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“I hate this,” I whisper.
“I don’t,” Kai says cheerfully. “Honestly, if this turns into a lifetime heat orgy, I’ve had worse Tuesdays.”
“I will vomit on you,” I glare.
“Please do,” he winks. “It’ll cool things down in here.”
Lucian exhales so hard it sounds like an actual growl. “I swear to god, Reed -”
“Look,” Kai spreads his arms innocently. “All I’m saying is, if she ends up bonding to all of us, we should at least coordinate outfits.”
That’s when Theo gently presses a hand to my cheek again. His touch softens everything.
“You’re doing so good,” he murmurs. “You’re not alone. We’ve got you.”
I want to believe him. I want to believe all of it.
But all I can think is:
I’m in unexpected, uncontrolled,unsuppressedheat.
I’m in a car with four alphas.
I’ve abandoned my best friend, my livelihood, and my lipstick collection at an OMB-attended gala.
And I might be forming unapproved metaphysical attachments to four men: one of whom keeps comparing me to a cartoon deer.
“If we don’t get her somewhere secure,fast,it’s going to get worse,”Theo sighs.
“I’m going as fast as I can without putting her at risk,” Lucian says. “We’re nearly there.”
“Define 'nearly',” Kai mutters.
“Defineshut the fuck up,” Luciansnaps.
Theo shifts beside me, murmuring again. “Just hold on, sweetheart. We’ll figure this out.”
I nod. Everything hurts and nothing makes sense, but still, there’s a strange part of me that feels steadier than ever.
Even now.
Even with them.
Lucian’s voice cuts through the silence again, sharp and final.
“We talk when we arrive. We figure this out before someone does something stupid.”
Kai shifts slightly. “And by someone, you mean…?”
Theo sighs. “He means you.”
“Obviously,” Ash deadpans.
Theo’s fingers brush under my chin, lifting my gaze to meet his.
“You’re doing so well, Rhea. And you’re not alone,” he says softly. “Not anymore.”
Thatshouldcomfort me.
