Chapter 8 Heat Rising (Declan POV)
I'm burning alive from the inside out.
Day three of the heat cycle, and I can't remember what it feels like to be cold. My skin is furnace-hot, sweat soaking through my fourth shirt of the day. The room spins when I try to stand, so I've stopped trying. Just lie here on the floor where the tiles are slightly cooler against my fevered skin, counting breaths and trying not to think about her.
It doesn't work.
Every inhale brings her scent, faint but present, clinging to my clothes from our last library session. Vanilla and something sharper, wild. My wolf responds with a howl that stays trapped in my chest, demanding I go to her, claim her, make her understand what she is to me.
"Can't," I say aloud to the empty room. "Can't do that."
My wolf doesn't care about reasons. Doesn't care that she's human, that her father killed mine, that completing the bond now would destroy both our lives. He only knows mate and mine and need.
The door opens. Callum enters with another bottle of water and a bag of ice.
"Temperature?" he asks.
"Don't know. Don't care."
"That's not an answer." He presses the back of his hand to my forehead and swears. "Jesus, Dec. You're nearly forty degrees. That's dangerous even for us."
"It'll pass."
"When? You've been like this for three days. Most heat cycles peak at day two."
"I'm special."
"You're mated to someone you can't have. That's what's special." He dumps the ice into a basin, soaks a cloth, and drapes it across my forehead. "This is unsustainable. You need to either claim her or…"
"Don't say it."
"…or reject the bond. Those are your options."
"There's a third option. Suffer until my body accepts I'm not giving in."
"Right. Because that's working brilliantly." Callum sits against the wall, watching me with concern etched across his face. "Owen's covering your classes. Told Patterson you've got the flu. That buys you maybe two more days before people start asking questions."
"Two days is enough."
"Is it? Because from where I'm sitting, this looks like it's getting worse, not better."
He's right. I know he's right. Yesterday I could at least walk. Today I can barely sit up without my vision greying out.
"Has she asked about me?" The question escapes before I can stop it.
"Vivienne? No. But Sophie mentioned to Owen that Vivienne's been acting strange. Skipping meals, running faster than she should be able to, hearing things."
My wolf perks up at that. "Hearing things?"
"Sophie said Vivienne had some kind of sensory overload in chemistry. Had to leave class. Freya helped her through it."
"Freya knows, then."
"Probably. She's a witch…she can sense supernatural changes." Callum leans forward. "Dec, what if Vivienne's not fully human? What if Edmund's been suppressing her abilities and the mate bond is breaking through?"
"That would make things better or worse?"
"Both. Better because it means you're not bonded to a human who'll age and die while you stay young. Worse because Edmund clearly doesn't want her knowing what she is, which means exposing the truth puts her in danger."
I close my eyes, letting the cold cloth numb some of the fire. "She deserves to know."
"Agreed. But who's going to tell her? You? The Alpha who's been stalking her and marking her territory like she's property?"
"I haven't…"
"You marked her locker, Dec. Her books. The bloody path she walks to class. Every supernatural student on campus knows she's yours. And when she finds out what that means, how do you think she'll react?"
I don't answer. Can't answer. Because I know exactly how she'll react—with fear, confusion, betrayal. She'll look at me like I'm the monster her father taught her to fear.
"Owen's taking first watch tonight," Callum says, standing. "I'll be back in six hours to relieve him. Try to sleep."
"Can't sleep. Too hot."
"Then meditate. Count sheep. Do whatever you need to do to not hunt down your mate." He pauses at the door. "And Dec? If you feel yourself losing control, I mean really losing it, howl. We'll come."
He leaves, and I'm alone with my fever and my wolf's incessant demands.
Claim her.
Mark her.
Make her yours.
"She's already mine," I tell the empty room. "The bond's forming whether I claim her or not."
But my wolf wants the physical act. Wants the bite, the mark, the completion. Wants her to know on every level what she means to me.
I curl onto my side, pressing my burning face against the cool tiles, and try to think about anything except Vivienne Ashford.
It doesn't work.
Hours blur together. Day becomes night becomes day again. Callum and Owen rotate through, bringing water I can't drink and food I can't eat. My temperature climbs higher. The scent coming off me intensifies, overwhelming, marking me as unmated and desperate to any supernatural creature within range.
"This is bad," Owen says on day four, standing as far from me as the small room allows. "Dec, your scent is so strong it's making my wolf respond. And I'm not even in heat."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize. Just... fix this. Please. Before something terrible happens."
"Working on it."
But I'm not working on anything. I'm barely conscious, drifting in and out of fever dreams where Vivienne runs beside me in wolf form, silver fur gleaming under moonlight. Dreams where she's mine and I'm hers and none of the impossible complications exist.
The door opens again. I don't bother looking up.
"Water's on the desk," I mumble. "Not thirsty."
"Good thing I didn't bring water, then."
My eyes snap open. Kieran stands in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"What are you doing here?"
"Owen asked me to check on you. Said you're getting worse." Kieran steps inside, wrinkling his nose at the scent saturating the room. "He wasn't exaggerating."
"Go away."
"Can't. It's my watch." He leans against the wall, crossing his arms. "You look like death."
"Feel like it too."
"Good. Maybe this will teach you that ignoring pack welfare for personal desires has consequences."
I don't have the energy to argue. Just close my eyes and try to remember what it felt like to be cold.
"She's changing, you know," Kieran says after a moment. "Your mate. Sophie told Owen that Vivienne's developing abilities. Enhanced senses, increased speed. All the classic signs of supernatural awakening."
"I know."
"So Edmund was suppressing her. Which means when she fully awakens…when she realizes what she is…she's going to have questions. Questions that lead straight to you."
"I'll handle it."
"How? You can barely stand. How are you going to explain to her that you're a werewolf, she's your mate, and by the way, her father killed yours?"
"Kieran…"
"No. You need to hear this." He moves closer, and I can sense his wolf rising, responding to my vulnerable state. "I challenged you at the pack meeting. Told you I thought you weren't fit to lead. Want to know why I backed down?"
"Not particularly."
"Because Callum convinced me that your father would want you to have a chance. That Marcus Hartley believed in second chances, believed in fighting for what matters." Kieran crouches beside me. "But Dec, your father also believed in protecting the pack. And right now, you're the greatest threat we face. Not Edmund. Not hunters. You. Because your judgment is compromised and your control is gone."
"Three months," I say hoarsely. "I have three months to sort this."
"You have three days. Maybe less. Because in your current state, you're one stray scent away from hunting her down regardless of consequences." He stands. "So here's what's going to happen. You're going to get through this heat cycle. You're going to regain control. And then you're going to decide: pack or mate. Because you can't have both. Not with Edmund Ashford in the picture."
He leaves before I can respond.
I lie there, his words echoing in my fevered brain. Pack or mate. As if it's that simple. As if I can just choose one and abandon the other.
But maybe he's right. Maybe I'm fooling myself thinking there's a path where everyone survives.
Day five arrives with no improvement.
Callum finds me trying to crawl toward the window, drawn by a scent on the breeze.
"Declan, no." He bodily blocks my path. "Whatever you're smelling, ignore it."
"She's out there. Walking to class. I can smell her."
"I know. But you can't go to her like this. You're not in control."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. Your eyes are amber. Your nails are claws. One more step and you'll shift whether you want to or not." He grips my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. "I need you to fight this. For five more minutes. Can you do that?"
"No."
"Try anyway."
I close my eyes, focusing on breathing. In, out. In, out. Counting seconds until Vivienne's scent fades as she moves away from the dormitory.
When I open my eyes, Callum looks grim.
"That was close."
"Too close," I agree.
"We need to increase security. Have someone watching her too, make sure she doesn't accidentally wander near the dormitory."
"She'll notice."
"Better she notices than you claim her in a hallway in front of witnesses." He helps me back to the bed. "Owen's talking to Freya. Seeing if there's a magical way to dampen your scent or accelerate the heat cycle."
"Magic doesn't work on mate bonds."
"Maybe not. But it might work on symptoms." He pulls out his mobile, scrolling through messages. "Brian wants to know if we should contact the Pennine Pack. They've got a healer who specializes in…"
"No outside packs. Not for this."
"Dec, you need help."
"I need time. That's all. Just time for my body to accept that I'm not claiming her yet."
"Yet," Callum repeats. "So you are planning to claim her."
"Eventually. When the time's right. When she knows what she is, what I am. When she can choose freely."
"And if she chooses not to be with you?"
The question physically hurts. My wolf howls in protest at the mere suggestion.
"Then I'll deal with it."
"No, you won't. You'll die. Or go feral. Those are the options when you reject a mate bond this strong."
I don't argue because he's right. The bond is too established, too deep. Rejection now would break something fundamental in me.
"Then she'd better choose me," I say quietly.
Owen appears at noon with disturbing news.
"Helena was asking questions," he says without preamble. "The Pennine Pack female. She cornered me after breakfast, wanted to know why you're in heat if you haven't found your mate."
"What did you tell her?"
"That it's none of her business. But Dec, she's not stupid. She knows something's off. And if she figures out your mate is human…or worse, Edmund Ashford's daughter…she'll use that information."
"Use it how?"
"Political leverage. The Pennine Pack has been trying to expand into Greyfang territory for years. Having dirt on you…proof that you're bonded to a hunter's daughter…that's ammunition they'd love to have."
I force myself to sit up despite the way the room tilts. "Then we keep Vivienne away from Helena."
"Bit late for that. They had PE together six days ago. Helena apparently cornered Vivienne in the changing room, asked her what she was."
My wolf snarls. "She did what?"
"Calm down. Vivienne didn't understand the question. Thought Helena was just being hostile about the track time." Owen sits on the edge of the desk. "But it's only a matter of time before someone makes the connection. Vivienne's exhibiting supernatural traits. You're in heat. Both happening simultaneously. Other wolves will put it together."
"How many supernatural students are there at Blackthorn?"
"That we know of? Maybe twenty. Most are trying to stay under the radar like us. But a few, like Helena, see this place as networking opportunity. Building alliances, gathering information."
"So we're surrounded by potential threats."
"We're always surrounded by potential threats. That's life as a werewolf." Owen stands. "But right now, the biggest threat is you. Because if you lose control and claim Vivienne publicly, every supernatural faction in Britain will know. And they'll come for her to get to you."
The thought of Vivienne targeted because of me makes my protective instincts flare viciously.
"No one touches her."
"Then get your head together. Finish this heat cycle. Regain control." Owen moves toward the door. "And Dec? Figure out what you're going to tell her. Because ready or not, she's waking up. And when she does, she's going to have questions you can't avoid."
He leaves, and I'm alone with the fever and the fear and the certainty that time is running out.
Day six arrives with a breakthrough.
My temperature drops. Not to normal, but manageable. I can stand without falling. Can think without my wolf's constant screaming demands overriding reason.
Callum notices immediately when he comes for his watch. "You look better."
"Feel better. Relatively speaking."
"Think you can handle a shower? Because mate, you smell like you died."
I manage a weak laugh. "Probably accurate."
He helps me to the bathroom, stays outside while I stand under cold water that finally feels cold instead of lukewarm. When I emerge, dressed in clean clothes, he's got food waiting.
"Eat," he orders. "You haven't had a proper meal in six days."
I force down toast and eggs while Callum watches with approval.
"What did I miss?" I ask between bites.
"Classes. Three football practices. Vivienne asking Owen if you were alright." He pauses. "She seemed worried."
Something warm spreads through my chest that has nothing to do with fever. "She asked about me?"
"Multiple times. Owen told her you had a bad flu. She wanted to visit, bring soup. He convinced her you were too contagious."
The image of Vivienne at my door, worried and caring, makes my wolf settle contentedly.
"Is she... is she okay?"
"According to Freya, Vivienne's abilities are manifesting faster than expected. The sensory overload is manageable now, but she's developing other symptoms. Increased strength, heightened reflexes. Classic awakening signs."
"Has Edmund noticed?"
"Not yet. But he's been calling her more frequently. Probably senses something's off."
I set down my fork. "We need to tell her. Before Edmund discovers what's happening."
"Tell her what exactly? That she's a suppressed werewolf? That you're her mate? That her father is a hunter who's been dosing her with magical suppressants since childhood?"
"All of it. She deserves the truth."
"And you think she'll just accept it? 'Oh, thanks for telling me my entire life is a lie, Declan. By the way, fancy a date?'"
"She's stronger than you think."
"She'd have to be. Because what you're about to tell her will shatter everything she believes about herself and her father." Callum's expression softens. "But you're right. She needs to know. The question is when and how."
"Soon. Before the next full moon. Before she shifts without preparation."
"That's two weeks away."
"Then we have two weeks to figure out how to explain the impossible."
Callum nods slowly. "I'll talk to Freya. See if she can help ease Vivienne into the truth. Witches are good at that, presenting impossible information in ways people can accept."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. This plan has about a thousand ways to go wrong." He stands, collecting the empty plate. "Rest today. Tomorrow you start regaining the control you lost. Because heat cycle or not, you're still our Alpha. And the pack needs you functional."
He's right. The pack needs me functional.
And Vivienne needs me to be strong enough to protect her from what's coming.
I lie back down, and for the first time in six days, I sleep without fever dreams.
But when I wake, I know the hardest part is still ahead.
Telling Vivienne the truth.
And hoping she doesn't run.