaps I should see if the pack wants to start at leastsleepingin the same bed. At least then I wouldn’t be alone. The nest feels empty now.
I’m warm; the room is stuffy. The last thing I need is alien insects the size of kittens to fly in the windows, and there doesn’t seem to be a screen, so I use a pillow to prop the door open. I consider going to the kitchen, making tea or something, but I don’t want to wake the alphas and I don’t think I could sneak by without them noticing.
But that thought makes me think about what they might be doing in Ati’s room together. All naked and muscular and smelling incredible.Annnnnnnd now I’m horny. Just lovely.
I toss and turn for a few more hours. Somewhere in the deep night, the rain stops, and I can see the light of the moons, Iofane and Iorura through the windows. I fall into a fitful sleep.
I WAKE GROGGILY. Ifeel like I got hit by a truck. I drag myself upright, the light of the Celnoe sun painfully bright. I register that I’m both horny and thirsty at about the same moment.
This room is a thousand degrees. I stand, and my legs feel weak.Did I get sick? Can I get sick on an alien planet?That would probably be a good thing to know.
I tug the both layers of curtains shut over the nearly floor to ceiling windows that are opposite the bed. It bathes the room in a cool, blue light but as I turn and take a sip of water, a pang hits my belly.
Food poisoning?
What is going on?Maybe I should go ask Ziam.
I realize I’m sweating and I wipe my forehead. Another pain hits, similar to a period cramp.
A period cramp. Restless. Hot. Horny.
Oh, shit.
I’m in heat.
No, no, no. This can’t be happening. I’m not ready. I don’t want this. Fuck.I start to really panic as I turn in a circle, as if seeking something that will help me with this disaster. My eyes land on the door to my bathroom.
A nice, cool bath. And getting myself off. That will help. And maybe a nap. It’ll be alright.
Chapter Twenty-One
Atiox
Isit next to Lux in the kitchen, happy to see we have a clear morning. Perhaps we can show Octavia the town square. The market isn’t for a few rotations, but it’s still interesting, especially the glohas syrup operation.
Lux slides my coffee over, silently, eyes on a book laid open on the table in front of her.
“What are you reading?” I ask.
“A history book from Dosoria. About their omega extinction event, that lines up with the Red Death.”
I frown. Even now, a generation later, the mention of the illness that took our omegas hurts.
Zee enters the kitchen from the back door that leads to the garden.
