Chapter 137
Ayla
I don’t know how many times I entered my nest today and straightened a wayward pillow or fluffed a corner. I even stole more clothing from Thane and burrowed them into the nest like a squirrel burying a nut. My skin is crawling, and I find myself getting anxious over every little thing. I even went outside for a walk and to get fresh air, but the sight of a bunny family made me teary eyed. What the hell is wrong with me? I was cold most of the day and had to put on several layers of clothing and now I am hot. My clothes becoming too tight feeling and scratchy. I strip my shirt and pants off and run outside to the fall air. The crisp breeze feels good on my too hot of skin. I have turned into a mad woman lounging in a patio chair in my bra and panties, scratching like crazy and pacing around. Is this the start to a natural heat? I haven’t had one naturally. I haven’t experienced any pre–heat symptoms, and this is all new territory. Aramana keeps flashing me images of Thane that are doing nothing to calm me down. Quite the opposite actually. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I begin chewing off my fingernails when a strong, stabbing pain twists in my lower stomach. I double over, clutching my stomach and holding my breath as I wait for the cramping to stop. Fates, it hurts bad. I am glistening in sweat; my body is on fire and then the cramping stomps and I feel a gush of slick leave my heat and coat my inner thighs. The
cramping starts up again and this time it feels like my whole body is on fire. The pain radiates through me, and I feel like I can’t breathe and also if I do breathe, I will shatter. I don’t want to move as the pain overtakes me, but I
also can’t sit still it hurts too bad. I need to get into the house.
I can smell my scent permeating the air and it is potent lavender with a thick current of arousal. My heat is coming. Before I have time to even think, another cramp overtakes me. This one causes me to cry out in pain as tears leave my eyes. I hurt so bad and feel so empty. I can’t take this pain anymore and feel like I could pass out at any minute from the pain alone. It hurts so much it is nauseating me. My vision starts to blur as I attempt to drag myself back up to the chair. I don’t even remember how I got out of it. There is a few seconds of reprieve before the cramping starts again. I need Thane. I need my alpha and I need him now. The word alpha plays on repeat in my mind and I grip onto the armrest of the chair, fighting to get enough energy mustered through the pain to mind–link Thane, but my head is pounding as more slick leaves me. I don’t know how much time passed, but I must have lost consciousness. I awaken in the grass, apparently after attempting to crawl to the house. I pull myself up and stagger like a drunkard, attempting to point myself in the direction of home. I hear a noise and crunching gravel and look up to find a frantic looking Thane barreling out of his car and running in my direction. “Ayla, Ayla!” he yells, and I feel warmth overtake the bond in my chest. I also feel arousal and it hits me hard. I stagger back from the sheer force of it.
