I nod, and my shoulders shake with the weight of my exhale. I’m not sure how they aren’t clawing out of their skin with the need to be close to Cove. Somehow, both Ravvi and Damian look significantly calmer than I feel.
It has to be the bond.
If I was able to sense her thoughts and emotions, it would probably help reassure me that she’s okay.
That steels my resolve.
As soon as she’s feeling better, I’m sinking my teeth into that little omega.
The second I spot Cove on the hospital bed, my eyes ache like I could shed actual tears. I haven’t cried since Pops died, but she seems so small and helpless. I much prefer the feisty versionwho tells me to get fucked every time I try to take care of her while she’s sick.
I make a straight shot to the side of the bed while the doctor drones on in the background. McMillan leans against the wall, and if nothing else, it’s nice to know someone Rook trusts has been around while they were discussing her care.
Cove tilts her head up, offering me a tired smile. “Hey, sorry for the scare.”
Something between a laugh and a scoff escapes my lips, and I lean down, palming her cheek. “Jesus Christ, woman. I’ve never been that terrified. Don’t do that shit again.”
She pulls her hand up, running her cold fingers over mine. “I’ll try my best not to.”
She has an IV thingy taped to the top of her hand, and my damn chest gets tight. Logically, I understand she can’t make promises, but my heart can’t handle another scene like what went down tonight.
I was right next to Simon when Ravvi spun around and gave the signal something was wrong. The idiot tour manager was cursing him under his breath, rambling questions about what Ravvi was up to, but when I saw him rip off his guitar, I was already in motion.
The venue security tried to stop me. Though, much like Ravvi, I was a man on a mission.
If something serious hadn’t gone down, I’m sure Simon would have tried to ban me from the tour for stepping out on stage during a show. It was by the grace of God and pure determination that I made it in time to catch Ravvi. Even then, their combined weight nearly dragged me forward, but I planted my feet and put my ass into it.
I almost laugh.
Pops loved that saying.
If I was struggling to lift something, he’d tell me to put my ass into it. Hell if I knew what it meant back then.
Cove pats my hand, drawing me out of my thoughts. “You smell stressed. Why don’t you lie with me while the doctors go over everything?”
That is exactly what I would like to do, but fuck, I don’t want to hurt her. It’s a quick process to drop the bar on the side of her bed, and she scoots over, making room for me.
I get situated, keeping one foot on the floor and stretching one leg out on the bed, but I’m careful not to let my boot touch her clean sheets.
I toss my arm over the top of the bed, and Cove snuggles closer, resting her head against my T-shirt.
Once she’s comfortable, I appraise the room. Damian and Ravvi took the two seats at the end of the bed, and I’m grateful they let me have this moment with her. If I was one of them, I’m not sure I would be so gracious, but I bet the bond adds a layer of comfort that I don’t have.
I’m going to have to get a handle on my instincts.
My entire system is unsettled.
I ache to growl and snarl.
If it was up to my impulses, I would steal Cove away somewhere safe. Rationally, I know this is the safest place for her to be, but again, I’m all out of whack.
All of us twist to study the doctor in eerie unison.
“I’m Dr. Francis. We’ve already gone over all of this with Ms. Nash, but she asked me to recap it with you.” The female doctor steps forward and gestures at the tour doctor. “Dr. McMillan and I checked for signs of illness or infection. All the tests we can run on site were negative, including the cursory pregnancy test. Based on Cove’s symptoms—headaches, nausea, the fainting that occurred tonight—we can take an educated guess about what the cause is. I won’t be able to verify it until I receive herlabs back. There are certain cultures that have to be sent out, since we don’t have the ability to process them in-house.”
“It has to be a reaction to the suppressants, right?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“We believe so.” Dr. Francis nods. “Having a heat cycle is one way an omega’s body signals overall health. Omega systems are set up to experience heats every three months. If they don’t show up on time, it’s a red flag that something is off.”
