chapter TWENTY-FIVE #2
One by one, they exit the shell, movements stiff. I remain seated until last, gathering strength for what comes next. When I finally stand, the world tilts, my body protesting the combination of race exertion and advancing heat symptoms.
Bo notices first, his protective instincts kicking in. He steps forward, hand extended to help me from the boat. I take it, grateful for the support as I step onto the dock.
"Thanks," I manage, my voice softer than it should be.
His pupils dilate, nostrils flaring as he gets a concentrated dose of my scent. "Callahan..."
"Not here," I murmur, glancing toward the crowd of spectators and officials. "Please."
Understanding flashes across his features.
Without further comment, he nods once, then positions himself between me and the approaching crowd, his broad shoulders creating a buffer of safety.
Cameron joins him immediately, flanking my other side without being asked, the two of them forming a protective barrier.
Through the crowd, I catch sight of Andrea and Kinsley pushing closer, phones out, clearly documenting this moment. Waiting for my public breakdown.
Not today. Not like this.
I straighten my shoulders, force my voice to steady. "We need to get to the awards ceremony. I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart."
Bo's eyes flick toward the Westlake pair, understanding immediately. "Right behind you, Cox."
Coach Bennett approaches, oblivious to the situation. "Outstanding race, team! Textbook execution on that turn, Callahan. Exactly what we—" He stops, looking over my face. I probably look like seven levels of fresh hell. "You all right? You look feverish."
"Just exhaustion," Gray steps in smoothly. "Reese pushed herself hard for this win."
Coach studies me with concern. "Maybe you should see the medic."
"No," I say too quickly. "I mean, I'll be fine. Just need to rest."
"Are you sure? You don't look—"
"She's sure," Bo interrupts. "We'll make sure she gets back to the hotel and rests."
Coach doesn't seem convinced but nods. "Alright. Awards ceremony in forty minutes. Get dried off and changed. We need our coxswain looking presentable for the trophy."
As he walks away to congratulate other members of the team, Gray leans in close, his breath warm against my rain-chilled ear. "We need to get you somewhere private. Now."
"The hotel—" I start to say.
"Too far," Gray cuts me off, voice low and urgent. "Too many people between here and there. We need something closer. Something private."
"What about the equipment storage room?" Cameron suggests quietly, eyes scanning the boathouse area. "Should be empty now that all boats are docked."
Gray nods once, decision made, then looks around at the team clustered protectively around me. "Ten minutes. Anyone who can slip away without drawing attention."
The team disperses, heading off in different directions while maintaining visual contact. Bo stays close to me, his body positioned to block me from curious onlookers and anyone who might catch my rapidly intensifying scent.
"Can you hold it together until we get inside?" he asks quietly as we walk toward the boathouse, his hand hovering near my elbow without quite touching me.
I nod, but another wave of heat pulses through me without warning, nearly buckling my knees. Bo steadies me with a firm hand on my elbow, his touch sending an electric current through my oversensitized skin.
"Just a little longer," he murmurs, voice rough with the effort of maintaining control. "Almost there."
We reach the equipment room unnoticed, slipping inside the dimly lit space filled with spare oars, tools, and maintenance supplies. Cameron and Eli are already there, faces tense. Gray arrives moments later, followed by Tyler.
"Jackson and Beckett are running interference with the officials," Gray informs us. "Zane's keeping an eye on the coaches."
"How bad?" Eli asks, studying me carefully.
"Bad," I admit, no point hiding it now. "Both doses are completely gone."
"Options?" Gray turns to the group, but I can see him struggling to maintain his usual control.
"Limited," Tyler responds. "Full heat within one to two hours based on current hormone cascade."
"We need to get her back to the hotel," Cameron says, his voice firm.
"Awards ceremony first," I remind them, forcing strength into my voice. "We can't all disappear without raising questions. And I won't let Andrea and Kinsley win by default."
The mention of their names makes several of the guys tense.
"What do you mean?" Gray asks.
"They've been planning this. The timing, the pressure, forcing me to race until I broke." I lean against the wall, needing the support. "They're out there right now, waiting for me to collapse publicly."
"Over my dead body," Bo growls.
Eli steps forward, his usually impassive face showing rare animation. "I have a potential solution. Temporary, but it might work."
All eyes turn to him expectantly.
"Coach's medical kit," he continues, voice low. "Should contain emergency heat suppressant. Standard issue for elite competitions where Omegas might be competing. Regulation requirement since the Title IX expansion."
"You know where it is?" Gray asks, hope entering his voice for the first time.
Eli nods. "Medical office. Left cabinet, red case."
"Stealing from the coach?" Bo sounds doubtful.
"Borrowing," Eli corrects without hesitation. "For medical necessity. We'll replace it later."
"How strong would it be?" I ask, hope rising in my chest for the first time since I felt the injection failing.
"Military grade, most likely. Enough to get through the awards ceremony and the public appearances." Eli's expression remains neutral, not offering false comfort or unnecessary alarm. "Not enough for the full cycle, but sufficient for immediate needs."
"How long would it last?" Gray presses, already calculating next steps.
"Eight hours. Ten at most," Eli responds with the exactitude that characterizes everything he does.
Bo and Gray exchange loaded looks, an entire conversation happening in silence.
"Better than nothing," Gray decides after a moment. "Do it."
Eli slips out without another word.
"What happens after the suppressant wears off?" Bo asks the question hanging in the air.
Tyler answers with clinical detachment. "Without proper medication, an Omega in heat requires Alpha assistance to stabilize. Delivered via—"
"We know how it's delivered," Gray cuts him off.
Cameron's gaze locks with mine. "This isn't how it should happen."
"None of this is how it should happen," I reply, another wave of heat washing through me. "But we deal with what we have."
The door opens again, and Eli returns with a small red case. He opens it to reveal a pre-loaded injector.
"This will hurt," he warns, preparing the device with practiced movements that make me wonder about his background. "Emergency suppressants are designed for rapid absorption. The burn is... significant."
I roll up my sleeve without hesitation. "Do it."
The injection burns like fire racing through my veins.
I gasp, Gray's hand immediately at my back to steady me.
I realize through the haze of the chemicals pumping through my system that it's probably the first time he's touched me since we met.
And my traitorous body focuses on the point of contact so hard, all I can think about is the heat of his skin burning through my clothes.
"How long until it takes effect?" Bo asks.
"Ten minutes for initial benefit," Eli responds, carefully disposing of the evidence. "Full efficacy within thirty. Should mask scent and reduce physical symptoms enough to get through public appearances."
"Then we have a plan," Gray says, taking charge with natural authority. "Awards ceremony. Team photos. Minimum public obligations. Then back to the hotel immediately."
His gaze meets mine, something unspoken but powerful passing between us. "After that..."
"I know," I say, forcing myself to face reality.
"One of you will need to help me through this.
Until my regular prescription arrives on Monday.
" It takes everything in my power to stop the whimper that threatens to pass my lips.
I don't know if it's from the meds or my body latching onto the idea that I'll be having sex with one of these guys at some point tonight. This is a fucking disaster.
A tense silence falls over the group.
I look up at Cameron, but his expression is conflicted. "I can't," he says quietly. "I want you too badly. I don't think I can hold myself back from the bite. It's already hard enough to—"
"I'll do it," Bo says, cutting him off.
All eyes shift to him.
"I'm her roommate already," he explains practically. "Least complicated option logistically. Fewer questions from staff or other athletes."
"You sure?" Gray's tone carries a weight beyond the simple question.
Bo nods grimly. "I can handle tonight without claiming.
But we need to face facts here." He looks around the group.
"An Omega in uncontrolled heat for a full week?
That's not sustainable for one person. And if she doesn't get proper care.
.." He doesn't finish the sentence, but we all know what he means.
ER visits. Seizures from fever. Potentially life-threatening complications.
"How many days until her prescription arrives?" Gray asks Tyler.
"Friday at the earliest. So six more days minimum."
"Fuck," Cameron breathes.
Gray runs a hand through his hair, the weight of leadership evident. "So we're talking about a rotation. Multiple people."
"That's what it sounds like," Eli confirms quietly.
I feel a rush of gratitude toward him. Bo. Steady, protective, pragmatic. The safest option to start with when everything in me feels unstable.
"Reese?" Gray turns to me. "Your choice. For tonight."
Despite the heat medication beginning to take effect, I appreciate that he's giving me agency in this decision. Not just assuming or deciding for me, even in a situation this serious.
"Bo," I confirm. "For tonight." I look around at the others, the reality sinking in. "But we're going to need to figure out the rest. All of us."
"We will," Gray says, his voice carrying both authority and something deeper. "Whatever it takes."
The medication dulls the worst symptoms, bringing clarity back to my thoughts. I can do this. Get through the ceremony. Return to the hotel. Face what comes next on my own terms.
"Thank you," I say, looking at each of them. "All of you. For protecting me. For giving me choices."
"Team takes care of team," Bo says, his voice taking on a sort of haunted quality.
As we prepare to rejoin the public celebration of our victory, I realize how much has changed. Two weeks ago, I was fighting just to earn a spot on this team. Now they're willing to risk everything to protect me.
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it just feels right.
I won't be facing this alone. And for once, I actually have a say in how it goes.