So instead of focusing on my stress, I focus on getting a shower, getting dressed, and processing the samples I took from Gage last night. I tell myself that it’s all about the science as I approach Auryn’s holding cell, my mind set on collecting data.
Emmett growls at me, nearly stopping me before I get to the door.
“It’s not your shift,” he snarls.
“I just need to collect some blood samples from Auryn,” I say. I note as I look at her through the cell doors that she looks fresher. Cleaner. Her hair is wet, and she is dressed in sweatpants and an oversized shirt.
My heart beats erratically, and I am second guessing my extra cup of coffee.
Perhaps I should lay off the caffeine for the time being.
“You couldn’t have collected your data last night?” Emmett says, crossing his arms.
“No,” I say simply, because it’s true. Auryn needed to acclimate, and the top priority was suppressing her heat. Soothing her.
“Get your fucking samples and go,” Emmett says, his voice threatening. I nod, carrying my travel case of supplies as I head to the cell. Auryn’s gaze holds mine as I smile.
“Long time no see,” I say as I punch the code in. When the door opens, I’m acutely aware of Emmett’s eyes burning a hole into my back, but I ignore him.
Because all I can focus on is Auryn and my rapidly beating heart.
And that is a scientific fact.
Chapter 9
Auryn
Two things happen every time Olly looks at me.
One, my entire body reacts to his presence like a lightning rod. In the absence of heat, it’s like a warm, soothing fire. Or what I imagine a warm, cozy fire feels like.
Safe.
The second thing is this unabridged desire to wrap my arms around him and never let him out of my fucking sight. Like he’s the one who needs to be protected.
I’ve never felt like this about anyone.
Then again, I haven’t really spent much time around betas, I suppose. Are all betas like this, or is this an Olly thing?
I’m not sure what to make of it, so I try my best to remain calm. But my insides are twisting, my heart racing as he takes a step towards me. His amber eyes gaze down at me, but he doesn’t make me feel small. Quite the opposite, actually.
When Olly looks at me, I feel ten feet tall.
“I know you detest needles, but …” He sets his case on the small table next to the bed. I watch as he opens it, the motion drawing attention to his forearms that are jutting out from beneath his rolled up white sleeves of his lab coat.
My mind flashes with memories of another doctor, another lab coat. I try to quell the memories, but my body betrays me, and I let out a strangled whimper, digging the heels of my hands into my eyes.
I can hear Emmett’s growl, but Olly’s soft voice pulls my attention.
No, not just his voice…
Smooth hands wrap around my wrists. He pulls them gently away from my eyes, forcing me to look up at him.
A myriad of emotions and feelings surface. Things I don’t understand.
I’m used to this feeling of want.The omega in me always desires because that’s what I was made to do.Desire. Want. Fuck. Breed.
And those feelings are certainly there for the dark-haired, mysterious doctor.
