Heat

AVA

^DAY TWO^

I’m sprawled out on Dominic’s bed, drenched in sweat.

Nothing could have readied me for this. The pain is so intense, it’s unbearable. All I crave is to lose myself in someone, but I can’t. I’ve sent the only man I desire away.

Lyra’s constant whining and pacing doesn’t let me gather my thoughts. Dominic does his best to soothe me as I scream out in agony. We’ve even tried submerging me in an ice-cold bath. But nothing seems to help.

The pain was so severe last night, Dominic went out and bought me some toys to try. They do provide some relief, but it’s fleeting—just enough to tide me over until the next wave hits.

He asked if I wanted to call Abel, and though I was tempted, I declined. I can’t do that to him, especially knowing I need to sever ties with him once I turn.

I’m lying in bed, feeling the burning sensation start up again. I clutch the sheets and bite down on a pillow to stifle my screams. I slide my hand down to my core and start to pleasure myself, desperate to make the sensation pass.

I reach for a small vibrator Dominic bought me and press it against my clit, a wave of bliss washing over me. My eyes roll back as I moan into the pillow, my back arching in response.

Wanting more, I grab a six-inch dildo, much smaller than the ones I’ve seen, and position it at my entrance. I glide it between my lips, wetting it and teasing my clit some more.

After a minute, I slide it in and start moving it in and out of me. The vibrator shifts as I quicken my pace. I do my best to suppress my screams of pleasure.

I get up and reposition the dildo and vibrator so I can ride them. I slide them back in and start to bounce on the vibrator, moans escaping my lips. I run one hand through my hair and place the other on my chest.

A wave of pure euphoria courses through me. Once that wave has fully passed, I take a deep breath, then sit all the way down on the dildo and begin to rock back and forth, grinding my clit against the vibrator, faster and faster.

I feel my pleasure building again, and go as fast as I can until I climax. I don’t stop, though. I keep going as fast as I can. I can’t hold back my moans.

I feel the pleasure building again quickly and lift my ass off the dildo but keep the vibrator on my clit until I squirt all down my legs and on the bed. I collapse back down and try to calm down as my legs tremble.

With the pain gone, I try to get some sleep before the next wave comes. And before I know it, I’ve drifted off to sleep.

I wake to Dominic entering the room. He walks over to me and moves the toys back into the drawer after cleaning them off for me.

He feels the bed, and I hear him chuckle. “My God, Ava, you soaked my bed. That pussy must have really taken a beating.”

He lifts me up and places me on the daybed by the window so he can change the blankets. Once he’s done making the bed, he walks into the bathroom and I hear the shower start.

I get up and change my underwear and slip into a different dress, then sit back on the daybed and look out the window. Some of the vampires are training.

I watch for a few minutes before seeing Abel on the other side of the field with a group of vampire women. All of them are beautiful and they all touch him and flirt, batting their eyes.

I can’t blame them—the man is attractive—but it irks me seeing him just accept their advances. I try to ignore them and turn my attention to two vampires sparring, both equally strong, both covered in sweat and dirt.

But they suddenly stop and look over in Abel’s direction, laughing. Some girl has her arms wrapped around him and his hand is behind her neck. They begin making out.

I take a deep breath and turn away from the window. My hormones can’t deal with this right now. But now I see what Dominic meant, that I’ll see how Abel is away from me.

I lay back on the bed and try to enjoy the little bit of time I have before the pain comes back. My eyes begin to get heavy and I feel myself drift back to sleep.

I wake up to the shower turning off and Dominic walking into the room wearing only a towel, his scent heavy in the air. He comes toward me and stretches over me to open the window and let some air into the room.

Bending down, he brushes my hair off my face as I flutter my eyes at him and blush. He feels my forehead, checking to see if I have a fever yet. I study his face, admiring his relaxed features.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, stroking my head.

“I’m okay. I hate that you had to clean up my mess.” I’m grateful for his kindness during this difficult time.

“No worries, Ava,” he reassures me, his hands cradling my face as he gazes into my eyes. “You can’t help it. Even if this happens all day, I’m okay with it. I can only imagine how hard it is for you, dealing with this alone.”

“Dominic? Why are you so good to me?” I whisper.

“When Abel first told me he’d rescued you, I was angry. It took me a few days to understand that he just wanted to be with you. He’d rush in here, finish his work quickly, and leave as soon as the meetings were over.”

His voice is gentle. “I asked him why he was so invested in you, and all he could say was that you deserved happiness. It’s the first time in years I’ve seen him care about anyone.”

“I think I was more of a trophy to him. He managed to get a young wolf to willingly satisfy him. But after we almost had sex, he kept his distance. He’d come home late, eat, then crash on the sofa.”

“He might care about my welfare,” I add in a soft, hoarse voice, “but he doesn’t truly have feelings for me.”

“If he wasn’t with you, why was he always in such a hurry at work? What could be more important?”

“I bet it has something to do with the girl I just saw him kissing. He was flirting with a bunch of women while the other guys were sparring.

“But”—I sit up and adjust my dress to cover my thighs—“don’t worry about it, before you confront him.”

“I won’t. He needs to face that himself. But I will say, you look stunning today.” His face lights up with a smile.

“You’re only saying that because you saw my private parts,” I retort sarcastically.

“I swear, I didn’t look. I just moved you so I could clean the bed. I didn’t want to cover you in case you went back into heat.” He sounds a bit flustered as he tucks his hair behind his ear.

“Shit!” I scream.

“What?” His eyes scan mine, filled with concern.

I clutch my chest, tears welling in my eyes. “It’s…Alpha Black… He’s with his lover. The pain isn’t as intense as it used to be, but ~damn~ it still hurts.”

Dominic rubs my back as I take slow, deep breaths, trying to soothe my nerves. “Can I do anything for you?” he asks, studying my face.

“No, I’ll manage. Just hold me, please, Dominic.”

He sits beside me and gently lifts me onto his lap, allowing me to get comfortable. My head rests against his neck, my body pressed against his, my legs draped over one of his.

I inhale his scent, tracing my nails across his neck and chest. He lets out a soft sigh as I adjust my head. My lips barely graze his neck as I turn my head to rest it on his shoulder.

I keep my lips on his shoulder and my chest against his as I sit up, my legs spread wide over his lap. His eyes widen as my body naturally molds to his.

“Ava, can I shift you a bit? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable…” His voice is deep and gravelly, and I look at him, puzzled.

“Am I making you uncomfortable? Did I do something wrong?” I ask, concerned.

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that I’m worried that if you stay like this, I’ll want you. And I know I’m not the one you want,” he admits, stroking my hair and holding my lower back.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll move so I don’t disturb you.” I pull my dress back down and slide off him, laying my head on his lap instead.

“Is this better?” I ask, looking up at him.

“Yes. I don’t want to take advantage of you, Ava. I know you’re in heat, but I don’t want to do this just because your body is demanding it.”

Dominic’s eyes linger on my body as he speaks. “I want you to want me for me.”

“I’m not here to use you, Dominic. I came to you during my heat because I knew it would be safer. I knew I wouldn’t give in to you like I would with someone else.”

“You’re like a sanctuary for me,” I confess, my body curling into his, his hand resting on my thigh.

I lay there, nestled in his lap, while he gently strokes my hair and his thumb traces patterns on my thigh. The sounds of the outside world filter in—people training, women chattering, Abel’s commanding voice echoing through the air.

Then, it hits me. A searing pain rips through my chest, as if I’ve been stabbed. Lyra’s howl echoes in my ears and tears start to stream down my face. Dominic pulls me closer, his lips pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, his fingers soothingly running through my hair.

He’s trying to comfort me, but this isn’t my heat. This is something different. I let out a scream as another wave of pain hits me, and a loud crash echoes from outside. Lightning illuminates the sky.

Dominic’s eyes widen in shock before he stands, cradling me against his chest. The room darkens as a massive cloud engulfs the coven house, and as another wave of pain forces a scream from my lips, rain begins to fall.

“Ava, how are you doing this?” Dominic asks, his voice filled with awe.

“I don’t know. All I know is that I’m in so much pain. I think my mate bond just broke,” I manage to choke out, tears soaking his shirt.

“Does that mean you’ll finally stop feeling him?” His voice trembles with hope.

“I think so…”

Dominic looks down at me, confusion etched on his face.

Suddenly, a new scent envelops me. It’s rich and comforting, like rain and mint. It fills my senses, drawing my attention to Dominic. His eyes are pitch black. He smells it too.

He pulls me closer, his nose nuzzling my neck. I can feel his fangs grazing my skin.

I pull back, cradling his face as his vampire instincts take over. His eyes are bloodshot, his irises black. Veins stand out against his skin, tracing a path down his neck, and his teeth sharpen into points.

I reach out, touching his fangs, giving us both a moment to process what’s happening. And then…

“I have a mate!”