Page 34 of Dark Auctioned Mate

He wanted to build a life with her that looked like this.

Elle was in the middle of describing Isa's latest painting adventure when Rael noticed Alanis shift uncomfortably in her seat. Her hand tightened on his, and when he looked at her, he saw tension in her jaw.

"You okay?" he murmured.

"Fine," she said, but her voice was strained.

A moment later, she shifted again, her thighs pressing together under his hand. Her breathing had quickened slightly, and a flush was spreading across her cheeks. She abruptly stood. “I need to leave.”

Everyone looked at her in surprise, including Rael.

"Is everything alright?" Elle and Rael asked simultaneously.

"Everything's fine," Alanis said quickly, giving Rael a tight smile. “I am just not feeling well.”

Rael stood, feeling confused. “I should take her home."

"Oh, of course." Elle stood as well. "I hope you feel better soon, Alanis. Thank you for coming tonight."

Alanis managed a smile that was probably meant to be reassuring but came out strained. "Thank you for having me. Dinner was lovely."

They made their goodbyes quickly—Sara giving Alanis a hug, Isa demanding a promise that Alanis would come see her paintings soon, Silas and August nodding their farewells. Even Javi managed a curt nod, though his expression remained guarded.

Then they were outside, heading down the path toward Rael's house, and Alanis was moving faster with each step.

"Alanis, slow down."

"I need to get inside," she said tightly. "Now."

They reached the house in record time. Alanis went straight for the stairs, and Rael followed, confused and concerned.

"Alanis, what's wrong? Did something happen at dinner? Did someone say something—"

She reached her bedroom door and pushed it open, then turned to face him. "I'm fine. I just need to be alone for a bit."

"Like hell you're fine." Rael stepped closer, studying her face. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just—" She broke off, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "Please, Rael. Just give me some space."

"Did I do something?" The question came out more vulnerable than he'd intended. "At dinner, was I too—my hand, I shouldn't have—fuck, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to touch you, and I didn't consider that it might make you uncomfortable—"

"Rael." She cut off his rambling, and there was something in her voice that made him stop. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then what—"

The scent hit him then, powerful and unmistakable. Sweet like peaches, warm like honey, laced with arousal and need. It filled the hallway, making his wolf surge forward with immediate, primal recognition.

She was in heat. Again. And from the intensity of her scent, it was worse than before.

"Oh," Rael breathed. "Alanis—"

"Don't," she said, backing toward her door. "Don't say anything. I just need to... I can handle this. I'll be fine."

"You're in pain."

"I can handle it."

"There's only one way to fix it for good." The words came out rough, barely controlled. "You know that, right? This isn't going to keep getting better with just my fingers. Eventually, you're going to need—"