Zara’s POV
“Heat? I am in heat…?”
I could not believe what Nic was saying. I was shocked by what I heard.
Why would I go into heat now? Have I done something wrong?
I knew I would eventually go into heat, but what caused it? I was fairly certain that we only went into heat when we were marked… or…
Slowly, my eyes shifted to Kaya. She appeared rather guilty.
“Is this your doing?” I asked.
She shook her head hastily.
“So why do you look so guilty?” I asked.
“It was bound to happen,” Kaya said, as if it were nothing. “You two have been taunting the bond for a while now. The fact that it did not occur sooner shocked me.”
“Really, Kaya?” I lost my temper. “You were aware that this would occur, yet you remained silent about it! Why didn’t you just tell me? Now look at us!”
“I only figured it out this morning,” she whispered in defense.
“You what!? You knew! And you failed to warn me!” I snarled. “If someone had scented my heat, what would you have done?”
“Well, no one did,” she said with a hint of pride. “I hid our scent!”
“What if you were unable to?” I gave a furious hiss. “Can you imagine what could have happened?”
Kaya flattened her ears against her head and whined. She was aware that going into heat may have had disastrous consequences if we had been detected by a single unmated wolf.
“You wanted to locate Nic,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have…” I opened my mouth to speak, but Kaya raised her head and cut me off.
“You would not have listened to me,” Kaya remarked. “In addition, this is the safest place for you to be in the heat.”
“More secure than my own chamber?” I snarled. What made her believe that this was a safer option?
“Yes! There might have been a lot of issues between you and Levi if we had not left,” she said. She appeared terrified.
“Levi?” I pursed my lips into a narrow line and sighed. “He is gay! He would never-”
“His wolf will still try to mate you despite that!” She cried out.
Kaya exhaled deeply and closed her eyes.
“Keeping you safe is a priority,” she stated as she opened her eyes. “At that time, I did what I believed was best for you.”
“But why here, in the temple?” I asked.
“Well,” Kay responded with another guilty expression. It had to have been planned. Kaya’s gaze shifted away from me. “The major reason is that I knew that as soon as Levi informed Nic that you were missing, Nic would go out and look for you.”
“What is the second reason?” I asked.
Kaya was hesitant.
“Tell me, Kaya!” I snapped.
“The goddess told me to bring you to the temple as soon as you go into heat!” She whispered.
She knew this would happen.
“Hold on!” I said. “You were told to bring me here, right? What makes the temple so important?”
“Yes, uhm,” Kaya hesitated, which was beginning to get on my nerves. She sighed when I shot her a cautionary glance.
“In order for you to understand, I will have to show you,” she replied. “Please get up. I have a lot to show and share with you.”
“What about Nic?” I asked; he had been standing like a statue waiting for a response. I suppose he was unsure of how to behave around me.
“He may come along,” she replied. “He should also hear this.”
“What about… you know… my problem?” I swallowed hard and muttered, as I remembered the terrible agony I had experienced.
Will it return?
Will Nic lose….? The idea made me shiver and pushed it aside.
“Beta John offered you something to hold your heat at bay for the moment,” Kaya replied. “Do not worry about it right now, but it will come back.”
I swallowed forcefully. Even though I could tolerate pain, that was excruciating. My entire body and spirit seemed to have been torn apart for no apparent reason or intention.
“I hope-”
“Don’t worry,” she said again. The promise in her eyes was visible to me.
“Kaya wants to show us something,” I said in a whisper as I slowly looked over at Nic. “Additionally, Ray, you do not have to be in charge right now. My issue has been resolved by Beta John for the moment.”
“Thank the Goddess for that,” Ray yapped, closing his eyes. “It is exhausting to be human for this long.”
Nic’s eyes had changed back to blue when they opened.
“Welcome back,” I said, getting off the bed.
“It’s great to be back,” he replied, throwing his arms open for me.
Kaya did say it was safe, so I rushed into his arms without hesitation.
I felt Nic’s arms encircle me and draw me close to his firm chest.
A grin appeared on my face as I sucked in his intoxicating vanilla and honey scent and let it take my mind off of my troubles.
“Let us not tempt the mate bond just yet,” Nic said, and then he gently pushed him away. “You mentioned that Kaya ought to show us something.”
With some disappointment, I nodded. I wanted to hold on to him because I felt so at ease in his arms.
Nic grasped my hand, stepped forward, opened the door, and motioned for me to go ahead.
There were only doors on either side of the corridor, and that was about all that was there. Facing down the corridor, we were in the final chamber.
When Nic locked the door behind us and the sound reverberated down the hallway, I jumped in alarm.
“Are you alright?” Astonished by my response, he asked.
“Sorry,” I said. “I have no idea what just happened.”
I have never felt so anxious in my life.
“You are safe with me,” Nic said, grinning warmly, as we walked hand in hand down the corridor.
I was convinced that Kaya had led us astray in the ancient temple, and after what felt like an eternity, she finally stopped.
I released Nic’s hand and walked toward the markings on the wall.
Is it going to light up again?
Is it worth trying?
I paused before extending my hand. I was left in agony the last time I touched a symbol.
“Go ahead, touch it,” Kaya mused. “It will only light up when you touch it.”
What followed was something I never would have predicted…
****