Dr. Stetson clears his throat and winces, when all our gazes cut to him.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but unfortunately, I think Griffin will be the only one who can bite you tonight.”
Just my luck. I knew it was too good to be true.
“What? Why?” Mirabelle says, squeezing my hand and sitting up further in bed.
A low growl leaves Griffin’s throat and he tugs the fuzzy blanket up to Mirabelle’s neck, more than covering her decency.
She lets out a returning sound of frustration, slapping Griffin’s fussing hands away and focusing her attention on the doctor.
“Because of how that call went with Mr. Mercer,” Dr. Stetson sighs. “I do hope that one day, you’ll be able to explore all therelationships you want to, but for now, your safety is of my utmost priority. And if we go against Mr. Mercer’s wishes, that safety of yours is jeopardized.”
“So he only approved Griffin biting her?” I ask, pushing myself up to my feet.
“Yes, that’s right. Reluctantly at that. But I made it clear that it was the choice between a bonded omega and no omega at all.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “Then that’s how it has to be, we’ll?—“
“No!” Mirabelle says. Her perfume practically explodes out from her, a swirling storm of sugary, syrupy sweet strawberry jam, spicy with her frustration. It’s a version of her perfume I’ve never scented before. Maybe because I’ve never actually been around her when she’s angry. “Did he—did he explicitly say Rowan can’t bond me? What if Rowan hides the bondmark? Will anyone be able to tell?”
Dr. Stetson’s brows raise in surprise, but he nods slowly, thinking over her question.
“He didn’t. I don’t think the thought occurred to him. It was more so just clearance for one bite, from Griffin,” Dr. Stetson says, nodding towards the alpha. “Theoretically, no one would be able to tell for a while, because the changes to his scent would be quite slow and other than the bondmark itself, that’s the only noticeable marker.”
“Then I’m biting him today too,” Mirabelle insists, reaching out and squeezing my hand.
“There would need to be precautionary measures set up to make sure that... physical intimacy didn’t accelerate the bond forming between the two of you.”
“What do you mean?” Mirabelle’s brows draw down in confusion.
“That means Rowan can’t fuck you, Sweetheart,” Griffin murmurs, his arms wrapped around her and keeping the blanket covering her from Dr. Stetson’s gaze firmly in place.
Despite how intensely devoted toMirabelle’s care he’s been throughout the past week, there’re certain things that remind me that he still is a hot-blooded, nearly feral alpha.
“Yes, that’s right,” Dr. Stetson nods.
Mirabelle’s bottom lip pops out in the most adorable pout ever.
“What about things other than that?” She says.
“It would be unfair of me to say that you shouldn’t have any physical contact with him, especially because the likelihood that you’ll have access to your other bondmate at all the times you’d need him are slim,” Dr. Stetson says.
“So it’s okay,” she says, seemingly insistent on figuring out the rules of this situation.
“It is.”
“Okay. That’s good,” she nods.
“That all you’ve got for us, Doc?” Griffin drawls.
“Yes.”
“Then, respectfully, get the hell out.”
CHAPTER 35
Mirabelle
