This is 25c as it was created during editing and I was too lazy to re-number all the remaining chapters. :)
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"I wish we could just hang out like a normal couple. Stuff always happens and gets in the way and we end up never just ... relax," I sigh. Me and Isaac are sitting on his bed, both of us unused to having free time that isn't overshadowed by one worry or another.

"What do you want to do the? Watch a movie, sleep, eat, I don't know what else ..." He trails off.

"A movie will be fine. But where's the TV?"

"Watch."

Isaac walks over to the wall opposite to the bed and presses on a certain spot; a part of the wall pops out and he hooks his fingers under it, flipping it like a garage door, revealing a TV screen in the wall. He pulls a remote from behind it and sits on the bed, pulling me beside him, our backs to the headboard. Isaac switches on the TV and gives me a casual grin as I watch on with awe.

"That was so cool! Why didn't you tell me about that before?"

"You're such a kid. And you never asked." I playfully glare at him. "What do you want to watch?"

"What do you have?"

"A lot of films. Some might say too many." He scrolls through the movie list. "There's the Notebook."

"Nah."

"It's a good movie!" He protests.

"Too sad."

"True. The ending gets me every time. Bridget Jones Diary?"

"No. What about The Dark Knight? I love superhero movies."

"Sure, if that's what you want."

Isaac clicks on the film and it begins to play, soon hooking us into the world of vigilantes, villains and moral ambiguity, and I thoroughly enjoy it, following the events of the movie with avid eyes.

However, the film must eventually end and I lean against his shoulder, tiredness overtaking me.

"That was fun," I comment.

"It was indeed," he replies but his expression goes serious and he sighs.

"Iz, I'm sorry to ruin the moment but there's something I need to talk to you about." Nervously, he rubs his neck, refusing to meet my questioning gaze. "You might want to sit down."

"Alright," I say, seating myself on the couch again. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Iz. I've just been putting off telling you this ..." He trails off.

"What have you - " I am cut off by the throbbing of my mark and I suppress a whine, touching it lightly with my hand. It's burning hot against my skin. Isaac notices immediately.

"I guess your third heat is coming," he states, his voice tinged with frustration. He gives me a small sniff. "Your scent's changed."

We're going to be okay Iz.

I know. We have Isaac.

"You shouldn't think of me so highly," he says, slightly bemused.

"Well I do. So get used to it," I laugh and, through the bond, I feel him relax although his shoulders are still tense.

"What's the plan this time? Dancing? Bath? Get laid?" He gives me a smirk at the last one and I playfully smack his chest.

"Shut up."

"It's getting late. We should get some sleep," he says, changing the subject. I nod in agreement and am about to leave the room but Isaac scoops me up in his arms. "Nu-uh. I'm not letting you walk away from me Mate."

"Put me down."

"Nope," he replies. I struggle in his arms but he grips on to me tightly, ignoring my growls of protest; I let Jack take control.

"Put us down."

"You're on your heat. Knowing you, if I put you down you'll get kidnapped and have to suffer through the heat alone. So no, I'm not letting you go."

"That won't happen."

"Can you guarantee that?"

We sigh and go limp; we can guarantee many things but that is not one of them. He takes us back to our room and gently tucks us into bed, covering us with the sheets and making sure we're as comfortable as possible.

"I'm going to have a quick shower before the heat really sets in, okay?"

I give him a small nod and he gives me a small forehead kiss before entering the bathroom, leaving me to settle myself down, the bed incredibly comfy, yet I can't help feeling a twinge of unease. I hate being on heat; it prevents me from doing anything meaningful.

And it means we are vulnerable to attack.

Our mate's the Alpha. No one would attack us.

Actually -

You're not helping Jack.

Sorry.

She gives me the wolf equivalent of a sheepish grin which if anything reassures me and make a me internally laugh slightly; I'm not alone, I have her too.

Already, the temperature is rising and I force myself to relax; I can get through this. The cramps haven't set in yet. We're okay.

I throw off the covers in an effort to cool myself but I know it won't be enough. Nothing can quench the raging temperature of the heat, save the touch of my mate. And he's not here.

I force myself to stand, allowing the cool air to soothe the temperature. Sweat falls like blood, my forehead and hands coated in a sheen of it. Hesitantly, I strip off my outer clothing, leaving me in just my underwear, yet this does barely anything to relieve the scorching heat. I can get through this. My thoughts must get through to Isaac as I instantly feel concern emitting from him.

Keep up with the positive thoughts.

Thanks.

Iz, are you doing okay?

Yeah, we're fine.

You're lying.

No I'm not. Everything is fine. I'm fine. We're fine.

Iz...

There is a loud growl from the bathroom and I hear the water get turned off. Shit. He's not going to be happy.

I am not wrong.

He opens the door and steps out, a towel around his waist and his face showing the frustration that is leaking through the bond to me.

"Please stop lying love," he says, cradling my cheek. "I know you're not okay. Just let me help you, even if it's only sticking by you through the heat."

I give up arguing with him and cuddle up to his bare chest, ignoring both our states of clothing. He kisses my hair, his lips gently pressed against my head.

"So what is the plan?"

"I don't know. Nothing."

"Then we'll do nothing until you're ready."

"Thank you Isaac," I say sincerely. What did I do to deserve such a kind and respectful mate?

I can feel my body temperature slowly rising and sweat pours down my body; the cramps are creeping up on me, lingering deep in my stomach but not quite revealing themselves as Isaac is still touching me. His eyes briefly flash orange; Nate wants control.

"You should probably get some clothes on. You're only wearing a towel," I comment.

Isaac looks down at himself and chuckles.

"You're right. Sorta forgot."

"How can you - ? Never mind, just get dressed."

"As you wish my lady." He gives me a mock bow and re enters the bathroom to retrieve his clothing and he dresses. I assume. The moment his hands touched the towel, I turned away; I do not want to see his ... parts.

The cramps slam into me and I stuff my face into a pillow to muffle my scream of agony, my temperature rising to an excruciating level.

We can get through this.

Her words do little to help but they do give me some courage.

We can get through this.

I repeat her words like a hymn, praying to the Moon Goddess that she will be merciful and for a moment, the pain abates.

We can get through this.

The pain has ended but the temperature is now suffocating. There is a loud snarl from the bathroom; Isaac's caught my scent. Unconsciously, I shiver slightly in fear. This heat is driving him nuts, he's losing control. He just needs to give control to Nate. I can't stand this anymore.

The door to the bathroom is flung open and he strides into the room, his eyes orange yellow, a growl rumbling deep in his throat as he approaches my paralyzed body. Nate.

I back away slightly and his eyes flicker between colours uncertainly.

"It's okay Iz. We won't do anything you don't want."

"Thank you."

His proximity is overwhelming, my breathing in rapid gasps. He stretches out a hand, lightly touching my shoulder, stopping the pain but only increasing the temperature.

Nate?

Isaac? Talk to me.

Still here love. I'm struggling to control Nate.

Taking his hand, I give him a sad smile which he returns as he sits himself beside me and I give up lying to myself: I can't get through this without mating.

"I can't do this Isaac."

"Do you want to be mated again then?" His voice is very gentle, his arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me into a firm embrace.

"Yes."