Heat
Aurora's pov
Heat radiated from every inch of my body. My skin burned as though if I were standing beneath the scorching sun. My clothes were damp with perspiration and my stomach was cramping so badly that I wanted to scream into the woods.
I don't know what was happening to me but being this close to Roman had somehow eased the pain away.
The forest blurred around us as Roman carried me deeper into the trees. I noticed his breathing was heavy and each stride were slower than the last. His body was stark naked and bloody and as for his wounds thankfully they healed up.
After what seemed to be for hours running in the woods, Roman finally stopped into a small clearing and gently lowered me to the ground, helping me lean against the thick trunk of an ancient oak.
The cool bark pressed against my back.
I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.
"We can have a little brake," he murmured.
"Are you sure?" I rasped. "What about those rogues?"
"We're far away from them," he said as he knelt infront of me.
"How's your arm?" he asked glancing at it.
"It's alright," I murmured.
Roman rested his hand against my forehead and I leaned to his touch.
His jaw tightened.
"Fuck!" he hissed, "you're burning up little one."
He let out a slow breath before brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"I need you to stay here, I'm going to find some water and food," he said as he rose to his feet.
Heat rushed to my face. Roman's manhood was right infront of my face and I couldn't help but not look away. God! It was huge and for a moment I wanted to reach forward and touch it.
Damn it! What's happening to me? Am I losing my mind? Because I feel like I am.
Roman noticed me eyeing it and his lips curved into a smirk.
"Like what you see love?" he asked, his voice was deep and smooth, like warm honey poured over velvet.
I quickly looked away, feeling embarrassed.
"No need to be shy," he said, looking at me with an heated gaze.
"It's yours, it belongs to you only," he added.
"Could you please at least put on some clothes and stop flashing that thing in front of my face?" it's distracting me and making me feel something which I haven't before. I wanted to add but held back my tongue.
"My clothes are gone, remember?"
"Oh damn I forgot about that. So you're just going to stay naked all day?"
He shrugged. "Nudity isn't an issue for my kind. We're used to it and plus
I don't mind and," he paused, his amber eyes gleaming with mischief.
"I can see how much you're enjoying the view."
"No I'm not," I muttered.
He smirked. "You are stop denying it."
He leaned forward, pressing his lips against my forehead.
"Im going to go now, okay? Whatever you do don't move from here," he said, his expression turning serious. "I'll be back soon."
I shook my head. "Please, don't leave me out here alone. What if they return?"
He took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly.
"I won't go far."
"Promise?"
"I promise," he murmured, turning around.
____________
Roman's pov
The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves. The woods were quite, the only sounds were birds calling overhead and the wind rustling through the branches.
I doubt we'd reach the pack any time soon with Aurora's condition. I don't know what's going on with her. I just hope it's a bug and nothing more serious. I hardly know much about humans and their sickness. Only when we get home we'll know what's really going on with her.
For a moment I just stood still, scanning the forest.
The faint sound of rushing water reached my ears.
I followed the sound and soon found a narrow stream winding through the forest, its clear water flowing over smooth stones.
I crouched beside it, cupping the icy water into my hands before drinking deeply.
The coolness eased the dryness in my throat.
As I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, a soft rustle echoed through the bushes nearby.
Instantly I was on high alert, I looked around until my gaze zeroed on a rabbit, nibbling on the grass.
Slowly I rose to my feet and moved toward it.
It would be enough to keep Aurora's strength up until we reached the pack whenever that was.
I moved through the forest with slow, measured steps, careful not to disturb the blanket of leaves beneath my feet.
The moment it noticed me, it bolted, and I exploded into motion, relying on instinct rather than thought. The chase lasted only seconds before I secured it.
As I turned to leave something caught my eye.
There was a cottage, it was half-hidden by the thick vines.
Its roof sagged with age, and moss covered much of the exterior.
My curiosity stirred and I started walking toward it cautiously, keeping my senses alert.
The wooden structure looked as though it had been abandoned for years.
The roof sagged slightly, and several windows were cracked and the front door hung crooked on its hinges.
Slowly, I pushed open the door and crossed the threshold.
Dust coated nearly every surface from the walls, floor and furniture.
The kitchen was small with a table, two chairs, a stove and a small sink.
In the corner of the room there was a small fire place and a bed.
I stepped further inside, inspecting the place. Cobwebs stretched between the ceiling beams and the air smelled of old timber and damp earth.
Seems like no one had been in here a long time. I think it would be better to spend the night here rather than in the open woods.
I left the rabbit on the table and turned to leave.
When I returned to my my mate, she was no longer sitting upright against the tree but slumped sideways onto the forest floor. Her breathing was shallow.
"Aurora!" I shouted, rushing toward her.
I dropped to my knees and scooped her into my arms.
Her skin was burning beneath my fingertips, far hotter than before and her scent, god it was stronger than before, much sweeter and intoxicating, making my beast stir wildly inside of me.
Realization dawned on me. She wasn't sick, she was in heat.
Fuck! How is this even possible? She's human and humans don't go into heat.
I quickly returned back to the cottage with Aurora in my arms.
I carefully laid her onto the dusty bed and hurried toward the bathroom. I filled the tub with cold water, hopefully this would help bring down her fever.
When I returned to her she was clutching her stomach.
"Roman," she murmured. "It hurts, my stomach hurts."
My beast prowled within, me restless, violent, slamming against the cage I kept it in. He wanted his mate, he wanted to come out and claim her but I couldn't, I couldn't let him do it not when she was in this state.