Prologue - Celia

I woke up drenched in sweat. My body felt like it was burning from the inside out. I thought I had the flu last night when I laid down, but this is not the flu. This is madness.

My breasts are tender to touch, my core is throbbing as if it has its own heartbeat. What is happening? I feel hungry, but not for food. I want a man, any man. I need to be fulfilled. Goddess! My body aches, pain shoots through my core. I feel like if I don't find satisfaction soon, I will die.

I begin touching myself. I'm not gentle, I'm trying to force myself to orgasm fast. Maybe then the pain will ease. I stroke myself faster and harder. I pinch my clit and roll it between my fingers. I bite my bottom lip. I'm close but just can't seem to reach my climax. My wolf moans, 'Carson.' The image of him, strong, tall, handsome, smiling at me, pushes me over the edge. I moan his name over and over. My body shakes with waves of pleasure. I lay in bed for a moment. I shake my head, hoping to clear it. What is going on?

I climb out of bed and head for the shower. I pause at the door and turn around. Opening the drawer of my nightstand, I take out my blue toy. Why does a vibrator need rhinestones around the button? I smile, must be because girls like shiny things.

My core is still throbbing. Whatever this is, it's not over. In the shower, I play with my toy, imagining Carson here with me. I orgasm over and over, but my core still burns and throbs. What is this?

My wolf says softly, 'We are in heat. It will last a few days.' Goddess! I don't think I will survive a few days. 'Without Carson, it will be brutally painful. I'm sorry Celly.'

Great. "I will endure." I said out loud. As a mantra it sucked. "I will survive." I said out loud. Better. I wrapped a large towel around my body a d walked into my living room. I turned on my stereo, maybe some music will distract me. I still feel like I'm on fire. Returning to my bedroom, I find a pair of running shorts and a tank top. Maybe some exercise would feel good. I pulled on an oversized hoodie and my running shoes. I put my ear buds in and started my running playlist. I locked my door and started down the 3 flights of stairs.

Thom was at the front, checking his mailbox. He turned and looked at me. He whistled and said, "Girl you smell like sex and candy!"

"What does the even mean, Thom?" I asked exasperated. He raised an eyebrow and said, "I can give you what you need." His eyes kind of glazed over. "Come here honey." He moved towards me. The fear took over. I bolted back upstairs, slammed my door and locked the handle and the deadbolt.

"So we don't leave the house during heat." I said to myself. I was shaking. Every inch of my body hurt. If I still allowed myself to cry, I'd probably curl up in the fetal position and bawl. But I haven't cried in years and I won't start now. I pulled out my phone and called my boss. "Hi Syd. I won't be in today. I woke up with a horrible fever and can barely move. I'm not sure what I got but I definitely don't want to bring this into the spa."

My boss started her lecture about responsibility. I wasn't in the mood. Interrupting, I said "Syd, I have never called out. I am being responsible by not making your spa ground zero for an epidemic. In fact, I won't be back in until Tuesday to make sure I'm fully healed." I hung up. She wouldn't fire me, I was her most popular staff member. People waited months to get an appointment with me already.

I felt my temperature starting to soar. I stripped naked and got into bed. 'How am I in heat? I thought you had to be mated and marked to have a heat cycle.' My wolf responded, 'I don't know Celly. I'm sorry. This is definitely a heat cycle though and it's going to be painful without Carson.' She whimpered. I started playing with myself trying to ease some of the pain with the pleasure of an orgasm. I moaned, "Carson." My wolf echoed, 'Carson.'