Catra startles and sits up in bed. She gasps for air as though she'd been deprived for too long. The room is dark with a faint glow coming from around the bed. She rubs at her eyes to clear some of the fog, but her arm won't reach her face. There's a clanking sound that reverberates when she tries to move, and she suddenly realizes that she's chained down.

Her breaths start coming in rapidly as she tries to connect the pieces. The last thing she remembers is Adora being ripped from her grasp, then everything just goes black.

It just doesn't make sense.

A door opens across the room and Catra releases a hiss to deter any enemy intruders. A gasp is heard as feet shuffle along the floor until the person is nearly on top of her.

"Shhh. It's alright," comes a familiar voice.

Catra whips her head around. Tears are forming in her eyes. Her mind is telling her that she's been captured by Shadow Weaver and she's about to endure some heinous torture. She shouldn't have gone along with the princesses. The feline should've returned to the Fright Zone as soon as she could be free. But she didn't –

A hand reaches tentatively for the woman, but Catra reacts poorly and tries to rip whoever it is to shreds with her drawn claws.

Thankfully, the restraints are holding though, and the person does tentatively place their hand on Catra's shin. It's probably the safest spot since the feline can't reach with her claws, or her teeth.

The sensation of a warm hand on her body is unnerving, but Catra opens her eyes to clear some of the fog until she sees pink eyes shining brightly as they look at her.

"Glimmer?" Catra's says through her dry throat.

"Yeah, it's me." She smiles a bit, relieved at the woman's ability to focus. "You're safe. You're back in Brightmoon."

"Ugh, my head… and my body." She swallows to alleviate her dry throat, but it's just sticky feeling. "What happened?" she rasps out.

A sigh escapes Glimmer as though she's been holding onto a lot. "Adora wouldn't leave the ball without you. When she transformed and tried to get you, you changed. Not physically, but every rational part of you went out the window as soon as you caught her scent." Glimmer pauses to let the feline's brain catch up to what she's saying. "When Scorpia had dragged Adora out of the castle you were trying to run after her."

Catra tries to think very hard, because she doesn't remember that at all. "I did?"

"Yeah. Bow, Sea Hawk and I had to grab you so you wouldn't run off. The boys are getting fixed up in the infirmary." Another pause because of Glimmer's trepidation, "you'd scratched them pretty badly before Frosta could get some ice wrapped around your wrists to get you to stop."

Catra's breathing begins to pick up again. She has no recollection of that. "What?" she says in between panting breaths.

Glimmer reaches out her arm and places it on her shin again. "Yeah, but they're all okay. It wasn't too bad. We're just taking precautions."

Catra's eyes scan around the room in hopes of remembering anything from those few moments. Why is she always such a burden? Why do these people even care about her? Then, her brain is consumed with Adora. The blonde's face had been full of fear and anguish as she cried out for Catra. It nearly broke her.

A pounding reverberates through her head again. She tries to reach up to soothe it, but her hand is stopped again by the shackles.

"What is it?" Glimmer asks.

"My head," is all she says back.

"Okay, I'll get the doctor."

"Can't you just take these things off me?" there's a tone of irritation in her voice.

The silence from Glimmer stretches on a bit too long for Catra's liking. Then, "I can't, Catra."

The feline's eyes go a bit wide because she doesn't understand. "Why?"

Glimmer tries to take a position as if she's going to tell Catra something she won't like and she's trying to keep her calm.

"What is it, Glimmer?" the irritation turns to into slight panic.

The princess closes her eyes to compose herself before she speaks. "It's nothing serious. You're not in trouble and no one is mad at you." Those words, somehow Glimmer knew to say, are relieving roughly 80% of the fear that was rising in Catra's stomach. She continues, "but,"

Oh no, Catra thinks.

"…you were showing signs of something that omega's go through called possession." The feline just stares confusedly at Glimmer until she continues. "That happens when omegas are in heat and they're around their mate. It's almost like nothing can separate them, and even attempting to do so can be incredibly dangerous, depending on the omega. Well, you started to show signs very similar to that. You were only focused on Adora and when Scorpia started to take her away your eyes glazed over and you wouldn't look away from her." She paused again to give Catra a moment to process. "You growled and hissed and were moments away from attacking Scorpia. I'm sure you wouldn't have stopped if we hadn't grabbed you."

"But…" Catra doesn't understand. "You said that happens to omegas. I'm not an omega. I've never had a heat."

"I know, but remember when Entrapta told us that the Horde has been feeding you guys suppressants? Well, it's been a few weeks since you were last there. You've been eating healthier foods and the doctors think your body has finally had a chance to regulate itself."

The color in Catra's face just drains as panic begins to settle in her chest. "You're wrong!" is all she can think to blurt out. "I'm not an omega! I-I-I don't even know what that means, or why? I just wanted Adora back!" Tears begin to spring up in the corners of Catra's eyes and her body is starting to feel like it's on fire.

"Catra, it's okay." She cut off shortly after speaking.

"No!" she growls lowly. "You don't understand." Catra swallows to give herself a moment. "The Horde has taken everything from me. And now…" she sniffs, "now, you're telling me that they kept me like that? They kept me from being what I am. Why?!"

Glimmer's lip begins to wobble at the prospect of Catra having to feel any further pain from her time in the Horde. "Yeah," she whispers, "I don't know… They're terrible. Maybe it was used to keep population under control. At least that's what Entrapta thinks," the princess mumbles under her breath.

"Agh!" she yells. Her throat was dry before and now it feels raw with emotion. Her breaths are shallow and rapid as her body tries to wrap around itself. "Why is everything so full of shit!?" Catra begins sobbing as she curls as much as she can with the restraints on.

Glimmer just places her hand back onto her leg to comfort her. She lets Catra ride out her shock until her cries are only small whimpers. "Catra," the feline looks up into her eyes for a brief moment. "The doctors did some tests and they said that you almost had a collapsed heat."

The shit just keeps coming apparently, she thinks immediately.

"That happens from taking suppressants for too long where you never have a proper heat cycle. It used to happen decades ago when omegas were used as concubines. They didn't want them to get pregnant… It can cause damage to your body, and in some extreme cases… death. But that didn't happen to you. You just,"

Glimmer is cut off as a heavy groan comes from Catra's mouth. The pain the feline is feeling right now is nearly unbearable. Her body is so hot she feels like she might start panting to cool herself, which she doesn't want to do. It would make her look vulnerable, and the thought of doing it is killing her. It's just that her body is so wracked with pain and heat she just wants to take an ice bath. Which has never been something on Catra's bucket list.

The princess continues to rub along the other woman's leg to offer some comfort, although very miniscule. "Catra," the feline looks at Glimmer, "you're in heat. It's your first, and it's not going to feel good. Your hormones are going to be very powerful, like you're completely out of control of your body. That's why we took the precaution of restraining you."

"Fuck! Make it stop, Glimmer." Catra all but cries out to her friend.

"I know. I'm so sorry, but we can have the healers come in and take a look. They might be able to offer some aid." Glimmer's face is pained with empathy. She remembers her first heat. It had been nearly unbearable. She can't even imagine what Catra might be going through since she's been suppressed for so long.

Catra continues to squirm on the bed in pain. "Ugh, can you just do the perimeter thingy around the bed instead of these stupid shackles. I need to move!" She groans out in pain again.

"I'll go get the doctor now."

Scorpia had a difficult time maintaining a hold on Adora without getting her neck snapped by the raging alpha desperate for her mate. Somehow, she was able to abate Adora just long enough to get her out of range from Catra. It was enough to calm the woman's racing heart, but it was no easy feat. The larger woman had to use everything in her arsenal: her pheromones, her body, growling and baring her teeth to tell Adora that she wasn't backing down. It was basically a battle of wills, until Adora was able to calm the alpha inside of her enough to hear Scorpia's pleas.

When she gets Adora to her room the blonde alpha basically has an adrenaline crash. She's a shaking mess, right now.

Scorpia tries to console her, "hey buddy. I'm going to grab you some ration bars. You really need the calories to get your energy back up." The Scorpioni looks awkwardly around the room as Adora just sits there silently. "Alright, I'll be right back."

Adora just sits there with her thoughts. I failed… again, she thinks bitterly. The urge to punch something is so great she just hits herself. She punches her thigh repeatedly until she can feel the heat of the blood rushing to the area. Tears start to stream down her face as she grinds her teeth. She's never been more disappointed in herself in her whole life. Catra was there. In her actual fucking arms, and she had left without her.

The pained look in the feline's eyes is nearly unbearable to reimagine. She can't stand how incompetent she feels right now.

Scorpia rushes back into the room and lets out a small gasp. She reaches out her giant claw and lifts Adora's hand away from her own body. The blonde had been gripping her opposite forearm with a white-knuckle grip. As the hand is gently pulled away there are deep crescent shaped indents in her flesh. A drop of blood forms from one of them. "Here, Adora," she says as she hands the younger woman the rations. Scorpia uses her big claw to clip the top of the wrapper, exposing the bar within.

Adora's eyes immediately go to the bar, and she begins to eat eagerly. Her stomach audibly growls as she sinks her teeth into it. The blonde hums at the sustenance entering her mouth.

Scorpia isn't sure what to do with herself. She feels like she's intruding, but she also can't leave her alone like this. There's no telling where her mind is at – on second thought, she knows exactly where her mind is lingering: on how she couldn't bring Catra back. "We'll get her, buddy. Don't give up. I sure haven't." At that moment, Adora looks up into her eyes. Scorpia wasn't even sure she was listening, but this is a good sign.

The blonde's lower lip begins to wobble, but she swallows and chews on another bite to occupy herself.

"Don't worry, Adora. I know we were close, but each time we get closer and closer. I just know this next time will be the one that we get her." Scorpia smiles gently at her friend. "We'll get her back, Adora. I promise."

Promise. It echoes in Adora's head a few times before she looks back into Scorpia's loving and kind gaze. She offers the other woman a small smile to hopefully ease her anxiety concerning Adora. She's not the one they should be worried about.

There's something different about Catra today. She knows that she hasn't seen her in a long time, but this is drastic. Her scent was irresistible in a way Adora hadn't smelled before. It's similar to something she's smelled before, but she can't quite place it.

Adora moves from sitting on the edge of her bed to climbing into it entirely. She looks to Scorpia, "I think I'm going to rest now. Hopefully, Shadow Weaver won't have anything to say about it."

"Oh, don't worry about her. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that we made it back in one piece." Scorpia has always had too much optimism in Adora's opinion, but at least it keeps her mind from spiraling too badly.

The door clicks shut as Adora closes her eyes. She's exhausted after the events from the night. Not only did she almost lose Catra again from a giant chunk of ice, but she became her alpha without even registering it. It had simply happened without her permission. It was like she was possessed, and nothing could stop her. She supposes that's how Catra makes her feel, but it's just so frustrating. Adora's emotions and her instincts are getting in the way of rescuing Catra. She can't keep getting in her own way. Wasn't she in control of those already? She's performed several missions in the simulator already. There's no reason she can't do this.

A sigh escapes the blonde's mouth as she tries to stop overthinking things. She'll just have to do better. She has to focus on rescuing Catra so they can be together again. Back in the… well she supposes they wouldn't be back together in the Horde. The odds of them reuniting is slim, because Adora's unit is so versatile and useful. She's seen other teammates go on a number of missions already.

Ugh, her mind is just going in circles. Rest first, devise a better plan tomorrow. Besides, if Catra was at the ball, then that must mean something's happened with her capture. She was talking about going with them, but what does that mean? Joining the Alliance? Why would they ever do that? They've always talked about running the Horde together, right?

"Ugh," she groans aloud in her room. Everything doesn't make sense. She had been so distracted by Catra that she hardly got any information from her.

The thoughts are nonstop. If she wasn't already so drained from the evening's events, she's sure that she would stay up all night just wondering and worrying about everything.

But thankfully, her eyes are so heavy she can hardly keep them open. So, she closes them as the exhaustion just blankets over her, and she falls fast asleep.

The doctor leaves in her humiliating suit. Apparently, she wasn't interested in any lacerations from Catra's claws, so she took the precaution of a thick material that she wrapped around her arms and torso.

Catra did not find any aspect of that exam to be legal, but Glimmer was right by her side as the doctor poked and prodded her. There were a few tests they had to run, and Catra was completely unfamiliar with the aspects of said tests. Let's just say speculums are cold especially when they end up inside you, but maybe it was also Catra's near inferno of a body. The room feels like a sauna and the blankets are sticking to her. Unfortunately, she finally got to the point where she had to physically pant to let off the excess heat.

The door closes gently – especially since Catra had berated the doctor for opening the door too loudly on her way in – this time hardly making any sound. The sense of unease lessens some, but it doesn't go away completely. The feeling of weakness and vulnerability make Catra's skin crawl, and she tries to hide herself away from prying eyes – mostly just Glimmer.

The princess huffs at her weird behavior. "Why are you trying to hide in there? You're burning up. It's only going to make it worse."

The arrogance rolling of the princess is palpable, even in this state. Catra growls in annoyance, but she does her best to listen as she sticks her tail and a flopping ear out from her enclosure.

"Alright, I don't have the patience for this. I'll give you some space. The doctor said everything seems normal, except for your heightened senses. But they should level out after the third day or so." Glimmer takes a deep breath before she continues, "do you need anything? I can also have Bow come and –"

A hiss from under the bedding cuts Glimmer off from what she was about to say. The princess rolls her eyes fondly, but she does hear a single word coming from the nest "water."

"Alright, I'll grab you some water. It'll be good for you to stay hydrated while you go through this. It can be really uncomfortable with the cramps. I hope what the mages did for the pain helps."

"Thanks, Sparkles. It's taking some of the edge off, but…" she opens a hole to let her hot breath escape. "It's not completely gone" she says more clearly.

"Well," the princess drags the word out meaning she has something to say about the matter. "You could try… touching yourself?"

Catra shoots her head out of the blanket so quickly that the linen creates static through her hair. "What?" she asks a blushing Glimmer.

"Yano! Touch yourself. Have you ever explored… down there?"

"No!" she screeches defensively.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of Catra. Your anatomy might be a little different than mine, but it's all the same. When you make yourself 'feel good,' it also helps with the cramps. Just," she pauses from embarrassment, "try it. Worst case, you'll feel somewhat satisfied afterwards." Glimmer shrugs nonchalantly as she finishes up the most awkward conversation Catra has ever had the pleasure of enduring.

The feline throws her head back into the blanket and decidedly does not emerge until well after Glimmer's laughter has faded down the hall.

As the darkness and newfound quiet begins to seep into her bones, she sinks further into the bed trying to get comfortable. Her hand twitches at the idea of inspecting… down there. Her mind suddenly supplies a memory from just before Adora left their unit. She remembers being awakened in the early hours of the morning to her friend's twitching and grunting in her sleep.

The image of Adora laying next to her with her member bobbing just below the blanket causes a wave of arousal to enthrall her body, until a surprising throb at her lower lips startles her. It's powerful and deep within as it calls out to the memory of Adora. Her mind also purposefully reminds her that she was able to graze her hand lightly up her friend's thigh until the tips of her fingers danced over the protruding hard cock beneath her thin underwear.

It's too easy for her mind to wander and completely overtake her senses as the same fingers slide out Adora's member by slipping down the top portion of her underwear. It springs free as Adora lets out a groan that sends chills down Catra's entire body. Her mouth becomes a dripping mess of saliva at the idea of Adora feeling the pleasure Catra gives her, and it completely surprises her when another throb of her own echoes within her walls. Another dripping mess begins to form between her legs, and she feels somewhat relieved as she clenches her thighs tightly together. It does nothing to satiate the pulsing inside that calls for something but gives her a chance at lightly scratching that itch.

In Catra's imagination she slides the blanket down slowly as she looks into crystal blue orbs for permission. It's granted readily and Catra's heart hammers in her chest as she slides it down. Now, Catra hadn't exactly seen what Adora had looked like down there, but her mind fills in the gaps. In the training they received, there were images and diagrams about how the female anatomy of an alpha changes. And what her mind creates is far more than she's expecting. The tip is swollen and red while the length is so full that she can make out the few veins that traverse just under the surface.

Catra's eyes dilate and in real time she shoots her hand down between her legs to explore, like Glimmer had said to. The touch is alarming as she's never felt so sensitive in her whole life. The wetness between her legs would be alarming to her if she wasn't so entranced by the images in her mind's eye.

Whatever possesses her to reach out and grab Adora's member, she'll have to thank later, because Adora lets out the most erotic groan Catra has ever heard. She's actually impressed with herself, because she's never heard Adora make such a lewd noise before. And it does things to her. Her walls clench around nothing, but the lightbulb comes to life as she realizes exactly what she wants.

It takes no time at all to look into half lidded blue orbs before Catra slowly climbs onto Adora's lap. She hovers just over the throbbing cock beneath her and she can't do anything but stare into Adora's eyes.

Catra lowers herself onto Adora's cock and that's when she starts touching herself without restraint. She slides her fingers within and brings her other hand down to rub at the tip of her clit. The sensations are helping to stir something within her, but the images in her mind are continuing to drive her insane. Adora's eyes are looking into hers as the blonde wraps her arms around her waist and the pair collide their hips.

Catra has no idea what it must truly feel like, and she knows deep down that what she's doing for herself is only a fraction of what she wishes she could have.

The scene continues, unrestrained, as Catra continues to think about her. It's as though she has no control. Her hand quickens over her clit and the fingers inside feel so good to clench down on.

Tears springs to her eyes as the sensations begin to overwhelm her. She's still staring into blue eyes as she pumps her hand and curls her fingers.

It doesn't take much more effort before the build up is too much. Catra's orgasm is silent as her mouth opens to cry out, but nothing comes. Her breathing has stopped as her walls rhythmically clench on her fingers. The heat and waves pouring out from her center feel like they could consume her in a blazing fire. Her hips rise up off the bed with the power behind it and tears begin to fall steadily, now. This powerful feeling rushes into her heart as she continues to look into blue eyes. A whine rips through her throat as she rides out the rest of her orgasm and her panting breaths finally allow the oxygen to replenish her fuzzy mind.

Catra begins to cry in full as she wraps her arms around herself. Thankfully, they had released her restraints and it's made everything so much less claustrophobic; but now she feels hollow as she lays there alone.

Soon, she is fast asleep.

Adora can't believe that they sent her out here on some dumb mission. The Whispering Woods aren't even supposed to be traversed, let alone without back up or any sort of equipment. The blonde wonders if Shadow Weaver is just trying to flat out get rid of her at this point.

The blade she brought slices through some of the brush after each swipe of her arm. It swings and clears a path easily, although she can't help but feel like she's lost. It's also getting so loud. She thought the emphasis on the name was "whispering," but this is like a cacophony of rustling leaves and animalistic noises. It feels as though she's being warned. She should 'tread lightly, or she'll be sorry' type of thing.

As she makes her way into a clearing a vague sense of familiarity comes over her. She recognizes this particular area for some reason. There's a decimated structure about 20 meters away from her with debris blown out around the perimeter. It looks as though something had blown it up. It's nestled against a natural hill that creates a wall along the outside.

As she gets closer, she catches the faintest scent of something familiar, but she can't quite place it. Then, she hears sniffling coming from somewhere within the building. As she gets closer, she takes measured steps, never removing her eyes from in front of her.

Something about this moment seems familiar too, it's like déjà vu.

When she reaches the building, she places her hand on what's left of the nearest wall as she steps over some debris. The sounds of crying get louder when she finds a heavy wooden table covered in a tattered cloth. As she inches forward, she can tell that it's where the sound is coming from.

Adora lifts the fabric to find a small body, a large mane of wild hair, and a pair of mismatched eyes. When the little being hisses in Adora's face, she drops the cloth from being startled along with a gasp.

That can't be right!

Adora lifts the cloth again and the little version of Catra has disappeared.

Her heart is hammering within her chest. She just saw Catra, but not the right one, although it does seem like it is the right one.

Adora's head is swirling with confusion and concern. She sniffs at the air to confirm the scent of her long time friend, but it's faint. Just as faint as before when she was outside of the building.

The house isn't small by any means, but most of the place is visible from this one spot she's standing in. She turns her head on a swivel to look around as best as she can. When her eyes come back to the table in front of her, she's face to face with a teenage Catra sitting on top of the table. Her hair is a mess and her freckles have never been so on display. It catches Adora by surprise again and by the time she reaches out to touch, Catra disappears right in front of her eyes.

The alpha lets out a deep groan in frustration. She's feels as though she's being messed with. It must be this stupid forest. It's been known to play tricks on people before. She just didn't know things like this could be possible.

When Adora smells the air once more to get an idea of the source of her frustration, she gets the deepest inhale of the most intoxicating scent that's ever flooded her brain. She tries to get an understanding of where it's coming from. It feels like she's surrounded by it, though. Like Catra is right here, but just out of her line of sight.

Before she knows it, as she taking another chance to sniff the air, arms wrap tightly around her torso. Her eyes shoot open in alarm, heart beating out of her chest as she gets ready to evade the intruder, but when she looks down and sees the same dark hair under her chin her heart does a 180.

After an alarming moment without response, Catra looks up into Adora's shocked expression. "Hey, Adora."

The look of pure joy crosses Adora's face as she finally pieces together that Catra is really here! She quickly wraps her arms around Catra and slams their bodies together, like if she were to press them together just right, then they might fuse. "Catra! Wh-what are you doing here?"

"We're dreaming, dummy."

Oh.

Well, that explains a lot, Adora thinks.

A wince and hiss come from Catra as she lurches her body away from Adora. The feline grasps at her abdomen and confusion and worry find their way onto Adora's face. "What is it?" the blonde asks.

Another groan comes from Catra's throat. "Fuck, there's no escaping it."

"What!? Catra, what is it?" Adora repeats more urgently this time.

Catra pulls away fully now, and as much as it pains Adora, she lets the other woman get some space. The feline looks up into baby blue eyes and the sight makes her want to burst into tears. How can she tell her best friend that she's in heat, of all things, and that she hasn't been able to stop thinking about Adora ramming and filling up her insides.

The incessant throb begins to pound within. It does seem duller than in reality, but it's not giving her much relief.

Adora just stands there in object horror as her friend just wordlessly holds her abdomen, clearly in pain. "Catra," she says pleadingly.

The tone of Adora's voice is what breaks her out of her own shock. She turns and looks back at Adora and can see the turmoil and fear bubbling on her face. That's when she reaches for her cheek with her left hand, the other still firm on her stomach. "It's okay, it's just… I have to talk to you about something."

Adora's heart fills with more fear at the words. It's nothing anyone wants to hear because it's usually followed by bad news. But she puts on a brave face and nods in affirmation at her friend.

"I uh… the Horde has been feeding us suppressants our whole lives." Catra chances a glance back at Adora, then looks away to make it easier to continue talking. "Since I've been away and eating normal food, my body uh… has gone through some things. And there's other shit, too. But I don't know how much time we really have. I just… Adora I'm in heat." Catra's voice breaks at the end. For some reason she feels great shame. Like her body is weak and betraying her. All her thoughts feel like they're being screamed out loud into the ether – especially with how badly she wants Adora.

The blonde's brow shoots further up her forehead as she registers what Catra is saying. Then, it clicks what Catra is saying. She's an omega in heat.

"Fuck, Adora…" Catra's words catch Adora off guard and she escapes the trance she was in to look down at Catra. The feline's eyeline is lower, much lower, down Adora's body. And that's when she notices. It must've happened while she was worrying about Catra's abdominal pain, but plain as day, she's sporting a large bulging erection between her legs.

"Shit, Catra I'm sorry." The blonde moves to put her hands over top of herself to hide from the embarrassment. Her best friend just confided in her about something she's having a difficult time dealing with, and Adora just goes and gets and erection. What the hell?

"Don't be…" is all Catra quietly says as her eyes refuse to move from the spot. Catra slowly reaches for Adora's hands.

The blonde is caught off guard. She appreciates Catra's understanding, and as she holds Adora's hands, something finally registers. The scent of Catra's arousal is clear as day.

This new information is incredibly intoxicating, and while Adora is staring into Catra's hair as this all seems to click simultaneously, Catra's hand has wandered to her thigh, right next to her member.

Adora looks down quickly as she lets out a sharp gasp from the sudden stimulation, but Catra pulls back as she's afraid she's overstepped.

Catra feels so stupid. Why is she letting these urges control her? Adora doesn't owe her anything, especially to satisfy some sick fantasy that she has. But she's caught as off guard as Adora had been.

The alpha reaches down and grabs the feline's hand. Adora can sense how badly her alpha is screaming at her to mate and fuck Catra, but that isn't her choice. She's heard stories about alphas losing control and being overtaken by the beast within. That won't be her, she's decided. She won't hurt Catra like that. She can't. So, her cock throbs beneath the fabric, begging to be set free, but she abstains. Instead, she brings Catra's hand to her lips and kisses her in the gentlest way she can muster.

Catra's lip quivers as she watches Adora kiss her hand. The act itself is tame, but the omega inside of her is screaming out for her mate. Everything is making her want to burst into tears. The pain, the intimacy, the vulnerability that she's allowed Adora to witness. It's all just so much. She's not sure if this would be possible if they weren't out here alone.

As Adora watches the few tears escape Catra's beautiful eyes, she pulls the woman closer to her body in the tenderest of ways. But Adora's bulge is kind of in the way, and it doesn't make the embrace uncomfortable, but it does cause a distraction.

Catra groans deeply at her body being pressed up against Adora's cock. Her insides are screaming for Adora to take her right here where they stand, but she doesn't know where Adora's head is at. Sure, they've done some hardcore body rubbing, but they haven't taken those next few steps, or crossing that unrecoverable line. The whine that comes from Catra's mouth is pitiful and she hates herself for it, but it gets Adora's attention.

"Are you okay? Do you want to stop?" the blonde asks as she begins to pull away, but Catra clutches firmly at her back – nails digging pretty sharply into Adora's skin. "Oh… okay," the words come out breathless as a pulse from her cock can be felt between the two of them.

Catra moans again, then looks up at Adora questioningly. It's implied, but she doesn't want anything to be misconstrued. "Adora… I need you."

As soon as the words are out of her mouth Adora pulls Catra forward into a searing kiss. The pair gasp at the same time and slowly melt into each other.

Catra's hands drop first as she hurriedly reaches straight down into Adora's pants. She finds what she's looking for immediately and as she grips it gently Adora stops breathing altogether. The member in her hand is firm and throbbing. She explores every inch of Adora's cock as she rubs her fingers up and down the entire length. She has no knowledge of what she's doing, but can tell, that by Adora's scent, she's doing something right. She slides up her cock with a gentle touch and squeezes at the base where her knot would form. The idea of Adora knotting Catra makes her mouth water and her walls clench. She looks up into Adora's face and revels in the amount of pleasure she's eliciting with just the touch of her hand. Catra stands up onto her toes as she lightly kisses Adora's neck. As she does so, she continues lightly stroking Adora and scent marking her cheek.

A guttural groan leaves Adora's mouth and it causes a cascade of events to occur in Catra's body.

Catra looks up at Adora's face to make sure they're communicating, "can I?" she asks as she tugs on the waist of the blonde's pants.

Adora nods eagerly, and just as quickly her pants are pulled down past her ass until she's sprung free from the confines. Adora groans at the release of pressure on her swollen cock. The air hits it and reveals just how sensitive she is right now.

Catra looks.

She looks wholly and unapologetically as she stares down at Adora's cock. It's almost like what she pictured, but so much better and so much sexier. It's Adora's and not some picture in a lecture from the Horde. It's already leaking some fluid as she stares at it, then her walls clench down on nothing, and it reminds her what she wants more than anything in this moment. She wants to slide Adora's cock so deeply inside of her that she claims Catra entirely, fully.

But she stops her selfish desires as she continues to just stare. A knot already begins forming at the base.

Adora can sense Catra's hesitation and starts to worry. She starts talking herself into a ramble, "uh, yeah, it's um. New, and weird looking…"

But Catra's soft whisper cuts her off, "it's beautiful."

The feline can no longer maintain her own composure as she drops to her knees. The omega inside of her is screaming for Adora to penetrate and fuck her into oblivion – especially with her large knot already forming in Catra's palm – but Catra wants more than that. She wants to please Adora. She wants to bring her pleasure.

Adora is a moment away from asking Catra what she's doing when the feline kisses the tip of her cock and begins mouthing sweetly all over her. Adora nearly falls over from the alarming, yet blissful, sensation and plants a strong arm up against the nearest wall behind her.

Catra gently licks and kisses Adora's cock, and as soon as she elicits that same wonderous pleasure onto Adora's face, she can't get enough. There's nothing in the world that she wouldn't do to see that face. So, she continues. She inserts Adora's throbbing tip into her mouth as she gently lavishes it with her tongue. It makes Adora's hips jerk, and it's pulled out of her mouth, but Catra looks up to see Adora's lidded eyes and open mouth just begging her to put it back in. So, she does, and her omega is grateful, and she is proud. No one can do this but me, she thinks. I'm making Adora feel like this.

The amount of control Catra has over Adora in this moment is as intoxicating as her delicious taste. It's like she's on top of the world when she's satisfying Adora like this. She's making her lose control. Adora never loses control. She's always been so keen of her actions and her words. But this time, it's Catra's turn. She's going to make her lose control in the best of ways.

Adora can hardly breathe. Each time she tries, Catra's devilish tongue steals it all over again. She almost feels like she could pass out, so she changes tactics and takes deep breaths to make sure that doesn't happen. The last thing she wants is for this to end because she was reckless.

Catra tries to get more of Adora inside of her mouth while still working her tongue. This makes Adora grip the wall behind her with both arms to keep herself upright. Her body is stretched thin as it leans most of her weight against the wall. The lewd noises coming from the alpha's mouth are invigorating and they're motivating Catra to never stop, no matter if she can breathe or not.

The hand Catra's been using to hold the rest of Adora's cock stable starts to gently squeeze the length of her throbbing member and Adora just keeps making noises. From deep guttural groans that flood Catra's lips with her own arousal, to breathy 'ah's that she can't quite keep down while she's panting for air. It's all so much and so wonderfully sexy.

Catra slides her hand between her legs to feel the wetness there. The absence of her hand, however, draws the blonde's attention and she watches as the feline touches herself. The action is captivating and Adora watches with baited breath.

When Catra pulls her hand back out, wet with her own slick, Adora reaches down and grabs her hand roughly as she thrusts two fingers in her own mouth.

Catra's eyes blow wide open as she watches the alpha above her taste her for the first time.

Adora moans around the pair of fingers as she slips them in and out of her mouth – her tongue laving over every spot. When the blonde is satisfied, she drops Catra's hand and brings hers back up to the wall to brace herself.

Catra's mouth had stopped working while she witnessed the most erotic thing she'd ever seen. But when she realizes that Adora isn't being pleasured, for even a moment, Catra kicks it into high gear. She rubs her wet lips again to find the slick there and brings her hand back up to Adora's cock. She squeezes and sucks on Adora's cock, causing the blonde's legs to shake beneath her.

"Oh, Catra! Stars! Yes!" Adora cries out.

As Catra squeezes over Adora's enlarging knot some hot liquid begins to shoot small spurts into her mouth. Catra loves the taste because this is what Adora tastes like. It's completely erotic and pleasurable. She can't imagine a life without her.

"Shit! Catra, fuck! Oh, shitshitshit!" she cries out.

But then it all comes to a crashing end. Adora groans, her face red from the pressure of her pleasure and hot liquid shoots into Catra's mouth. It's alarming, but not unwelcomed.

Then, the blonde just disappears.

The hot liquid has drenched Catra's face, and this aching feeling of emptiness fills her insides. The tears fill up her eyes as this inexplicable pain slashes through her heart. She's gone again, Catra thinks bitterly. It's at one of the worst possible times. She feels so alone as she begins to curl in on herself. Then, the thundering clouds above her begin to drench her in rain.

Adora startles awake as she feels the shaking and throbbing of her body losing control. Her cock is pounding with pressure as she releases every bit of cum she can muster – that Catra brought forth from her. Her hips jerk upwards as the fabric of her sheet rubs on the tip of her cock. It provides enough stimulation to ride out her orgasm.

It takes far too long for her body to work its' way through the sensations. She closes her eyes and imagines seeing Catra's mouth over her member and it throws a deep shudder through her whole body.

A breath finally makes its' way into her lungs as the moment passes. Her shorts are a mess and sticky with her cum.

Finally, everything comes shattering down. She wrenches her eyes closed tightly and cries at the loss of her mate.

The darkness of her room inside the Horde is suddenly so suffocating. She reaches up and grabs at her blonde hair, hoping that the pain will bring her back down from the clouds she was just surfing in.

Adora kicks her legs over the side of the bed and rests her feet on the cold floor. It feels so grounding, and yet also not enough.

A groan escapes her mouth as a final few spasms course through her cock and it begins to soften.

After a few deep breaths, Adora can finally reorient herself to reality. The fuzzy memory of Catra going down to do… that passes by in glimpses, but the pain from her loss is beginning to erupt.

Catra is in heat, she remembers.

The thought ignites a grumbling sound deep within her chest. Adora has never really been one to lose her cool, except when it comes to Catra. There's something about her being in heat and not within arms reach that starts grating on Adora's nerves. The worry is building, because she knows what alphas do when they can smell an omega in heat. Her eyes begin to shift around the room as the worry begins to consume her.

They will want her, she thinks.

They'll… claim her, her alpha supplies.

This just will not do. Adora's alpha is seconds away from forcing her to transition, but she gets to her feet. The hormones and instincts are really challenging to fight, but she must do this. For Catra. She can't just become a monster and hope to escape the Horde undetected.

That's what she'll do. She has to do it. She must leave. It's the only clear choice.

Adora's feet are moving before she can reconsider as she makes her way over to the showers. She'll wash up, get dressed, get Scorpia and a skiff and they'll be on their way to Brightmoon.

No matter what it takes, she growls from within.

She throws her clothes off as soon as she hits the locker room and then makes her way straight into the water. She doesn't even wait for it to heat up. The cool temperature feels incredible on her searing skin.

It's a little shocking as it drips down her torso and on her semi-formed cock, but it quickly retreats as the blood rushes upwards towards her core.

After a quick wash she makes it out and walks over to the clean clothes that she brought with her.

A noise comes from the half-darkened side of the room and Adora quickly darts her gaze to the source as she moves to slip on her underwear.

"What's up, Adora?" Demetria asks coyly.

The blonde's face falls at the voice, but she continues to get dressed.

Demetria's eyes trail up Adora's body, "damn, if you weren't an alpha…" the sentence cuts off as she finally meets Adora's face. She's met with rolling eyes. "Seriously, though. What are you doing awake?"

"Why do you care?"

"Just curious, you don't usually shower this early." The other woman's demeanor reminds her of something Catra used to do, but it isn't as natural or smooth. Nonchalant isn't her brand no matter how hard she tries to make it so.

"Yeah, something came up. I need to leave," Adora says this and notices the immediate changes in the alpha's facial expression.

"You're leaving?" Demetria tries to keep her voice cool and collected, but Adora can hear an eagerness in it. She's up to something.

"Yes, make sure you don't tell Shadow Weaver. She'll probably try to stop me, or something," Adora is no fool. She's been able to connect some of the dots.

The blonde sat there thinking back to everything. How she always pushed herself to do her best just to keep the heat off Catra. She thought that maybe if she was good enough, then she could save them both from the repercussions. But Catra was always getting in trouble. "It doesn't matter what I do, Adora. She's got it out for me." Had been the feline's response to a barrage of questions after one particularly nasty encounter with Weaver. Adora never believed her. She just thought that Catra brought it all on herself.

But Weaver knew.

She knew Adora would work harder so that Catra wouldn't be punished as badly, or that she wouldn't be punished at all. Weaver was always trying to separate them and even told Adora to stay away from Catra because she was such a bad influence. What if she was doing that now…? Using Catra to manipulate Adora, she thought.

The lightbulb finally shined brightly as Adora somehow put all the pieces together. It was staring her in the face for years! But she never saw it. She was too close to the situation, and it all just looked so simple from the outside. But Shadow Weaver was doing it from the beginning. She was using them against each other.

The blood drained from her face and her heart dropped into her stomach. How could she have been so stupid!? Every interaction from their childhood raised to the surface as she began to question her entire reality of events. Had she actually been manipulated her whole life? To be stronger, better, faster so she could save Catra, but Weaver was using it to her advantage?

Adora stood from the bed, her breaths were coming in shallow and ragged. She couldn't believe this! How could she let this happen for so long? How could she not see it, or believed Catra when she told her? It was never her fault. It was always Shadow Weaver. She tried to pit them against each other, but their love was so strong. They cared for each other too much to let it break them apart.

Now they are apart, and it's all Adora's fault. She listened to Weaver and this corrupt system for so long. It's maddening.

Scorpia reached out a hand to steady Adora. "Woah, buddy. Just take a breath. What's going on?"

"This whole time. She never cared about Catra. It was only just to use me." She sounded a little breathless as she spoke.

The memory is vivid in her mind's eye as the adrenaline pumping through her makes every thought crystal clear. She knows what she's doing.

"Definitely, Adora. I won't. It's between you and me." Demetria gives her a gentle smile that's uncharacteristic of her – which means it's definitely working.

"Great, thanks. I have to get going now."

"Where are you heading?" she asks abruptly.

"I don't know yet, but I have a feeling it might be somewhere in Thaymore." Adora feels bad for the town she just threw under the bus, but it'll help throw off her scent for just long enough to get a head start.

"Goodluck, Adora."

"Thanks," there's a sickening feeling in her stomach at the knowledge that Demetria is just a tool of the system that groomed Adora. It makes acid rise in her throat. She leaves after getting dressed and heads to Scorpia's room.

Adora lightly knocks on the door. She hopes that the alpha is sleeping deeply so she can make it out on her own accord, but after a few moments the door swings wide open. "Adora?" Scorpia asks as she rubs at her eye.

"Scorpia, I'm going to go get Catra on my own. No interferences. Will you come with me?" Adora asks.

"Oh, gosh. I don't know. This is so sudden."

Adora's face softens at her friend's response. She knows this is a lot for so early in the morning, but she has to do this. "Listen, I'm going to find her. I have to. She's in heat, Scorpia."

The other woman's eyes widen comically, "oh wow! Okay, um, yeah maybe I should stay back to keep an eye on things. I could always try to contact you if something comes up?" the question in her voice is clear.

"Thank you so much Scorpia," she swallows the knot rising in her throat. "You're a good friend."

The pair both sport shimmering eyes as they give each other a tight hug before parting.

Adora is going to get Catra and she's going to protect her and never let her go again. Her face is full of determination as she takes a skiff out of the bay after punching in a quick code into the monitor. The machine glides away nearly silent into the pitch black of the night.

A/N

Let's goooo! I'm already working on my next fic and I'm so excited to share it. I want to post it after majority of it is written so I can update on a regular basis :)