They're absolutely making everyone in this office uncomfortable. I can see it in the body language of the other patients. The way people are giving them extremely wide berth. The way the receptionist keeps glancing at them nervously and typing faster like she's trying very hard to look busy and non-threatening. There's probably enough intimidating Alpha pheromones saturating that waiting room to make a Beta pass out from the sheer testosterone overload.
And they've only been here for like twenty minutes. Poor receptionist. Poor other patients. This is probably the most excitement this medical office has seen in months.
"Do you get that a lot?" I ask, turning back to Dr. Chen. "Overprotective Alphas in your waiting room?"
She laughs—a warm, genuine sound. "All the time. It's Alpha nature to be overprotective assholes." She says it fondly, like she's dealt with this exact situation hundreds of times. "But it's fine. Especially during the holiday season. I'm sure they're worried about not ruining Christmas with injuries like slip-ups in the living room."
I groan, covering my face with my hands. "Yeah. Slip-ups while practically naked."
The memory comes back in vivid detail. Standing in my doorway in nothing but a towel. Water everywhere. Three Alphas staring. Then running toward the bathroom and eating floor. Not my finest moment.
Dr. Chen laughs harder. "That's pretty spicy. But I'm glad you're okay. Head injuries are no joke."
She pulls up something on her computer, typing quickly with the efficient movements of someone who does this hundreds of times a day. "While you're here, I wanted to discuss your heat suppressants. I see your prescription lapsed about two weeks ago."
Oh. Right. My prescription that I can't afford to refill because I had to choose between suppressants and rent and rent won. The one that ran out at literally the worst possible time and probably contributed to my recklessness at the bar. To the way Theo's scent hit me so hard. To the impulsive decision to fuck him in a supply closet.
Not that I regret that decision. The supply closet thing was amazing. But it was definitely more impulsive than usual for me.
"Are you planning to continue them?" she asks, her tone carefully neutral in that way doctors have when they're trying not to influence your answer but definitely have an opinion.
"I—" I hesitate, fidgeting with the medicine bag in my hands. The paper crinkles loudly in the quiet office. "Honestly? I'm just waiting for my paycheck to pick up more. Money's been tight."
Way to sound pathetic, Reverie. Nothing says 'I'm a functioning adult' like admitting you can't afford basic medication that most Omegas take for granted. Let's just lay out all my financial struggles for the nice doctor to judge.
But actually, money has been really tight. Beyond tight.
I'm working double shifts at the bar when I can get them. Picking up freelance social media work that doesn't pay well but pays something. Eating ramen more nights than not. My bank account has been in double digits for weeks. The suppressants cost eighty dollars a month and that's with insurance. Without insurance they're over two hundred.
Eighty dollars doesn't sound like much. But when you're choosing between that and groceries, between that and the electric bill, between that and having enough gas money to get to work? It's everything.
It's the difference between scraping by and complete disaster.
But Dr. Chen doesn't judge. Doesn't give me that pitying look I've gotten from other medical professionals when discussing my financial situation. Just nods thoughtfully like I've said something completely normal. "What would you say if I told you I don't recommend refilling them right now?"
I blink at her, confused. "Really? Why not?"
Heat suppressants are standard for most Omegas. Especially ones without packs. They're how we function in society without going into Heat every three months and becoming vulnerable and needy and completely dependent on Alphas. Why would she not recommend them?
She leans forward, folding her hands on her desk with the patience of someone who's had this conversation many timesbefore. "I could absolutely refill them for you—it's your choice and your body and I'll support whatever you decide. But I would genuinely want you to consider taking a break from them. Suppressants have side effects that most Omegas don't talk about, and now that you potentially have Alphas around you regularly, those side effects may be triggered in ways that aren't really helpful to your overall health or wellbeing."
Side effects. She's mentioned this before in previous appointments but I never paid attention because I was so desperate to avoid Heats that I didn't care about minor side effects. Headaches? Whatever. Mood swings? I'll deal. Irregular cycles? Better than going into Heat at work or in public.
But maybe I should have been paying attention. Maybe those aren't minor after all.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Think of it like this," she says, using her doctor voice that makes complicated things sound simple. "Beta females who aren't Omegas have periods and go through menopause when they're older, right?"
I nod.
"Similar side effects will occur if you go on and off heat suppressants repeatedly versus taking a break to adjust to having Alphas around you. Your body gets confused. Hormone fluctuations become unpredictable. You might experience mood swings, physical discomfort, irregular Heat cycles that hit harder when they finally come. It's not sustainable long-term."
Mood swings. Hormone fluctuations. Irregular Heats. All things I definitely don't want but have been risking by going on and off suppressants whenever my bank account allows.
"However," she continues, her smile turning slightly mischievous, "if you take a break and let your body adjust to having compatible Alphas nearby, it might trigger a Heatinitially—but the chances of that are actually low if you're being sexually appeased."
She winks.
