103- The Wolf’s Heat
POV Lunara Grimwald:
Edric lowered his arms to his sides, his hands clenched into fists. The veins on his wrists, running up toward his elbows, stood out sharply with the motion, the knuckles of his long fingers pale from tension.
I ran my tongue over my lips, unable to stop admiring the raw virility of his body—right as another violent wave of heat hit me. Edric let out a guttural sound, like he was in pain. Anton and Andrei took a few steps back.
“I’ve heard of cases where the she-wolf’s heat comes early,” Lyris said suddenly, frowning as her eyes darted between us. “It’s instinctual, kind of. I’m not saying it’s common—it’s actually very rare—but I’ve heard it happen to two mated females.”
“Why the hell would that happen?” I panted.
Lyris shrugged. “In one case, she and her mate had been fighting, distant from each other. Her wolf triggered the heat early so they’d reconnect. But they were fated partners, so that explains it.” She pointed between Edric and me. “That’s not your case, but it might fall into the second category.”
I threw my head back and let out a throaty moan, calling to him without words. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the unsteady step he took—his leg muscles taut, trembling as he fought to stay where he was, away from me.
“Just fucking say it already!” Andrei shouted, desperation edging his voice. “This is getting worse by the second!”
If I were one of them, I’d be panicking too. Everyone knew how Edric could get... aggressive when it came to me. And with my heat rising like this, he’d lose control fast—easily capable of killing his friends without meaning to. Even I was worried for their safety if my damned body kept leaking pheromones and begging to be fucked.
Lyris nodded, realizing the danger. “In the other case, it was purely instinct. Heat exists for procreation. Her wolf brought it on early because she wanted her to conceive.”
“Did it work?” I asked between shaky breaths.
“The second time, yes.”
“Second time?” Edric and I said in unison.
“Well, she didn’t get pregnant the first time, but during the second early heat, she did. After that, it never happened again.”
I stumbled back, straightening up and trying to put distance between us and the table. This couldn’t be happening. It was a nightmare—just as bad as the one I’d had earlier, with Alessio.
“This is... this is going to happen again,” I said, swallowing hard. “It’ll keep happening.”
“It will,” I whispered, gripping the sides of my head and clutching my hair tightly. “Edric and I will never have a pup, so my wolf is going to spend the rest of my life triggering early fucking heats?” I lifted my gaze to them, my voice cracking.
“I’m sorry, Lunara,” Lyris murmured softly, pity in her eyes.
Another wave hit me. I purred low and sent Edric a look, my pupils blown wide. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
“Go to my room,” he ordered. “I’ll go to Aldren and get you more heat suppressants.” He rubbed his palms together and looked at his friends. “Anton, stay here with her. You two can go home. Tomorrow, start working on contingency plans for everyone’s protection—and finding the traitor.”
They nodded silently.
Lyris gave me one last look, her lashes low, her expression full of pity, before following her brother out. Anton kept as far from me as possible as he walked by, sitting on the sofa.
“I hope she doesn’t stay in the same room as me,” he muttered, grabbing the TV remote. “I’m not affected because she’s mated, but that doesn’t mean it’s not... uncomfortable.”
“I’ll lock her in my room,” Edric sighed. “The bastard’s corpse is still in hers, and I have no idea how he got in—through the window or the front door. Besides, she’s staying with me for the next few days.” He pointed at his friend. “Keep your eyes open and your ears sharp in case someone tries to get on the roof.”
“Got it. Don’t worry.”
“When I get back, I’ll deal with the body. Nicoleta can clean the blood and the mess, but she’d faint if she saw what’s left of him.”
“She’d never forgive you for that,” Anton agreed.
And I’d have to side with Nicoleta on that one. The sight of the wolf’s guts splattered across the floor wasn’t exactly pretty. If I hadn’t been so consumed by anger—and the bitter realization that, on top of being hunted by Alessio, I’d been auctioned off by him like I was worth nothing—I probably would’ve vomited at the sight.
“Definitely not,” Edric grunted.
He walked toward me and took my wrist gently. The warmth of his fingers made me shiver, another moan escaping my lips. I leaned in, rubbing my hardened nipples against the muscles of his arms.
“Please...” I whispered, inhaling his scent—fresh pine and damp earth.
Anton clicked his tongue. “For fuck’s sake.”
Edric ran a hand through his hair, yanking it back as he fought every ounce of control in him not to give in. He gripped my wrist tighter and pulled me toward the stairs, his pace quick and impatient, as if he needed to get me away from him before he lost it.
On the second floor, my gaze darted to the closed door of my room—and instead of remembering the attack, flashes of that erotic dream I’d had about him crashed over me.
“Edric,” I whimpered.
I clung to him, rubbing myself against every inch of his sculpted body. He exhaled sharply, pushing me through the doorway of his room and guiding me toward the bed.
It was worse here—his scent saturated the air, thick and maddening, wrapping around me and making my need spiral out of control.
The canopy bed was massive, the mattress soft and inviting. On either side were empty nightstands. The left wall was all glass, like downstairs, with a sweeping view of the forest.
In the corner stood a stone fireplace, built from the same rock that formed the house. The fire inside was dying, just embers now. Edric went to it, tossing in a few logs to bring back the heat.
I glanced toward his closet, remembering the first time I’d been here—snooping through his things when he’d left me alone. The adjoining bathroom was large, with a bathtub I was sure I’d end up trying eventually.
I crawled across the bed, twisting the deep-blue sheets in my fists, tangling them as I reached the edge.
“I need you,” I panted.
My body felt ready to ignite, to burn from the inside out. If he didn’t fuck me—if he didn’t touch me—I’d combust.
Pheromones poured off me, my pussy slick and dripping, the scent of my arousal thick in the air.
He flared his nostrils, his teeth grinding together.