Part 46

I woke up with a crick in my neck and face buried in soft and sweet-smelling sheets. For a handful of seconds, I was disoriented, eyes glazed and unfamiliarly warm. As I tried to move, I felt two heavy arms sliding down my waist.

My body froze.

In the stillness, I became aware of a few more things. This was not my little room and the sheets smelled heavily of the Alpha pheromones and slick. A glance down my body made me realise that I was naked and cold, a duvet pooling around my shoulders.

I was sandwiched between two heated bodies. Everything came rushing back to me. My heat was a blur of touches, pheromones, and scents imprinting the experience to memory more than any other aspect. The turn of our emotions captured through biology is more appealing than any sensation.

Moons sake! I cursed under my breath, fully awake enough to bite my tongue before blurting it out. Panic gripped my body, and I shot into a sitting position, my heart beating so frantically that I feared it could wake the snoring Alphas next to me. I took another look at my body, cheeks turning bright red as I took in the distinctly finger-shaped bruises, purple marks littered in the valley of my breasts and thighs.

Taking some calming breaths, I swallowed the lump in my throat, finally glancing to the side. Shame washed over me as I realised they had no choice but to indulge me and take me apart because I couldn't stop pleading with them.

What if they regret it? The single question hovered above, making my skin prickle with goosebumps.

My eyes took in Reed; the Alphas cheek smushed against pillow, his mouth parted. There were lines marring his forehead even in sleep while Rowan looked at peace. He had his mouth parted, a hand above his head while the other laid on my side. Both the Alphas were so similar yet so different in their mannerisms.

Something unfolded in my chest, quenching and drowning out the panic; a heavy warmth pulled me down as I noticed the non-existent space between us.

Every fibre in my body screamed for me to lie back down and slide in their arms, bask in the glory. But the rational part of my mind was telling me to leave, as long as I still could, as long as they were asleep.

I left my common sense at that stupid restaurant by following Rowan instead of going home. It's time to pick it up.

A glance to the window told me it was early morning, the rays breaking through thick clouds.

I pushed all the battling emotions to the back and focused on getting out of bed without waking them. Carefully sliding in the sliver of the space in between, I pushed to the edge of the bed, swinging my feet.

Once on my feet, I winced at the stickiness in my thighs, and I found myself flushing once again, my mind suddenly becoming flooded with images of the previous night. Of the twins hands running over my chest, the sides, getting pulled under, moving along and breathing them in as they not allowed an inch of space between our bodies.

Shaking my head, I bent down to retrieve my clothes, hastily slipping them on when I heard the sheets rustling. A moment or two later, Rowan slowly sat up in bed, one hand rubbing over his face, then ruffling his hair.

"Erin..." He groggily called out.

I froze.

The voice must have alerted Reed as he blinked a couple of times before sitting up, his sleepy eyes landing on me. My chest ached, but I continued with my activity.

"Why are you getting dressed?" Reed asked, and his voice was deep and raspy, sending shivers down my spine. "It's early."

"I..." I started but discovered that my throat felt sore, my voice croaky. Of course. All that time spent on my knees was the reason behind my condition, so I coughed once before turning around. "I need to get to work."

My eyes are transfixed as they both get up, not bothering to cover up in the slightest, all that skin on display just for me to look at, and it seemed surreal knowing that I touched and tasted it extensively hours ago.

"Work? Are you out of your heat?"

I hummed, not trusting my voice, nails digging in my palms.

Alpha Rowan closed the distance between us in the blink of an eye, and he was warm and so stunning and leaning in. I cursed myself as I parted my lips, exhaling sharply when his arm came around.

It's a simple touch. But also so good that I had to resist the urge to lean in closer, almost feeling like I might be melting, his hands running up and down my sides like he's trying to coax me back into bed.

"You look well-rested, but taking another day off won't hurt you."

I wanted to listen, give in and stay back, all while play their omega. But I knew better than that. My family, and my employees, must be waiting for me. At the thought of explaining my absence, a throbbing sensation took over my temples.

Summoning my willpower, I pushed at his bare chest and took a step back. "I have to go," My voice wavered, hands still trembling by my sides.

"You can go." Reed cleared his throat from behind, snapping me out of my thought. "But after you have breakfast. Is that okay with you?"

I lifted my head to peer at him through my lashes, mouth twisting, when I was met with a blank face. He has always been good at concealing his face.

"That's...okay."

***

Entering the kitchen, I could see the crooked shelves lining the walls, filled with small mason jars, cups, and plates. Surprisingly everything was in place, not a speck of dirt to be found anywhere. Then again, they have always been clean freaks.

"So, what do you fancy eating?"

I jolted at the voice near my ear; my heart caught in my throat when I noticed Reed leaning by my side.

"Umm...anything is fine."

"Very vague." He muttered under his breath before rushing to the countertop.

"Reed, leave her alone," Rowan grunted.

I sat on the nearest barstool, gaze following their effortless moments around the kitchen. Rowan was busy filtering the coffee while Reed got to cracking eggs. Suddenly I felt my core tighten, imagining such a sight in the near future.

"Uhh...so what did you tell my family?" I croaked, feeling sweat cling to my skin, legs pressed together.

"We told them you went into heat..."

"What?!" I shrieked, almost banging my hands on the table, my toes curling. "Why would you do that?" My voice rose, and I didn't care, anger unfurling in my chest.

Reed lazily turned, leaning against the countertop. "Do you want us to lie? I am sure whatever excuse we came up with wouldn't justify you not going home for three days."

My cheeks heated up, and I slumped on the chair. He had a point. They would have smelled me anyway, no matter how many showers I take.

Rowan cleared his throat, handing me a cup before plopping on the seat next to me. "They are not mad. Do not worry about it."

"That's not what I am worried about," I murmured under my breath but loud enough for them to catch the end of it.

"You were careless, Erin. How did you not know about your heat?" I heard Reed's low voice, his arms crossing together. "What if Rowan wasn't there with you? Do you know the kind of trouble..." He exhaled loudly, a hand tugging on his hair as if he was picturing it.

"It was the suppressants I took before..."

Rowan made a sound. "You should have known better than that."

"If you are going to lecture me, then I better leave..."

"Sit."

One command from the Alpha, and I was already whining, coiling in my seat. Reed forwarded the plate filled with toast and omelette as he sat down in front, waiting till I finished every bite of the food.

***

Stepping out into the cold, fresh air was almost a shock. On the way, I had to stop multiple times, lean against a wall and take a few deep breaths, feeling as if my stamina had wholly shattered. Fortunately, my family was still asleep when I entered my room.

I knew I needed to sleep, to give my body a chance to recuperate after heat, but I found myself twisting and turning. When I finally gave in to it, the dreams came.

They're very vivid dreams. About the twins and the events that transpired during my heat—the breathy moans, sweaty skin, their scent that made me dizzy even in my subconscious.

Waking up, I was startled, sighing as I placed a hand on my lower region, closing my eyes to make those images reappear. I hoped the things go back to normal when I went back to the office, hoping these were some residual feelings left over from my heat-induced lust.

***