Behind her, Alarik’s grip firmed, his presence a steady wall at her back. One of his hands traced slow circles at her waist, anchoring her against the worst of the trembling. He didn’t speak, but his touch said enough: ‘You’re not alone.’
Reiya shuddered, her fingers curling into Kaelen’s tunic. She dragged in a big gulp of air, then another, taking their scents into her lungs. The ache remained, the fevered burn thrumming low and insistent,but somehow . . . the panic began to ebb. Its unbearable edge dulled under their care and warmth.
The desperation softened, though her body still wanted to press closer, to take . . .
She clenched her fists, fighting the urge, fighting herself.
“Reiya.” Kaelen’s voice was quieter now, coaxing. “Look at me.”
It took effort, but she lifted her head, her gaze dragging upward until it met his.
“This is only Kindling,” he said softly. “If it were your Heat, you would’ve been even more mindless with need.”
She blinked, her thoughts still sluggish.
Kaelen’s arms tightened around her, his lips brushing lightly against her temple. “Heat is instinct-driven, yes, but instincts don’t always have to be obeyed in full.”
He lifted her hand, twining their fingers together, pressing her palm over his chest, right above the steady thrum of his heart.
“Sometimes, just a touch is enough. Sometimes, just scenting is enough. And sometimes”—his voice softened—“just holding someone is enough.”
Reiya let out a shaky sigh.
She’d always believed Heat was an unrelenting force, an impossible demand that could only be extinguished by surrenderingeverything. That was what she had feared most—that her body, in its most vulnerable state, would betray her completely, blind to sense or reason, leaving her powerless beneath any Alpha’s claim.
But they weren’t claiming her.
Behind her, Alarik shifted slightly, his hand smoothing down her side in slow, careful strokes, a harbour in the storm raging inside her.
“Until the full Heat comes?” She shuddered.
Kaelen’s knuckles brushed along her cheekbone, his touch impossibly gentle. His golden eyes, warm and steady, held hers with quiet intent.
“Yes. But you’re not there yet. So rest easy,” he murmured, his voice low, soothing. “You don’t have to do anything—you don’t have tobeanything. Alarik and I will hold you, keep you close. Let our scents wrap around you, let us be what you need.”
He paused to brush a lock of hair away from her forehead. “That’s all it takes. Just breathe, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Reiya’s heart clenched. She’d feared losing herself. But now . . .
Now, she saw the truth.
She trustedthem.
They weren’t pushing, weren’t taking.
They were holding her through it.
A low whimper left her, damp fingers tightening in Kaelen’s tunic. “I was scared,” she admitted, her voice barely more than a squeak.
Kaelen pressed a lingering kiss to her temple. “I know, Sáel.”
The word curled inside her, soft and tender. She didn’t know its meaning, but it felt precious.
Behind her, Alarik’s arm tightened around her waist, his heartbeat steady, his body warm against her spine.
“You’re alright,” he murmured. “We’ve got you.”
Reiya sagged between them, the worst of the ache ebbing further. The burning hadn’t vanished completely, but the desperation had dimmed, the need no longer unbearable.
