Page 88 of Alpha Claimed

"What the hell?"

River turned to find Cherry lying on the floor by the doors. Cherry wiped the sleep from her eyes, looked at River, and then noticed the open window.

Cherry leapt to her feet and raced for the window, cranking it shut again.

"Mom?" River stared at Cherry.

Cherry pushed River back from the window and closed the curtains again. "Don't open that."

"It's stifling in here."

Her mom didn't answer. Instead, she sniffed River and then looked her up and down. River pulled the top sheet closer around herself.

"Mom, what are you doing in here?"

Cherry didn't speak. Instead, she blew out a breath and stretched her muscles, rubbing her neck.

River watched for a moment, and then her patience snapped.

"Mom! What are you doing in here?"

Cherry groaned. "Stop yelling. I'm exhausted."

"Why are you sleeping on my floor?"

"To keep your two mates out of here." Cherry walked over and sat on River's bed before groaning.

"Why can't I open the window?" The sheet slipped off River's torso, and she looked down. "Why am I naked?"

"Because I figured you would be more comfortable that way." Cherry didn't look at her.

"What?" River scratched at her arms, which felt hot and prickly once again. She licked her lips. "I need something to drink."

Cherry nodded.

"Are you gonna tell me what is going on?"

Cherry stopped. "Do you want water or to know what is going on?"

"Both."

"Well, pick the order. I can't get you water and tell you what's going on at the same time."

River growled. Her wolf's tail swished in agitation. She paced and panted, acting… weird, which made River all that twitchier.

"Tell me first, then water."

Cherry looked at her for a moment and then nodded. "Okay, the short version is, you are going into heat, and your mates need to help you through it, or it will be excruciating and could end up killing you."

River blinked twice. "I'm sorry, what?"

Cherry blew out a breath. "The pills I gave you that you've taken since you were twelve?"

"Yeah."

"You stopped taking them."

"When I found Ares, I didn't need to hide anymore."