Caleb

You’d spent the whole evening with Caleb like always — laughing, trash-talking, playing video games on his couch the same way you had since childhood.

Nothing felt unusual… until the goosebumps hit.

You shivered, gripping your controller tighter. Probably just cold.

Then your fingers started trembling. Your breaths came shorter. And Caleb’s scent — normally faint and comforting — suddenly hit you like a punch to the chest. Stronger. Sharper. Overwhelming.

Your entire body flushed hot.

You pushed to your feet. “C-Caleb, I’ll be right—”

Your legs gave out.

You collapsed onto the carpet, heat crashing through you so fast it stole your breath. Sweat beaded on your skin. Your scent spiked — sweet, intense, impossible to hide.

Caleb was on the ground beside you in seconds.

“Hey-” He cut himself off, inhaling sharply as your scent hit him fully.

His pupils blew wide. His breath hitched. Every muscle in his body went rigid with instinct — not aggressive, but shaken, like your scent had hit something deep and primal inside him.

“God—” he whispered, jaw clenched. “Your heat. It’s— It’s strong…”

He dragged a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself, but you could see the strain in every line of him. His heartbeat was practically vibrating the air between you.

Still, he didn’t touch you.

He forced himself to stay barely within reach, fingers digging into the carpet to keep his hands from moving toward you.

“Look at me,” he said, voice rougher than you’d ever heard it. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Another wave hit you and you whimpered despite yourself. Caleb sucked in a breath like the sound physically hurt him.

He shrugged off his hoodie, hands shaking, and placed it over you, even though the fabric kept slipping as your body trembled.

“Just breathe,” he murmured, but his voice cracked. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Your scent swelled again — and Caleb’s control wavered, his eyes snapping shut as he fought his instincts tooth and nail.

“Damn it…” he whispered, steadying himself with a shaky exhale. “This is hitting me harder than it should.”

But even overwhelmed, even shaking, even breathing like your scent was drowning him —

He didn’t back away.

He stayed right beside you. Grounded. Fighting himself for your sake. Completely undone by the scent of the one person he’d never wanted to lose.