“Thank you, Marlene.” Kiara waves before dragging me toward the breakroom.
I’m practically useless as I lean against the wall while she gathers our belongings. She sighs as she glances my way.
“I need to call the others and wake them up. They need to make arrangements for work this week, and we need them awake to tell them we want to bond with them.” She pauses. “Assuming that’s what you still want?”
“It is. You, too?”
Her smile is soft. “Yeah. Me too.”
She turns her attention back to her phone and dials someone before lifting it to her ear. “Mace?”
I can hear his voice but can’t make out his words. I’m pretty sure he’s freaking out though.
“Well, I wouldn’t say anything is wrong, per se.” She glances at me once more. “Apparently meeting his scent matches has sent Crew into heat early.”
She pauses, listening to him once more.
“Yeah, the charge nurse sent us home. It’s still in the early stages. It probably won’t hit until tomorrow sometime, but we wanted to let you know so the three of you can make sure you’re covered at work.” She pauses, grinning. “Of course he wants you to be part of his heat, and so do I. There’s more we need to discuss, but I’d rather do it in person with all three of you, yeah?”
Another pause.
“Yes, I have our stuff, and as soon as we get off the phone, we’re going to head to the elevator. I’m fine to drive—I’m usually up for hours later than this. Stop worrying about us and go wake up your pack. We’ll see you soon.”
She hangs up the phone, shooting me an exasperated look. “Alphas, man. They’re a pain in the ass. Are we sure we need them?”
“Sadly, yes. It’s a biological imperative for me. Otherwise, I’d kick them to the curb and keep you and Davis.”
She laughs, wrapping her arm around my waist and leading me back into the hallway. “Liar. You want their cocks and knots.”
A whimper slips out before I can stop it. I snicker. “I guess there’s no denying that, is there?”
“There certainly isn’t.” Kiara huffs when I stumble, almost taking down both of us. “Shit. We need to get you into a wheelchair. If we go down, I won’t be able to get you back up.”
“It’s a good thing we’re in a hospital then, huh?”
Which is how I find myself in a wheelchair, waiting at the employee entrance with a beta orderly while Kiara runs to get the car. I’m nodding off before she makes it back, and once they manage to get me strapped into the passenger seat, I’m out like a light.
“Crew, baby. It’s time to wake up.”
I grunt, trying to push away the hand shaking me. “Sleep.”
Kiara’s tinkling laughter has me blinking my eyes open. “You can sleep after we talk with the guys, okay? I get the feeling they’re going to want to get consent directly from you and won’t take me at my word when it comes to bonding with you.”
Before I can answer, my door flies open.
“Crew? Are you okay, baby?”
I turn my head to find Alexander there, his big hand cupping my cheek. “Kiss?”
My alpha chuckles, leaning in to brush his lips against mine before undoing my seatbelt. “Mason and I are going to help you inside so we can talk, okay?”
“‘Kay.” I blink a few more times, and while my head is still hazy, it’s clearer than it was earlier. I need to sleep through the worst of this until my heat kicks in.
Pre-heat is the fucking worst.
My steps are steadier as Alexander helps me out. Mason takes up my other side, and they help guide me toward the door.
“Are you okay, Kiki?” I hear Davis ask behind me.