Page 205 of Just Wait

Some emotion filters through the bond, but I’m not an expert yet, and I can’t quite decipher what that feeling is.

The thermometer beeps, and I settle back onto my ass on the mattress next to Lumen.

“I don’t think the thermostat is broken,” Mal says, turning it toward us.

Lumen snorts. “You mean the thermometer?”

“Isn’t that what I said?” he asks, tilting his head. “Anyway, mine is 98.9.”

“There’s no way my temperature is seven or eight degrees higher than yours.” Lumen shakes her head, and her shock filters through the bond.

“We can physically feel the difference,” I tell her, sending steady comfort through the connection.

“Yeah, baby doll,” Mal says. “It wasn’t a bad experience, not at all, it was actually kinda hot…literally.”

I quirk an eyebrow at him, wondering if he’s ever going to stop rambling and get to the point.

“I’m just saying, it was like sticking my dick in a heating pad when you sucked me off earlier.” Mal shrugs. “Or, like, when you first settle into a hot tub. Ten out of ten, would do it again. No doubt about that. If I have an opportunity to fuck you in any capacity, I’m going to take it, but you were seriously hot.”

“The fact you’re here talking to us while running a fever of 107 tells me all I need to know,” I say gently. “You’re not seizing, unconscious, or screaming in agony like either of us would be if we had a temperature like that.”

“Dude, I think we would be dead,” Mal chimes in.

“That’s probably true,” I admit.

“You’re saying what?” she asks.

“I think there’s a real possibility that you’re presenting as an omega,” I say, just putting it out there. “Your scent has always hit the three of us hard, but it’s been even sweeter the last few days. Combine that with the pheromones you were putting out in the maze and the cramps⁠—”

“You also took Riser’s knot like a champ,” Mal says. “Not to mention, you were whining. That sound is distinctive to omegas.”

“I hear what you’re saying,” she says, bringing her hand to rub her forehead. “I guess I’m just in shock. There are no omegas in my family. None.”

“There were no alphas in mine either,” I tell her, patting her thigh.

“Honestly, it really doesn’t matter, outside of giving us some idea of how to take care of you.” Mal stretches over, cupping her cheek in his hand. “We could take you to the emergency room, and they could do blood work and an exam. Or we can see how the next few days go and get the lab work done when you’re feeling better. I mean, if it’s still necessary.”

She nods. “I don’t want to go anywhere right now, and I really don’t want to ruin your vacation.”

“That’s the last thing you need to worry about.” He leans in to kiss her, and I kinda regret not taking the good-cop role.

This cabin doesn’t have a nest, but as soon as morning rolls around, I’m going to call the front desk and see if I can get us booked into a room at the main lodge. We’ll keep this place too, since Ten, Parish, and Wren need somewhere to stay, but I want to do everything I can to make this next week as easy as possible on Lumen.

The four of us pass out in a giant puppy pile in the primary bedroom.

My hand tightens on what I assume is Lumen’s lower back as I blink awake. The right side of my body is on fire. Coincidentally, that happens to be where Lumen rests against my chest. Her tongue darts out, flicking over my skin, and I wake up fast.

“Shit, you’re hot again,” I say before my brain catches up.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but every inch of my body hurts.” Her leg jerks, grinding my cock into my lower stomach. I’m already hard, which could be thanks to her pheromones.

“Roll over and give me your ass,” I tell her, running my hand over her cheek.

Yeah, she’s fucking boiling.

Lumen turns away from me, pulling her knees up into the fetal position. I roll onto my side, curling around her.

Riser and Mal are passed out on the other side of the mattress. This bed is luckily bigger than a king, but they’ll likely wake when it starts rocking.