There's a loaded silence.
"Never mind. I can call a service," Micah says, his voice small. "There are professional heat companions who—"
The image flashes in my mind. Some stranger, some alpha I've never met, touching Micah when he's vulnerable and desperate. Taking care of him through the most intimate experience an omega can have. Making him feel safe when that should be my job.
And suddenly, I understand the difference. My father abandoned his responsibilities to chase what he wanted. This would be the opposite. Taking responsibility for something I caused, being there for someone who needs me.
This isn't about losing control. It's about making a choice.
"No." The word comes out rough, but certain. "There's not going to be any service."
Micah stares at me, his expression shifting from surprise to something that looks almost like hope. "Nick—"
"You're not calling some stranger." I almost growl the last word. "Your body is responding to me. That makes this my responsibility. My choice."
The possessiveness in my voice scares me a bit. But I have to believe this isn't my father's impulsive selfishness. It's the exact opposite. It's choosing to be the person Micah needs, even when it terrifies me.
"I'm offering," I say, meeting his eyes directly. "I'm not letting you go through this alone, and I'm definitely not letting someone else take care of you when it should be me."
Micah's breathing quickens. "But you're straight."
It's a statement of fact, one I've never questioned before today. But now, looking at Micah, breathing in his scent that's becoming more enticing by the minute, I'm not so sure of anything anymore.
"I don't know what I am," I admit, the honesty scraping my throat raw. "All I know is that I care about you more than anyone, and the thought of you in pain makes me want to break things."
"That's not the same as being attracted to me," Micah points out, a flash of pain crossing his features. "I don't want your pity. I'd rather suffer through it alone than have you force yourself to—"
"I'm not forcing anything." I sit back on the edge of the bed, closer this time. "Micah, look at me."
He does, reluctantly, his pupils so dilated there's just a thin ring of hazel visible around the black.
"I don't know what's going on," I admit. "But ever since yesterday, I've been...noticing things. About you. About us. And right now, your scent is driving me crazy in ways I can't even begin to explain."
Micah's lips part in surprise.
"You don't know what you're agreeing to," he says, but there's a new note in his voice. Hope, maybe. "Heat sex isn't like regular sex. It's intense. Primal. And with a breakthrough heat like this, it's going to be even more so."
"I know the basics," I say, though the truth is I'm terrified. Not of helping him, but of what I might become when I do. Of how far my control might slip.
Micah studies me. He looks conflicted. "And what happens after? When my heat breaks and we have to face what we've done?"
The question hits exactly where I'm most vulnerable. Because I don't know. I don't know if I'll be able to look at him the same way, or look at myself in the mirror. I don't know if this will save our friendship or destroy it completely.
"I don't know," I tell him honestly. "But I know I can't walk away from you. Not when you need me."
Micah doesn't look convinced, but another wave of discomfort passes over his features, making him curl inward with a soft groan. My hand moves of its own accord, reaching out to touch his forehead. His skin is burning up, fever-hot against my palm.
"Let me help you," I say softly. "Please."
For a long moment, Micah just looks at me, something naked and vulnerable in his expression. Then he nods, a small, almost imperceptible movement.
"Okay," he whispers. "But Nick, you need to understand what this means. What could happen."
"Tell me."
He takes a shaky breath. "When an alpha helps an omega through heat, especially one triggered by compatibility, there's a high chance of...bonding. Especially if we're as compatible as my body seems to think we are."
Bonding. The word sends a shiver down my spine, part apprehension, part something that feels disturbingly likeanticipation. I know what bonding means. A permanent connection, deeper than marriage. A biological and emotional tie that can never be fully broken.