“And what would that plan be?”
“I don’t like to count my chickens before they hatch, but I think I know exactly who I want for my heat.”
“Are they aware of this?” Dr. Gwynn asks.
“Not yet, but I’m working on it.”
“I’m going to give you some literature on suppressants, Heat Haven, along with some other heat information so that you’re prepared. If you are ever in danger, feel unsettled and need help, the clinic is here to assist in any way. I understand your decision to be unmedicated, but there are dangers with being fully unmedicated and unbonded.”
“I’ll work on the bonding part too.” Sloane smiles at Dr. Gwynn, who smiles right back.
“I’m sure you’ll have no problems. I’d still like to check in with you frequently to see how you are doing and to make sure that nothing changes.”
Sloane nods and hops off the table. “Thank you.”
Dr. Gwynn hands her all the material she needs, and Sloane gives me a conspiratorial smile before leaving the office completely.
“You didn’t push her to take a higher dose suppressant?” I ask Dr. Gwynn as we head back to her office.
“No, I didn’t. The world constantly tells Omegas that they know what’s best for them, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Omegas function based on instinct, and people could learn a lot from listening to what their body tells them. Ms. Applegate is completely secure in her designation and who she is. I don’t doubt the first Alpha she tells to bite her won’t take the opportunity in a heartbeat. More physicians need to listen to the patient before jumping to conclusions. If she finds it’s too much, she will come in for suppressants. Our job is to put the patient's mental and physical health above all else. Someone like Ms. Applegate is likely to not do well on suppressants.”
“But what if she goes into heat?”
“She has Alphas in mind already, and if that doesn’t work out, we’ve given her secondary options. Our job is to provide information, make sure the patient is safe, never to force our opinion on them. Like I said, their body knows best, and we should trust it.”
I smile and nod. This is the type of medicine I want to practice. Actually listening to the patient, getting to understand their lives, and making choices based on multiple factors. This is where I belong, and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for everything that had happened in the last few months. I make a mental note to thank Alexi in every way possible for sending in my application when I get home tonight.
* * *
I’m ready to jump my Alpha’s and Omega’s bones as soon as I walk in the door after my first day, where I get home at six in the evening and not some God awful hour like when I worked at the hospital.
Instead, I’m greeted by a congratulations banner and all our family and friends in the room. Charlotte, her pack and kids, Sloane, some guys from the team, Lori, and Max. But front and center are Alexi and Owen who engulf me in a big hug.
“I really hope you had a great first day, or this party is super fucked up,” Owen says, and I grab his cheeks and give him a massive kiss.
“It was the best first day.”
I grab a fistful of Alexi’s shirt and bring his mouth to mine. The kiss is far more salacious than it should be, but when he pulls away and blinks down at me, I smile.
“You’re going to be a very happy Alpha tonight,” I whisper as I pull back and go to greet our guests.
“Oh, honey, you’re glowing. Did you have a great first day?” Lori says, giving me a big motherly hug. I hold her tightly before nodding. I give Sloane a look over my shoulder who shrugs before she goes and stands next to Owen's brother Max, introducing herself. The Alpha looks more than pleased to speak with her. I shake my head, and then a familar scent of maple and sugar finds me.
Charlotte wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes. Owen has gotten a lot better about her scent, but I know I’ll need to at least change before the night is over.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Pipes.”
“Thanks, Charles.”
I pull back from the hug, and my petite best friend's eyes are watery as she looks up at me. “Seriously, Piper. Look how far you’ve come. Not even just your new job, but look at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”
“I am really happy,” I say, smiling at her.
She holds my hands and squeezes. “You deserve all of that, you know that, right?”
“I think I’m starting to.” She squeezes me one more time before heading back to her family. Well, except for Katie who runs up and hugs my legs. I pick her up and kiss her cheeks.
“Hey, pretty girl.”
