The Alpha House

Chapter Three

I woke up slowly, my body feeling stiff and heavy. It wasn't until my eyes had actually opened and I sat up that I could fully feel the sensations in my body, and I cried out in pain.

"What the hell...?" I lifted my arms, wincing slightly at the sharp pain as I did so. When I looked down at my body, my eyes widened in shock and fear. My skin was bright red and sore like it had been badly sunburned. Where I touched it the skin turned briefly white, and then faded back to the dark pinkish-brown color. The skin on my hands and chest was already starting to peel.

I slid off the bed with some difficulty, my skin screaming in pain where it made contact with the bed sheet, and went into the bathroom. There I saw the full extent of what had happened to my body.

There were scratches and bruises all over my thighs, hips, and stomach. My skin was brightest red on my breasts, face, and waist, and as I leaned closer to the mirror, I realized my lips were so puffed up that I looked like a poor Kylie Jenner knockoff.

That's when all the memories from last night came rushing back to me, and I stared at my reflection in the mirror as a deep blush rose in my cheeks. Not a Jamie-induced blush, but a regular old human blush. I couldn't believe I had slept with Jamie after the first day we'd met.

And I can't believe that had been the best sex of my entire life. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered everything we'd done. Even in my immense soreness, I wanted to fuck him again as soon as possible. The need burned through me in a hot flash as the thought crossed my mind, and I cried out in surprise.

"Please don't freak out."

I jumped as Jamie appeared in the mirror behind me, holding out a gauzy white robe for me. I slid it on quickly, trying not to wince too much at the pain. Even the robe, which was as light as a feather, stung my angry red skin.

"I'm not freaking out, I'm just...confused. What happened last night?"

Now Jamie cracked a smile.

"Well, technically, it was two nights ago."

"Huh?"

"Today's Thursday. You were asleep for like thirty-three hours or something. I was worried, but Duke told me it's natural for you to sleep that much after...the first time." Jamie averted his gaze.

I laughed. "The first time? What are we, teenagers sneaking around after Prom?"

Jamie looked back up. Although his expression remained inscrutable, I sensed that he was somewhat relieved by my reaction.

I followed him back into the bedroom, and he helped me get back into bed. I let out a hiss as the robe rubbed between my skin and the bedsheet, and Jamie's brow furrowed slightly.

"So how come you're not all burned and gross like me? Also, do you mind explaining to me how the hell this happened?"

Jamie leaned against the grey couch, seemingly as far away from me as he could get while still being within earshot. He was wearing a pair of basketball shorts and a loose grey t-shirt. I couldn't help but notice that his skin looked normal and unburnt.

"Do you want the short answer or the long one?"

I considered this. "The short answer. I just wanna know what's happening to me."

"That's fair. Well, the short answer is that when Alphas first meet their mates and are with them, you know, physically, the heat is at its most intense. So it physically overpowers both mates and leaves a sunburn-like burn all over your body. It's the worst wherever we, uh...touched the most. But supposedly it'll fade the longer that we're...together."