Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Elizabeth was seventeen when she first presented as an Alpha, the last one of her friends.

She’d always thought she’d be a Beta – calm, rational, safe. But when it hit her, it felt like a tidal wave, turning her carefully crafted world upside down.

Gigi looked at her with something much too close to wide-eyed excitement. Raora watched with a quiet acceptance, as though she’d known this was inevitable all along. And Cecilia – Cecilia regarded her with a soft pity that Elizabeth didn’t quite understand.

They’d been friends for as long as Elizabeth could remember. She didn’t recall a time when Cecilia wasn’t in her life – constant and comforting, from the first days of childhood. On sleepy Saturday mornings, she’d wake to find Cecilia at her door, nine a.m. sharp, bouncing on her heels in barely contained excitement, asking if she could come in and play.

She’d sit in the grand dining hall, listening to Cecilia’s fingers dance across the piano keys, marveling at the way the music seemed to breathe through her. Elizabeth had never been any good at it, but Cecilia made it look easy, like the notes were part of her. Sometimes, Elizabeth would find herself singing along.

She could still picture the first time she met Gigi. It was a sunny afternoon; their school bags lay abandoned on the playground as she and Cecilia chased each other through the grass, playing secret agents. They were on the trail of the great mystery of the missing sock when they stumbled upon a girl with unruly, dirty blonde hair and a guarded expression that didn’t quite match the innocence of that summer day. Even her clothes seemed muted beneath the bright afternoon sun.

Curious and fearless, Elizabeth had declared her a key witness to their investigation. Gigi’s answers were short, clipped, as if she were afraid of saying too much. Still, she stuck around.

One day, Elizabeth offered her a matching hat, a small notebook, and a pair of cool plastic sunglasses. “We could use an extra pair of eyes,” she’d said with a grin. Gigi had accepted with a toothy smile that Elizabeth would come to treasure.

Raora came later, in sixth grade with fluffy ears and a big, poofy tail that drew too much attention. Some kids liked to tug on it, testing her patience. One afternoon, Elizabeth had punched a boy who yanked Raora’s tail while she lay on the grass, sketchbook in hand. Startled, Raora had turned with claws out, scratching Elizabeth’s arm in self-defense. It hadn’t even stung once she’d pressed the pink bandage over it, blubbering apologies.

School wasn’t so bad with the three of them at her side.

Raora presented halfway through seventh grade. Elizabeth had noticed her absence that morning, the empty seat beside her cold and lonely. Raora had taken it in stride, always so mature, as if it was just another step in growing up, no different from learning to braid her hair or uncovering a secret.

She was on heat leave for the next three days. When she returned, she didn’t meet Elizabeth’s eyes for a week.

Gigi followed less than a year later. Elizabeth had been more prepared that time. She’d shown up at Gigi’s dorm room with a bag of leftovers from lunch, a small plushie, and – at Raora’s insistence – the uniform shirt she’d worn that day.

Gigi’s hair was just as wild as the day they’d met, sticking up in odd angles. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes glossy with a need she barely understood. Elizabeth handed her the shirt without a word and slipped away to her own room next door, where she didn’t sleep a wink.

Elizabeth turned fourteen, then fifteen, then sixteen. Her friends’ heats became routine: an occasional absence, a lingering scent in the halls. Sometimes she’d catch herself watching Cecilia, always so calm, and wondered if that was what she was destined to be too. Would that be so bad?

She’d caught Cecilia and Gigi together once, just last month, whispering in hushed voices, Gigi’s heat close enough to scent. The next day, faint scratches marked Cecilia’s neck, a small bite mark just below where her scent gland would be. Elizabeth noticed the faintest imprint on Gigi’s neck too. An echo of dull teeth.

She wondered how they made it work – one Beta, one Omega, no Alpha. She’d heard of Betas pairing with Betas, but it was in the nature of Omegas to submit and Alphas to dominate. That was what she’d been taught all her life.

Sometimes, she watched them – bickering and laughing, fingers brushing shyly – and felt a pang of something she couldn’t name. Deep down, she hoped she’d find that, too.

Her seventeenth birthday came and went. She still hadn’t presented.

She told herself being a Beta wouldn’t be so bad. Calm. Rational. Unbothered by heat or rut or any of the other messy, primal urges that frayed the edges of the mind. She was studious, determined, a little too stubborn, but never aggressive. Never territorial. She’d always assumed that part of herself simply didn’t exist.

And then Raora went into heat.

It had become routine by now, helping her friends get ready, making sure they had everything they needed: food, painkillers, something that smelled comfortingly like each of their friends.

Elizabeth had just come back from the library, arms full of textbooks, her head swimming with notes and deadlines. She liked it that way – organized, structured, safe.

It was day two of Raora’s heat, when Elizabeth knew it to be at its worst. On her way back to her own room, she passed Raora’s door. She hesitated. Then turned back.

She knocked and waited for a reply, before peeking her head in. Raora lay asleep in a nest of clothes, her breathing slow.

Elizabeth smiled, relieved that her pretty kitty seemed to be doing okay. Her eyes drifted until they landed on a small, bullet-shaped object lying on her bedside table, glistening in the dim light, clearly well used-

Elizabeth almost woke her with the force she closed her door with.

Raora’s heat clung to the air, thick and sweet, like honey dripping from the walls and made her mouth go dry. Elizabeth had smelled heats before – passing by other Omegas on the brink in the halls, sometimes offering a glass of water or a gentle smile – but it had never affected her. She’d felt sorry for them, awkward and helpless, but that was all.

This was different.

It filled her every breath, sticky and insistent, seeping into her bones. Elizabeth stumbled, nearly dropping her books.

Her chest tightened. Her heart thudded. A molten ache coiled low in her belly. Her vision blurred around the edges. Every inhale dragged Raora’s scent deeper, clouding her mind with desire.

Panic clawed at her throat.

She barely made it to her dorm. Fingers fumbled with the keys, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She slammed the door shut and locked it, pressing her back against the cool wood, staring at her trembling hands. They weren’t supposed to shake.

She’d never felt this before – this deep, feral hunger that felt like it would consume her. Every cell in her body thrummed with a primal drive to find Raora, to mark her, to sink her teeth into soft skin and claim what her instincts screamed was hers. The thought alone was enough to send a shudder down her spine. She couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.

Elizabeth sank to the floor, pressing her palms to her thighs as though she could anchor herself. But it was no use. The pressure only grew.

She remembered the way Gigi had looked during her first heat – dazed, helpless, ashamed – and she’d comforted her with easy smiles and quiet reassurances.

She dug her nails into her palms until she nearly drew blood.

The second day was worse. Sleep had been a feverish haze of restless dreams: flashes of teeth on skin, Raora’s scent heavy in the air, the feel of fur brushing her cheek.

She woke gasping, her hips grinding into the mattress, something hard dragging along the cotton. Each little movement sent jolts of pleasure racing up her spine, sharp and unexpected. Before she even knew what was happening, she’d made a mess of her sleep shorts – imagining a soft pliant body beneath hers, legs spread wide, an accented voice whimpering-

She recoiled, horror twisting her gut. Her chest tightened with shame, every breath ragged and shallow. She felt feral. Inhuman. Stubborn tears pricked her eyes as she stared at the damp patch on the front of her shorts.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. She was supposed to be strong. In control. She was supposed to be a Beta, after all.

Her thoughts spiraled. If she went to Raora now – would she…? The idea made her stomach lurch with both revulsion and a hunger so deep it felt like falling. Would she hurt her? Could she even stop herself if she tried?

She buried her face in her hands and wept.

When the haze finally began to fade, Elizabeth dragged herself to the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and stared into the mirror. Her reflection was a stranger: flushed, wild-eyed, hair stuck to her forehead with sweat. Her hands still trembled.

She made a decision then – one that felt both like a betrayal and a salvation. She wouldn’t let this happen again. She’d never risk losing control.

Suppressants were easy enough to get, if you knew where to look. She found a doctor who didn’t ask questions, who handed her a discreet prescription with a knowing look.

Shame burned through her and for weeks after, she couldn’t meet Raora’s eyes. Every time she saw her – tail swishing, ears perked, that easy smile – she felt the echo of that terrible, raw hunger. She forced herself to laugh at her jokes, to talk about school, to help with her sketches. Every moment felt like a test she couldn’t afford to fail.

Sometimes, she caught Raora watching her – puzzled, a little sad – and it felt like a knife between her ribs. But Elizabeth kept her mask firmly in place. She had to.

She told herself that being an Alpha didn’t define her. That she could still be the same Elizabeth she’d always been: calm, collected, steady.

But in the dark, she wondered if she was lying to herself – if the thing she’d felt, the monster she’d met inside her own mind, would always be there, waiting.

She didn’t know how to live with that.

Suppressants dulled the worst of the fire, but they couldn’t change what Elizabeth had become.

The changes came slowly at first, so subtle she nearly missed them. Her arms seemed to fill out the sleeves of her school uniform, her posture shifted: shoulders set a little higher, her step carrying a new weight.

But soon the differences became undeniable. She’d always been strong – she loved sports, had always been quick to join in games of catch or sparring – but now she felt it in her bones. Her muscles thickened, her arms growing just a little bulkier, her shoulders broadened. A new strength hummed in her veins. One afternoon, she lifted Cecilia off the ground in a hug without even trying. She tried not to think about how good that felt – to be strong enough to protect the people she cared about.

Her scent changed too, though the suppressants masked most of it. Underneath the faint chemical veil lurked a sharper note of authority now – something that made even strangers glance at her with cautious respect. Sometimes she caught it drifting around the edges of her control, especially when she was angry or tired. She’d never had to worry about her scent before – she’d been careful, polite, unremarkable. Now, she felt like she was always on the verge of standing out, and it terrified her.

And sometimes, Raora would catch her staring at her reflection in the mirror, studying the curve of her arms, the new lines of muscle in her legs. “You look good,” she’d say, a gentle smile curving her lips, and Elizabeth would flush, mumbling something about working out more. But in the dark, she wondered if it was her nature showing through – the Alpha in her – whether she wanted it or not.

Suppressants couldn’t erase the instincts that came with being an Alpha, either. Elizabeth had always been protective, but now that protectiveness had teeth.

When Gigi looked tired or a little too pale, Elizabeth found herself hovering, eyes fixed on her every move. Was she eating enough? Sleeping enough? Had she taken her suppressants? When Raora’s tail twitched in irritation during lunch, Elizabeth’s muscles tensed in response, ready for something she couldn’t name. She’d catch herself bristling at the smallest signs of discomfort in her friends.

She tried to hold it back – reminded herself that her friends weren’t fragile, that they could handle themselves. But the urge was always there, a steady undercurrent she couldn’t silence.

It made her more confident, too, in ways that scared her. She’d always been decisive, but now her voice carried a quiet authority that even her teachers noticed. She found herself taking charge in group projects, organizing study sessions, even unconsciously stepping between her friends and strangers in the hallway. 

She felt bigger somehow – not just physically, but in the way she moved through the world.

And sometimes- sometimes that made her afraid.

One night, unable to sleep, she stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection. Her arms were thicker now, her shoulders strong enough that even her loose sweater couldn’t quite hide them. Her jaw looked sharper, her neck a little thicker, a noticeable bulge near the apex of her thighs that made her blush when she stared too long. It felt like her body was reshaping itself into the mold of an Alpha whether she liked it or not.

She pressed her fingertips to the glass, tracing the line of her cheek, the faint new hollows at her temples. She remembered the way she’d looked at fourteen – softer, smaller, her hair always a little wild no matter how long she spent brushing it. She’d always been proud of her strength, but now it felt different – like it wasn’t entirely hers to command.

She closed her eyes and breathed, trying to find that old calm. But the Alpha was always there now – a silent, watchful presence she couldn’t banish.

Her friends noticed, too. Raora, with her gentle heart, never said anything outright, but sometimes she’d brush her hand against Elizabeth’s arm and look at her with that quiet, searching gaze that made Elizabeth’s chest ache.

Gigi teased her more now, calling her “Big Alpha” in a singsong voice that made Elizabeth want to grin and hide all at once. 

Cecilia’s reactions were more complicated. Sometimes she seemed to lean into Elizabeth’s new strength, letting her carry her bags or guide her through a crowded hall by the small of her back. Other times, she’d bristle, key spinning too fast, her eyes sharp and challenging. 

Getting into her top-choice law program felt like the culmination of years of effort – a carefully laid path leading to a safe, predictable future. She’d chosen her classes with precision, balancing heavy legal theory with a few music electives to indulge the part of her that refused to let go of singing, even after all these years. She’d always loved the thrill of a harmony, the way a voice could fill a room in a way that words alone never could.

She met Nerissa during a vocal performance class.

Nerissa’s voice was like honey poured over old, crackling records – warm, smooth, yet edged with a rawness that made Elizabeth’s skin prickle. Her laughter sometimes rang out too loud, her eyes always sparkling with mischief. Every note she sang carried a depth that turned even the simplest melody into a confession. It lodged itself in Elizabeth’s chest and refused to let go.

Elizabeth noticed her first because of that voice – how it soared above the piano’s accompaniment with effortless grace, commanding every ear in the room. Elizabeth had always been a disciplined singer, but she’d never quite mastered the easy charm that came so naturally to Nerissa. More and more, she found herself lingering outside the practice rooms just to listen.

Nerissa, on the other hand, noticed Elizabeth immediately. Not just because of her powerful, slightly husky alto that made the air vibrate, but because of the way Elizabeth’s eyes darkened when the conversation turned to technique, or the way her posture shifted with every note – like she was bracing for something she couldn’t quite name.

It was irresistible.

“Hey there, Alpha,” Nerissa teased one afternoon after class, her smile playful as she leaned against the doorframe. “You’ve got a voice that could shatter glass, you know. Ever think of doing a duet with me?”

Elizabeth nearly choked, purposely ignoring the name and the way it made her pulse race. “I- I mean, I don’t know if I’d be-”

Nerissa’s grin was wicked. “Relax. I don’t bite.” She leaned in close, her breath hot against Elizabeth’s ear. “Unless you want me to.”

Elizabeth’s brain short-circuited.

Shiori, Nerissa’s best friend and a Beta, was an entirely different presence altogether. A literature and history major, she thrived on deep reading and quiet conversations in tucked-away corners of the library. She always had a book in hand, eyes half-lidded, mind miles away in some other world. Her quiet wit and elegant aloofness drew people in – only to keep them at arm’s length.

She and Nerissa had been friends since high school, a bond forged over countless hours of conversation and unspoken understanding, always teetering on the edge of something more. Shiori cared deeply for Nerissa, yet never minded if her friend’s desires took her elsewhere. In fact, she often felt a quiet satisfaction in watching Nerissa find what she needed, even if it wasn’t always with her.

When Nerissa started mentioning Elizabeth to Shiori, it was all wide eyes and breathless excitement.

“She’s got this voice that could break your heart,” Nerissa gushed one night in Shiori’s dorm room, her cheeks flushed, wings puffed out behind her. “And when she sings, she closes her eyes like she’s afraid of letting anyone in. I can’t stop thinking about her.”

Shiori tilted her head, considering. “You’ve always liked the ones who make you work for it,” she teased, a knowing glint in her eye.

Nerissa’s smile softened. “She’s different, Shiori. I think- I think I really like her.”

Shiori’s smile was small but genuine. “Then we should help you get her, shouldn’t we?”

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was utterly lost. Nerissa’s teasing made her chest tight, but she never quite knew how to respond. Every time Nerissa brushed a hand against her arm during a vocal warm-up or leaned too close while adjusting the mic stand, heat rose to Elizabeth’s cheeks. She’d never dated seriously – always too focused on building her future and controlling her Alpha instincts to risk letting anyone in.

One evening, after a particularly intense rehearsal – Nerissa’s voice dancing circles around hers in a playful duet – Nerissa invited Elizabeth back to her dorm for a movie. Shiori was there, curled up in a chair with a battered copy of The Iliad. She looked up as they entered, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

“So this is Elizabeth,” she murmured, her voice low and even. “Rissa’s told me so much about you.”

Elizabeth shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling too big for the room. “Hi. Sorry to intrude-”

“You’re not,” Shiori interrupted smoothly, setting her book aside. “Stay. I’d like to get to know the Alpha who’s stolen my best friend’s heart.”

“Shioriii,” Nerissa groaned, playful. “You’re going to scare her off.”

Shiori’s smile softened but remained teasing. “If she runs at the first sign of honesty, she’s not worth it. But,” she met Elizabeth’s gaze, “I don’t think you’ll run.”

Elizabeth’s mouth opened, then and closed again. Heat crept up her neck.

The three of them spent hours talking that night – about music, literature, and the unspoken dance between instinct and choice that Elizabeth had never quite understood. Shiori’s questions were sharp, always laced with a mischievous edge that chipped away at Elizabeth’s carefully constructed walls. Every time Shiori teased her about being an Alpha – some offhand remark about “big, strong Alpha energy” – Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably, fingers tangling in her lap.

Nerissa, curled up beside her on the couch, hair tickling her cheek, seemed to revel in Shiori’s teasing. Her eyes sparkled, her laughter warm. But every time the word Alpha left Shiori’s lips, Elizabeth’s stomach twisted. The title felt too big, too dangerous, something she’d spent years trying to control, never quite knowing how to wear it without fear.

“You’re an Alpha, though,” Shiori said at one point, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “Even if you take suppressants, you must feel it sometimes – like there’s something deeper inside you that wants to-”

Elizabeth’s jaw tensed. Her gaze dropped to her hands. She couldn’t deny it. The thought of Nerissa’s heat – helpless, desperate – had haunted her dreams. She’d woken more than once with a throbbing hardness between her legs, the memory of Nerissa’s voice still echoing in her ears. 

“It’s not something I…like talking about,” she muttered, voice tight. “It’s complicated.”

Shiori blinked, her teasing smile fading into thoughtful silence. She watched Elizabeth for a long moment – noticed the way her shoulders had hunched in, how she’d closed herself off like a flower folding at dusk. When she spoke again, her voice was gentle.

“Alright,” she said, leaning back. “We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I just-” She shrugged, letting the sentence trail off.

Nerissa’s hand slipped into Elizabeth’s, her thumb tracing slow, reassuring circles across her skin. Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her ears.

“It’s okay,” she whispered. “You don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready for.”

Elizabeth let out a shaky breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “Thanks,” she murmured, voice small.

They didn’t label it at first – labels felt too small for what they were building. But slowly, tentatively, Elizabeth let herself be.

She kissed Nerissa one night after a concert, adrenaline still buzzing through her veins, the echo of their duet lingering like a heartbeat. Something warm and unfamiliar bloomed in her chest.

Shiori, a quiet presence by their side, kept her teasing to a minimum after that night – at least when it came to Elizabeth’s role as an Alpha. Instead, she watched her with a quiet, curious intensity, offering soft smiles and knowing nods whenever Elizabeth seemed lost. Her wit remained sharp – a gentle poke here, a wry comment there – but she’d learned to leave Elizabeth’s fears alone. Elizabeth was grateful for that in ways she couldn’t put into words.

Then, it happened late one evening. Nerissa had left for an early morning class, leaving only Elizabeth and Shiori in the apartment. Without Nerissa’s laughter, the space felt quieter, filled with the ticking clock and distant traffic.

Shiori lay curled on the couch, a book balanced on her stomach as she idly flipped pages. Elizabeth sat cross-legged on the floor, sorting through a stack of papers she’d neglected for weeks.

“You know,” Shiori drawled, eyes glinting over the top of her book, “you’re the only Alpha I know who alphabetizes her assignments. It’s almost cute.”

Elizabeth shot her a look, half-amused, half-exasperated. “It helps me think.”

Shiori smirked. “Of course. Queen of Organization herself.” She let the book fall closed with a soft thud. “Tell me, Elizabeth – does that stack of notes also have color-coded tabs for your emotions? Or is that too messy for Miss Calm-and-Collected?”

Elizabeth’s lips twitched, but her voice turned quiet. “I like things I can make sense of.” She hesitated, fingers pausing on a loose page. “But… with people, sometimes I don’t know where to start.”

Shiori’s smirk faltered, her teasing edge softening. For a breath, she looked like she might deflect again, but Elizabeth’s earnest tone caught her off guard. “You don’t always have to know where to start,” she murmured, her voice gentle now. She shifted, propping herself on one elbow to face Elizabeth more directly. “Sometimes it’s okay to just… let things happen.”

Elizabeth’s gaze lifted, warm and open, and Shiori felt her chest tighten. She hadn’t expected that – hadn’t expected Elizabeth to look at her like she mattered. 

“Shiori,” Elizabeth said, her voice so tender it made Shiori’s throat go dry, “do you… do you ever think about us? About-” She faltered, cheeks pink. “About… what this is?”

Shiori’s bravado cracked, her sharp tongue tripping over itself. “I- well, I mean- of course I-” She let out a shaky laugh. “Leave it to you to make a Beta speechless.”

Elizabeth’s lips curved into a small, vulnerable smile. She reached up, her fingers brushing Shiori’s cheek in a featherlight touch that made Shiori’s breath hitch. Neither of them thought about it, not really – it was as natural as breathing. Their lips met, soft and tentative, a slow exhale of something that had been building for too long.

Shiori tasted like late-night coffee and faint traces of ink, something oddly familiar. Elizabeth’s hand cupped her cheek, thumb stroking along her cheekbone, grounding them both in that fragile moment.

When they pulled away, Shiori blinked, wonder and disbelief etched across her face. And then, because she couldn’t help herself, she quirked an eyebrow and muttered, “About damn time you organized that mess too, Alpha.”

Elizabeth’s breathless laugh broke the tension, warm and bright. Shiori’s grin was crooked but genuine, and Elizabeth leaned her forehead against hers, the world settling into a new kind of balance.

They became a trio; messy, complicated, but right. Nerissa’s spark, Shiori’s quiet strength, Elizabeth’s cautious tenderness. A balance of passion and logic, vulnerability and trust. Each of them finding in the others what they could never have found alone.

Elizabeth’s apartment had become a second home for Shiori and Nerissa. Small but warm, it was filled with soft lighting, worn textbooks stacked on every surface, and the lingering scent of her – like fireside embers with a hint of something deeper beneath.

Shiori liked curling up on the couch with a book, her hair falling over her face as she read about old tales. Nerissa, by contrast, always seemed to sprawl – legs draped over the armrest, fingers playing with the hem of Elizabeth’s shirt or the wispy hairs at the back of Shiori’s neck, her voice teasing and sweet. Elizabeth had come to cherish those evenings, where laughter drifted into the night and all three of them felt safe, far from the judgement of the world outside.

But lately, Elizabeth had grown quieter. Her laugh felt strained, her posture too still. Sometimes Nerissa caught her pressing a hand to her head, wincing as though fighting off a headache. Shiori noticed too, though she kept her worry hidden behind the pages of her dog-eared novels.

Then came the day Elizabeth couldn’t hide it anymore.

She’d been mid-sentence – something about a case study – when she faltered. Her skin went pale, her breath ragged. Nerissa was at her side in an instant, hands steadying her, voice low with concern.

“Hey… hey, what’s wrong?”

Elizabeth had tried to wave her off. “It’s nothing. Just- tired.” But the tremble in her voice gave her away.

It was Shiori who found the empty blister packs in the bathroom cabinet later that night. Dozens of them, months’ worth. She stared at the small plastic containers, her heart sinking.

Suppressants. Elizabeth had been taking them since she’d presented. Way over six years now, without a pause. Far too long. No wonder she was so pale, so fragile lately. The side effects could be brutal – dizziness, nausea, headaches. Worse, they could wear her down until she was just a shadow of herself.

The next morning, Shiori confronted her while Nerissa was out getting breakfast. Her voice shook. “Elizabeth, we need to talk.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened as Shiori set the blister packs in front of her. “Shiori, I-”

“You’ve been taking these for too long.” Shiori’s voice was gentle but firm, the way only she could manage. “You know it’s hurting you.”

Elizabeth’s hands balled into fists. “I can’t- I can’t risk-”

“Risk what?” Nerissa’s voice came from the doorway, low, urgent. She crossed the room, door falling closed behind her, setting the reusable cotton bag with their shared breakfast on the table next to the blister packs. Her eyes were bright with worry. “Risk what, Liz?”

Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “Risk… hurting you. Hurting Shiori. I can’t-” Her gaze fell, shame heating her cheeks. “I can’t lose control like I did before.”

Nerissa crossed the room and reached for her, hands trembling. “Liz,” she whispered, her voice barely there. “I don’t want you to be afraid of what you are.” She cupped Elizabeth’s cheek, her thumb brushing away a single tear threatening to fall. “I like who you are. Even if it scares you sometimes.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. Something inside her chest cracked open – a tender, trembling place she’d kept locked away for too long. “But I’m afraid,” she whispered. “So afraid of hurting you. Of lashing out. Of losing control. I’ve heard- seen others-”

Shiori moved closer, her hand warm on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do this alone,” she murmured. “Let us help you. We can figure it out together. Besides, you’ve never actually hurt any-”

Nerissa’s sharp look shut her up.

Elizabeth’s tears came freely then, hot and silent. She’d always been so strong, so sure of herself. But now she felt small and fragile, like a child staring at a monster in the dark.

And yet, she nodded. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll try.”

Elizabeth’s cycle was a mess. The years of suppressants had scrambled it so thoroughly that it felt like a roulette wheel – sometimes months would pass without a hint of a rut, and she’d start to believe she’d finally found balance. Other times, tension coiled inside her like a spring, snapping loose at the smallest provocation. Her voice would sharpen, her scent spiked with frustrated, restless dominance.

Nerissa was always the first to notice. She’d glance over her shoulder during rehearsals, lips quirking into that teasing half-smile she wore like armor, eyes bright with mischief. 

“Hey, Alpha,” she’d murmur, her voice pitched low. “You’re brooding again. Want to talk about it?”

Elizabeth would grumble and look away, but her heart always skipped a beat at the pet name. Alpha. The word still felt too big for her, but when Nerissa said it, it felt less like a burden and more like a promise.

It had been a rough week – too little sleep, too many assignments – and Elizabeth’s cycle was spiking again, that restless, possessive edge threading through every breath. She’d managed to keep it in check, mostly – until Kronii happened.

Kronii was an upperclassman, another Alpha, with a grin like a blade and a voice like cool steel. They'd always been a little too familiar with Nerissa – friendly, maybe, but with a teasing that set Elizabeth’s teeth on edge.

Elizabeth was heading back from the library when she saw them together in the hallway, Kronii’s hand resting casually on Nerissa’s shoulder, voice low and easy. Nerissa was laughing, bright and unguarded, the sound like a song Elizabeth couldn’t get out of her head.

Rage flared in her chest like wildfire.

She was there before she knew it – scent sharp, eyes dark. “Kronii,” she growled, voice low and trembling with barely restrained fury. “Hands off.”

Kronii raised an eyebrow, but their smile stayed lazy. “Hey, calm down, Liz. We’re just talking-”

“I said hands off.” Elizabeth’s voice cracked on the last word, sharp enough to make Nerissa’s laughter die, her eyes wide with surprise.

Kronii’s grin turned edged, but they lifted their hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get territorial.” They winked at Nerissa. “Catch you later, Songbird.”

They sauntered off, leaving Elizabeth trembling, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. The hallway was too quiet now, her heartbeat too loud in her ears.

Nerissa’s hand came up to Elizabeth’s cheek, gentle, soothing. “Hey,” she whispered, her Omega pheromones already wafting out – soft and sweet like spring rain. Elizabeth’s breath hitched, the edge of her fury dulling as Nerissa’s scent wrapped around her, a balm to the burn.

“I- I’m sorry,” Elizabeth choked out, voice rough. “I didn’t mean-”

“Shh.” Nerissa stepped closer, pressing her forehead to Elizabeth’s. “It’s okay. I know.” She nuzzled her cheek, her voice a lullaby. “It’s your cycle, right? It’s all messed up. I get it.”

Elizabeth’s hands trembled as she reached for Nerissa’s waist, gripping her like a lifeline. “I hate this,” she whispered. “I hate feeling like I can’t control it. Like I’m some monster-”

“You’re not,” Nerissa murmured, her Omega scent blooming around them, a soft, flowery sweetness that smelled like freedom. Elizabeth inhaled, her pulse steadying, the possessive haze fading under Nerissa’s gentle touch. 

“You’re just figuring it out. And I’m here. Okay?”

Elizabeth’s eyes closed, tears threatening, but never falling. “Okay,” she breathed.

Since weaning off the suppressants, Elizabeth had become hyper-aware of scents – more than ever before.

Nerissa’s scent was like a song she couldn’t stop humming: fresh and sweet, with a faint floral note that reminded her of the cherry trees that bloomed in the park near her childhood home. It smelled like freedom – wild and untamed.

Shiori’s scent, though subtle – Beta through and through – was no less comforting. It carried the essence of worn books and crisp paper, ink stains on a wooden desk. A warm mug of tea on a rainy day. Steady, comforting. Shiori’s scent was the scent of home, the scent of late-night study sessions and laughter at two a.m. It was her anchor.

Elizabeth pressed her nose to Nerissa’s hair, inhaling deeply as the last of the possessive haze faded. “You smell like spring,” she murmured, voice low and shaky.

Nerissa laughed softly. “You always say that.”

Elizabeth smiled, tired but genuine. “It’s true. You smell like everything I want to protect.”

Nerissa’s eyes softened. “Then protect me,” she whispered. “But don’t forget to protect yourself too, okay?”

It wasn’t easy.

Weaning off the suppressants was a slow, careful process. Elizabeth hated every second of it – the way her body felt too big, every scent too sharp, every emotion too raw. Sometimes she’d snap at Shiori or flinch away from Nerissa’s touch, only to apologize, shame tightening her throat.

But they stayed. Through every trembling step, every shaky breath. Shiori would read to her at night, her calm voice a balm against the chaos inside. Nerissa would hold her hand, grounding her with a smile that whispered: I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

And then it happened – her second ever rut.

It came on fast, faster than any of them expected. Elizabeth felt it like a fire in her veins, her skin too tight, her breath too shallow. She tried to convince herself she could handle it. But when she looked at Shiori, and at Nerissa, her bare, untouched neck, her scent dancing around her – when she saw the people she loved most, terror clawed at her chest.

What if she couldn’t control it? What if she hurt them?

Before the need took over completely, she ran.

She fled to Cecilia’s dorm, clutching the spare keys in trembling hands, her heart hammering in her chest. She locked the door behind her and called Cecilia, her voice low and urgent. “Please,” she begged. “Please stay with Gigi tonight. I- I can’t-”

Cecilia understood. She always understood. “I’ll stay with Gigi,” she promised, voice calm. “You’ll be okay, Liz. I’ll check on you tomorrow, alright?”

Elizabeth pressed her forehead to the cool wood of the door and let out a shaking breath. “Thank you,” she whispered.

She wanted nothing more than to run back to Shiori and Nerissa, to hold them, to beg them to tell her she wasn’t a monster. But the memory of that first rut – of the near-loss of control, of the fear – kept her rooted. She couldn’t risk it. Not with them.

So she stayed. Locked away. A caged Alpha, terrified of her own nature.

Elizabeth spent the entirety of her second rut in Cecilia’s dorm room – alone. Every second of it was a battle between instinct and shame, between the burning need coiling in her veins and the fear of what she might become if she let herself give in.

She ignored Shiori and Nerissa’s calls, their texts. Each time her phone buzzed, she pressed her hands over her ears and squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself not to answer. She couldn’t- couldn’t risk hearing Nerissa’s voice, couldn’t risk the trembling need it always sparked. Even the clothes she wore held their scents, subtle but unmistakable, clinging to the fibers like a brand.

She hated how much she craved it.

The first night, she buried her face in her hands and cried, the ache between her thighs like a living thing. By the second, she couldn’t fight it anymore. She found herself on Cecilia’s bed, legs spread wide, soles pressed together, fingers trembling as they traced the hardness that pulsed so painfully. Each drag of fabric left her raw. Shame scorched her every nerve, but the memory of Nerissa’s laugh, the sound of her voice whispering Alpha, wrapped around her like a vice.

She tried to think of anything else – Raora’s giggle, Gigi’s toothy grin – but it was always Nerissa she saw in the dark. Nerissa, teasing her, lips curled into that wicked smile, voice like honey and challenge all at once. Sometimes Shiori joined her there in her mind, gentle touches and quiet words urging her on, her fingers moving mindlessly in response.

Her climax came like a thunderclap – violent, needy, leaving her breathless and shaking, thrusting into her own fist. Tears slid down her cheeks as she curled in on herself, Nerissa’s name bitter on her tongue, the memory of Shiori’s eyes burning against her skin. Her hand was sticky with her release. 

She hated herself for wanting. Hated herself for needing. But she couldn’t make it stop.

On the third morning, the haze finally began to lift. Elizabeth’s head felt clearer, her body no longer thrumming with that terrifying hunger. She still felt raw, every nerve an exposed wire, but the worst was over.

She gathered her things, her scent clinging to everything, and made sure to leave Cecilia’s window wide open before slipping out. (She could perfectly picture the look of disgust Cecilia would give her if she didn’t at least try to get rid of her Alpha stench.) The walk home was slow, every step heavy with dread. She hadn’t answered any of their calls, hadn’t replied to a single message. What if they were angry? What if they were afraid of her?

When she finally opened the door, her heart nearly stopped. Shiori and Nerissa were there. Waiting. Shiori sat on the couch, posture rigid, a book closed in her lap – though Elizabeth could tell she hadn’t been reading. Nerissa lay curled, head in Shiori’s lap, looking exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, wings drooping with worry. 

“Hey,” Elizabeth croaked, her voice hoarse. She couldn’t meet their eyes.

Nerissa’s head snapped up. “Liz,” she breathed, crossing the room in three quick steps. Her arms wrapped around Elizabeth’s shoulders before she could protest, wings joining them, pulling her close and shielding them from the world. “You’re okay,” she whispered. “You’re okay.”

Elizabeth stood stiff and trembling, her arms at her sides. Shame burned in her chest. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I couldn’t- I didn’t want to-”

Shiori’s voice cut through the fog. “Elizabeth.” It wasn’t a question, just her name, steady and grounding.

Elizabeth looked up. Shiori’s expression was unreadable – sharp golden eyes, mouth set in a line that might’ve been worry or anger. Then she stood, her book forgotten on the couch, and crossed the room in quiet steps. She reached for Elizabeth’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“You don’t have to apologize,” Shiori said, her voice low. “You did what you needed to feel safe. We’re not angry.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. Shiori never said things like that. She was acts of service, small gestures – extra blankets on cold nights, making sure Elizabeth always had a can of coke waiting in the fridge. Words like these were rare, precious.

Nerissa’s voice trembled. “We were just- worried. That’s all.” She pulled back just enough to meet Elizabeth’s eyes. “I don’t care where you spent your rut. I just care that you’re here. That you’re okay.”

Elizabeth’s eyes burned. “But I- I couldn’t- I wanted-”

Shiori reached up and cupped Elizabeth’s jaw, her touch uncharacteristically tender. “You wanted to protect us,” she whispered. “And I know how hard that is for you to admit.” She leaned in, her forehead pressing against Elizabeth’s. “But you don’t have to be afraid of us, of yourself. Not now. Not ever.”

Nerissa’s fingers tangled with Elizabeth’s, her thumb brushing slow circles across the back of her hand. “I like who you are,” she whispered, echoing the words she’d spoken before. “Even if it scares you sometimes.”

Nerissa’s heats were predictable. They came like clockwork – every twelve weeks, give or take a day – and they were brutal.

Ever since Elizabeth had started dating Nerissa and Shiori, she’d tracked them with meticulous precision, marking them in her planner with neat, careful lines of ink – like a soldier preparing for war. It made her feel in control. Like she could be prepared. Like she could keep everyone safe.

Before they’d started dating, Nerissa had tried different partners – casual hook-ups, one-night flings that left her spent but hollow. Every time, she’d return to Shiori.

She’d confessed once, during a quiet moment, that none of them ever really satisfied the ache. That it always felt like something was missing. Elizabeth had tried not to let her heart break at the thought.

When a heat approached, Elizabeth would distance herself. She’d move to Cecilia’s dorm or hide in the library, burying herself in textbooks and case studies, telling herself it was to protect Nerissa from the Alpha she was still learning to manage.

She told herself she was being noble – putting Nerissa’s safety first. She tried to ignore the way Nerissa’s eyes shimmered with quiet heartbreak, the way she’d reach for Elizabeth’s hand and Elizabeth would pull away. She tried not to notice the sadness in Shiori’s smile, the way her sharp eyes said everything she didn’t.

And every time, it hurt.

Their apartment carried a comforting blend of lavender and old books – a mix of Elizabeth’s meticulous organization, Shiori’s literary treasures, and Nerissa’s tendency to leave candles burning just a little too long. Golden rays, stubbornly breaking through thick rain clouds, caught the dust motes dancing lazily in the air. It was small, but warm, with potted plants crowding the windowsills and a scattering of plush cushions that Nerissa had insisted on buying at the flea market last month. Their mismatched mugs from the thrift store were stacked haphazardly in the sink – remnants of earlier coffee-fueled study sessions. A light rain pitter-pattered against the glass.

Elizabeth sat at the small table they’d squeezed into the corner of the living room, her laptop screen’s blue glow reflecting off her glasses. She wore a soft sweater – Shiori’s, smelling faintly of her – paired with a set of gray joggers. Her brows were furrowed, an occasional low hum as she read through her case notes aloud to herself, lips pressed together in concentration. A half-finished mug of coffee sat beside her, steam curling in the cool evening air.

Nerissa drifted in the background, restless. She’d come home earlier than usual – Shiori had an evening shift at the library’s archive and wouldn’t be back until late. At first, Nerissa had tried to settle on the couch, humming quietly to herself, flipping through a battered book of vocal warm-ups. But her focus drifted almost immediately.

She started gathering things: a worn hoodie from the back of a chair that belonged to all and none of them, Shiori’s skirt from the hamper, even the blanket that usually lived on the couch. She carried them all to the bedroom, arms full, wings drooping slightly at the ends, feathers ruffled. Elizabeth, deep in her notes, didn’t look up as Nerissa brushed past.

In the bedroom, Nerissa worked quietly, building her little nest. She arranged the hoodie and skirt in careful layers, tucking them together like a puzzle only she could solve. She pressed her nose to each piece, breathing in Elizabeth’s scent, Shiori’s warmth. Each soft fiber felt like a lifeline, grounding her.

Every so often, she’d peek through the cracked door, watching Elizabeth’s profile as she worked. The gentle slope of her jaw, the way her glasses slid down her nose when she concentrated too hard. Nerissa’s chest tightened with a mix of longing and fear.

Elizabeth had no idea. She was so focused, so determined to do everything right, to be perfect at everything she touched – school, work, even their relationship – that she missed the way Nerissa’s skin felt too tight, the way her scent had started to change. She didn’t see the trembling of her wings with every shaky exhale, or the fever-bright look in her eyes.

The last piece of clothing Nerissa gathered was Elizabeth’s favorite oversized t-shirt – soft from dozens of washes, its color faded from countless rehearsals and study nights. She pressed it to her face, inhaling deeply: Elizabeth’s shampoo, and a hint of the detergent they’d chosen together. Her throat tightened as that familiar ache began to build.

Elizabeth muttered something about legal precedents, fingers tapping out a steady rhythm on the keyboard. Nerissa’s heart fluttered at the sound, a soft whimper escaping her lips before she could stop it. She clutched the shirt tighter to her chest, desperate for comfort.

She wasn’t supposed to go into heat yet. But Elizabeth’s scent – steady, warm, wrapping around her like its own pair of wings – had short-circuited her every defense.

Elizabeth sighed and stretched, arms overhead, the lines of muscles shifting beneath the sweater. Her sleeves rolled up just enough to give Nerissa a glimpse of what lay beneath. Nerissa’s eyes darkened, her gaze fixed on the curve of Elizabeth’s neck, tongue darting out to wet her lips, a needy whine building in her throat.

Elizabeth didn’t notice – too focused on the screen, brows furrowed in frustration. “Frigging-” she muttered, exasperated, trailing off. “Why can’t they just cite the proper statute?”

Nerissa couldn’t help the small, affectionate smile that curved her lips. Even now, Elizabeth was so… Elizabeth.

Her hands trembled as she reached for another piece of clothing – a sweater Elizabeth had worn the day before. The scent was strong, heady with Alpha, laced with a hint of sweat and safety. Heat pooled low in her belly.

She needed her Alpha.

She needed Elizabeth.

Nest completed, heart pounding, Nerissa crept back into the living room. She paused in the doorway, watching Elizabeth for a moment. Elizabeth looked up, her gaze distant, a flicker of soft confusion crossing her features as Nerissa moved closer, nudging her gently.

Elizabeth shifted absentmindedly, making space for Nerissa on her lap without thinking. “Hi, love,” she murmured, voice warm, still half-lost in her work. “Everything okay?”

Nerissa didn’t answer. She climbed onto Elizabeth’s lap, legs on either side, tips of her toes barely grazing the floor. She curled into Elizabeth’s chest, skin flushed from the heat building inside of her, lips brushing the sensitive spot at the base of Elizabeth’s neck. She nuzzled her nose to the scent gland there, inhaling deeply.

Elizabeth stiffened, a shiver running down her spine as Nerissa’s scent – sweet and sharp, like honey and lilacs – hit her full force. Slowly, realization dawned.

“Oh,” Elizabeth whispered, voice tight with worry. “Rissa…”

“Liz,” Nerissa whimpered, her voice thick with need. “You smell so good.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. She reached up, shakily removing her glasses and setting them on the table beside her.

Nerissa shifted on her lap with slow, desperate movements – tiny humps that sent a pulse of heat through Elizabeth’s core. She’d fought so hard to control this side of herself, to keep it locked away. She wasn’t ready. Not now. Not like this. But Nerissa’s whimper – raw and pleading – shattered her resolve. 

Elizabeth’s hand found the small of Nerissa’s back, almost on its own, just above the curve of her wings. Her fingers pressed gently, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt. Nerissa let out a breathy sigh, lips brushing Elizabeth’s neck.

“Rissa,” she breathed, voice tight. “You… your heat isn’t supposed to start for another two weeks.” A hint of panic edged her words.

Nerissa’s wings quivered against her back, feathers grazing Elizabeth’s arm. “I know,” she whispered, voice breaking, hips never stopping. “I know- I’m sorry. I was so scared you’d leave again. I couldn’t focus on anything else. I just- I didn’t want to be alone.” She swallowed, scenting Elizabeth deeply. “I missed you. I just- I missed you so much, Liz,” she whimpered. “I can’t do this alone again.”

Elizabeth’s heart fractured at that. She brushed her lips over Nerissa’s hair, breathing her in deeply. “I’m here,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “I’m here now, Rissa. I’m not running. I promise.”

Nerissa whimpered again, a needy, high-pitched sound that made Elizabeth’s pulse thunder in her ears. “Please,” she whispered, hips grinding gently against Elizabeth’s thigh, brushing the still soft bulge beneath Elizabeth’s joggers. “Please don’t leave me alone. Please.”

Elizabeth’s stomach flipped. Old fear clawed at her chest, memories of her first rut – of nearly losing control – still sharp and raw. She took a shaky breath. “I’m scared,” she admitted, voice cracking. “What if I- what if I hurt you? What if I can’t control it?”

Nerissa pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, her pupils blown wide, cheeks flushed pink, the tips of her pointed ears burning. Her voice was oddly steady, like she was trying to hold on even while slipping into heat muddled thoughts. “I trust you,” she whispered. “I’ve always trusted you, Liz. Even when you didn’t trust yourself.” She brushed her lips over Elizabeth’s, feather-light, making her vision blur. “I need you. Please.”

Elizabeth’s hands tightened on Nerissa’s waist, her instincts a roaring wildfire in her chest – hungry, protective, desperate. Every time she’d run, every time she’d chosen safety over connection, flashed through her mind like a punishment.

She exhaled shakily, pressing her forehead to Nerissa’s. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll stay. I’ll stay with you.” Her voice was rough with emotion. “But you have to promise me – if I get too rough, if it’s too much – you’ll tell me. Promise me, Rissa.”

Nerissa’s smile was small but so full of trust it hurt. “I promise,” she whispered. “I promise.”

Elizabeth let out a shuddering breath, brushing her lips across Nerissa’s forehead. Her hands slid down to Nerissa’s hips, gentle but possessive, a silent vow. “I’ve got you,” she murmured, letting the Alpha she’d always feared unfurl: cautious, warm, trembling with love. “I’ve always got you.”

Her hands trembled as she gathered Nerissa closer, feeling every shiver and whimper that spilled from her lips. The apartment was thick with Nerissa’s scent. It seeped into Elizabeth’s lungs with every breath she took, coiling around her thoughts like a living thing. Every time Nerissa whimpered or shifted on her lap, Elizabeth’s self-control frayed a little more.

Nerissa’s thighs quivered as she rocked back and forth, pressing down on Elizabeth’s lap in a slow, needy grind. Each movement brushed her heat-slicked core against the insistent bulge beneath Elizabeth’s joggers, darkening the fabric with wetness. Elizabeth’s heart thundered in her chest, her throat dry as she watched Nerissa lose herself in the haze of her heat.

“Liz,” Nerissa breathed, voice breaking on a sob. Her eyes were half-lidded, pupils blown wide with arousal. Her wings fluttered weakly, as if torn between opening wide in surrender or folding tight in defense. She pressed her forehead against Elizabeth’s collarbone, breath coming in ragged gasps. “I- I can’t-” she whimpered. “Please-”

Elizabeth’s throat worked as she swallowed hard. Her Alpha instincts screamed to claim, to take, to mark, but she forced herself to stay rooted. Her shaky hands rested on Nerissa’s hips, guiding her gently.

“Shh,” Elizabeth whispered, her voice hoarse with the effort of holding back. “You’re okay, love. I’ve got you.” Her thumbs sketched lazy circles on Nerissa’s waist, every stroke a silent promise. She guided Nerissa’s hips, slow and steady, forcing her to savor every friction-soaked grind.

A broken whimper escaped Nerissa’s lips. Elizabeth’s breath hitched, hips shifting, pressing her bulge harder into Nerissa’s slick core. The Omega shuddered, wings flaring with a sudden, desperate tension.

Almost without thinking, Elizabeth’s free hand slid up Nerissa’s spine. She traced the line of bones beneath her shirt, feeling the muscles shift and tense with every shallow breath. At the base of one wing, she paused, thumb hovering.

She knew how sensitive they were – how just a single touch could bring her to the edge, unravel every last thread of Nerissa’s composure.

“Liz-” Nerissa’s voice was high and breathless, hips jerking in an involuntary spasm. “Please- touch me- please-”

Elizabeth exhaled shakily and pressed her thumb, slow and deliberate, into the base of her wing.

Nerissa’s reaction was immediate. Her entire body went rigid, head dropping, forehead pressed to Elizabeth’s shoulder. A strangled, broken cry tore from her throat, high and desperate, hips stuttering as her thighs clenched around Elizabeth’s waist.

“Oh- oh- Alpha-” she gasped, the word falling like a prayer. Tears welled in her eyes, unbidden, as she buried her face in the crook of Elizabeth’s neck. Her scent spiked, dizzying, wrapping around Elizabeth.

Elizabeth’s head swam. The word Alpha burned in her ears, both comfort and brand. She ached to bend Nerissa over their fragile little study desk, to sink her teeth into the curve of her neck.

“That’s it,” Elizabeth whispered, voice low and rough. “Let go for me, baby. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Nerissa’s hips jerked, body tensing like a drawn bow. “Ah- ah! Liz!” Her voice broke on a sob as she ground down hard, chasing the edge she’d been hovering on.

A low, possessive growl rumbled in Elizabeth’s chest as she pressed her thumb harder into the base of Nerissa’s wing.

“Come on, baby,” Elizabeth urged. “Come for me.”

Nerissa’s orgasm hit like a storm – violent and overwhelming. A choked cry burst from her lips, wings quivering before falling. Her hands clutched at Elizabeth’s shoulders, the pleasure consuming her. Her leggings were soaked through now, need and heat staining Elizabeth’s joggers.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” Elizabeth murmured, her voice rough with emotion. Nerissa looked breathtaking when she lost control like that. Heartbreakingly beautiful, undone “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

Nerissa collapsed against her, boneless and spent, feathers ruffled and disheveled. She smelled like pure Omega – sweet, needy, and so vulnerable. 

Elizabeth held her close, one hand steady at the base of Nerissa’s wing, the other cradling her waist. She pressed her forehead to Nerissa’s shoulder, her breath ragged as she struggled to hold herself together.

“Liz,” Nerissa whispered, voice small and trembling.

Elizabeth closed her eyes, pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder, then to her temple, and finally to the top of her head. “I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m not leaving. I promise.”

Her hands shook as they smoothed down Nerissa’s back, feeling the fine tremors that wracked the Omega’s body. Every exhale was a soft, needy whimper that made Elizabeth’s chest ache. She traced the line of her spine, gentle as a prayer, trying to anchor her instincts – trying to remind herself that she was here to protect.

But Nerissa’s heats were never so easily tamed. They were vile, dangerous little things, seeping into every crack of her mind, a relentless fog of need that no single orgasm could quench. Even now, beneath the fragile calm, Elizabeth felt Nerissa’s feverish need pulling at her control, sweet and relentless.

A low, shaky sigh escaped Nerissa as her hands fumbled with the hem of Elizabeth’s oversized sweatshirt, fingers digging into the soft fabric, desperate to feel skin. Her eyes darkened with want. Her hips began to move again, slow and rolling, grinding her soaked core against the pulsing, painful hardness in Elizabeth’s joggers.

Elizabeth’s breath faltered, a low growl rumbling as her hands seized Nerissa’s hips, steadying her. Every roll sent a sharp jolt of pleasure up her spine, clawing at the edges of her control.

“Liz,” Nerissa whimpered, voice catching. Her teeth grazed Elizabeth’s scent gland, teasing a bite, the lightest touch but enough to ignite a fire that burned away every last shred of restraint.

Elizabeth’s vision darkened at the edges. A low, primal growl rumbled in her chest. Her grip on Nerissa’s hips tightened, fingers digging into soft flesh. Before she could think, her body was moving, acting on instinct alone.

She rose in one smooth motion, lifting Nerissa effortlessly into her arms. Nerissa’s legs locked around her waist reflexively, small gasps escaping as Elizabeth’s hands flexed possessively on her thighs. With steady steps, she carried her to their bedroom, lowering her into the nest Nerissa had so carefully built – layers of hoodies, blankets, and worn t-shirts, all steeped in their shared scent.

Elizabeth’s pulse thundered in her ears. She grabbed the collar of her sweatshirt and yanked it over her head in one swift motion, hair tumbling free in a wild, untamed mess. She loomed over Nerissa like a predator, eyes dark with hunger and a deeper possessiveness she’d fought so long to contain.

Nerissa looked up at her, gaze half-lidded and burning, pupils blown wide with lust, lips parted in a soft whimper. She arched beneath Elizabeth, baring her neck in silent submission.

Elizabeth’s control shattered.

She surged forward, capturing Nerissa’s lips in a kiss that claimed more than it asked. Her teeth caught the Omega’s lower lip, drawing a startled moan. Her hands gripped Nerissa’s hips, fingers digging in just shy of bruising, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. She needed Nerissa to know – needed the world to know – this was her Omega. Hers to protect, hers to love, hers to mark.

“I’ll take care of you,” Elizabeth snarled against Nerissa’s lips. “Gonna make sure everyone knows who you belong to.” She punctuated the words with a roll of her hips, grinding her thick, aching length against Nerissa’s soaked core.

Nerissa arched beneath her, a high, keening moan tearing from her throat. She slipped a hand between the both of them, finding the hard bulge beneath thin fabric, squeezing with blind need. “Liz- please- need-”

Elizabeth’s mind went white-hot, instincts roaring. She caught Nerissa’s wrist in one hand, firm, commanding, but never too rough, pinning it above her head. Nerissa’s wings fluttered helplessly against the blankets, her eyes glassy with need. Elizabeth leaned back slightly, gathering her other wrist and pressing both to the mattress above her head in a single, iron grip.

She hovered over Nerissa, breath ragged, their foreheads nearly touching. The Omega’s heat radiated in waves, her scent dizzying.

Nerissa whimpered, thighs trembling as she tried to squeeze them together, but Elizabeth’s knees easily parted them. Her free hand traced a slow path down Nerissa’s torso, slipping beneath the waistband of her leggings. A sharp groan caught in her throat when she found Nerissa bare beneath them – no underwear, a detail she knew she’d never quite get used to. Her fingers slid through slick heat, coating them instantly.

“Fuck-” Elizabeth breathed, the curse tumbling from her lips like she’d uttered it a million times, voice thick and guttural. She dipped lower, gathering the wetness on her fingertips, then circled Nerissa’s clit in a slow, teasing rhythm. Nerissa’s entire body jerked, a ragged cry tearing from her throat as her hips bucked into Elizabeth’s hand.

“Liz- Alpha- please-” she sobbed, voice a broken melody. Tears brimmed in her eyes, her chest heaving. Her scent spiked, sweet and overwhelming.

Elizabeth leaned closer, pressing her forehead to Nerissa’s, voice trembling with equal parts tenderness and possessive hunger. “I’ve got you,” she whispered, her fingers circling harder, building a steady rhythm. “You’re mine, Rissa. All of you. I’ll take care of you. Gonna fill you so full of me that you’ll never doubt it again.”

Nerissa’s back arched, every muscle straining. Her hips moved in time with Elizabeth’s hand, each stroke of her fingers drawing out a new whimper, a new plea.

“Please-” she cried, voice hoarse, Elizabeth’s name falling from her lips like a prayer.

Elizabeth’s own need was a living fire, her joggers painfully tight, her cock straining with desperation. She pressed her lips to Nerissa’s temple, her voice a trembling promise against sweat-slicked skin.

“I’ve got you, baby,” she murmured. “You’re safe. And you’re mine.”

She watched Nerissa – flushed, chest heaving, lips parted in soft, pleading gasps, thighs slick with need. She kept Nerissa’s wrists pinned, her hand firm and unyielding. 

Elizabeth’s touch was precise, practiced, each stroke calculated to unravel Nerissa completely. She circled her clit slowly, teasing, building her up with ruthless patience, then quickened, finding that perfect rhythm that made Nerissa’s breath catch, her eyes rolling back. The wet sounds, the heat between them – it was all-consuming.

Nerissa’s thighs quivered, her voice breaking. “Liz-” she whimpered, voice so small, so raw. “Please- I’m close-”

Elizabeth’s mouth curved into a wicked, hungry smile. She could feel Nerissa’s orgasm building – tasted it in the air. And just as Nerissa’s breath hitched, hips stuttering, Elizabeth stopped.

Her fingers paused, wet and glistening but still, unyielding. Nerissa’s body arched, a pathetic, broken whine ripping from her throat, so needy it made Elizabeth’s chest ache.

“No, please-” she sobbed, eyes filling with tears, hands flexing uselessly against Elizabeth’s grip.

Elizabeth leaned down, eyes locking on hers. Her pupils were blown wide, crimson irises darkened to a feral, dangerous hue that made Nerissa’s breath catch. “Patience, baby,” she murmured, voice a dangerous lullaby. For a heartbeat, Nerissa felt cornered, trapped, prey to a predator whose hunger was painted all over her face. Elizabeth savored the way her pulse fluttered like a trapped bird’s beneath her fingers.

Elizabeth’s fingers trailed up Nerissa’s stomach, leaving streaks of wetness across flushed, heated skin. Her touch was possessive, claiming every inch as hers. In a single, practiced motion, she shoved Nerissa’s shirt higher as she went, baring her belly and the soft curve of her ribs. Her breath caught at the sight – Nerissa so open, so vulnerable, waiting. Hers.

“Keep your hands there.” Elizabeth’s voice was low, a growl edged with warning that sent a shiver through Nerissa’s entire body. The authority in that single sentence left no room for disobedience.

Nerissa’s lips parted, breathless, her eyes half-lidded. She nodded, small and trembling. “Y-yes, Alpha,” she whispered, voice shaking with submission and need.

Elizabeth moved lower, lips ghosting over Nerissa’s skin, hands following, leaving a heated trail of kisses down her ribs, her stomach – each one a claim, a promise. One hand slipped beneath Nerissa’s shirt, cupping a breast, thumb brushing over the taut peak, her nipple painfully hard against her palm.

Her tongue traced along the sweat-slicked skin, tasting the tang of desperation, lingering at the waistband of Nerissa’s leggings. Her fingers hooked into the elastic, pulling them down with practiced ease, just enough to bare Nerissa to her eyes. They pooled at her knees, leaving her trembling and exposed.

Elizabeth’s eyes darkened, molten with hunger as she drank in the sight of her Omega – spread open, slick with need, scenting of pure, sweet heat. Her lips parted, the hunger on her face undeniable.

“You smell so good,” she murmured, her voice low and reverent. Her hands slid down Nerissa’s thighs, parting them wider, breath hot on fevered skin. The scent flooded her senses, beckoning her closer.

She leaned down, eyes half-hooded, and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to Nerissa’s hip bone, then to the apex of her thigh. The Omega’s body jerked, a whimper escaping her lips. Elizabeth’s tongue darted out, teasing, savoring, before moving up to Nerissa’s swollen, throbbing clit.

Nerissa’s hips jumped, her hands clenching into the sheets, white-knuckled, every muscle in her arms tight with the effort of keeping them above her head. Her wings trembled, feathers ruffled and wild. Elizabeth pinned her with a single, dangerous look: don’t move. The command was silent, but Nerissa felt it in every nerve of her body.

Elizabeth’s tongue teased the sensitive bud of her clit out of its hood, flicking slow, deliberate circles that left Nerissa’s thighs trembling. A low, needy whimper escaped her, eyes rolling back, her world narrowing to the wet heat of Elizabeth’s mouth.

Elizabeth’s gaze burned into her, molten red, a predator’s focus. She licked again, slow, precise, before trailing lower, tasting the slickness that dripped from Nerissa’s folds. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the taste, a satisfied sound rumbling in her chest.

“Fuck, Rissa,” she growled, voice muffled against her core. “You taste so good.” She didn’t wait for a response, didn’t need one. She hooked Nerissa’s trembling legs over her shoulders, opening her up even more.

A ragged whimper escaped Nerissa’s lips, head tossing to the side, mind blank with pleasure. Elizabeth’s hands were firm – one gripping her thigh tight enough to leave little half-moon marks, the other sliding between her legs. She pulled back, jaw clenched, and leaned forward briefly, pressing a lingering, possessive kiss to the inside of her thigh. Nerissa’s muscles jumped beneath her lips. Elizabeth hovered, savoring the way her Omega’s body clenched around nothing, desperate for more.

With a slow, deliberate motion, she let one finger slide in, feeling every trembling shiver that ran through Nerissa’s body.

The sight was sinful. Nerissa moaned, low and broken. Elizabeth’s finger glistened, slick with need as she pulled it free and brought it to her lips. She parted them slowly, eyes dark with desire. Her tongue darted out to taste the sweetness. A low, satisfied hum rumbled in her chest.

“So sweet,” she growled, her voice rough with hunger.

Nerissa’s breath hitched, her thighs trembling in response.

Elizabeth’s fingers slid back between her legs, teasing her folds, gathering the slickness that dripped in heady waves. She eased two fingers inside this time, slow at first, curling them just so – eliciting a sharp, broken cry as Nerissa’s back arched. 

Nerissa’s hips jerked again, voice dissolving into a wordless sob as Elizabeth’s tongue found her clit – sucking, teasing, each movement drawing out desperate, helpless sounds.

“Alpha-” Nerissa choked out, her entire world narrowed to the heat of Elizabeth’s mouth and the relentless, practiced rhythm of her fingers.

Elizabeth’s eyes locked onto hers, dark and predatory, making Nerissa’s breath hitch. She worked her fingers with infuriating precision – curling, pressing, finding that perfect spot that made Nerissa’s vision blur, her eyes roll back and her world go white.

Elizabeth leaned forward, her tongue circling her clit, slow at first, drawing small, desperate moans from Nerissa’s throat. Then her pace quickened, teasing strokes building to a fierce rhythm. Her lips closed around Nerissa’s clit and sucked hard. Nerissa’s body convulsed, hips jerking, voice breaking into ragged gasps.

Elizabeth’s own need throbbed, sharp and insistent. A low growl rumbled in her chest as her teeth grazed the swollen bud. Nerissa’s voice cracked on a sob.

Just as Nerissa’s breathing turned ragged again and her thighs trembled, on the edge of breaking, Elizabeth stopped once more. She withdrew her fingers from Nerissa’s core, slow and deliberate, savoring the wet heat clinging to her skin, as a broken whine fell from Nerissa’s lips.

Her tongue and lips remained on Nerissa’s clit – teasing, tormenting – her teeth grazing just enough to make her Omega’s hips buck.

Elizabeth’s free hand slid up Nerissa’s trembling stomach, over the soft curve of her ribs, until her arm stretched fully, her slicked fingers hovering above Nerissa’s parted lips.

“Suck,” she rasped, her voice low and commanding, a dark edge that sent a shudder through Nerissa’s entire body.

Nerissa’s eyes, glassy with tears and heat, met Elizabeth’s. She obeyed instantly – lips parting, tongue swirling around the offered digits. She closed her lips around them, sucking eagerly, her eyes never leaving Elizabeth’s, every muscle tight with submission.

Elizabeth’s jaw tightened, a low, feral sound vibrating deep in her chest. “Good girl,” she rumbled, pride and hunger lacing every word, the sound shooting through Nerissa’s clit. She watched her lips, tongue working her fingers, the way her throat moved with every soft, eager swallow.

When Elizabeth was satisfied – her fingers glistening only with Nerissa’s spit – she pulled them free, a small hum of approval leaving her lips. Instead of returning them to Nerissa’s core, she brought that hand down, slipping it between her own body and the mattress.

Nerissa couldn’t see what Elizabeth was doing – her view obscured by Elizabeth’s red hair, her broad shoulders – but in the fog of her heat-fogged mind she felt the shift: the subtle roll of her hips, the flexing of her arm, the quiet hitch in Elizabeth’s breath, the low, muffled groan against her clit.

Elizabeth’s hand slid into her joggers, curling around her own thick, hard length. She groaned, her cock already slick with precome and the lingering taste of Nerissa’s heat. She stroked herself just enough to keep the edge at bay, Nerissa’s spit mixing with her own need, every movement sending shivers down her spine.

Nerissa’s eyes widened, realization hitting like a spark: Elizabeth was touching herself while eating her out. “Liz-” she moaned, voice breaking. Her hips bucked, desperate.

Elizabeth hummed against her clit, the vibrations shooting straight through Nerissa’s core. Her legs tightened around Elizabeth’s shoulders, instinctive, wanting to hold her close, keep her there.

A growl rumbled low in Elizabeth’s chest, feral and insistent, her tongue working Nerissa’s clit with renewed urgency. One hand braced on Nerissa’s hip, pressing her down, the other still tight around her own cock, every pulse of need almost painful.

“Look at me,” Elizabeth growled against her clit, voice ragged. “I want to see you when you fall apart for me.”

Nerissa’s eyes fluttered open, pupils blown wide with submission and pleasure. “Liz- I- I can’t-”

Elizabeth’s teeth grazed her clit lightly, making Nerissa’s breath catch, her thighs trembling where they rested on Elizabeth’s shoulders.

“You can,” Elizabeth snarled, her voice thick with desire and possession. “You will.”

Her tongue pressed harder, her fingers digging in. Nerissa shattered – her orgasm crashing over her like a tidal wave. Her entire world narrowed to Elizabeth’s mouth, Elizabeth’s scent, Elizabeth’s voice. Her body tensed, a strangled cry tearing from her lips, back arched, hips jerking, thighs clenching tight around Elizabeth’s head.

Her hands, no longer obeying Elizabeth’s earlier command, tangled in her hair, tugging, pulling her impossibly closer. Elizabeth didn’t care. She kept going, her tongue relentless, pushing Nerissa higher, drawing every last drop of pleasure from her.

Elizabeth’s own need burned, but she forced it down, tightening her grip on herself to stave off the edge. Her focus was on Nerissa – always on Nerissa – watching her come apart with that beautiful, broken expression that made Elizabeth’s chest ache with pride and possessiveness.

She eased only when Nerissa’s hands went slack, weakly pushing at her head, whimpering, soft and spent. Elizabeth slowed, her tongue easing into gentle, soothing strokes, pressing a tender kiss to Nerissa’s trembling clit.

She pulled back, licking her lips, chest heaving with the effort of holding herself together. Her hair tangled, damp with sweat, her pupils still blown wide. She met Nerissa’s dazed, tear-streaked eyes and let out a shaky breath.

“Good girl,” she murmured, voice hoarse with pride and raw, aching need. “That’s my girl.”

Elizabeth barely gave her a moment to come down. Nerissa’s heat had triggered her rut, turning into a tidal wave – unstoppable, each breath making her cock throb harder. She shifted up Nerissa’s trembling body, knees sinking into the mattress, strong hands guiding Nerissa’s legs to drape over her hips – always so soft, always so pliant. Nerissa’s body still shivered with aftershocks, a low, primal growl rumbling in Elizabeth’s chest.

Her cock – thick, heavy, flushed with need – rested against Nerissa’s slick entrance, teasing her swollen folds. Elizabeth slid her length up and down, dragging it across Nerissa’s sensitive, overstimulated clit. The Omega sobbed and whined, hips arching in a desperate, pleading motion.

“Alpha,” Nerissa whimpered, voice raw and broken, hands clutching at Elizabeth’s arms, nails leaving tiny crescents in her skin. “Please,” she sobbed, trembling. “I- I can’t- I need you inside me- please-”

Elizabeth’s heart clenched at the desperation in her Omega’s voice, at how Nerissa laid herself bare, every defense gone. Vulnerable.

A low, satisfied hum vibrated in Elizabeth’s throat. One hand braced on Nerissa’s hip, thumb tracing slow, grounding circles. The other smoothed over the curve of her thigh, holding her open, savoring the trembling tension that ran through her.

“Shh, baby,” Elizabeth rasped, voice thick with desire and emotion. “I’ve got you.”

And then she eased forward, the head of her cock pressing, slow and deliberate, into Nerissa’s slick heat. Inch by inch, she let Nerissa’s tight body stretch around her, savoring every trembling, helpless sound that spilled from her lips.

Nerissa’s back arched, hands clawing at Elizabeth’s shoulders. Her eyes rolled back, mouth open in a choked moan as Elizabeth sank deeper, the stretch almost too much, overwhelming.

“Liz-” she gasped, every tumbling breath a plea.

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched, a ragged groan tearing from her chest as Nerissa’s heat wrapped around her. She couldn’t look away from where they were joined, the sight of Nerissa’s slick folds stretched tight around her cock making her vision blur.

And then, Nerissa whimpered, broken and trembling, her pussy clenching so hard that Elizabeth’s hips jerked involuntarily.

Elizabeth’s gaze snapped up, crimson eyes blazing. Her Alpha roared in her chest, every instinct screaming: Claim her. Own her. She surged forward, pressing Nerissa down into the nest with her weight, lips brushing the delicate curve of her neck, inhaling her scent like oxygen.

She was buried to the hilt, cock pulsing deep inside her Omega. Nerissa’s hands clutched at her back, desperate, hips rolling, needing, needing, needing.

Elizabeth’s hips began to move – slow at first, each drag of her cock a deliberate, possessive claim. She felt every inch of her Omega’s heat, every flutter and clench, each sound of pleasure driving her closer to the edge.

“Good girl,” Elizabeth panted, voice rough, lips ghosting Nerissa’s scent gland. “Taking me so well, Omega.”

Nerissa’s legs locked around her waist, heels digging in, hips jerking with every thrust. Elizabeth’s rhythm built – faster, harder. She fucked her Omega into the mattress, each thrust rougher, deeper, branding Nerissa’s soul.

Nerissa’s head lolled to the side, baring the soft skin of her neck, scent gland exposed. Tears pooled in her eyes. “Mark me,” she gasped, voice a wrecked thing, pleading. “Please, mark me-”

Elizabeth’s entire body went taut, a snarl vibrating in her chest. A white-hot need to claim, to brand her Omega as hers, burned through her. Her teeth ached, jaw tensing.

She thrust harder, her knot swelling, thickening, making each pull-back harder. She groaned, forehead pressing to Nerissa’s neck, breath ragged.

Nerissa whimpered, body trembling, mind lost to heat. Every instinct screamed: breed me, knot me, fill me until I can’t think.

“Alpha- please-” she sobbed, voice cracking.

Elizabeth’s thrusts grew rougher, sharper, shorter – every push a promise: You’re mine. My Omega. My mate. She ground her hips, desperate to sink her knot fully. 

On the next thrust, her knot slipped in, stretching Nerissa wide, locking them together.

Nerissa’s entire body arched, a choked scream tearing from her throat as her orgasm crashed over her. Slick gushed down her thighs, soaking the nest.

Elizabeth’s hips made short, shallow thrusts, each one prolonging Nerissa’s orgasm. One hand pressed firmly against her lower stomach, holding her still, the other found its way to Nerissa’s, fisted into the sheets. Their fingers laced together, a lifeline for her to hold onto.

“Mine,” Elizabeth growled, voice trembling with fierce tenderness. “Only mine. My Omega.”

She gave a final, deep thrust, burying herself fully. She came with a ragged groan, her knot pulsing deep inside her mate, thick, hot ropes of release filling Nerissa. She pressed her lips to Nerissa’s neck, just above her scent gland, but instead of biting, she kissed her softly, reverently.

Her teeth ached painfully, but she held back – wanting them to remember the moment they chose each other for life, minds clear. Instead, she poured her love into every kiss, every trembling stroke of her hands over Nerissa’s hips, her stomach, her wings.

Nerissa’s sobs softened to breathless moans, hands clutching Elizabeth’s back, body trembling, overwhelmed, finally full of her Alpha’s cum.

The room fell quiet, the only sound their ragged breaths. Elizabeth’s broad frame lay draped over Nerissa, sweat-slicked and tangled. Heat still pulsed between them, her knot locked inside her Omega, binding them in the most intimate way.

Nerissa’s thighs twitched as the aftershocks slowly faded, leaving her pliant and sated. Elizabeth’s breath fanned across her neck, her chest pressing down in a possessive sprawl. For a moment, it was enough – just being inside her Omega, feeling that warm, tight heat that screamed of belonging.

But then Elizabeth shifted, her knees inching forward, just a little, her knot pressing deeper. Nerissa gasped, body clenching reflexively around Elizabeth’s cock, her slick heat pulsing.

Elizabeth growled low, the sound vibrating through her ribs into Nerissa’s bones. The sound alone made Nerissa’s walls flutter, a tremor of renewed need that had her head spinning.

The reaction was too much for Elizabeth to ignore. Her hips began to move again – short, shallow thrusts – her body trembling with the need to fill until her Omega was satisfied. Her forehead pressed into the crook of Nerissa’s neck, teeth grazing the delicate skin, breath hot and uneven.

Nerissa’s hands fisted in the sheets, whimpers falling from her lips. “Alpha-” she moaned, the word trembling.

Her teeth sank into Nerissa’s shoulder, beneath her gland, just enough to leave an angry red mark, not quite breaking skin, but close – just enough to satisfy a fraction of that ache.

Blood bloomed beneath the skin, a dark bruised mark that made Elizabeth’s head swim with satisfaction. She rutted into her Omega with a feral urgency, movements small, trapped by her knot but determined, desperate.

They were so lost in each other that they didn’t hear the jingle of keys at the front door or the soft sound of Shiori’s voice calling out a greeting. She set a bag of Japanese takeout on the table, the scent of soy and sesame filling the air, drowned out by pheromones and need. 

Shiori followed the sounds – the muffled moans, the creaking mattress – until she reached their bedroom door. She paused there, eyes half-lidded, lips curling into a knowing smirk.

Inside, Elizabeth was rutting into Nerissa with single-minded focus, her powerful body caging the trembling Omega beneath her. Nerissa’s head was thrown back, eyes squeezed shut, mouth open in a silent cry. Elizabeth’s back was taut, every muscle standing out, her face buried in Nerissa’s neck, humping helplessly, driven by instinct as much as love.

“Couldn’t wait for me, hm?” Shiori drawled, arms folded across her chest. Her golden eyes glinted with amusement, but beneath it lay a deep, patient warmth. “You two are a mess,” she teased lightly. “Look at you.”

Elizabeth’s head snapped to the side, eyes wild and crimson with heat. Her mouth worked, words failing her at first. “Shiori- I tried-” she gasped, voice hoarse. “She- she’s in heat- I couldn’t-”

Shiori’s expression softened, her smile turning gentle, almost fond. She crossed the room, every movement calm and steady. “I know, Liz,” she murmured, voice low and soothing. “It’s okay.”

Elizabeth’s hips kept moving, needy, locked by her knot, her thrusts shallow but relentless. She couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to stop. Shiori’s cool hands pressed to her back, grounding her, the touch a balm to the raging fire inside.

“You’re always so sweet, Liz,” Shiori crooned, pressing a soft kiss to Elizabeth’s temple, her fingers brushing sweat-soaked hair from Elizabeth’s forehead. “But she does something to you, doesn’t she?” Her voice held a note of teasing, but it was threaded with deep affection.

Elizabeth groaned, hips shuddering with every shallow thrust. “Can’t- control it,” she gasped, eyes squeezed shut.

Shiori moved closer, solid and comforting, her faint Beta scent, barely noticeable, calm and grounding. She climbed onto the bed, moving behind Nerissa, lifting her head gently and settling it into her lap. Her fingers carded through Nerissa’s hair, slow and soothing, her touch a promise of safety. “You’re okay,” she whispered, thumb brushing Nerissa’s cheek.

Elizabeth’s rhythm faltered for a moment, but then Nerissa’s walls clenched around her again, her Omega’s body responding to Shiori’s touch and Elizabeth’s presence. Elizabeth’s hips jerked, a choked moan breaking from her lips.

Shiori’s lips curved into a soft smile. She reached down, brushing sweat-soaked hair from Nerissa’s face. She wiped away a tear from her cheek with a tenderness that made Nerissa’s breath hitch. Her touch drifted to the tips of Nerissa’s pointed ears, massaging them gently, drawing a soft, broken moan.

Elizabeth’s eyes locked on Shiori’s hands, transfixed. Her hips faltered, caught between the need to rut and the desire to savor.

“Look at you two,” Shiori teased gently, her eyes gleaming. “So needy. So messy.” She let one hand leave Nerissa’s ear, cupping Elizabeth’s cheek, guiding her Alpha’s gaze to hers. “Look at me, Liz,” she whispered, her thumb brushing Elizabeth’s trembling jaw.

Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered, dazed, and Shiori leaned in, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to her lips. The touch was electric – a spark that made Elizabeth’s hips stutter, her knot grinding deeper.

Nerissa’s body clenched around her Alpha, a broken moan spilling from her lips. She was lost, mindless, hips rolling helplessly.

Elizabeth didn’t notice Shiori’s other hand leaving Nerissa’s ear and trailing down her chest. She tugged the shirt up that had slipped back down in the heat of their rutting, baring Nerissa’s breasts – soft skin flushed, nipples hard with need. Shiori’s fingers toyed with them, teasing, pinching, rolling each sensitive peak between her fingertips. Nerissa’s moans rose in pitch, her hips jerking, Elizabeth’s cock throbbing inside her.

Elizabeth’s gaze darted down, spellbound, her head spinning from the overstimulation. Shiori’s hand moved lower yet, sliding down Nerissa’s lean belly, finding her clit with practiced ease. She circled it slowly, pressing just enough to make Nerissa’s entire body tense, her wings shivering with need.

Elizabeth’s knot pulsed, every nerve alight with pleasure. “Shiori-” she gasped, her voice trembling.

Shiori’s eyes gleamed as she leaned down, pressing her lips to Elizabeth’s temple. “You’re always so strong, so sweet,” she whispered, her voice low and even, the voice of a Beta who knew how to soothe an Alpha’s fears. “But she makes you weak, doesn’t she? She’s your Omega. And you-” She cupped Elizabeth’s face again, kissing her deeply, tongue tracing Elizabeth’s lips and drawing a ragged moan.

Nerissa’s walls fluttered around Elizabeth’s cock, her entire body trembling. Shiori’s hand moved from her clit to the base of Elizabeth’s cock, wrapping around it where it disappeared inside Nerissa’s slick heat, like she was feeling where they were joined so intimately. She squeezed, just enough to feel the pulse of Elizabeth’s knot, then slid her hand back to Nerissa’s clit, stroking with relentless precision.

Nerissa’s voice broke on a cry, her orgasm crashing over her again, her back arching, slick running down her thighs. Elizabeth’s vision went white, hips jerking helplessly as she emptied herself inside her mate once more, her knot pulsing, locking them together even tighter.

Shiori’s voice was soft, teasing, even as the other two lost themselves. “Good girls,” she crooned, fingers still working Nerissa’s clit as Elizabeth’s hips shuddered and stilled. “Such a mess, both of you. So beautiful like this.”

Elizabeth’s head dropped to Nerissa’s shoulder, her breath ragged, lips brushing over the bruised mark she’d left. “Mine,” she whispered, voice trembling with emotion and possessiveness. “Only mine. My Omega.”

Shiori’s fingers tangled in Elizabeth’s hair, soothing, but guiding her head up to look at her. “Yours,” she agreed, voice steady, warm. “And mine too, Liz. Both of you.”

The world quieted around them – heat and desperation giving way to a warm, heady afterglow. Elizabeth’s chest rose and fell, breath evening out as she cradled Nerissa close. Her cock was still buried deep inside her mate, thick and flushed, but the urgency had faded, leaving only the sweet satisfaction of connection.

Nerissa trembled in Elizabeth’s arms, her head tucked beneath her Alpha’s chin, the steady beat of Elizabeth’s heart a grounding rhythm. Shiori’s presence was a comforting anchor – her hands a steadying touch, smoothing over Elizabeth’s shoulders, brushing hair out of Nerissa’s eyes, slow and gentle.

They held each other like that, Elizabeth’s strong arms wrapped around her Omega, Shiori’s presence a quiet shield. The room hummed with the soft sound of their breathing, the mingled scents of sex and sweat heavy in the air.

Elizabeth pressed a kiss to Nerissa’s temple, her voice a low murmur. “You’re okay,” she whispered, voice thick with tenderness. “I’ve got you.”

Nerissa let out a small, broken whimper – sated, for now, but vulnerable.

Ten minutes passed like that – quiet, precious.

Eventually, Shiori shifted below Nerissa’s head, the mattress dipping under her weight. Nerissa whined, a small, needy sound, and Elizabeth’s arms instinctively tightened around her. Shiori only smiled, her eyes glinting with fond amusement.

“Relax,” she teased, voice warm. “I’ll be right back.”

Nerissa made a small sound of protest, but Shiori only chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head before slipping off the bed.

She returned moments later with two chilled bottles of water, the condensation beading on the plastic. She placed them on the nightstand and climbed back onto the bed, tapping Elizabeth lightly on the shoulder.

“Move over, Alpha,” she teased, though her tone was light. “You’re gonna crush her.”

Elizabeth grunted, a tired smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She knew Nerissa loved the weight of her Alpha pressing her down, the feeling of being covered, protected, but she obliged. She shifted them gently until she lay on her back, Nerissa draped over her chest, her cock still thick but the knot now deflated enough to slip free, leaving a slick mess that trickled down Nerissa’s thighs.

Nerissa let out a small, plaintive whine as Elizabeth moved, her hands clinging weakly to her Alpha’s arms. Elizabeth shushed her gently, voice a warm croon. “Easy, baby. I’m here.”

Shiori’s hands were deft, gentle as she helped Nerissa sit up slightly. The Omega protested, her voice a soft whimper, but Shiori only smiled and lifted Nerissa’s sweat-soaked shirt over her head, finally baring her completely. She pressed a tender kiss to the bruising mark on Nerissa’s shoulder, her lips lingering.

Elizabeth watched them, something tight and achingly beautiful swelling in her chest. The sight of her two mates together – Shiori’s calm, loving presence, Nerissa’s trembling vulnerability – made her heart feel too big for her chest.

Shiori handed Nerissa one of the water bottles, uncapped, guiding it to her lips. Nerissa drank slowly, eyes half-closed, each swallow a soft, grateful sigh.

When she finished, Shiori turned her sharp, golden eyes to Elizabeth. “You too,” she chided softly.

Elizabeth hesitated, cheeks pink with embarrassment. She’d always put Nerissa’s needs before her own. With gentle understanding, Shiori helped her sit up slightly and pressed the bottle to her lips.

Elizabeth drank deeply, the cold water a balm to her dry throat. Shiori’s hand moved between them, stroking along Nerissa’s back, her touch a steady, grounding presence.

She recapped the bottle and set it aside, her touch slow and loving.

Nerissa shifted on Elizabeth’s lap, a small tremor running through her. She clenched around nothing, feeling empty, her breath hitching. Her eyes were hazy, but the heat that had dulled was slowly rising again, a low simmer in her belly. She whined softly, hips pressing down, seeking the connection she’d lost.

Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around her protectively, her hands splaying over Nerissa’s back, steady. “I’ve got you,” she whispered again.

So wrapped up in each other – bodies pressed close, lips brushing, breaths mingling – they didn’t notice Shiori shifting on the bed.

She leaned over the side, her fingers slipping into the small box beneath the bed – the one that held all their carefully chosen toys. Elizabeth’s brows furrowed, but she didn’t move, too focused on holding Nerissa close.

Shiori unhooked her skirt, her fingers deft, and unbuttoned her blouse, letting it slide from her shoulders. Her simple black bra followed, unhooked with practiced ease. Left in a pair of plain black panties, she made quick work of slipping the harness up her legs, the straps hugging her hips in a familiar, comforting way.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened when Shiori settled over her legs, her hand steady on Nerissa’s trembling back.

“Stay down, love,” she murmured to Nerissa, voice warm.

Elizabeth’s heart stuttered, breath catching as she watched Shiori over Nerissa’s shoulder – golden eyes glinting, the familiar calm confidence that always anchored them both.

“Shiori-” Elizabeth rasped, voice trembling with a need she hadn’t realized she’d been holding back.

Shiori’s smile was soft and teasing, her hand smoothing over Nerissa’s ruffled wings, her other hand steady on Elizabeth’s thigh. “Relax, Liz,” she murmured, voice velvet. “Let me take care of both of you.”

Elizabeth’s arms wrapped tighter around Nerissa as she looked up at Shiori, eyes shining with trust and need.

Shiori’s hand was sure as it wrapped around Elizabeth’s still-hard, sticky cock, nestled behind Nerissa’s ass. Her grip was firm but gentle, her thumb smearing slickness across the sensitive head with every stroke. Elizabeth’s hips twitched involuntarily against Nerissa’s trembling form.

Shiori’s golden eyes lifted, warm and steady. She leaned down, lips parting, tongue flicking out to circle the head of Elizabeth’s cock – kitten licks, shy but deliberate. She wasn’t nearly as practiced as Nerissa – she usually guided more than participated – but the mix of Nerissa’s sweetness and Elizabeth’s heady scent sent a shiver down her spine.

Above her, Elizabeth whimpered, lips brushing damp hair. “Shiori-” she gasped, voice raw, hips trembling as she fought to hold still, every muscle straining.

Shiori pulled off with a teasing pop, lips glistening. Her hand stayed firm at the base of Elizabeth’s cock, ensuring it stayed aligned. With her other hand, she guided Nerissa’s hip. “Easy, Rees,” she crooned, voice a soft melody. “Let’s get you nice and full again.”

Nerissa let out a soft, broken moan, her thighs trembling. With Shiori’s help, she slowly sat up, Elizabeth’s cock glistening beneath her. Shiori angled it carefully, pressing the thick head to Nerissa’s entrance. Nerissa’s breath hitched, wings giving a small, helpless flutter.

Elizabeth’s eyes were wide and dazed, locked on every trembling movement. “Fuck-” she breathed, voice hoarse.

Slowly, Nerissa lowered herself, every inch of Elizabeth’s cock stretching her open, filling her again until she sank all the way to the hilt. A shuddering sigh escaped her lips – a sound of utter, desperate relief.

They stayed like that for a moment, the air thick with shared heat. Elizabeth’s hands smoothed over Nerissa’s hips, holding her steady, her own chest heaving as she fought the urge to thrust.

Shiori leaned back, reaching for the bottle of lube she’d set on the nightstand. She uncapped it, drizzling the cool liquid onto the length of her strap, the slickness catching the light. She worked it slowly over the shaft, making sure every inch was coated. Her movements were slow and deliberate, breath coming quicker as she watched her mates joined together.

Shiori settled herself more comfortably over Elizabeth’s legs, one hand steady on Nerissa’s trembling back, the other wrapping around her slicked-up toy. Her voice was low, calm but edged with heat. “I’ll take care of both of you,” she promised, her tone a soothing purr.

She guided the head of her strap to Nerissa’s tight entrance, pressing slowly, giving her time to adjust. Nerissa whimpered at the slow stretch, head dropping forward, tears spilling as Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around her waist.

Elizabeth groaned – raw and guttural – as she felt Shiori’s toy moving alongside her cock, the sweet friction sending shivers up her spine. Nerissa clenched around both of them, body trembling as she was stretched impossibly full.

Shiori pushed in until she was hilted fully, hips flush against Nerissa’s backside. Both hands gripped Nerissa’s hips, hands covering the skin Elizabeth wasn’t, thumbs digging into the soft flesh. Nerissa let out a broken cry, her whole body a trembling mess.

“You love this, don’t you?” Shiori’s voice was a low, teasing rasp, a knowing smirk curving her lips. “So pretty like this, getting stretched, filled up by both your mates. So greedy.”

Elizabeth’s face burned with arousal and embarrassment, her hips stuttering helplessly into Nerissa at the words.

“Look at you,” Shiori continued, voice filthy but soft, coaxing. “Taking us so well. You’re our perfect little Omega, aren’t you?”

Nerissa’s mouth fell open in a silent cry, her walls clenching around them both. The friction was too much, Elizabeth’s cock grinding against Shiori’s toy inside her, every little movement sending sparks of pleasure shooting through all three of them.

Elizabeth’s hips gave a helpless thrust, pushing Nerissa onto Shiori’s toy. Shiori matched her with her own steady rhythm, pressing in just as Elizabeth pulled out, creating an endless stretch that left Nerissa gasping. Sometimes they moved together, filling her completely, and Nerissa sobbed, her voice a broken wreck of moans and pleas.

“Please- Liz- Shiori-” she cried, back arching.

Elizabeth’s head fell back, eyes rolling, a low growl slipping past her lips. “Fuck- she’s so tight-”

Shiori’s hands stayed steady on Nerissa’s hips, guiding her through each thrust, encouraging her to take every inch. “You love it, don’t you?” she purred. “Both of us inside you, stretching you open like the good Omega you are.”

Nerissa came undone with a choked scream, her whole body shuddering, every muscle tensing and then going boneless. Slick gushed down Elizabeth’s thighs, dripping where they were joined. Her walls clenched around them both, trying to milk Elizabeth’s cock with relentless, desperate pulses.

Shiori’s hand moved to the base of her strap, easing it from Nerissa’s trembling, overfilled body with slow care. Nerissa whimpered as it slipped free, her walls fluttering around Elizabeth’s still-throbbing cock.

A sharp breath caught in Elizabeth’s throat, jaw clenched, every muscle tense as she fought to hold herself back. She hadn’t come – her primal instincts burning hot beneath her skin, hunger still simmering in her chest.

Shiori barely had time to react before Elizabeth surged forward like a predator unchained. She flipped them effortlessly, a snarl of raw need in her throat as she pulled Nerissa onto her front. Nerissa cried out softly, trembling, her arms giving out as her upper body pressed into the sheets, hips lifted high.

Elizabeth’s eyes were feral, pupils blown wide, cheeks flushed. She took hold of her cock, slick with Nerissa’s need and her own desperate arousal, and thrust back inside with a single, claiming push.

A low growl spilled from her lips as she sank deep. Nerissa sobbed into the sheets, her whole body trembling as she was filled again, legs shaking from the aftermath of her climax.

Shiori smirked from her vantage point, her golden eyes gleaming with a mix of fondness and heat. “Insatiable,” she teased, her tone playful but warm. “Look at you – still hard, still hungry. How long have you been at this, Alpha?”

Elizabeth didn’t answer, hips rolling in slow, powerful thrusts, too lost in the fog of her rut to care.

Shiori moved behind Elizabeth, her hands steady as they landed on the Alpha’s hips. Her touch was grounding, a reminder that she was there. She leaned forward, pressing her chest to Elizabeth’s strong back, lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Let me help,” she murmured, voice soft but sure.

Her right hand trailed around Elizabeth’s side, fingers brushing over her parted lips. Dazed and instinct-driven, Elizabeth opened her mouth, tongue swirling around the offered digits. She sucked them in, wetting them thoroughly, her hips never ceasing their deep, powerful thrusts into Nerissa’s trembling body.

Shiori hummed low with approval as she pulled her fingers free, glistening with Elizabeth’s spit.

Before Elizabeth could protest, Shiori had pressed those slick fingers gently against her backside, tracing slow, teasing circles. Elizabeth’s hips faltered for a split second, Alpha instincts at odds with the flood of sudden vulnerability.

Shiori’s other hand stayed steady on her hip. “Relax,” she crooned, voice warm, teasing. “You’re always so shy about this, Liz,” she murmured, her lips curving into a smirk she knew Elizabeth couldn’t see. “Let me take care of you, too.”

Elizabeth’s breath stuttered, hips trembling, but she didn’t protest. Her cock pulsed inside Nerissa, every nerve lit up by the stretch Shiori was coaxing.

Shiori’s finger pressed more firmly, slow and insistent. Elizabeth’s hips shuddered, breath catching as she fought to keep her rhythm steady. Her free hand slipped between Nerissa’s upper body and the sheets, fingers seeking out her mate’s soft, sensitive breasts. She cupped one, thumb brushing over a taut nipple, trying to focus on Nerissa’s moans rather than the vulnerable stretch Shiori was giving her.

“You’re so good, Elizabeth,” Shiori whispered, voice soft but firm. “Such a good Alpha – always taking care of her.” Her finger pushed deeper, stretching Elizabeth with slow, deliberate care.

Elizabeth groaned raggedly, hips jerking reflexively. She filled Nerissa with each tremor, sharp and sweet. Nerissa’s wings twitched, breath breaking in whimpers.

“Look at you,” Shiori continued, her voice a warm, teasing balm. “Fucking her so good while I take care of you. You’re so strong, but even you need a little help sometimes.”

Elizabeth’s lips parted. “Shiori-” she rasped, half moan, half plea.

“Shh,” Shiori soothed, her fingers working deeper, slow and patient, stretching Elizabeth gently. “You’re okay, Liz. I’ve got you.”

Elizabeth’s head fell forward, a broken groan tearing from her throat as her hips slowed, each thrust deeper and more possessive. Her hand on Nerissa’s breast squeezed gently, thumb brushing the peak. Nerissa’s moans spilled like honey, feeding Elizabeth’s need.

Shiori’s fingers worked a slow rhythm inside Elizabeth, matching the thrusts she gave Nerissa – each stroke a sweet torture. Elizabeth’s jaw clenched, teeth bared, sweat dripping down her temple.

“You’re doing so well,” Shiori whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of Elizabeth’s neck, hand steady on her hip. “So good for us.”

Shiori’s fingers moved with practiced care inside Elizabeth, her rhythm matching Elizabeth’s shallow thrusts into Nerissa. Elizabeth’s breath came ragged against Nerissa’s neck. Her Alpha instincts bristled at the helplessness of being stretched like this, but Shiori’s steady hand – her patient presence – kept her from losing herself.

Finally, Shiori’s fingers withdrew, leaving Elizabeth trembling – empty in the most vulnerable way. Shiori shifted behind her, the bed creaking quietly in the heated air. Elizabeth’s body tensed, every muscle taut, as Shiori lined up the slick head of her strap.

“Shh, relax,” Shiori murmured, her voice warm and steady. Her hands smoothed over Elizabeth’s hips, thumbs rubbing slow circles. “I’ve got you, Liz. Just breathe.”

Elizabeth’s chest heaved, knuckles white where they clawed into the sheets beside Nerissa’s hips. Nerissa, eyes glassy and unfocused, reached back with a trembling hand, around Elizabeth’s neck, guiding her face down next to hers.

“Liz,” she whispered, her voice a trembling plea. “Look at me.” Her thumb brushed Elizabeth’s cheek, lips pressing to hers in a soft, grounding kiss.

Elizabeth’s breath caught, forehead falling to Nerissa’s shoulder blades. She moaned as Shiori’s strap pressed in – a slow stretch that made her vision go hazy. Nerissa’s walls clamped around her cock at the same time, the dual sensation making her mind spin.

“Shiori-” she gasped, voice ragged.

Shiori’s hands stayed on her hips, thumbs steady, guiding her in slow, gentle strokes. “That’s it, sweet girl,” she murmured, lips brushing the curve of Elizabeth’s shoulder blades in a low, constant hum of praise. Then she pulled back, ready to find her rhythm.

Elizabeth’s head dropped lower, sweat dripping from her temples. Her hips rocked forward into Nerissa, then back onto Shiori’s strap, each thrust a sweet agony that left her gasping. Nerissa’s soft whimpers filled the room, thighs trembling weakly.

Shiori picked up speed, each thrust of her strap more forceful, sending Elizabeth forward and burying her cock even deeper into Nerissa’s soaked heat. Elizabeth’s breath came in ragged pants as her hips rocked helplessly.

“Fuck-” Elizabeth gasped, every inch of her body trembling.

Shiori’s hand slid around Elizabeth’s side, her fingers finding a peaked nipple, rolling it between them. Elizabeth swallowed, hips stuttering. 

“You’re such a good girl,” Shiori purred. “So strong for us. Look at you, taking care of her and letting me take care of you. I’m so proud of you, Liz.”

Elizabeth moaned, forehead pressed to Nerissa’s back, hips faltering at Shiori’s praise.

A choked whimper from Nerissa cut through the fog. “Liz- please-” she sobbed, voice trembling.

Shiori leaned close, her breath dancing over the back of Elizabeth’s ear. “She’s close again,” she murmured. “Give it to her, Liz. Take her. Breed her. Claim what’s yours.”

That was all it took. Elizabeth’s hips surged forward, thrusts fast and brutal, knot swelling. Each push slammed her into Nerissa, every drag back impaling her on Shiori’s strap. She was a mess of moans, sweat, and desperate, claiming thrusts.

Nerissa sobbed, back arching, wings trembling, her voice a broken, high-pitched wail. “Alpha- please- breed me-”

Elizabeth’s hips snapped forward one last time, her knot catching, stretching Nerissa impossibly wide before slipping in, locking them together. She let out a broken whimper, hips trembling as she came, hot, thick release spilling deep inside her mate, filling her, breeding her.

Nerissa wailed, walls clamping around her Alpha’s cock, body trembling with the force of her orgasm.

Shiori’s arms wrapped around them both, her own hips flush with Elizabeth’s ass, voice soft and proud. “That’s it – my good girls. So beautiful, both of you.”

After a moment of catching their breaths, Shiori carefully eased herself out of Elizabeth, her hands steady as she unhooked the harness and discarded it off the side of the bed. She remained close, her palms smoothing over Elizabeth’s trembling back, pressing sweet, grounding kisses along her spine.

Elizabeth’s chest heaved, her knot still locked inside Nerissa, anchoring them together. Shiori guided them gently onto their sides, Elizabeth behind Nerissa, arms wrapping protectively around her trembling mate, bodies pressed close.

Settling in front of them, Shiori reached for Nerissa’s hands, still clenched tight around the bedsheets. Gently, she loosened her grip, threading their fingers together. She lifted their joined hands to the wall above the headboard, pressing them there, her voice soft.

“Touch it, love,” she murmured. “Tell me – what does it feel like?”

Nerissa’s breath came in broken gasps, head lolling to the side. Sweat-slicked, she obeyed. After a beat, her voice emerged as a thin, shaky whisper. “Cold,” she said. “It’s cold.”

A soft smile bloomed on Shiori’s face as she pressed a kiss to Nerissa’s temple. “Good girl,” she praised, voice warm and proud. “That’s my girl.”

She matched Nerissa’s breathing with slow, steady words. “Now, breathe with me. In… and out. In… and out.”

Gradually, Nerissa’s trembling subsided, eyes fluttering, the wild heat softening. A long, shuddering sigh escaped her lips as she relaxed into Elizabeth’s arms.

Elizabeth leaned in close, her own breathing ragged but steady, warm against Nerissa’s skin. Her arms locked around her mate in a protective embrace, knot still binding them. Shiori’s hand drifted over Nerissa’s cheek, then along Elizabeth’s jaw, a grounding touch that tethered them all.

The room softened to a quiet hum, bodies tangled together, breath slowing. The heated rush of the moment faded into a warm, bone-deep exhaustion only true intimacy could bring. Nerissa’s hair was damp, sweat cooling on her skin, but she was safe, held in her Alpha’s strong arms and Shiori’s steady presence.

Shiori lay close, legs tangled with theirs, her arm draped across Nerissa’s waist. Her golden eyes glowed with a quiet pride as she watched them.

Elizabeth’s chest rose and fell, in a steady thrum against Nerissa’s back. Her arm curved over Nerissa’s side, hand finding Shiori’s and pulling her close, anchoring them all in a protective, loving embrace. Their hearts seemed to beat as one.

For now, they were safe. Sated. But Shiori knew – oh, she knew – that Nerissa’s heat would inevitably rise again, a cycle that would stretch over the next few days. Elizabeth’s own rut would likely mirror it, instincts drawing together in a seemingly endless, primal dance. Shiori would try her best to keep up, to soothe and care for them both.

Elizabeth pressed a tired kiss to the damp skin of Nerissa’s shoulder, voice hoarse. “You’re okay,” she murmured, her words a soft promise. “We’ve got you.”

Nerissa’s hips shifted instinctively, a small roll that sent a sharp, unexpected jolt through them both. Elizabeth groaned, low and tired, forehead pressing to Nerissa’s neck. “Rissa…” she rasped, exhaustion and fond amusement mingling in her tone.

Shiori chuckled, the sound a gentle melody. She shifted closer, pressing a soft kiss to Elizabeth’s jaw, then Nerissa’s temple. “So needy,” she teased, warm but playful. “My little feral beasts can’t even wait five minutes before wanting more.”

Elizabeth’s tired laugh muffled against Nerissa’s skin.

Shiori’s fingers smoothed through Elizabeth’s hair. “Shh,” she soothed, her tone soft now, the teasing fading into gentle affection. “You’re both okay. You did so well, Liz. So strong for her.”

Elizabeth’s breath shuddered out, the tension easing from her shoulders.

Nerissa let out a small, contented sigh, her head resting against Elizabeth’s shoulder, eyes fluttering shut. “Alpha…” she murmured, soft and sleepy.

“I’m here,” Elizabeth whispered, pressing a tender kiss to her ear. “Always.”

Shiori’s hand trailed down to Nerissa’s hip, tracing slow, grounding circles. “You did so well, love,” she praised. “My sweet Omega.”

Nerissa’s lips curved into a tired smile, her hand finding Shiori’s and lacing their fingers together. Elizabeth’s arms tightened around them both, as if she’d never let go.

Shiori’s eyes softened, her gaze lingering on them with a quiet devotion. She pressed a final kiss to Elizabeth’s temple and let out a soft, affectionate laugh. “You know,” she murmured, voice hushed and teasing, “you two are going to wear me out.”

Elizabeth’s exhausted groan vibrated through Nerissa’s back, mingling with a sleepy chuckle. “Shiori…” she muttered, a smile playing on her lips.

Shiori only hummed, her hand resting on Elizabeth’s side. “Sleep,” she whispered, her voice a lullaby. “I’ll watch over you both.”

In the soft hush of the night, Shiori stayed awake a little longer, fingers combing through Nerissa’s hair, eyes gentle and watchful. Her loves were safe. Her little feral beasts, tamed for now.

The early morning light seeped in through the half-closed blinds, a soft gray glow that painted the room in quiet stillness. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of them – heady Omega heat, the sharp undertone of Alpha.

Nerissa stirred first, her body spent and tender. Her hair clung to her forehead and cheeks. Every movement made her wings twitch, feathers ruffled and bent, but she felt content – sated and safe.

She shifted carefully; Elizabeth’s arms still draped over her waist, protective even in sleep. A small smile curved her lips. Elizabeth’s cock had softened and slipped free during the night, leaving her empty but not lonely. Her Alpha was still there, her warmth a steady, comforting presence.

The bed felt too big without Shiori. On the nightstand beside them were two glasses of water, beads of condensation pooling around their bases – small gestures that made Nerissa’s heart squeeze.

Turning slowly, she faced Elizabeth, whose strong arms tightened around her, pulling her close without waking fully. With trembling fingers, Nerissa brushed the sweaty bangs from Elizabeth’s face, tucking them behind her ear.

Elizabeth’s mind was slow to wake, caught between the lingering haze of sleep and the ache that settled deep in her bones. She groaned softly, voice low and raw, eyes fluttering open. She looked at Nerissa through heavy lashes, her gaze still a little unfocused, and exhaled a shaky sigh. “Rissa…” she murmured, hoarse.

Nerissa’s heart swelled at that vulnerable softness only she got to see. Her smile deepened, eyes tired but glowing with warmth.

Elizabeth’s gaze softened too before her eyes drifted to Nerissa’s shoulder. The deep purple mark – a reminder of the night before – stood out stark against Nerissa’s pale skin. Her fingers moved there without thinking, brushing it gently.

Nerissa let out a small, broken moan, tilting her head to the side to give her Alpha more access nonetheless. “Liz…” she whispered, voice trembling.

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed pink, eyes darting away, suddenly too shy to meet Nerissa’s eyes. “Sorry,” she whispered, voice small.

Nerissa’s smile turned playful, lips curving in a familiar teasing glint. Even wrecked like this she was radiant. “After all this,” she purred, “you’re still shy?”

Elizabeth’s laugh was small, breathless, a tiny thing that made Nerissa’s chest tighten. “Can’t help it,” she mumbled, her eyes soft, stroking Nerissa’s cheek.

They lay like that for a moment, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other in. Elizabeth leaned in first, pressing slow, sweet kisses to Nerissa’s lips – a quiet, unhurried thing that spoke of trust and love. Nerissa sighed into the press of her lips, hands finding their way to Elizabeth’s cheeks.

From the kitchen, the door left ajar, Shiori’s voice floated in – playful and affectionate. “You two are so adorable I might die from sweetness,” she teased, her laughter like chimes.

Elizabeth’s cheeks burned. She let out a small, embarrassed groan and buried her face in the crook of Nerissa’s neck, breath hot against her skin. “Shiori…” she muttered, mortified.

Shiori’s laughter danced through the air. “Oh, come on,” she called, still unseen. “You realize the entire apartment reeks of you both, right?” She paused dramatically. “Anyone stepping foot in this place would know exactly what happened here.”

Nerissa’s lips curved into a sly smirk. “Well,” she teased, voice husky, “maybe that’s the point. Let everyone know you’re both mine” Her eyes were soft though, glowing with warmth as Shiori appeared in the doorway.

From somewhere against her neck, Elizabeth groaned, arms instinctively tightening around Nerissa. “Nerissa…”

Shiori’s laughter rang out, light and melodic. She leaned against the doorway, arms folded, eyes glinting. “Touché, Rissa,” she murmured, voice full of love.

She watched them for a beat, eyes lingering on the way Elizabeth’s arms curled around Nerissa’s waist, the way Nerissa’s hands cupped Elizabeth’s face, thumb brushing over her cheek.

With a soft smile, she crossed the room and slipped into bed behind Elizabeth, arms wrapping around her waist. She pressed her forehead to Elizabeth’s back, lips warm against her skin. “Hey there,” she whispered, voice soft, hand resting on Elizabeth’s hip, thumb tracing slow, soothing circles. “You both did so well.”

Elizabeth’s breath stuttered, arms tightening around Nerissa again, pulling her close in a messy tangle of limbs and wings as Shiori’s praise seeped into her bones.

Shiori’s voice was a gentle hum in the quiet. “I’m heating up the takeout I brought home,” she murmured, her tone warm but practical. “You’re both going to need the energy.”

Elizabeth let out a grateful, tired laugh, muffled against Nerissa’s neck. “Thank you,” she whispered, voice thick with emotion.

Nerissa leaned in, pressing her lips to Elizabeth’s forehead, her smile so tender it made Elizabeth’s chest feel tight.

Chapter Text

Elizabeth wasn’t sure what felt more dangerous – the stolen beers or the way Cecilia’s eyes glinted in the low light of the dorm room, mischief dancing like candle flames. The cans had been smuggled in beneath oversized sweaters and sweet smiles, and Elizabeth didn’t even need to ask whose idea it was.

It had been Cecilia’s, of course. It always was: too clever by half, too good at looking innocent when she needed to. If they got caught, Elizabeth knew exactly whose head would be on the chopping block.

Gigi’s. With her messy hair and soft, wide eyes that always seemed to say I didn’t mean to.

Elizabeth had raised an eyebrow at her friend’s grin, but before she could ask, Cecilia was already rummaging in her backpack, pulling out multiple dented cans of cheap beer.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Where did you get those?” she demanded.

Cecilia’s grin turned sly, the one she wore when she was about to drag them all into trouble. “Don’t worry about it,” she sang, tossing a can to Gigi, who caught it with practiced ease.

Elizabeth sat cross-legged on the floor, her back pressed to the wall as they cracked the cans open. The hiss and fizz felt like a promise.

She’d tried to beg off at first, citing homework and responsibilities, but Gigi had leaned in, grin sweet, conspiratorial, eyes wide and pleading.

“Please, Liz? Just for once – have some fun with us. Let go.”

It was the us that got her.

Elizabeth sighed, fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, letting out a small, frustrated laugh. 

She caved. She always did.

“Fine,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Just don’t tell anyone I said yes.” She reached for the can Cecilia handed her, the cold metal biting her fingers.

They clinked cans in a sloppy toast. Cecilia led the way, as always, her grin sharp and dangerous. “Prost!” she cheered.

The beer was warm and a little sour, the carbonation tickling her nose, but it didn’t matter. They were fifteen, and everything felt electric.

They sat in a loose circle on the dorm room floor, legs stretched out, knees bumping. The little table, littered with schoolbooks, had been pushed aside to make space for laughter and too-loud giggles.

Gigi was the first to get tipsy, her cheeks pink, eyes glassy, voice too loud as she recounted a story about the time she’d gotten locked in the music room after hours.

Cecilia’s laughter rang out like a bell, her fingers brushing Gigi’s shoulder, head thrown back. “You’re a disaster,” she teased, her grin sharp but fond.

Gigi stuck out her tongue. “Says the girl who stole the beers.”

Elizabeth leaned back on her hands. Her cheeks warmed, the tension in her shoulders easing in the hazy glow of laughter. The room felt safe, like a little world all their own.

Raora sipped her beer slowly, her gaze drifting lazily between them. Every so often, she laughed at one of Cecilia’s jabs, her tail flicking, ears perked in delight. When she caught Elizabeth’s eye, she’d tilt her head in that gentle, knowing way, her small smile soft and warm.

It was Cecilia who shattered the calm, leaning forward, her smile a challenge. “Hey, Liz,” she drawled, voice thick with mischief.

Elizabeth’s eyes sharpened, a sudden tension rippling through her. “What?”

Cecilia’s grin widened. “Kiss Raora.”

Elizabeth sputtered, the can tipping dangerously in her hand. “What- no! Don’t be ridiculous,” she stammered, her voice sharper than she intended. Heat bloomed in her cheeks, racing from her chest to the tips of her ears.

Gigi let out a scandalized giggle, eyes wide and delighted. “Oh mah gah!” she crowed. “Are you blushing, Liz?”

Elizabeth’s jaw tightened. “It’s the beer,” she muttered, though even she could hear the excuse ringing hollow.

She risked a glance at Raora. Her friend’s gaze was gentle, her own cheeks pink, her smile soft and understanding. She watched Elizabeth with eyes that glistened in the low light, curiosity and something warmer flickering in their depths.

“Don’t be a coward, Liz,” Cecilia teased, though her voice held a warmth that softened the challenge.

Elizabeth’s eyes met Raora’s across the small circle. Raora’s smile turned tender, lips parting slightly.

Slowly, she moved – crawling across the floor on all fours, graceful even in her tipsy haze. Her tail flicked behind her, the soft fur brushing lightly against Elizabeth’s leg. Elizabeth’s breath came shallow as Raora drew closer, every inch closing the distance.

She stopped just inches away, eyes half-lidded, her breath brushing Elizabeth’s cheek.

Elizabeth felt frozen, her heart thudding in her chest.

Raora’s voice came as a whisper, soft as velvet, laced with that lilting accent that always made Elizabeth’s stomach flutter. “Close your eyes,” she murmured.

Elizabeth’s breath hitched. Slowly, she obeyed, her eyelids fluttering shut.

For a heartbeat, the world went quiet. She felt Raora’s breath on her lips – warm and trembling, mingling with the taste of cheap beer. A hand slid to her thigh, fingers splayed, almost cool against heated skin.

And then lips – softer than she’d imagined, hesitant, asking rather than answering.

Elizabeth’s head spun, a shiver dancing down her spine. The world blurred. It was over before she could fully process it.

Raora pulled back, her eyes shining in the low light, her smile playful and tender all at once.

Elizabeth’s face burned, her lips tingling. She cleared her throat, her voice rough. “Satisfied?” she demanded, lifting her chin with all the defiance she could muster.

Gigi’s grin turned feral. “Very,” she teased, her own cheeks flushed.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest refused to settle. She looked away, the world suddenly too bright, too loud.

She didn’t know what to do with the way Raora’s eyes lingered on her, soft and curious. She didn’t know what to do with the way her own skin tingled, the way her lips felt too tender, too alive.

Something had shifted, as subtle and profound as the shift of seasons.

The beers were drained, laughter fading into quiet giggles and sleepy sighs. Cecilia claimed one bed, pulling Gigi against her, arms wrapped tight around her waist, inhibitions long gone. Raora curled up on the other bed, her tail draped over the blanket, eyes drifting closed.

Elizabeth lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling, her head spinning. The cool linoleum pressed into her palms, the quiet settling around her like a weight.

She could still feel Raora’s lips on hers, the gentle pressure of her hand on her thigh. She could still hear that whisper – close your eyes.

Elizabeth’s eyes stayed open.

She didn’t sleep that night.

And though they never spoke of it again, nothing felt quite the same after that.

The night was thick with the hush of late hours – Elizabeth and Cecilia had long since given up on their studying, letting conversation drift between lines of spaghetti code and legal doctrines.

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms overhead, her jaw tight from hours of studying. Cecilia sat cross-legged on the floor beside her, her laptop screen casting a soft glow on her face.

They’d been friends for so long it felt like a part of Elizabeth’s bones – like Cecilia had always been there, bright and steady, a lighthouse in the fog.

“Liz?” Cecilia’s voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Elizabeth glanced down at her, one eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”

Cecilia’s fingers tangled together in her lap, her joints pale. Her eyes flicked up to Elizabeth’s face, then dropped again. “Can I tell you something? Something I’ve never really said out loud before?”

Elizabeth straightened, the instinct to protect flaring in her chest. “Of course. You know you can tell me anything.”

Cecilia drew in a shaky breath, eyes locked on a spot on the carpet. “That day. With Gigi’s mom…”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened, the memory sharp as a blade.

Cecilia’s voice trembled. “Ever since then… I’ve always been a little afraid of Alphas.”

Elizabeth felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. Her eyes darted to Cecilia’s face, searching for a lie, a joke – anything but the raw honesty she saw there.

“Not you,” Cecilia added quickly, voice breaking. “Never you.”

But Elizabeth’s stomach twisted all the same.

“Even me,” she whispered, her voice low, a rasp of old hurt. “You’ve always been afraid of me.”

Cecilia’s eyes shone with tears, shimmering in the dim light. “No,” she whispered. “Just… afraid of losing you to that part of you. The part that’s bigger than you, that scares you too. I miss the Liz who didn’t have to think about controlling herself all the time.”

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched. A thousand words clawed at her throat, but none of them made it out.

She felt split in two – the girl she’d been, the one who ran barefoot in the grass with Gigi and Cecilia, who built pillow forts and believed in secret codes – and the Alpha she couldn’t seem to outrun.

She looked at her hands, the strength in them, the way they’d changed since she’d presented. How they’d learned to hold back, to soften every touch.

“I didn’t choose this,” she said at last, her voice rough with regret.

Cecilia nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I know… I know, Liz.”

Elizabeth’s chest ached, raw and bruised. She reached out, her hand shaking as she brushed a tear from Cecilia’s cheek. “I’m still me,” she whispered, hoping it was enough, trying to convince herself as much as Cecilia.

Cecilia’s lips quivered, a sad smile breaking through. “I know,” she said again, her voice like glass.

The dorm was quiet, save for the distant thrum of music from someone’s speakers down the hall. Elizabeth sprawled on Nerissa’s bed, legs tangled in a too-small blanket, staring at the ceiling with the kind of weariness that made every muscle ache.

Nerissa perched at her desk, her broken horn catching the light, a pen twirling between her fingers. The pages of her notebook were littered with half-finished thoughts, half-scribbled lyrics – ideas that flared bright in her mind but fizzled the moment she tried to catch them.

Elizabeth watched her quietly, chin propped on her hand. Nerissa’s foot tapped a restless rhythm on the floor, her brows drawn tight, her lips worrying at the cap of her pen. Every so often, she’d glance at Elizabeth, her eyes darting away before they could settle. There was a tension in her shoulders that hadn’t been there earlier – a coil of something heavy she was trying to hide beneath her usual grin.

Elizabeth knew that grin by now – knew the way Nerissa wielded it like a shield, bright and deflecting. She also knew that shield had cracks.

“Nerissa,” she said softly, her voice careful, like she was approaching a frightened bird. “Hey. What’s going on?”

Nerissa’s head jerked up, eyes wide for a heartbeat before she forced a laugh, too bright, too thin. “Nothing, darling. Just… thinking.” She waved her pen lazily, like that explained everything.

Elizabeth’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’re not a very good liar,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.

Nerissa’s shoulders slumped. She set the pen down, the plastic clattering against the desk like a dropped sword. She turned to face Elizabeth, her fingers twisting the hem of her pajama pants – the butter pair, the ones Elizabeth secretly loved on her. They were adorable. “It’s just…” She hesitated, teeth catching on her lower lip. “Sometimes I wonder if… if I’m too much.”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened. “Too much?”

Nerissa’s laugh was brittle, hollow. “Yeah. Like – too loud, too clingy, too… everything.” Her hands fluttered in the air, a frustrated gesture that made her look smaller somehow. “I know I’m a yapper, and I flirt too much, and I talk too much. And sometimes I look at you and I think… maybe you’d be better off with someone quieter. Someone who doesn’t-” Her voice cracked. She ducked her head, hair falling over her face.

Elizabeth pushed herself up, crossing the small space between them. She reached out, fingers brushing Nerissa’s cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Hey,” she murmured, voice soft but sure. “Look at me.”

Nerissa’s eyes lifted slowly, red-rimmed, the vulnerability in them so raw it made Elizabeth’s heart ache.

“You’re not too much,” Elizabeth said, her voice overflowing with sincerity. “You’re… exactly enough. For me. You make everything brighter, Nerissa. I love the way you fill a room, the way you make even the quietest corners feel alive. I love how you talk a mile a minute, how you make me laugh even when I don’t want to.”

Nerissa’s breath hitched, her eyes wide, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She let out a soft, broken laugh, her pointed ears twitching slightly beneath her hair, her wings shifting restlessly as she tried to steady herself. “God, Liz,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “You can’t just say that. You can’t just-”

Elizabeth leaned in, pressing her forehead to Nerissa’s. “I can,” she murmured. “And I mean every word.”

Nerissa let out a shaky breath, her lips trembling with a smile that was equal parts joy and relief. She laughed softly this time, the sound like the first birdsong after a long night. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice small. “I just… sometimes I’m so scared that one day, you’ll realize I’m not worth it.”

Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her in close, the contact grounding them both. “I already realized,” she whispered fiercely. “You’re worth everything.”

For a moment, Nerissa just held on, her arms tight around Elizabeth’s neck, her breath warm and shaky against her skin. And in that quiet space, the tension melted away.

Elizabeth had always loved the library in the afternoons – sunlight filtering through the high windows in golden shafts that dusted the worn spines and quiet corners in a warm, sleepy glow. It was a refuge: the hush of pages turning, the gentle tap of keyboards, the low murmur of students bent over assignments.

But today, the air felt different.

She’d barely made it past the front desk when she spotted Shiori near the archives. Her hair was pulled into a neat ponytail, but it was the sleeve of tattoos – eyes, wings, and drippy ink – that stole Elizabeth’s breath. Shiori’s left arm was a canvas of intricate designs, the eerie eyes watching her from beneath the overhead lights. A stack of returned books sat at her side. She moved with that quiet efficiency Elizabeth had always admired – unflappable, sharp, a steady force.

Elizabeth hesitated. She knew it was coming – had known since she’d started skipping Nerissa’s room during her heat, leaving hurried notes, muttered excuses, a weak smile that never reached her eyes.

She turned to slip away, but Shiori was faster. She moved like a shadow, slipping between the shelves and appearing in Elizabeth’s path before she could gather her thoughts.

“Elizabeth.” Her voice was calm. Too calm.

Elizabeth’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Shiori-”

“We need to talk.” Shiori’s eyes were sharp. There was no room to deflect, no clever way to dodge her.

Elizabeth glanced at the students scattered in the reading chairs, the librarian’s counter a few rows away. She swallowed hard. “Fine,” she muttered, following Shiori to a quieter corner near the back – one of those hidden alcoves with a single table and an old lamp that hummed faintly.

Shiori set her books down with a soft thud. She crossed her arms, her eyes hard but not unkind.

“Do you even know what you’re doing to her?” she demanded, voice low but unwavering. “Every time you disappear. Every time you leave her alone.”

Elizabeth’s jaw tightened. “It’s not that simple.”

Shiori leaned in, unflinchingly protective. “It’s not that complicated either. She needs you. And you run every time.”

Elizabeth’s spine stiffened. Her Alpha instincts coiled inside her, a low growl rumbling in her chest. “I didn’t choose this,” she spat, voice raw.

Shiori’s eyes flickered with something – empathy, maybe; the realization she’d hit a nerve – but it was buried under her protective fury.

“No,” she said evenly. “But you are an Alpha. Whether you like it or not.”

Elizabeth recoiled like she’d been struck, shame coiling low in her gut. “I know that,” she said, clipped. “You think I don’t know that? You think it doesn’t kill me every time I have to walk away – every time I leave her there, wanting something I’m too scared to give her?”

The words spilled out in a rush, brittle and sharp.

Shiori’s lips pressed into a thin line. She let out a slow breath, her fingers curling around the edge of the table. “Then own it,” she said, her voice low, words biting. “Own it. Because every time you run, you leave her questioning if she’s worth it. And she is. She’s always been worth it.”

Elizabeth’s throat closed. Her hand twitched, lifting as if to reach out and stop Shiori, but she froze, her fingers curling into a fist. “I-”

Shiori shook her head. “No,” she said, her voice cracking with something that sounded suspiciously like grief. “I’m not doing this right now.”

She turned, gathering her books with sharp motions. At the edge of the alcove, she paused, her back stiff. “I know you’re trying,” she said, voice low, a final thread of understanding between them. “But sometimes, trying isn’t enough.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth, but no words came.

Shiori left without another glance.

Elizabeth stayed behind, staring at the worn tabletop.

The next few days were a quiet hell.

Shiori moved like a shadow, eyes steady, polite, but distant. Elizabeth saw the way Nerissa’s eyes flickered between them, how her smile faltered, questions unspoken on her lips.

It hurt.

Everywhere Elizabeth went, the space between them yawned like a chasm – sharp and cold. She saw it in the way Nerissa’s laughter dimmed, in the way Shiori’s footsteps carried her quickly out of a room.

She hated it.

She hated herself.

It was three days later when Elizabeth found herself back in the library. The world outside was cold, the sky heavy with the promise of snow.

She spotted Shiori at the desk near the archives, her two-toned hair falling loosely down her back this time, a cardigan draped over her shoulders. She was reading a thick volume of poetry, its edges worn from years of use.

Elizabeth hesitated, then stepped forward. She held a small thermos in her hands, steam curling from the lid.

“Here,” she said softly. “It’s supposed to snow tonight. Thought you might want something warm.”

Shiori’s eyes lifted slowly. Surprise flickered across her face before she smoothed it into something neutral.

“Thanks,” she murmured, taking the cup from Elizabeth’s hands.

Elizabeth shifted awkwardly, her eyes falling to the floor. “I- uh- I’ll just-”

“You can stay,” Shiori said, her voice softer than Elizabeth had expected.

So Elizabeth did. She found a table a few feet away, pulling out her books, though her focus was fractured. Her gaze kept drifting to Shiori’s quiet presence. The library hummed with the low murmur of other students, but between them was a hush all their own.

Elizabeth watched the way Shiori’s fingers traced the lines of the book, each practiced motion of shelving, the small furrow of concentration that always appeared when she thought no one was watching. She’d always been so beautiful like that – quiet strength and sharp wit, her mind a fortress Elizabeth had never quite been able to breach.

She stayed the whole shift.

When the clock finally ticked past the hour, Shiori gathered her things with her usual quiet efficiency. She wrapped her scarf around her neck, slipped on her cardigan, her fingers brushing the thermos Elizabeth had brought her.

Elizabeth closed her book, heart heavy. Outside the window, the first hints of snow drifted down, painting the world in soft whites and grays.

Shiori hesitated, then turned to Elizabeth. Her eyes were guarded, but there was a softness there too – a small crack in the wall she’d built.

“Walk me home?” she asked, her voice small.

Elizabeth swallowed. “Yeah,” she said, standing.

They walked in silence at first, side by side, boots crunching softly in the fresh snow. A sharp, biting wind tugged at Elizabeth’s hair and stung her cheeks.

The world had transformed into a hushed white, every branch dusted with delicate flakes, the sky overhead a deep blue-black sprinkled with pale stars. Streetlights cast pools of golden light on the sidewalk, catching the snow as it drifted down in lazy spirals. It clung to Shiori’s hair and the tips of Elizabeth’s coat, turning the world into a quiet wonderland.

Elizabeth could feel the tension thrumming between them – an echo of all the words they hadn’t said, the sharp edges of the fight still raw. Every step felt fragile, as if it might shatter the brittle peace they’d managed to find.

Shiori’s fingers brushed against Elizabeth’s hand, hesitant at first, as though she wasn’t sure the gesture would be welcome. Elizabeth’s heart clenched at the cold press of Shiori’s skin against hers, a small spark of warmth flickering in her chest.

Without thinking, she turned her hand and slipped her fingers between Shiori’s, curling them around.

Shiori let out a long breath, the sound almost a sigh. “It’s beautiful,” she murmured, her voice low and raw, like she was afraid to shatter the moment.

Elizabeth nodded, unable to find words that felt right.

Shiori’s hand was cold in hers, her thumb brushing Elizabeth’s knuckles in a slow, almost hesitant rhythm. It felt deliberate – a small, grounding gesture that said more than any apology could.

Elizabeth’s heart ached. She turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of Shiori’s profile – the soft line of her jaw, the faintest tremble at the corner of her lips. She wondered if Shiori felt as exposed as she did, if she felt the ache in her chest every time their eyes met and they realized how close they’d come to breaking something too important to name.

She opened her mouth to speak – some stumbling apology, some promise to do better – but the words tangled in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to say them, not yet.

Shiori’s eyes flicked to hers, as if she sensed the struggle. She gave a small, barely-there smile – an exhale more than a smile, really – and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand a little tighter. The gesture was small, but it was enough.

Elizabeth squeezed back, their steps falling into an easy rhythm. The snow drifted around them, quieting the world to a soft hush.

At one point, Shiori’s shoulder brushed against Elizabeth’s, the contact sending a wave of warmth through her chest. Elizabeth let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, tension easing from her shoulders like melting ice.

It wasn’t forgiveness, not entirely. But it was understanding.

It wasn’t exactly a first time in the way Elizabeth had always imagined it – some sweet, shy exchange of hearts and bodies. But it was the first time she’d crossed a line she’d drawn so carefully around herself.

It was May, the air warming with the promise of summer. Graduation loomed just a few weeks away – a horizon they were all sprinting toward, excitement and dread tangled together. A part of Elizabeth felt like she was living on borrowed time.

She sat cross-legged on the floor of Raora’s dorm room, her back propped against the side of the bed, pages of notes spread like a shield around her. Raora perched at her desk, pencil in hand, ears flicking in rhythm with the scratch of graphite against paper.

Since Raora had gotten her single dorm senior year, Elizabeth had made it a habit to keep her company while she studied, even if they sat in silence.

But tonight felt different. Raora’s tail twitched with restless energy, the tip flicking faster and faster. Elizabeth tried to focus on her notes, but tension crawled up her spine.

Then, without warning, Raora’s big, fluffy tail brushed across Elizabeth’s cheek – a soft, teasing stroke that made her jump.

She blinked, turning to look at Raora. “Raora?” she asked, her voice cautious but warm. “You okay?”

Raora froze, her pencil pausing mid-sentence. She didn’t answer right away, her ears twitching. Then she set the pencil down and turned to face Elizabeth, her eyes hesitant.

“I… I think my heat might be coming a couple days early,” she admitted, her voice small. “The stress, maybe.”

Elizabeth’s heart thudded painfully. Since presenting as an Alpha just a few months ago, this was the thing she’d dreaded most: the vulnerability, the temptation, the risk. She’d always been good at controlling herself, but this was different. Everything was different now.

She sat up straighter, gathering every ounce of calm. “Do you need something?” she asked, too quickly. “I- I can get you some water, or snacks, or-” She stumbled over her words, her scent flattening into a brittle, anxious sharpness. “I- I can leave if you want. Give you space.”

Raora’s ears drooped. “No,” she whispered. “That’s not- it’s not that.” She fiddled with the hem of her skirt, her tail curling low. “I’m just… worried it’ll throw me off my studies. I really want to do well on the finals.”

Elizabeth’s chest ached. She knew how important those exams were to Raora – and how hard her heat always hit her: intense, overwhelming, leaving her dazed and trembling.

But then Raora’s voice shifted – something determined flickering in her eyes, even as her cheeks burned with shyness. “Liz…” Her voice was so soft. “Would you… stay? With me? During my heat?”

Elizabeth felt like the floor had been ripped out from under her.

Stay. Help. Be the Alpha Raora needed – even if just for a few hours.

She stared at Raora, her mind a blur of instinct, panic, and something deeper she couldn’t name.

Raora was part of her pack, her pretty kitty. Elizabeth loved her fiercely, protectively, like a best friend. But ever since Cecilia had pointed it out, she’d seen it too – the way Raora sometimes looked at her when she thought Elizabeth wasn’t watching, that distant longing in her eyes.

Raora’s ears drooped again, her smile faltering. “I just… It’s our last months together like this,” she murmured. “Next year we’ll be at different colleges. Even if they’re close, it won’t be the same – no more just down the hall, just a knock away.” Her voice cracked. “I know it’s a lot to ask.”

Elizabeth’s throat tightened. She tried to swallow the fear in her chest, the sharp scent of her Alpha instincts rising like a tide. She’d promised herself she’d never cross this line, never let her instincts get the best of her, never take advantage of Raora’s vulnerability.

She took a shaky breath. “Raora, I-”

Raora’s eyes shimmered with trust. “Please,” she whispered. “Just this once.”

Elizabeth hesitated. She was a protector, not a predator. I am a protector, not a predator.

“Okay,” she whispered at last, her voice hoarse. “I’ll stay.”

Raora’s smile bloomed, small and radiant, and it broke Elizabeth’s heart. “Thank you,” she breathed.

The next evening, Elizabeth returned after classes, backpack slung over her shoulder, each step heavy with the weight of her promise. She paused outside Raora’s door, steeling herself before pushing it open.

She nearly stopped breathing.

Raora was on her bed, on all fours, tail lifted high, her scent a heady fog that wrapped around Elizabeth like a chain. Her uniform skirt bunched up around her hips, slickness glistening on her inner thighs. Her ears were pinned back, her eyes glassy with heat.

Her scent was everywhere – sweet, heady, overwhelming.

Raora’s gaze met hers, her mouth half-open in a soft, desperate whimper. “Liz,” she pleaded, her tail swishing.

Elizabeth swallowed hard, her own scent spiking dangerously, sharp and heavy. She gathered every ounce of control she had, forcing her feet to move. She shut the door behind her, the lock clicking loudly, and crossed the room on unsteady legs. Her body betrayed her – a sharp, insistent hardness pressing painfully against her waistband.

She stopped at the edge of the bed, staring at her friend – the way she shivered, the desperation in every line of her body.

Raora’s breath hitched, her pupils wide. She shifted back onto her haunches, reaching for Elizabeth, her fingers curling around the hem of Elizabeth’s uniform blazer. “Please,” she whispered, voice thick with need. “Please- help me.”

Elizabeth’s body moved on its own. She climbed onto the bed, pressing her back to the wall, legs stretched out on either side. Raora crawled into her lap, bowing her head to press her face into Elizabeth’s neck, inhaling deeply, a small, desperate sound slipping from her lips.

Elizabeth’s hands shook as they settled on Raora’s hips. “Are- are you sure?” she whispered, her voice hoarse with the effort of holding back.

Raora’s only answer was a soft whimper, her hips shifting, tail high. Elizabeth took a slow, shaking breath. She braced her foot against the mattress, offering one of her thighs as a steady place for Raora to grind.

Raora moaned, soft and sweet, her hips rolling forward.

Elizabeth’s breath caught. Her Alpha instincts surged, her cock straining painfully. She clutched Raora’s hips, feeling every movement – each desperate grind leaving her thigh soaked, every shudder coursing through Raora’s tail.

She clenched her jaw, refusing to give in. This wasn’t about her. She couldn’t – wouldn’t – take what wasn’t hers.

Protector, not predator.

Raora’s tail swished high. Her ears twitched. “Liz,” she moaned, her voice breaking. “Please, I-”

Her pace quickened, her cries soft and desperate. Elizabeth’s hands tightened, nails digging crescent moons into Raora’s soft skin. She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood, a low growl rumbling in her chest as Raora’s movements brushed the hardness between her legs. Her body screamed at her to take, to bite, to claim. But she wouldn’t.

When Raora came, it was with a small, broken cry, her body jerking as she slumped forward. Her teeth grazed Elizabeth’s scent gland, the touch a sweet agony that made her vision spark white.

Elizabeth lifted Raora gently, laying her down in her messy nest, tucking the blanket around her with care. Raora’s eyes fluttered open, a small, sweet smile on her lips. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice raw and soft.

Elizabeth brushed Raora’s hair back gently. “Of course,” she murmured.

Raora’s eyes softened with something that broke Elizabeth’s heart, a low purr filling the air – too tender, too trusting. She knew Elizabeth too well. Knew the walls she’d built around her heart, the way she hid behind duty and caution. She’d always known. And yet she wanted her, even if only for these fleeting moments.

Elizabeth pressed a kiss to Raora’s forehead, the weight of everything unspoken hanging heavy between them.

She stayed until Raora’s breathing evened out, her tail twitching once, twice, then stilling.

Elizabeth closed the door with trembling hands, the click of the latch echoing like a gunshot in the empty hallway. She pressed her back to it, chest heaving, Raora’s scent clinging to her skin.

She took a ragged breath, trying to steady herself, to smooth the Alpha from her posture. She couldn’t afford to lose control – not now.

She started down the hall, eyes unfocused, each step fragile as glass. But before she’d gone five steps, a shadow stepped into her path – tall, broad-shouldered, too close to Raora’s door.

She recognized him immediately. Another Alpha, a year or so below her. Usually soft-spoken and easy to talk to, his scent had always been a mellow warmth. She’d thought of him as harmless.

But now-

His eyes were glazed, pupils blown wide, nostrils flaring as he scented the air. His posture was all wrong – shoulders hunched, hands twitching. Elizabeth’s gut went cold.

“Ruze,” she called, her voice sharp. She saw the way his gaze locked on Raora’s door, hungry and unblinking.

He didn’t respond. His focus was singular, scenting her friend’s heat like a predator catching a rabbit’s trail.

Elizabeth stepped forward, every inch of her Alpha nature unfurling. She planted herself between him and the door, posture rigid, scent sharp and commanding.

“Go back to your room,” she ordered, voice low, dangerous.

Ruze’s lips peeled back in a snarl, his eyes unfocused and distant. “Move,” he growled, voice raw. “I- I can smell her-”

Elizabeth’s chest burned. She could smell her too – sweet and thick in the air. But she wouldn’t let him near her. Not now. Not ever.

“Get. Out,” she growled, shaking with the effort of holding back.

Ruze lunged forward, trying to shoulder past her. His body collided with hers, and instinct roared to life.

Elizabeth’s vision went red.

She shoved him. Hard.

Ruze’s back slammed into the opposite wall with a sickening thud that rattled the hallway. He let out a choked sound, breath knocked from his lungs.

For a split second, Elizabeth’s mind went blank – only the Alpha remained, wild and protective.

But the moment his back hit the wall, something shifted. His eyes blinked rapidly, clearing. He looked at her – really looked – and his face crumpled, shame flooding every line.

His arms lifted, palms out, his scent flattening in instant submission. “I’m-” His voice cracked. “I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I- Gods, I don’t know what came over me-”

He bolted, footsteps a panicked echo, vanishing around the corner before Elizabeth could say another word.

She stood there, heart pounding, the echoes of his fear and shame mixing with her own. She could still smell Raora’s heat, sweet and lingering. Her hands trembled.

The walk back to her own dorm felt like wading through molasses. Her body felt heavy, her heart even heavier.

By the time she reached her own room, she was shaking all over.

The space felt cold, the walls pressing in.

The scent of heat and violence clung to her like a brand. She pressed her face into her hands and tried to breathe, but every inhale dragged Raora’s scent deeper, mixing with the sharp tang of her own Alpha scent and the phantom echoes of Ruze’s panic.

She stripped off her uniform pants and tossed them aside. The wetness mocked her, a silent accusation.

She collapsed on her bed, heart pounding. She buried her face in the pillow, biting back a growl that threatened to rise from her chest.

Protector, not predator, she repeated like a mantra. Her hands curled into fists, nails biting into her palms.

She hated this. Hated the way her Alpha instincts rose up, unstoppable and terrifying. Hated the way Ruze’s fear mirrored her own.

She could still see Ruze’s eyes, wild and desperate, before they softened, his voice broken with shame.

She didn’t want to be this person – someone who terrified others. Someone who might one day lose control and hurt the people she loved.

Just this once, Raora’s voice echoed in her memory, soft and trusting. Elizabeth swallowed hard, her throat tight with guilt and relief.

The tears came slow and silent, dampening the pillowcase.

At least Gigi spent most nights in Cecilia’s dorm now. She didn’t want her to see her like this.

She didn’t want anyone to see her like this.

I’m a protector, not a predator.

Protector.

The room was too quiet. The darkness too heavy.

She never told Raora how close it had been – how thin the line between safety and danger truly was.

The park still bustled with life in the late afternoon light. Sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the ground in patches of gold and green. A soft breeze danced over the grass, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.

Elizabeth and Shiori walked side by side, close enough that their hands occasionally brushed, though neither seemed to know what to do about it. Each time, Elizabeth’s heart stuttered, and Shiori ducked her head, a small, shy smile teasing the corners of her lips.

They didn’t talk much at first. The silence between them felt comfortable, a gentle hum that had grown from hours spent in each other’s company.

Then a sound cut through the quiet.

A tiny, wavering note – more vibration than voice.

Shiori stopped mid-step, head tilting slightly, her eyes going distant, like she’d slipped out of the moment and into some other place. Elizabeth paused too, confusion creasing her brow. “What is it?” she asked.

Shiori lifted a hand, silencing her with a single, focused gesture. “Shhh.”

Then, without warning, Shiori darted off the path and crouched low beside a tree, the grass brushing her knees. Elizabeth followed, a small frown tugging at her lips.

“Shiori-”

But then she saw it.

Nestled in Shiori’s hands was the tiniest bird Elizabeth had ever seen. Its black feathers were ruffled and matted, wings trembling like paper in the wind. It shivered so hard Elizabeth thought it might shake itself apart.

Shiori held it like the most delicate thing in the world, her hands cupped protectively around its tiny body. Her face was soft and open, eyes glossy, lips parted as if she couldn’t quite catch her breath.

Elizabeth’s chest tightened.

“So small, so scared…” Shiori whispered, her voice tight, the words fighting their way past a lump in her throat.

Elizabeth reached out, but stopped just shy of touching her. “We have to help him,” Shiori said, her voice trembling.

“We’ll take him to the vet, okay? We’ll make sure he’s alright,” Elizabeth murmured.

Shiori nodded, cradling the bird closer.

At the vet, the bird was taken in with gentle hands and soft voices. They assured Shiori they’d do everything they could. Elizabeth watched the way Shiori’s fingers shook as she finally let go, her shoulders hunched like a part of her was being taken away.

When they left, Elizabeth opened the car door for Shiori, watching her slide into the driver’s seat. She moved quietly, methodical, her eyes fixed on some distant point outside the window as she fastened her seatbelt.

Elizabeth settled beside her, the door shutting with a soft click. She was just about to say something – anything – when she heard it: a sharp, choked sniffle.

Her head snapped to the side, startled.

“Hey…” Elizabeth said softly, her voice careful, low. She reached out instinctively, her hand hovering between them, unsure how to bridge the gap.

Shiori’s breath hitched. Her voice was wobbly and small when she finally spoke. “It’s stupid,” she muttered, her eyes still hidden.

Elizabeth’s heart clenched. She swallowed, pushing down her own hesitation. Slowly, she slipped her hand past Shiori’s crossed arms, easing them apart. Shiori didn’t resist. Elizabeth’s fingers curled around her hand, her thumb brushing slow, comforting circles over the back of it.

“No,” Elizabeth whispered. “It’s not.”

Shiori’s breath caught, her lips parting in a silent sob.

Elizabeth’s thumb kept moving, steady and reassuring. “It means you care,” she murmured, voice thick but steady. “I… I really like that about you.”

Shiori’s head turned, just enough that Elizabeth could see her eyes – red-rimmed, damp with unshed tears, but open. Vulnerable.

For a long moment, they just sat there in the quiet.

Elizabeth slipped her fingers between Shiori’s, drawing her closer into a comforting embrace.

And Shiori let her.

The gallery was small but warm, nestled between a vintage bookstore and a cozy café that Elizabeth had frequented years ago. Soft amber lights painted gentle shadows on the walls, mingling with the earthy scent of fresh paint, varnish, and worn wood. The room hummed quietly with the murmur of few guests – art enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

Elizabeth stood in front of one painting in particular, a gentle smile softening her face. It was unmistakably Raora’s – a whimsical creature, part wolf, part bunny, silhouetted beneath a moonlit sky. Each brushstroke sang with Raora’s distinct style, intricate and emotionally vivid.

A surge of pride bloomed in her chest, tightening as her eyes traced every stroke. Nerissa lingered at her side, her gaze drifting from painting to painting before settling on Elizabeth.

A soft laugh, bright and familiar, broke their quiet moment. Raora appeared, vibrant as ever, tail flicking gently behind her, eyes alight with relief and happiness as she spotted Elizabeth.

“Liz! You came!” Raora pulled Elizabeth into a hug, immediate and warm, deeply familiar. Elizabeth melted into it, her laugh soft but genuine, returning the affection easily.

Elizabeth’s heart swelled. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Raora’s gaze shifted to Nerissa. “And this is-?”

“Nerissa,” Elizabeth said quickly, her smile bright but tinged with a hint of nerves. “My friend.”

Nerissa’s polite smile faltered just a fraction before settling back into place. “Nice to meet you,” she said, extending a hand.

Raora took it, her grin warm and easy. “Any friend of Liz’s…” She trailed off, but the words lingered like a promise. 

The conversation shifted – memories, stories, old jokes Elizabeth had nearly forgotten. Nerissa stood just outside that orbit, listening politely but never quite finding her way in. Elizabeth tried to draw her in – first halfheartedly, then more earnestly – but Raora’s excitement was a tide that swept her away. With every reminder that she hadn’t been there for those memories, Nerissa’s smile thinned, her eyes dimming.

When Elizabeth finally pulled herself free, Raora’s tail flicking behind her as she vanished into another group of guests, Nerissa’s expression was tight. “She’s… lively,” she said, her tone clipped, her smile too polite, too strained.

Elizabeth frowned, her brow creasing. “She’s one of my oldest friends. I’m proud of her.”

Nerissa’s lips curved into a brittle smile, her eyes dropping. “Friend, huh? Like us?”

Elizabeth flinched, throat tight. “Nerissa…”

Their car ride home was thick with silence. Nerissa navigated the winding streets back toward campus, her posture stiff, the tension between them building with every passing mile.

“Are you… upset with me?” Elizabeth asked, her voice soft, hesitant.

Nerissa’s jaw tightened, her fingers clenching around the steering wheel a little too hard, eyes fixed on the road. “No,” she said quickly – too quickly. “I’m fine.”

Elizabeth watched her, uncertainty churning in her chest. “You’re… quiet,” she said, her voice small. “I just… I want to know if I did something wrong.”

Nerissa’s knuckles whitened. She let out a breath that was half sigh, half frustrated growl. “Liz, just drop it,” she muttered.

But Elizabeth couldn’t. “Please,” she pressed, her voice barely a whisper. “Tell me.”

Nerissa’s hands flexed on the wheel, her voice cracking under the weight of unspoken words. “I’m jealous, okay?” she spat, the words sharper than she meant them to be. “Is that what you want to hear? I hate it. Shiori never gave me reasons to be. But you-” She cut herself off, the words hanging heavy in the air.

Elizabeth recoiled at the raw honesty, her posture folding in on itself. Her eyes dropped to her lap, shame twisting in her chest. “I didn’t mean to,” she whispered. “I- I didn’t know how to include you. I didn’t even know if… if I had the right to.” Her voice wavered, more vulnerable than Nerissa had ever heard.

Nerissa let out a long sigh, the fight leaving her in a rush. “It’s not your fault,” she said, her voice softening. “It’s just… I don’t know. I’ve always been the fun one, the easy one. I never cared about that – about belonging. But now… now I care. About you. About this.” Her voice trembled, vulnerable. “I want to be a part of your life, not just a guest star.” She let out a broken, humorless laugh. “And that scares the shit out of me, Liz. I’m used to… other things. Quick flings. Burned-out stories. Not… this.”

Elizabeth’s heart twisted. “I’m scared too,” she admitted, her voice rough. “I have no idea what I’m doing – how to do this right. I don’t want to mess it up.”

Nerissa’s eyes darted to her, softening but still shadowed. “You won’t,” she said, though her voice was tired, uncertain. “We… we can figure it out, can’t we? One step at a time.”

Elizabeth nodded, even though the knot in her throat made it hard to speak. “Yeah,” she whispered. “One step at a time.”

Elizabeth had always been a fortress: shoulders squared, eyes sharp, every movement deliberate, each expression carefully measured. She’d perfected the art of the mask – mastering the subtle ways to hold everyone, everything, at arm’s length. But Nerissa… Nerissa moved through her defenses like a summer breeze through an open window: warm, easy, disarming in ways Elizabeth had never learned to anticipate.

It started innocently enough – a coffee run after a late class, the wind sharp with the bite of early spring. Nerissa’s laughter rang out like a bell, bright and untamed against the muted gray sky. She darted ahead, her hair loose and wild, scarf trailing behind her like a banner of rebellion. She turned on her heel, walking backward with the ease of someone born fearless, her grin wide, eyes sparkling.

“Darling,” Nerissa called, her voice dripping with syrupy mischief that made Elizabeth’s breath catch. “You coming or what?”

Elizabeth stumbled, nearly tripping over a crack in the sidewalk as the word hit her chest like a well-aimed arrow. Heat bloomed at the nape of her neck, a blush threatening to betray her carefully built composure.

“Don’t call me that,” she muttered, shoving her hands deep into her pockets. But the smile tugging at the corners of her lips gave her away – soft and helpless, too tender to hide.

Nerissa only laughed, falling back into step beside her. “You love it,” she teased, bumping her shoulder against Elizabeth’s. “You’re so easy to rile up. It’s… honestly kind of adorable.”

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched, a spark of defiance igniting behind her eyes. “I am not adorable,” she protested, her voice a flustered growl. “I’m powerful. Stop saying that.”

“Adorable,” Nerissa sing-songed, her grin wicked and knowing. Her fingers danced dangerously close to Elizabeth’s sleeve, not quite touching, but enough to make Elizabeth’s heart stutter with anticipation. “Darling.”

“Stop,” Elizabeth groaned, but laughter bubbled up, her guard unraveling like a loose thread. She nudged Nerissa with her shoulder, the gesture feeling easy in a way nothing else did.

They stumbled upon a small café on the corner, half-hidden behind ivy and chipped paint. Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of cinnamon and burnt sugar. 

Nerissa ordered something complicated and sweet, her words tumbling over each other in a rush of enthusiasm. Elizabeth watched, half-listening, half-fascinated by the way Nerissa’s hands moved, painting the air with gestures so alive they felt like spells.

When it was Elizabeth’s turn, she stammered out an order – hot chocolate, simple and safe. Nerissa’s grin lit the whole room. “Predictable,” she teased.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, the motion exaggerated, but heat bloomed in her cheeks. “At least I know what I like,” she muttered, her voice soft.

Nerissa’s smile softened, the mischief melting into something quieter, more intimate. Her eyes met Elizabeth’s – warm and steady. “Yeah,” she said softly, her fingers brushing Elizabeth’s wrist as she passed her drink. “I like that about you.”

Elizabeth’s chest fluttered, breath catching in her throat. The contact was so brief, so casual, but it felt like a spark. She ducked her head, cheeks flushing, fingers tightening around the warm cup. “You’re… impossible,” she muttered, the words half-lost in the steam.

Nerissa laughed, her breath warm on Elizabeth’s cheek. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a low, husky whisper that made Elizabeth’s skin tingle. “Mhm,” she murmured, lips brushing the shell of Elizabeth’s ear. “But you love it.”

Elizabeth’s head jerked up, eyes wide, cheeks blazing. “I-” She stammered, words tangling in her throat, heart a wild thing against her ribs.

Nerissa’s grin softened, her teasing melting into something tender. “Relax, darling,” she whispered, fingers brushing the back of Elizabeth’s hand, gentle as a promise. “It’s just me.”

Elizabeth let out a shaky breath, her defenses crumbling. “Yeah,” she whispered, a small, genuine smile breaking through the vulnerability in her voice. “It’s just you.”

They sat in that little café for hours, the conversation winding through everything and nothing all at once. Nerissa filled every quiet space with laughter, with half-told stories, with warmth that seeped under Elizabeth’s skin. And for once, Elizabeth didn’t mind. She didn’t have to be the perfect Alpha or the responsible daughter. She just had to be Elizabeth – and Nerissa seemed to like her exactly like that.

The party was already in full swing by the time Elizabeth and Nerissa stepped inside. Laughter thickened the air, the bass thumping like a second heartbeat in Elizabeth’s chest. Colored lights flashed overhead – pinks, blues, greens – painting the living room in shifting shadows.

Shiori was working her late shift at the library’s archive – she liked the quiet hours, the mystery. Elizabeth knew she’d prefer a cup of tea and a good book over the thrum of music and chatter any day.

People pressed together on the couch and the floor, drinks in hand, voices rising and falling like a tide of chatter. The smell of spiked punch mingled with the sharp tang of sweat, perfume, and hormones.

Nerissa, despite her occasional shyness and anxiety, moved through the crowd like water. Every time she laughed, it cut through the noise like a bright, clear note. Elizabeth watched her with a soft smile, her heart aching at how effortlessly Nerissa bloomed in a place like this.

She watched as Mumei and Fauna grabbed Nerissa by the hands, tugging her toward the living room. An impromptu karaoke session had broken out, the TV screen flickering lyrics while the couch lay abandoned for makeshift dancing.

The opening chords of Welcome to the Black Parade rose above the din. Nerissa’s eyes shone with mischief as she grabbed the mic, black nail polish catching the colored lights, matching that of the two girls by her side. Elizabeth leaned against the doorframe, her too-strong drink heavy in her hand, and watched.

Shiori would have teased her for the way she stared – like a lovesick puppy, eyes soft and hazy.

Elizabeth’s smile deepened at the thought. Shiori would have stood at the edges of the room, arms crossed, eyes sharp – a quiet observer. She’d have teased Elizabeth, yes – but she’d have watched Nerissa too.

The music filled Elizabeth’s chest, Nerissa’s voice carrying over the crowd. Mumei draped herself over the back of the couch, half-singing, half-shouting the lyrics. Fauna, cheeks flushed from the strong zero they’d been sharing, leaned in close to Nerissa, their arms linked, voices overlapping in a messy, perfect harmony.

Nerissa’s eyes sparkled in the glow of the string lights overhead.

Elizabeth lifted her drink, taking a slow sip that burned its way down her throat. She let herself relax into the moment. She loved seeing Nerissa like this – happy, surrounded by people she loved, free.

Then someone bumped into her from behind.

The jolt sent a splash of drink over her hand, sticky and cold. Annoyance flickered through her, breaking the hazy warmth like a blade. She sucked in a sharp breath, head snapping around, but the person was already gone – swallowed by the crowd.

“Frick,” she muttered, looking down at her hand, the liquid dripping between her fingers. She shook it, trying to get it off, but it clung – sweet, sour, cold.

A new song started – something slow, haunting. A vibraphone, soft and eerie. She’d heard Nerissa hum it before, absentminded, while washing the dishes or tying her hair.

She sighed.

She just needed to wash her hands. Get the sticky mess off.

She turned, weaving her way through the crowd, her drink abandoned on a nearby table.

As she pushed through the press of bodies, her chest constricted. The room seemed to close in on her. The music was too loud. The lights too bright. Every voice sliced across her nerves.

Too many bodies. Too close.

She felt every brush of skin, every jostle. Her breath caught.

The scents clung to her, tangled together like a rope around her throat.

Alpha. Omega. Alcohol. Sweat.

The air pressed in, heavy and cloying.

She needed air.

Her vision blurred at the edges.

She couldn’t breathe.

A voice called her name – maybe. She couldn’t hear it over the music.

Her feet felt heavy, each step a battle.

She just needed to wash her hands.

A hand brushed her arm. She flinched.

Her heart pounded, wild and uneven.

She just needed air.

A shape loomed in front of her – tall, dark hair, a hand gesturing.

Their lips moved, but the music swallowed the words.

They tilted their head toward the side – a door.

Elizabeth hesitated.

Her chest felt too tight.

The scents-

She bolted.

The door clicked shut behind her, and the night air hit like a slap. Cool. Sharp.

She gasped, lungs greedy for oxygen, the air crisp and clean.

Kronii leaned against the porch railing, arms folded, watching her with that lazy, half-lidded gaze that always seemed half amused, half detached.

Elizabeth stood there, trembling. Her breath ragged, her scent sharp with stress and fear.

“Couldn’t handle the room, huh?” Kronii teased, but their voice was softer than usual.

Elizabeth’s hands clenched. She forced herself to breathe. In… and out.

Kronii’s scent was strong but calm. It didn’t make Elizabeth want to bare her teeth, not like last time.

“It’s too much,” she muttered, her voice strained. “All the scents.”

Kronii’s expression shifted – just barely. A flicker of understanding in their cool eyes.

“Yeah,” they sighed, looking away. “It’s like being on the edge of a cliff every second.”

Elizabeth’s voice cracked. “I hate it,” she whispered. “I hate that I can’t trust myself.”

She moved to the brick wall, leaning back against it. The rough surface scraped her palms, grounding her.

Kronii watched her, steady and unflinching.

“The trick,” Kronii said, voice low, “is learning how to live with it. How to let it in, but not let it win.”

Elizabeth felt stubborn tears prick at her eyes. She blinked them away, jaw clenched. “How?”

Kronii shrugged, nonchalant. “Practice. And finding the right people to hold you back.”

They pulled a cigarette from behind their ear, lighting it with a practiced flick. Smoke curled in the night air. They offered it for a drag. Elizabeth shook her head.

“You’re not alone, you know,” Kronii murmured, voice surprisingly gentle.

Elizabeth let out a shaky laugh. “Feels like it sometimes.”

Kronii’s lips twitched into a wry smile. “I get that. But even Alphas need a leash sometimes.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the honesty in Kronii’s voice. “Do you have one?” she asked.

Kronii’s gaze softened. “Yeah,” they said. Their lips curved into a small, secret smile. Elizabeth missed the way their ears turned red as they spoke. “She’s much better at being an Alpha than I am. And she’s an Omega.”

Elizabeth’s heart ached.

Kronii laughed softly around the cigarette, and Elizabeth felt the tension drain from her shoulders – just a little.

Kronii gestured for her to follow. They walked to the curb and sat side by side in the glow of the streetlights.

For a moment, they sat in silence, watching people stumble out of the house, voices blurred with drink.

Elizabeth’s voice was bitter. “I’d give anything to be a Beta,” she muttered.

Kronii’s smoke curled around their words. “But you’re not. And neither am I. So we learn. Or we break.”

They glanced at her, eyes sharp.

Elizabeth’s jaw trembled. “I just – I hate that part of me,” she admitted, voice raw.

Kronii’s voice was low, understanding. “Me too.” A pause. “But hating it won’t change it. You gotta learn to live with it.”

A hush fell between them, only the muffled thrum of music seeping through the walls. Elizabeth wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “For that day with Nerissa. I didn’t mean to-”

Kronii waved a hand, dismissive but kind. “It’s fine,” they said. “We’re both Alphas. Shit happens. Doesn’t mean I hate you.”

They paused, voice dropping, eyes serious. “You’re not a bad Alpha, Liz. You’re just… learning.”

Elizabeth’s shoulders slumped. The tension in her chest eased, replaced by relief. Gratitude.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Kronii’s smirk was soft, wry. “Don’t thank me yet,” they teased. “Next time, I might bite back.”

Elizabeth let out a laugh that shook at the edges, but it was real. She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the tension from earlier, and shot Kronii a meaningful look.

They lingered on the curb a little longer, the night air cool against their skin. Kronii smoked the last of their cigarette, the ember glowing like a small, dying star. Elizabeth felt the weight of the conversation in her bones, but also a fragile lightness – a kind of acceptance she hadn’t known she was missing.

Eventually, Kronii stubbed the cigarette out on the curb, flicking the butt into the gutter with a practiced motion. They turned to her, eyes dark but soft, voice low. “Ready to head back inside?”

Elizabeth inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling her lungs. She let it out slowly, a small sigh of relief. “Yeah,” she said.

They stood together, a quiet look passing between them that said more than words ever could. Kronii gave her a small nod and gestured for her to lead the way.

Inside, the house felt as crowded and loud as before, but it didn’t press down on Elizabeth like it had earlier. She moved through the hallway with a quiet purpose, eyes scanning the crowd, searching for something – someone. 

She noticed the karaoke stage was occupied by two twin dogs she’d seen around campus, barking into the mic. Nerissa wasn’t there. Mumei and Fauna were gone too. Elizabeth shook her head, a small, bemused smile tugging at her lips, and turned toward the kitchen.

The noise softened there, replaced by the clatter of cups and the sharp scent of half-finished drinks. She found the sink, turned on the tap, and let the cool water rush over her sticky hand. She watched the water swirl, carrying away the remnants of her drink and the tension coiled tight in her chest.

She stayed like that for a moment, letting the water ground her. She felt a familiar presence before she saw it – Nerissa’s scent, sweet and warm, wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

“There you are,” Nerissa said, a little breathless, her smile bright but tinged with worry.

Elizabeth turned, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hey.”

Nerissa’s brow furrowed. “I saw you leaving earlier. I was worried. Are you okay?”

Elizabeth paused, her tongue heavy. “I- uh- yeah-” she stammered, but the lie was thin, and Nerissa saw through it instantly.

Nerissa reached out, her hand brushing Elizabeth’s arm, thumb pressing gently against her wrist. “Hey,” she said softly, voice as warm as her eyes. “Actually, I’m getting kind of tired. Wanna head home?”

Elizabeth blinked, surprised. She’d seen how happy Nerissa had been, surrounded by friends, singing her heart out. A part of her wanted to argue, to insist Nerissa could stay. But Nerissa’s eyes were kind, open, offering her an out she hadn’t known she needed.

“Yeah,” Elizabeth whispered, her voice wavering. “Let’s go.”

Nerissa’s fingers curled around hers – warm and certain– and she tugged her gently, leading her out of the kitchen and through the noisy hallway.

As they passed the living room, Elizabeth spotted Kronii, surrounded by a swirl of green and brunette hair. They were laughing, eyes half-lidded and far away. Kronii’s gaze caught hers, just for a second, and something soft passed between them – a quiet understanding. Elizabeth couldn’t help but imagine a collar around their neck, a reminder that even the strongest sometimes needed someone to hold them back.

Nerissa’s hand squeezed hers, and they slipped out into the night.

Nerissa’s dorm was closer than Elizabeth’s apartment, and she was grateful for that. The night air was cool on her skin, but Nerissa’s presence kept her warm.

Inside, the dorm was small, cluttered with the warm chaos of Nerissa’s life: foam stapled to the walls, candles that smelled like vanilla and cinnamon, stacks of half-filled notebooks, and a plush cat perched on the bed – a claw machine prize Elizabeth had fought tooth and nail to win. Nerissa’s laughter had made every ticket worth it.

They didn’t talk much. Their silence was comfortable, filled with unspoken trust. They undressed quietly, Nerissa slipping under the covers naked, Elizabeth leaving her briefs on – still tangled up in her own thoughts. Nerissa handed her a t-shirt that looked suspiciously like one of Elizabeth’s own, and Elizabeth smiled, small but genuine, as she pulled it on.

The bed was warm. Nerissa’s arms wrapped around her, solid and grounding. Elizabeth felt the last threads of panic unwind in her chest. She pressed her head against Nerissa’s collarbone, listening to the steady beat of her heart.

Nerissa hummed softly, a sound like a promise. Elizabeth’s chest tightened, and tears came unbidden – hot and silent, slipping down her cheeks and soaking into Nerissa’s skin. She didn’t fight them.

Nerissa didn’t speak. She didn’t press. She only held her, humming, her breath warm against Elizabeth’s hair. She let Elizabeth fall apart, piece by trembling piece, and stayed.

Elizabeth’s breath hitched, her body shivering with every exhale. It wasn’t weakness, she reminded herself. It was trust – a trust that Nerissa would hold her together when she couldn’t hold herself.

She drifted into sleep with Nerissa’s heartbeat in her ears and the scent of her on her skin.

Elizabeth was twelve the first time she truly understood what it meant to be powerless.

She’d always known Gigi’s mom wasn’t the type to bake cookies for school fundraisers or cheer from the bleachers. She’d only met her once: a woman too thin, with tired eyes and a brittle smile that never quite reached them. Her perfume had a sharp, sickly sweetness that didn’t quite mask the bitter scent of something broken underneath. Elizabeth hadn’t liked her. Not because she was strict or cold (though she was those things too) but because she never looked at Gigi the way Elizabeth’s parents looked at her: like she was the most important thing in the world.

Elizabeth hated her for that.

It left Gigi with a too-sharp smile and a sadness in her eyes that didn’t belong on a girl who could run so fast it seemed like her feet had wings.

Elizabeth cheered extra loud at every track meet, always with Cecilia at her side. She cupped her hands around her mouth and screamed Gigi’s name until her voice was raw, her throat burning by the time Gigi crossed the finish line. Gigi was so small, but she ran like lightning. Like she was always running from something.

Elizabeth thought about that a lot in the quiet moments.

Today was one of those days – Gigi had flown down the track in a blur of pale skin and messy hair, lungs burning, eyes alight with a smile that shone too bright to last. Elizabeth and Cecilia had whooped so loud the older kids rolled their eyes. Elizabeth didn’t care.

After the race, Gigi sat on the grass near the bleachers, chugging water from her battered bottle.

Elizabeth spotted the woman approaching from the far side of the track – a shape that looked like Gigi, only older, worn down by too many bad days. Shoulders drawn tight, eyes darting around like a rabbit watching for foxes. Like she was expecting something. Like she was afraid.

Elizabeth hovered a few feet away, Cecilia right at her side. They were cautious – Gigi didn’t talk much about her mom, but what little she’d said always left a bitter taste in Elizabeth’s mouth.

Then he appeared – an Alpha. Tall. Broad. Too handsome in a way that made Elizabeth’s stomach knot. His smile was sharp, all teeth and darkness, and it didn’t reach his eyes. Elizabeth saw the way Gigi’s mom flinched – barely, but enough – when he rested his hand on her shoulder. No. Not her shoulder. The back of her neck. Like she was something he owned.

Elizabeth’s hands balled into fists.

Gigi’s eyes darted to them, quick and pleading, as if to say: Stay back.

Elizabeth wanted to scream, to grab Gigi and run. But she stood there, frozen, sharing a look with Cecilia – equal parts fear and helplessness.

The man’s voice rose, sharp and annoyed, all teeth and anger. Elizabeth couldn’t make out the words, but she saw the way Gigi’s mom shrank in on herself. He got too close to Gigi, his looming presence making her look even smaller. She clutched her water bottle like it was the last thing tethering her to safety.

Elizabeth’s breath caught.

Then he ripped the bottle from Gigi’s hands and flung it across the track. The clatter of plastic on concrete was like a gunshot. Everyone went silent.

Gigi’s eyes were wide and glassy.

His hand rose, fingers curled like claws.

Elizabeth’s heart slammed against her ribs.

Gigi’s mom lunged, grabbing his wrist, her voice lost in the wind.

For a moment – just a moment – Elizabeth thought that would be enough.

It wasn’t.

He turned on her, a snarl twisting his face. His hand shot to her throat and squeezed. Hard.

Gigi’s mom’s mouth opened in a silent scream. Her eyes bulged, veins standing out like livid ropes in her neck. Her feet scrabbled against the ground, hands slapping at his arms in desperate, useless panic. The sound of her gasps – a thin, wet gurgle – slithered through the hush like a curse.

Elizabeth couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Could only watch as the world narrowed to that single, monstrous act.

His thumb pressed harder, her skin turning an ugly red. Gigi’s mom’s face darkened, lips turning blue. A thin trickle of spit escaped her mouth.

It took three teachers – three grown adults – to drag him off her. He fought them like a cornered animal, his eyes wild, teeth bared. His roars of fury split the air, echoing long after his hands were torn away.

Elizabeth felt every inch of her own skin crawl. She felt like she’d been dipped in ice water. Her nails dug into her palms hard enough to draw blood.

If he was brave enough to do this here, in front of everyone, what was he capable of behind closed doors?

She remembered the bruises on Gigi’s arms, half-hidden under too-long sleeves. Remembered paying for her lunch on the days she claimed she “forgot.” Remembered the way Gigi’s eyes shone with gratitude when Elizabeth gave her a spare jacket, too big but warm.

And suddenly, all of it made sense.

Cecilia’s hand found hers – small and warm, shaking like a leaf. Elizabeth’s own hands were cold and clammy. She squeezed back, but it didn’t melt the ice that had taken root in her chest.

When the police came, they led him away in handcuffs, his head high, his eyes defiant. Elizabeth watched Gigi’s mother – watching him go with a look that was too soft, too resigned. Like she’d already forgiven him. Like she’d go home with him. And in the weeks that followed, Gigi never said his name – but Elizabeth still saw him, lingering like a stain on the edges of Gigi’s smile.

Elizabeth didn’t move. Didn’t know what to do.

On the walk home, she stared at her feet, the pavement a smear of gray. Over and over, the images played in her mind: Gigi’s shrinking form. The water bottle clattering to the ground. That hand around her mother’s throat. The fury in his eyes. The violence in his touch.

A quiet resolve settled in her chest – a promise she wouldn’t let herself say out loud.

Elizabeth invited Gigi over as often as she could. She told her parents without really telling them. She let her stay for dinner, for movie nights, for study sessions that always ran late. Anything to keep her safe.

It started small, as most fights did.

Gigi had left a pile of laundry in their shared bathroom – again. Elizabeth, coming back from a long day of classes and a failed mock trial, had tripped over the heap of socks and half-damp towels on her way to wash her face.

She’d sighed, irritation flashing hot in her chest. “Gigi, seriously? Can you pick up after yourself for once?”

Gigi bristled immediately, looking up from her spot on the bed, eyes flashing. “It’s just laundry, Liz,” she shot back, her tone dripping with exasperation.

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched, a muscle jumping at the corner. “I know that,” she said, her voice tight, the words sharper than she’d intended. “But you always do this. It’s disrespectful, Gigi. We share this space.”

Gigi’s eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing. “Disrespectful?” she bit out, uncrossing her legs and standing, the air between them suddenly charged. “Just because you’re an Alpha now doesn’t mean you get to boss everyone around.”

The word Alpha struck like a spark in dry tinder.

Elizabeth’s breath caught, pupils dilating. The room seemed to shrink, the walls pressing in.

“Don’t,” she growled, voice low and dangerous with a vibration she barely recognized. “Don’t make this about that.”

Gigi’s lips parted, her eyes glinting with frustration. She held her ground – so used to being Elizabeth’s equal, her partner-in-crime, her confidant. “But it is about that,” she insisted. “Ever since you presented, you’ve been… different.”

Elizabeth’s scent spiked, sharp and insistent, rolling off her like a summer storm, her red eyes glinting dangerously. Heat radiated off her skin, a tangible wave in the charged air. Her posture shifted – shoulders back, chin lifted, gaze hard.

“Like what?” she demanded, a growl rumbling in her chest that made her sound almost feral.

She stepped forward without even realizing it, closing the distance in one slow, deliberate stride.

Gigi faltered, her bravado crumbling. Instinctively, she took a step back, the Omega in her responding without thought, shoulders curling protectively. Her hands clenched at her sides, knuckles white. Her eyes darted from Elizabeth’s face to the floor, breath shallow.

“I was going to put it away,” she whispered, tone defensive but small. “I just forgot.”

Her hands pressed to the bedspread behind her, as if bracing herself. Her eyes shimmered, the last dregs of defiance bleeding away. “Liz-” she whispered, voice shaking. “You’re terrifying when you’re like this.”

The words hit Elizabeth like a slap.

Her entire body recoiled, the haze of anger and frustration evaporating in an instant, horror shuddering through her chest. She blinked, stepping back, her scent crumbling from sharp ozone to something frayed and broken. “Gigi-” she choked out. “I didn’t-”

Gigi shook her head quickly, eyes glossy, breath shaky. “I know,” she whispered, voice gentle, eyes brimming with hurt but not blame. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.”

But Elizabeth saw the way Gigi’s hands still trembled. The way her friend’s posture had shrunk, every instinct telling her to submit, to make the threat go away.

Elizabeth’s stomach twisted. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, voice hoarse. “I’m so, so sorry.”

Gigi turned away, arms crossing over her chest like a shield. “It’s okay,” she repeated, like she was trying to convince herself just as much as Elizabeth. “I know you’d never hurt me. Just- leave me alone for a while, okay?” Her voice wavered.

Elizabeth’s throat burned. “Gigi-” she started, but Gigi shook her head, not looking at her, and climbed onto her bed without another word.

She’d never meant to make Gigi afraid.

The rest of the dorm seemed to press in on her – walls too close, air too thick.

The mess in the bathroom didn’t even register. The sound of the lock was deafening in the silence. She turned on the water, scalding hot, letting the steam fill the air like a punishment. She scrubbed her skin raw – neck, arms, wrists – anything to rid herself of the sharp, dangerous scent of adrenaline, of Alpha aggression. Her hands shook so hard she dropped the soap twice, each time gripping it again with white-knuckled desperation.

But no matter how hard she scrubbed, the scent wouldn’t fade completely. It clung to her like a brand.

When she finally turned off the water, her skin was red and tender, the cheap shampoo doing little to mask the way her pheromones still trembled in the air. She wrapped herself in a towel, clutching the edge so tightly her knuckles ached.

Back in the dorm, Gigi lay curled on her bed, back to the room, silent except for the occasional sniffle that twisted Elizabeth’s chest.

Elizabeth retreated to her own bed without a word, every step heavy with shame. She perched on the edge, knees drawn up to her chest, her skin still damp from the shower.

She stared at her trembling hands, at the raw skin along her arms.

The way Gigi had flinched, her posture shrinking. The sound of her voice: You’re terrifying when you’re like this.

Every time the memory replayed, it felt like being stabbed.

And the worst part was knowing she’d put that fear in Gigi’s eyes.

Her mind circled in endless loops – I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

It echoed in the dark, refusing to leave.

Elizabeth’s apartment felt unusually quiet as she fumbled with her keys, the door creaking open to reveal the familiar mess of textbooks and half-finished coffee mugs. The laughter and neon haze of the karaoke bar clung to her skin like a too-warm sweater, the last echoes of Gigi’s off-key warble of My Immortal still echoing in her head. She’d giggled so hard she’d nearly lost her breath – some things never changed.

She kicked off her shoes – one bouncing off the rack with a clatter that sounded too loud in the quiet of the apartment. She winced. Her hair clung damply to her neck, the humid summer night heavy in the air. She tugged at the neckline of her tank top, grateful for the mesh panel that let her breathe at least a little, the sweat cooling on her skin now that she was home.

She froze at the sight of the figure slouched on the sofa. A gentle rise and fall of breath. Shiori – hair mussed, an open book splayed on the floor. Elizabeth’s breath caught. She hadn’t expected anyone to be here; Nerissa was visiting family this weekend – her parents had invited her over for some quality time, as Nerissa had called it with a fond, exasperated grin.

Elizabeth’s chest ached at the sight of Shiori – so soft and unguarded, hair spilling like ink over the pillow. She’d always thought of Shiori as steady, a quiet strength that could calm any storm. But seeing her like this – rumpled and sleepy, her sweater too big (one of Elizabeth’s, she realized belatedly, the sleeves hiding her hands) – made something inside her flutter.

“Ah, frick,” she murmured, voice low, guilt tinging her words. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you-”

Shiori’s eyes met hers, unfocused. She rubbed them with the heel of her hand, the motion small and so human it made Elizabeth’s chest tighten. “‘S alright,” Shiori rasped, her voice rough with sleep. She looked up at Elizabeth with that same unwavering gaze that always saw too much, even half-asleep. “Didn’t wanna be alone,” she added quietly, a confession so soft it nearly dissolved in the air.

Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “Scoot,” she muttered gently, tapping Shiori’s leg. Shiori shifted, and Elizabeth settled beside her, lifting Shiori’s legs to rest across her lap. Her hands brushed against warm skin, her heart skipping at the softness. Shiori was in nothing but that oversized sweater, and the sight made Elizabeth’s head spin.

Shiori yawned, trying to hide it behind her sleeve. “Didya have a good time?” she asked, voice muffled and drowsy.

Elizabeth’s fingers traced lazy, absentminded circles on Shiori’s calf. “Yeah,” she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Gigi went all out on My Immortal. She’s gonna be hoarse tomorrow.” She huffed a quiet laugh. “I tried to keep up, but she’s unstoppable.”

Shiori’s lips curved into a sleepy grin. “I bet you gave her a run for her money,” she teased.

Elizabeth shrugged, her eyes drifting shut as the adrenaline faded. “Maybe,” she hummed, head tipping back as a wave of exhaustion washed over her. The warmth of Shiori’s legs, the steady rhythm of her breathing – it felt like the world could fade away and she’d be okay.

She didn’t mean to drift off, but the alcohol and the long night combined into a comforting fog that pulled her under. Her head lolled against the back of the sofa, her breath soft.

She didn’t know how long it was before Shiori’s gentle nudge brought her back. “Hey,” Shiori murmured, voice warm and close. “We should go to bed. You’ll regret sleeping here in the morning.”

Elizabeth’s lips curved into a sleepy smile, eyes still closed. “Just a minute,” she whispered, voice thick with fatigue. She felt Shiori sigh, the couch cushions dipping as she shifted.

Then – warmth. Lips brushed her temple, featherlight. Elizabeth’s chest fluttered, something unfolding inside her. When she cracked her eyes open, Shiori was already across the room, picking up her water glass.

Elizabeth blinked, her heart clenching with something so big she couldn’t name it. She moved before she could think, steps quiet as she crossed the room. Shiori stood at the sink, head bowed, the light catching the strands of her hair, the delicate line of her neck. Elizabeth paused, breath catching. She wanted to reach out, to bridge the quiet between them.

She stepped closer, silent as a shadow. Her hands found Shiori’s waist, hesitant, and she leaned in, nuzzling into Shiori’s hair, breathing in her scent. No sweet Omega heat, no sharp Alpha bite – just Shiori, soft and steady.

Elizabeth hummed low in her throat, instinctive.

Shiori let out a small, surprised laugh – a fragile, beautiful sound that made Elizabeth’s chest ache. “Are you scenting me?” she teased, voice soft but raw underneath.

Elizabeth’s cheeks burned. She pulled back slightly, hands still on Shiori’s waist as she turned in her arms. “Sorry,” she whispered, voice hoarse. She met Shiori’s gaze – so direct, so honest – and felt something inside her loosen. “I should’ve… Can I- can I touch you?”

Shiori’s brows lifted, lips parting, then softened. Her shoulders relaxed, her hands uncurled. “Yes,” she breathed, and it was the most honest thing Elizabeth had ever heard.

Elizabeth’s thumbs brushed over the fabric of the sweater, tracing the faint outlines of the tattoos beneath. She was so close now Shiori’s back nearly pressed against the counter. She was careful not to crowd her – never wanting Shiori to feel small – but even with her taller frame and arms half-caging her, Shiori looked safe. Her eyes were steady, trusting.

Elizabeth leaned in, so slowly, giving Shiori every chance to pull away. Her breath fanned over Shiori’s lips, close but not quite touching. “Can I… kiss you?” she whispered.

Shiori answered by closing the gap, lips pressing to Elizabeth’s with a quiet urgency. It was so unlike any of the kisses they’d shared before – usually shy, hesitant pecks. This was wanting, needing. Elizabeth’s breath caught as she pressed Shiori back against the counter, lips moving gently but insistently, tongue tracing the seam of her lips.

Shiori opened to her, soft and pliant, her tongue meeting Elizabeth’s with a hesitant sweetness. Elizabeth groaned, low in her chest, feeling a tug deep in her stomach. Her hands tightened at Shiori’s waist, thumbs brushing slow circles into her skin. The kiss deepened, but stayed gentle – an exploration, a promise. A gentle discovery of each other’s boundaries.

When Elizabeth pulled back, her breathing ragged, her chest rose and fell like she’d run a mile. Her lips were swollen, her heart thundered. She brushed Shiori’s hair away from her shoulder, trailing her lips down her neck to that sensitive spot just below her ear – where a scent gland might have been. She ghosted her lips over the skin, then sucked lightly, just enough to leave a hint of her presence there.

Shiori gasped, her hands flying up to clutch at Elizabeth’s arms. The cool bite of her rings against bare skin sent a shiver down Elizabeth’s spine. She was glad she’d left her arms bare tonight – Shiori’s touch felt electric. The tremble in Shiori’s laugh – breathless, soft – curled heat low in Elizabeth’s stomach.

Elizabeth’s hands slid instinctively to the hem of Shiori’s sweater. She paused, pulling back just enough to search Shiori’s eyes. They were half-lidded, dark with trust and desire. Elizabeth pressed her forehead to Shiori’s. “Can I…?” she whispered, softer than before.

Shiori closed her eyes, nodding almost imperceptibly. “Yes,” she breathed, and Elizabeth’s chest swelled with something she didn’t have a name for.

Her hands slipped under the fabric, fingertips grazing warm skin. Shiori’s stomach quivered under her touch, soft and yielding. Elizabeth paused, feeling the heat, the trust. Slowly, her hands drifted higher, reverent. She felt Shiori’s breath hitch, her brows drawing together. And then – she reached the underside of Shiori’s breasts, just barely brushing them.

Shiori’s breath caught, her head tipping back with a soft thud against the cabinet. She pushed into Elizabeth’s hands, a silent, desperate plea. Elizabeth’s breath hitched in answer. Her hands trembled with reverence as they cupped Shiori’s breasts, thumbs sweeping over the hardening peaks. Shiori arched, her breath ragged. The sound of her voice – “Liz…” – was a prayer that left Elizabeth’s heart pounding.

A low groan rumbled from Elizabeth’s chest, unstoppable. She rolled her thumbs over Shiori’s nipples, pinching gently, pulling a soft, broken gasp from her lips. Each touch was deliberate, worshipful, careful not to push too far yet unable to deny the hunger growing inside her.

Shiori’s eyes fluttered open, half-lidded, sharp golden eyes like a cat’s in the dark. A whimper rose in her throat, and then her hands fumbled with Elizabeth’s belt. Elizabeth’s heart stuttered. She caught Shiori’s wrists, stilling her. “Wait,” she whispered.

Shiori’s eyes met hers, wide and trusting. “Are you… sure?” Elizabeth asked, her voice cracking under the weight of the question. The vulnerability of it. The fear of going too far, of losing control.

Shiori’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes,” she breathed. Soft but steady. “Just… be gentle.”

Elizabeth let out a shaky breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. She leaned in and kissed Shiori softly, reverently. “Always,” she murmured against her lips.

Instead of letting Shiori fumble with the belt, Elizabeth took over, her hands shaking as she unhooked it. Shiori’s eyes never left her – sharp and watchful, but also so tender. Elizabeth’s skinny jeans felt too tight suddenly, every inch of her skin alive. The air between them was electric, charged but soft – a delicate dance between wanting and giving.

She pulled Shiori closer, breath mingling, the world shrinking to just the two of them. Shiori’s hands hovered at Elizabeth’s hips, shy but sure. Elizabeth leaned in, forehead to forehead, eyes fluttering closed as she breathed her in.

Elizabeth’s pulse hammered in her ears, every inch of her aware of the tension thrumming between them. Shiori’s eyes were dark and soft all at once, an invitation and a challenge.

Elizabeth moved in again, kissing her. First sweet and gentle, testing the waters. Then Shiori’s tongue slid along hers, deepening the kiss. It was heady, heated, lips parting and pressing in a slow, perfect rhythm. Shiori’s hands found their way to Elizabeth’s waistband, fingers deft as they unlatched the button and slid the zipper down with practiced ease. Elizabeth’s breath caught. “Bedroom…” she whispered against Shiori’s lips, the word heavy with anticipation.

The walk to the bedroom felt longer than it should, Elizabeth’s mind a haze of want and nerves. She nearly tripped on the hem of her jeans as she kicked them off, denim pooling around her ankles. She yanked off her tank top, left in just a simple bra and briefs. Her skin prickled with the cool air, but Shiori’s gaze warmed her all the way through. She crawled onto the bed, over Shiori, bracing herself over her as she cupped Shiori’s face.

Her fingers trailed down Shiori’s body like a question – reverent, searching. She traced the lines of her collarbones, the curve of her ribs. Every touch felt like a vow. She found Shiori’s hand on the sheets and intertwined their fingers. Their palms fit so perfectly it made something in Elizabeth’s chest ache. She brought their joined hands to her lips, pressing a soft kiss to Shiori’s knuckles before letting them drop back to the bed.

Then, with a tenderness that stole her breath, Elizabeth followed the path of her hands with her lips. Kisses trailed along Shiori’s neck, then lower, brushing over the collar of the oversized sweater. She pushed the hem up, revealing soft, sensitive skin, and Shiori’s breath caught. Elizabeth lingered there, pressing her lips, feeling the tremble beneath her touch. Shiori’s fingers clutched the sheets, eyes fluttering shut.

When Elizabeth looked up, Shiori was already reaching for her, fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her up into a kiss. This one was different – urgent, messy, all wanting and no hesitation. Elizabeth’s hands slid beneath the sweater, fingers splaying across Shiori’s ribs. Shiori broke the kiss only long enough for Elizabeth to pull the sweater over her head and toss it aside.

Elizabeth’s breath caught at the sight – Shiori, bare, no bra, nipples hard from the air, black ink stark against her pale skin. A low, helpless groan escaped her. She dipped her head, lips brushing the swell of Shiori’s breast, pressing soft, reverent kisses. Then her tongue circled a nipple. Shiori shivered, gasped. Elizabeth’s hands spread across her ribs, thumbs brushing her warm skin.

Their kisses turned hungry, but never harsh – still so gentle. Elizabeth’s hips moved downward, her bulge brushing Shiori’s damp panties. The contact was electric, intimate, and Elizabeth jerked back, breathless, hand halting on Shiori’s chest. “Ah-  I didn’t mean-” she started, but Shiori’s hand on her cheek stopped her.

“I want it,” Shiori said, voice trembling. Elizabeth’s heart nearly stopped.

“Are you su-” she tried again, but Shiori’s eyes rolled, exasperated but affectionate.

“Yes, idiot. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kinda really wet for you.” Elizabeth’s face flushed hot. She dropped her forehead to Shiori’s collarbone, a groan vibrating in her chest. Gods, the words were even more sinful in Shiori’s low, sultry tone.

Elizabeth’s hands moved, gentle but desperate, helping Shiori slip out of her panties. The sight of her – slick and glistening – nearly unraveled her. She took a breath, chest tight, wanting to bury her face between Shiori’s thighs but holding back. She was about to move when Shiori’s smaller hand reached for her bulge, palming her through her briefs. The touch was needy, a little too hard, making Elizabeth’s hips jerk. Her eyes snapped to Shiori’s, burning with hunger and vulnerability.

Shiori’s expression was intense – desire tinged with a flicker of uncertainty. Elizabeth leaned down, kissing her deeply, letting her lips say what her voice couldn’t. Her own hands fumbled with her briefs, pushing them down just enough, then reaching for the nightstand. She pulled a condom from the drawer, the foil package cold and small in her fingers.

Shiori’s sharp eyes watched her, head tilted, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. “Prepared, hmm?” she teased. Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed crimson as she fumbled with the wrapper.

“Yeah- I-” she stammered, but Shiori cut her off with a laugh. “You’re adorable when you’re flustered,” she murmured.

Elizabeth nearly dropped the condom. Her hands shook as she rolled it on, the latex cool against her heated skin. Her cock rested against Shiori’s thigh for a moment, the heat driving her thoughts to mush. Then Shiori’s hand was there, small but sure, curling around her length, guiding her down. She stroked once, twice. Elizabeth’s breath caught. Then Shiori helped her align.

Shiori’s grip tightened, not letting Elizabeth move. “Go slow,” she murmured, vulnerability in her eyes that made Elizabeth’s heart ache. Shiori was so strong, so sharp – always holding everyone together – and yet here she was, open, trusting.

“You’re not exactly small,” Shiori added. Elizabeth nearly choked, ready to apologize.

“You know, any other Alpha would’ve taken that as a compliment.”

“Yeah, well…” she started, but Shiori’s eyes softened.

“Yeah. You’re not like them,” she said, voice steady.

Her eyes shimmered in the low light, vulnerability laid bare in the way her hands trembled just slightly in Elizabeth’s grip.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded. She swallowed hard, gaze darting to the inked wings across her skin that seemed to stretch and fold with each trembling breath. Then slowly – so slowly – she began to push forward. The tight heat enveloped her inch by inch. Her breath stuttered, overwhelmed by the closeness, by the trust in Shiori’s eyes. Shiori’s lashes fluttered, her lips parted, a small sound escaping her. Elizabeth’s hands – still intertwined with Shiori’s – tightened just a little, anchoring them both.

She leaned down, pressing the gentlest of kisses to the crease between Shiori’s brows. Then to each brow – a promise that she was there. To her cheekbone, her nose, her jaw, finally capturing her lips. By the time Elizabeth was fully sheathed inside, Shiori’s chest heaved with every ragged breath. Elizabeth’s nose nudged hers, a tender question. “You’re okay,” she whispered.

Shiori let out a shaky breath, hands flexing around Elizabeth’s. “Fuck. You’re big.” Elizabeth winced, ready to pull back, but Shiori’s grip tightened. “Don’t you dare,” she said. Elizabeth felt something in her chest crack open at the trust in those words.

She stayed still, letting Shiori adjust, kissing her forehead, the shell of her ear, the corner of her mouth. Shiori’s lashes fluttered against her cheek. And then – tentative at first – Shiori lifted her hips, the smallest shift. Elizabeth moved, just a little, pulling out and pressing back in, every inch a sweet drag that stole her breath.

It was so intense – Shiori’s heat, the way her body held her, every inch of her soft and open. Elizabeth’s eyes couldn’t leave her face – she looked so beautiful like this. Shiori’s eyes met hers, so much trust there it made her throat tight.

Elizabeth’s hips moved slow, steady – a gentle, burning rhythm that built between them. Shiori’s breaths quickened, her hips meeting Elizabeth’s, small sounds falling from her lips. She gasped, brows furrowed, and Elizabeth leaned in, pressing their foreheads together, eyes slipping closed.

“Liz…” Shiori breathed, and Elizabeth’s name in her voice made her hips stutter, her heart swelling so full it felt like it might burst. She picked up her pace just a little, guided by instinct and the soft hitch in Shiori’s breath, the way her nails dug into Elizabeth’s skin with every thrust.

Elizabeth lifted Shiori’s hands, guiding them to lock behind her neck. Her own hands settled on Shiori’s shoulders, holding her steady. Shiori’s eyes were closed, mouth open in a silent moan. Elizabeth watched every flicker of pleasure on her face.

Then – quietly, suddenly – Shiori’s head pressed back into the sheets, eyes squeezed shut, mouth falling open. She came around Elizabeth, silent but so, so beautiful, clenching tight. Elizabeth nearly lost it at the sight. Her hips faltered, every nerve alight. She felt her knot swell, pressing insistently against Shiori. Shiori tensed just barely – Elizabeth saw it, felt it – and she held back, just enough. She kept moving, holding on, and then she was coming, hips stuttering as she spilled into the condom, shuddering, holding Shiori close.

They stayed like that, tangled, catching their breath. Elizabeth’s forehead rested against Shiori’s, both of them slick with sweat, hearts beating in unison. She pulled back slowly, carefully withdrawing, tying off the condom and disposing it off the side of the bed before returning to Shiori.

Shiori looked so soft like that – hair damp against her forehead, eyes heavy, but shining with something Elizabeth couldn’t quite name. Love. Trust. Elizabeth kissed her, lingering, a press of lips that said everything she couldn’t put into words.

They curled into each other, limbs tangled under the covers. Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around Shiori, holding her close, feeling the rise and fall of her chest, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Shiori’s smaller hand settled on Elizabeth’s ribs, warm and gentle. It made Elizabeth’s eyes sting.

Shiori’s voice was quiet, hesitant. “You know,” she murmured, breath warm against Elizabeth’s shoulder, “that was my first time with a dick.” Elizabeth tensed, the words lodging like a stone in her chest. She almost pulled back, panic sparking – had she done something wrong? But Shiori’s hand tightened on her, grounding her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Elizabeth whispered, voice tight with worry.

Shiori smiled, tired but sincere. “It wouldn’t have made a difference,” she said softly. “You’d have taken care of me just the same.”

Elizabeth felt her chest loosen, the worry melting into a quiet warmth. Maybe she was starting to understand. Shiori rarely sought pleasure for herself, always putting others first, always so strong. But sometimes – even just sometimes – it felt good to be wanted.

The dorm room glowed with the soft warmth of Nerissa’s fairy lights – little pink and gold stars strung across the ceiling, casting a haze that made everything feel safe and a little unreal. Elizabeth lay with her head resting on Nerissa’s thigh, the angle just right for Nerissa to run her fingers through her hair, tracing gentle lines against her scalp. It was a habit she’d picked up somewhere – always touching, always gentle – and Elizabeth had come to crave it more than she’d ever admit.

The night felt lazy, easy, like the air had slowed down to match the rhythm of their breathing. Nerissa’s voice hummed soft nonsense – sometimes lyrics, sometimes silly jokes, sometimes those half-sung melodies that never went anywhere. Elizabeth loved it. She loved Nerissa’s voice, even when it cracked. Especially then.

“- and then Mumei just dropped the mic,” Nerissa laughed, her fingers carding through Elizabeth’s hair like she was petting a cat. “Like she was on a reality show or something. God, I love her.”

Elizabeth’s lips curved in a small, private smile. Nerissa said that all the time – to everyone she cared about. It was easy for her. She could slip an I love you into a conversation the way other people said good morning.

Elizabeth hadn’t meant to zone out, watching Nerissa from below, the way her lips moved, the soft line of her jaw, that tiny mole below her eye. When she tuned back in, Nerissa was already on a different story.

“-and I swear, she must’ve tried at least twenty different flavors before she found one she liked,” Nerissa was saying, her laughter bright but her tone soft. “And even then, she made me taste every single one of them because ‘Nerissa has the best taste buds.’” She laughed again, and Elizabeth smiled, eyes half-closed.

Elizabeth shifted slightly, the fabric of Nerissa’s skirt soft beneath her cheek. “Sounds like she’s keeping you busy,” she murmured, voice slow with the haze of safety and sleep. She felt so tired, but in that warm, heavy way that felt like sinking into a gentle ocean.

Nerissa’s smile softened. “Yeah,” she murmured. “I guess she is.”

Elizabeth let the silence stretch between them, the soft glow of the lights above blurring at the edges of her vision. She felt Nerissa’s breathing, slow and steady beneath her ear. Safe. A comfort she’d never dared to want, but now couldn’t imagine being without.

She let out a quiet sigh, her voice barely more than a murmur. “You’re always there for everyone,” she said, her words soft and a little slurred with sleep. “Wear your heart on your sleeve. It’s… I don’t know. It’s one of the things I really like about you.”

Nerissa’s fingers paused in her hair for just a second – so quick Elizabeth might’ve imagined it. Then they resumed, slow and careful, like she was grounding herself.

Elizabeth’s eyes drifted closed. Her breath evened out, her body sinking further into the warmth of Nerissa’s presence. She felt so safe like this – like nothing could touch her, like the world had finally stopped spinning.

Then, so quietly she might’ve missed it if she hadn’t been listening, Nerissa’s voice dropped – fragile, unguarded, all the performance stripped away.

“I love you,” she whispered, the words slipping out like a secret.

Elizabeth’s eyes blinked open. Her heart skipped a beat.

She felt Nerissa’s hand still.

Silence stretched between them – tense, taut, vibrating like a plucked string. Elizabeth turned her head, just enough to see Nerissa’s face. Her cheeks were pink, her lips parted like she might take it back. Her eyes were wide and uncertain, the vulnerability raw and aching.

“Shit,” Nerissa breathed, her voice cracking under the weight of sudden, sharp vulnerability. “I- gods, I didn’t mean- no, I did, but not like- I mean-”

Elizabeth sat up, turning so she could fully see Nerissa’s face. She saw the way Nerissa’s lower lip trembled, the way her eyes darted away, scared, like she’d broken something between them.

“I-” Nerissa tried again, but the words tangled in her throat.

Elizabeth reached up, brushing her thumb across Nerissa’s cheek, slow and deliberate. She took a breath, letting the warmth fill her chest. “Hey,” she said, soft, her voice a gentle caress. “Look at me.”

Nerissa’s eyes flicked to hers, wide and shining, so full of hope it made Elizabeth’s heart stutter. She’d never seen her like this – unguarded, so completely laid bare.

Elizabeth let the warmth of the moment fill her chest, let it overflow. “I love you too,” she murmured, her voice warm and quiet.

Nerissa’s breath hitched, relief crashing through her like a wave. A smile broke across her lips – shaky and so full of feeling it made Elizabeth’s chest ache all over again.

Elizabeth leaned in, pressing her forehead to Nerissa’s, their noses brushing. “You didn’t ruin anything,” she whispered, her voice soft, steady, sure. “You just… said what was already there.”

Nerissa’s laugh was wet and choked. “God, you’re gonna kill me,” she whispered.

Elizabeth’s smile softened. She brushed her thumb over Nerissa’s cheek and leaned in, pressing her lips to Nerissa’s in a kiss that felt like everything – soft at first, a promise wrapped in tenderness. Then again, firmer this time, lips lingering on Nerissa’s. She felt Nerissa’s breath catch, her lips parting with a small, startled sound that made Elizabeth’s chest tighten in the best way.

Elizabeth’s lips moved again, this time to the corner of Nerissa’s mouth, then to the soft curve of her cheek. She pressed a warm, lingering kiss there, then another on the bridge of her nose, light and playful.

A surprised laugh bubbled up in Nerissa’s chest that turned into a bright, delighted giggle. Elizabeth grinned against her skin, her mouth brushing the tiny mole under Nerissa’s left eye – a mark she’d always found quietly captivating. She kissed it gently, like a benediction.

Nerissa’s giggles grew louder, breathless and unrestrained. Her hands rose to Elizabeth’s shoulders, trembling with laughter and relief. “Liz-” she tried to protest, but Elizabeth just hummed low in her throat, moving her lips back to Nerissa’s, kissing her once, twice, slow and sure.

Their laughter tangled together as Nerissa collapsed backward onto the bed, Elizabeth following her down, limbs entangled in a heap of warmth and love.

Elizabeth rested her forehead against Nerissa’s, her smile soft and fond, eyes half-lidded with quiet contentment. “I love you,” she whispered again, just because she could.

Nerissa’s answering smile was radiant, tears clinging to her lashes like dew. “I love you too,” she breathed. And then they were kissing again.

It was late – the kind of late that turned minutes into hours and left the world hushed.

Shiori woke slowly, her eyes fluttering open to a grayish darkness, her heart heavy with an unfamiliar ache. Beside her, Nerissa lay curled around the blanket, heat finally faded, a familiar shape of warmth, her breathing deep and even. Shiori’s fingers ghosted over Nerissa’s side – just the faintest touch – and something inside her clenched.

She sat up carefully, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

Elizabeth wasn’t there.

A small frown tugged at Shiori’s brow, the ache sharpening. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her sock-clad feet finding the floorboards. She moved with deliberate care, not wanting to disturb Nerissa’s rest. The hush of the apartment made every small sound – the creak of the floorboards, the soft brush of her breath – seem impossibly loud.

The living room beyond their bedroom was cloaked in shadow, lit only by the distant glow of city lights filtering through half-drawn curtains. Silence wrapped around her like a blanket, broken only by the faint rustle of fabric in the breeze. She paused, noticing the balcony door ajar.

There, slouched in a weathered chair, unmistakable even in the half-light, was Elizabeth. That ridiculous, endearing strand of hair stuck up defiantly against the night sky, illuminated faintly by the lights below. Shiori’s chest tightened.

She stepped quietly onto the balcony, the night air biting cold against her bare skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, the chill seeping deep into her bones.

Elizabeth didn’t react to her arrival, her gaze fixed ahead. A cup of tea sat cradled in her hands. Elizabeth never drank tea. The quiet between them stretched, comfortable and strained all at once.

Shiori watched her for a long moment.

“Talk to me,” she whispered, her voice barely louder than the wind, gentle but insistent.

Elizabeth didn’t flinch, only exhaled slowly. When she spoke, her voice was rough, heavy with unspoken things. “When Nerissa asked me to mark her, I almost did,” she confessed, her eyes locked on the skyline. “I nearly gave in.”

Shiori’s heart twisted. She stepped closer, the tiles cold beneath her feet. “Did you want to?” she asked, her voice soft but steady.

Elizabeth’s answer came quick, her eyes dark and shadowed. “More than anything,” she whispered.

Shiori let out a slow breath, her arms tightening around herself. She always ran cold; the night air didn’t help. “Then why didn’t you?”

Elizabeth’s grip on the cup went white-knuckled. “Because… it would’ve been forever,” she said. “I wanted to claim her. I wanted her to be mine. But that’s not what love is supposed to be.”

Shiori’s eyes softened, her face bathed in the pale moonlight. “Maybe not,” she murmured. “But wanting to mark her means you’re ready to try – when it feels right.”

Elizabeth hummed softly, eyes rimmed with red, her shoulders slumping, exhaustion etched in every line of her body.

Shiori tilted her head. “Would you have regretted it?”

Elizabeth’s jaw clenched, her voice cracking. “No,” she whispered hoarsely. “But I’d be afraid it wasn’t what she really wanted.”

A quiet voice, warm and sleepy, broke the silence from behind them. Nerissa stood in the doorway, sheets draped loosely around her, hair tousled from sleep. The bruise on her shoulder – now purple, still tender – stood out starkly against her skin.

“It is what I want,” Nerissa said softly, her gaze warm and unwavering as it met Elizabeth’s. “But… I think we all need to be sure before we make that kind of promise.”

Elizabeth turned, surprise flickering across her face, like she’d been too lost in her own thoughts to hear Nerissa approach. Nerissa’s eyes glowed with a love so deep it brought a prickle of tears to Elizabeth’s eyes.

Shiori’s gaze shifted back to Elizabeth, her eyes warm, wise. “I’m glad you didn’t,” she said gently. “Because when you do – when we do – it should be because we’re choosing each other. Not just because of your cycles or instincts.”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened, a rush of emotions too big for words. She nodded, slowly.

Silence settled between them – a hush that felt fragile and sacred.

Elizabeth set her cup down on the railing. “Let’s go back to bed,” she murmured, her voice raw.

Nerissa nodded and stepped close, hooking her pinky around Elizabeth’s. Shiori lingered a beat longer, arms still wrapped tight around herself, her breath clouding in the cold air.

“Hey,” Elizabeth said, reaching for Shiori’s hand, her voice soft. “You too.”

Shiori let herself be drawn in, pressing against Elizabeth’s side, her warmth a grounding comfort.

They made their way inside, quiet and careful, a hush like a secret shared between them.

In the bedroom, limbs tangled, a comforting warmth enveloped them. Just as they were settling, Nerissa’s sleepy voice mumbled, “Take off those fucking socks, Shiwowi.”

Shiori whined, petulant. “But I’m cold.”

“I don't care – no socks in bed,” Nerissa muttered, words muffled against the pillow. “You know the rules.”

Shiori huffed dramatically, sliding them off with exaggerated slowness.

Elizabeth, halfway to sleep, jolted at the sudden icy touch against her leg.

“Shiori!” she yelped.

Shiori’s grin glowed mischievous in the dark, the earlier tension dissolving into laughter. “Told you I was cold,” she teased.

Elizabeth let out a long, resigned sigh, but her arms wrapped around both of them, pulling them close. She felt Nerissa’s sleepy smile press into her shoulder and let herself relax into the hush that felt like home.