He hesitates, and I close my eyes. I’m so tired of opening myself up to keep getting smashed in the chest, over and over again.
How many hits can a heart take before it shatters completely?
“If you care at all,” I say, my eyes still closed, “then you’ll give me some peace.”
My bedding shifts as Jax stands up, and there’s a shuffling as they all make for the door. When it closes softly behind them, I try to curl up and get comfortable, but the shooting pain in my leg tells me that’s definitely not the best idea I’ve ever had.
I tussle with the blankets, trying to shift into a comfortable position. The room is too bright, too open. I feel too exposed to rest here.
For the first time, I actually long for my nest at the Cohen house.
A knock at the door is closely followed by a cheery voice. “I hear our newest patient is awake.”
Healer Elio sweeps in, his eyes moving over me in a way that’s purely professional. He purses his lips, making a note on the chart he carries in his hand. We’ve never met before, although he treated my mother when she became ill several years ago. She’s always spoken about him in glowing terms.
“Now, then,” he sets the chart down, approaching and feeling my forehead. “No fever any longer, which is an excellent sign. How are you feeling, Ms Michaels?”
I decide on blunt honesty. “Like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
He gives me a half-smile, his eyes narrowing. “You seem to have had an interesting few weeks. I’ve just gotten off the phone with Ollena Hayward.”
I blanch. Why is he talking to the head of the Omega Hub?
When he sees my panic, he holds up a hand placatingly. “Nothing to concern yourself with.” His tone is reassuring, firm, and I settle back against the pillow. “She was just concerned for your health, given… recent events.”
Like my Soul Bonded throwing me over at our Bonding Ceremony for a redheaded psychotic beta bitch with ridiculously good bone structure.
He studies me closely, and when I don’t respond, he opens up my chart. “All of your bloodwork is coming back clear, but you were very, very ill, Ms Michaels. Ollena is concerned – as I am – that your pack is not treating you appropriately.”
My throat turns to dust as I read between the lines. “You’re taking me away from them?”
He frowns. “I wish I could. But unfortunately, we’re still bound by the law. And it’s very clear that there are only a few, specific situations in which that can happen.”
The tension lining my muscles releases, and Elio picks up on my relief, raising an eyebrow.
“You want to stay?” he asks. He’s unusually direct in his approach. I kind of like it.
Turning his question over in my mind, I fidget with the bedding. “It’s not as simple as that.”
Nobody knows that we’re Soul Bonded, and as much as I like the healer watching me with concern on his lined face, I want to keep it that way.
His eyes narrow, lips pursing in consideration. “You’re Helena’s daughter, aren’t you?”
When I nod, his face turns considering. “I’ve always been very intrigued by your parents,” he says quietly. His eyes don’t move as I stiffen up. “Soul Bonding. It’s such a rarity, but I’ve often wondered if it might be genetic.”
Fuck, this alpha is perceptive. I force my face to stay as neutral as possible and stay completely quiet. I don’t want to lie to him.
Elio tilts his head to the side. “There are very few records on Soul Bondings. But one thing that we do know, is that Soul Bonded cannot be separated. It causes physical pain, particularly for the omega. In extreme cases, it can cause the organs to shut down completely.”
Well, shit. I try not to sweat as he peers at me.
“Well,” he says at last, offering me a small smile. “I’m glad that’s not something we need to worry about, given the current… situation.”
He frowns again as he looks around the empty room. “I’m surprised they haven’t stayed.”
“They’re… they’re not outside?”
When he shakes his head, my throat tightens up. I asked them to give me a little space, but they went home.
