And evenings... evenings were for the pack.

Maya had never felt like she belonged anywhere the way she belonged here. Pack members greeted her warmly, included her in conversations, treated her like she’d always been one of them.

"You’re fitting in well," Eve observed one night during a pack bonfire. "I’m proud of you."

"I love it here," Maya said honestly. "I know I’ve only been wolf for a few weeks, but I can’t imagine going back. This feels right in a way nothing in my human life ever did."

"Because you were always meant for this." Eve squeezed her hand. "I’m glad you chose to stay."

Across the fire, Maya caught Kai watching her. When their eyes met, he smiled and raised his drink in a small toast.

Maya felt warmth bloom in her chest that had nothing to do with the bonfire.

***

Week fourteen brought new challenges.

Maya woke one morning feeling... restless. Anxious. Like her skin was too tight and she needed to run or fight or do something physical to burn off the excess energy.

"What’s wrong with me?" she asked Brynn during training.

Brynn took one look at her and laughed. "Nothing’s wrong. You’re approaching your first heat cycle."

Maya froze. "My what?"

"Heat. Happens to all female wolves about once every three months. Your body’s way of saying it’s ready to mate." Brynn’s expression turned sympathetic. "It’s going to be intense, Maya. Especially the first one. Your instincts are going to be screaming at you to find a partner."

"But I don’t have a partner....."

"Then you’re going to want to find one. Fast. Or you’re going to be absolutely miserable for about three days." Brynn paused. "Heat can be managed alone if necessary, but it’s not pleasant. Most wolves prefer to have a partner to help them through it."

Maya felt panic rising. "I can’t just....I don’t even know if I’m interested in anyone...."

"Yes you do." Brynn’s smile was knowing. "I’ve seen the way you look at Kai. And the way he looks at you. You’re interested. The question is whether you’re ready to do anything about it."

Was she?

Maya thought about Kai. About his easy smile and patient teaching. About the way he made her laugh and how safe she felt around him. About the attraction she’d been trying to ignore for weeks.

"I don’t know," Maya admitted. "What if it’s just the wolf talking? What if I’m only interested because my instincts are pushing me toward someone convenient?"

"Does it matter? Wolf or human, attraction is attraction. And you’re both now. You can’t separate what your wolf wants from what you want....you’re the same being." Brynn’s expression turned serious. "But Maya, you need to decide soon. Your heat is probably two, maybe three days away. If you want Kai as a partner for it, you need to talk to him before it hits. Once you’re actually in heat, you won’t be thinking clearly enough to have rational conversations about consent and boundaries."

Maya swallowed hard. "What do I even say? ’Hey, I’m going into heat soon, want to help me through it?’"

"Essentially, yes. Though maybe with slightly more finesse." Brynn squeezed her shoulder. "He’ll say yes, Maya. I guarantee it. The man’s been half in love with you since you first shifted."

"He has not..."

"He has. Everyone in the pack can see it. You two are the only ones who haven’t figured it out yet."

Maya found Kai that evening in the pack’s small library, reviewing training schedules.

"Hey," she said, her heart pounding. "Can we talk?"

Kai looked up and immediately set aside his work. "Of course. Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I just...." Maya sat down across from him. "Brynn says I’m going into heat soon. My first one. And she said I should have a partner to help me through it, and I was wondering...." She stopped, her face heating. "God, this is awkward."

Kai’s expression softened with understanding. "You’re wondering if I’d be willing to help?"

"Yes. But only if you want to. I don’t want you to feel obligated or anything....."

"Maya." Kai reached across the table and took her hand. "I’d be honored. Truly."

"You would?"

"I’ve been interested in you since the moment I met you," Kai admitted. "But you were going through transformation, and I didn’t want to pressure you or make things weird. So I’ve been waiting. Hoping you might be interested too."

Maya felt relief and excitement flood through her in equal measure. "I am. Interested, I mean. I have been for weeks. I just didn’t know if it was appropriate or if you felt the same or...."

Kai laughed and squeezed her hand. "We’re both idiots, apparently. Spending weeks pining instead of just talking to each other."

"So you’ll help me? With the heat?"

"On one condition." Kai’s expression turned serious. "This isn’t just about heat for me, Maya. I actually like you. I want to see where this could go beyond just helping you through a biological necessity. If you’re only interested in a heat partner and nothing more, I need to know that now."

Maya considered his words. Did she want more than just heat assistance?

Yes. She realized she did. Kai made her laugh. Made her feel safe. Made her want to know him better.

"I want more too," she said quietly. "I’m terrible at dating and relationships, and I have no idea how this works in the pack context, but....yes. I want to see where this goes."

Kai’s smile was radiant. "Then we’ll figure it out together. And in the meantime...." He stood and moved around the table to sit beside her. "We should probably discuss boundaries and expectations for when your heat actually hits. Because once it does, rational conversation becomes difficult."

They talked for hours.

About what Maya was comfortable with. About Kai’s experience helping partners through heat before. About contraception, because yes, wolves could get pregnant during heat and no, Maya was absolutely not ready for that.

By the time they finished, Maya felt prepared. Nervous, but prepared.

"Thank you," she said, leaning against Kai’s shoulder. "For being patient with me. For wanting more than just....this."

"Thank you for trusting me," Kai said, his arm coming around her. "I promise I’ll take care of you. During heat and after."