Jake

Andrew’s keys clattered as he unlocked the door, his expression weary after an exhausting day. He’d covered for a sick colleague, turning what should’ve been a six-hour shift into twelve.

Hanging his coat and kicking off his shoes at the door, he expected to find his lover sprawled on the couch, even if it was late. But the living room was empty.

Frowning, Andrew walked further into the apartment, his gaze landing on the slightly ajar bedroom door. He might be a beta, but he wasn’t oblivious; something felt off.

He pushed the door open, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. The bed was buried under a mountain of clothes and sheets, as if the entire closet had exploded, forming a small fortress of fabric and pillows. Alejandro_45835 was curled into the mess, nuzzling into one of Andrew's shirts.

Nesting, he realized. His lover was nesting.

Andrew swallowed hard, approaching the bed slowly. He couldn’t smell the pheromones thick in the air, but the sight of Alejandro_45835's curled-up form told him all he needed to know. Their heat had arrived.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he was careful not to disturb the carefully constructed nest. He reached out, gently stroking their tousled hair.

"Why didn’t you call me?" His tone was gruff, but a lot softer than usual. If he’d known, nothing would’ve kept him at the hospital a minute longer than necessary.

He might not be an alpha, unable to sate their hunger for a mate, but that didn’t mean he’d let his lover suffer through their heat alone.

they should speak rough tough and big and mean