"But everyone likes omegas," he argues. "We learned about them in school this year. That's why they're so special, ‘cause everyone likes them. They make our wolves happy."
I don't know what he's talking about because I've been getting attacked by wolves for six months, but I file the information away for later. Maybe I need to break into their schoolhouse before I leave, find a children's book on everything werewolf, 101.
"Not everyone," I say gently.
He nods his head vehemently. "Everyone."
"You're right, Joey. You aren't supposed to hurt an omega. No one is," Orion says, deadly calm. The air thickens with his anger, his scent taking on a sharp edge. Doc clears his throat and quickly intervenes.
"Alright. Thank you, Heather and Joey, for taking over and watching after our new friend here." Joey smiles toothily, and Heather blushes and says goodbye.
It only takes me a second to decide to follow Doc and Orion down the hall, too curious for my own good. Besides, Beep would know if I was in danger.
Doc asks for permission to check over my injuries, so I take a seat at the edge of the bed in the room I woke up in. Might as well take advantage of some free healthcare.
"These healed nicely," he says of my hand and foot, then unwraps the bandage on my face, palpating my cheek. It stings a bit, but nothing like it did. "Your nose repaired well, as did your eye, but there's still some bruising," he comments, more to himself than to me.
Orion makes a strangled sound, and Doc pauses, lifting one ear toward him. Orion walks to the wall and leans against it, then Doc resumes. "I suppose I'll need to brush up on my omega healing. It's been a long time since I've treated one. I am terribly sorry this happened to you, Mona. It was an unconscionable act."
I steal a glance at Orion. His jaw clenches so tight I swear I can hear his teeth grinding, but he says nothing. I know he can feel me looking at him, but he stares at the ground between us. It shouldn't hurt that he won't look up, but it offends my omega.
Her feelings are highly sensitive, and I've never felt her so close to the surface before.
Doc drags a chair over and sits in front of me.
"What should I call you?" I ask.
"Well, my name is Edgar, but most everyone just calls me Doc."
"Is that what you prefer?"
His eyes sparkle, and he smiles warmly. "Yes, Doc is fine. Thank you, Mona. And you remember Orion?"
I look over again. This time, his eyes meet mine, and it's like lightning strikes. I remember this feeling, the first time, in the jail cell. Something rights itself inside me, I feel it shudder across my skin,throughme. Energy crackles between us. He smiles with his eyes, but otherwise keeps himself planted against the wall. Like he's tethering himself away from me on purpose.
"So, I have questions. Are you feeling up to answering a few?"
I give Orion one last look before pulling my attention back to Doc. "You answer mine, I'll answer yours," I say wryly.
Doc smirks. "How did you come to be here? All alone?"
Well, let's see... The voice in my head told me to? The invisible cord in my chest dragged me here? Wolves can sense lies, I've learned, so I answer as honestly as I can. "I felt… compelled to come here. I don't know why."
Doc nods as if that's a perfectly reasonable explanation.
His voice softens as he leans closer. "Your reaction to our Lune—I was hoping you could explain… You must know, he would never hurt you in any way—"
I sit a little taller, startled. "The one who shifted into a black wolf?"
The memory of him standing over the hospital bed, and the other, darker memory, of him in my apartment, and just a little while ago, from my dream—
"That asshole tried tokill me," I grit. My nails bite into my palms, and it keeps me from just saying fuck it and lunging for the door.
Months on the run, and all it did was lead me right back to him.
Calm, Beep says.Listen to Doc. But I'm too pissed to listen.
Doc's mouth drops open in shock, and he sputters, "You must be mistaken—"
