“I can’t believe she worried that we would try to control you,” Noah jokes, squeezing my knee. “If anything, I should be the one worried. I mean, you did take a chunk out of my shoulder without asking permission first.”
I cover my face with my hands, genuinely mortified. “Oh my god, please stop talking.”
Noah laughs, reaching for my wrists and gently pulling my hands away from my face so he can look me in the eye. His expression softens, becoming more serious.
“You know, I’m still waiting for you to ask me to return the favor,” he says quietly.
I blink at him, momentarily confused. “Really?”
“Any time, any place,” he confirms, his thumb brushing over my pulse point.
Behind me, Grayson leans in, his breath tickling the back of my neck as he nibbles at the sensitive skin there. A shiver runs down my spine at the contact.
“Just don’t leave the rest of us out next time,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that I feel more than hear.
A wave of warmth moves through my body that has nothing to do with embarrassment. They want to claim me too—to complete our bonds during my next heat.
“Like my next heat?” I ask, my voice coming out breathier than intended.
Noah leans closer, his eyes darkening as he glances at my lips. “It’s a date,” he whispers before closing the distance between us.
His kiss is gentle but full of promise, and I melt into it, momentarily forgetting about my mother just down the hall with Kai. When we break apart, I’m slightly dazed, my thoughts scattered by the intensity of his gaze.
Grayson’s arm tightens around my waist, a silent reminder of his presence, of his claim on me as well. I lean back against his solid chest, feeling completely surrounded and protected by my alphas.
THIRTY-NINE
HOLLY
Case dismissed.
I read the words in my email for the fifth time, still not quite believing they’re real. Even though I heard the same verdict during the virtual hearing yesterday, seeing it in black and white makes my heart race.
“Congratulations again, Dr. Chang.” My lawyer’s voice crackles through my laptop speakers. “This is a significant victory, not just for you, but potentially for omega physicians everywhere.”
I nod, trying to process the magnitude of what’s happened. “I still can’t believe they ruled in my favor so quickly.”
“Don’t underestimate the power of public opinion.” She shuffles some papers on her end of the Zoom call. “Once the story broke about Ryder Greythorn’s contamination scheme and your role in exposing it, the board couldn’t very well punish the ‘Hero of Heat Mountain’ without facing serious backlash.”
I wince at the nickname the local paper gave me. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
“Not quite over,” she corrects. “This is just the beginning. Your case has opened the door for a larger conversation aboutdesignation discrimination in medical licensing. I’ve already had calls from three other omega medical students who’ve been hiding their status.”
Pride and responsibility settle on my shoulders in equal measure. “Keep me updated on how I can help them.”
“I will. For now, enjoy your victory. You’ve earned it.”
We end the call, and I push away from the desk in Kai’s office, my mind spinning. I should be ecstatic. I am ecstatic. My career isn’t over. I can be both an omega and a doctor. I’ve won.
So why does my skin feel too tight? Why is my heart racing? Why do I feel like I’m about to crawl out of my own body?
I press my palms against my flushed cheeks, the answer obvious because I’ve been anticipating it for days.
My heat is about to start.
The thought sends a shiver of anticipation and anxiety through me. I’ve been preparing for this, of course. We all have. But preparation and reality are very different things.
I make my way down the hallway toward the heat suite, my steps quickening as my body seems to recognize where I’m headed. The subtle ache in my lower abdomen intensifies, and I catch myself inhaling deeply, seeking the scents of my alphas.
