“If Amanda was the woman who summoned me, she is anything but homicidal. You scared her half to death. She triedto wake you and when you didn’t stir, she checked your phone, but there weren’t any helpful contacts in it. Just the college, work, what looked like maybe your landlord…not a single friend.”
And wasn’t that pathetic.
He went on. “She found my card sticking in your apron pocket and called, and I came right over to find you still out of it.”
“Wow, how long was I unconscious?” And how deep if I didn’t even notice all the fuss and getting here?
“Gonna say nearly two hours. Those supplements depleted you. Not lack of one meal. That’s why we have the IV going, although we will give you some food as soon as you feel up to it. How about a protein shake for now?”
“You’re a healer.” It seemed obvious, but I needed to say it. “And you need to know my health insurance hasn’t kicked in yet, and I don’t have any money.”
“I told you when we met that I could get you what you need for free. We operate on a sliding scale here, and nobody is asked to pay for more than they can afford.”
“Still, I should go. I need to get back to work or I won’t have enough money to pay my rent.”
“Your boss is paying you for the whole day, and after you eat, you can go rest in your nest. If you are not up to it tomorrow, she’ll pay you for that as well.”
“I have no nest. There is no nest for omegas like me.”
“Just relax, have something to eat and drink, and with the IV, you should be able to go home later. I’ve prescribed the correct supplements for you, and you can pick them up tomorrow.”
He didn’t address my no-nest comment. Probably recognized me as the unworthy omega I was, but I would acceptthe supplements. There was no other way I could avoid ending up with another pack like the one I’d escaped.
“Thank you.”
“Now, is there anyone you would like me to contact? Someone to help you get home or check in on you?”
“No!” I blurted out before I could even think to stop myself. “Don’t!”
He dropped to one knee in front of me and patted my thigh. “Shh. It’s fine. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. But I would like to talk more to you about this. Everyone needs support, friends… You can call me anytime, all right?”
We talked another moment or two and then a nurse showed up with the protein smoothie they made for me, and I rested in the chair while the IV bag emptied into me. By the time I left, he’d gone off to help others, and I felt much steadier than when I first awoke.
Once again, the goddess had sent help. It was time I took better care of myself. That was, after all, my purpose in coming to this town. At least now, I’d have the supplements to make my choice of lives possible. I’d never call the alpha. Rowan, his name was. I’d learned that from his card. Healer Rowan. He’d already done enough for me. But it was awfully nice of him to offer.
Chapter Eight
Miles
Rowan came in looking like someone ran over his cat. We didn’t have a cat.
“What’s going on?” I asked. Lev and I were making dinner. Rowan’s hours at the clinic varied. Sometimes omegas had to make appointments at odd times of the night or early in the morning. He never turned down one of those requests. He worked himself to the bone helping the omegas in our community.
He was once offered a prestigious position in a fancy hospital, but he declined it in favor of his dream of helping omegas who had fallen through the cracks.
“Let’s talk over dinner. About the omega. I need a shower first.”
Lev and I looked at each other. We were making a chopped salad to go along with the roasted vegetables and sausage meal. We hadn’t talked about Harper since the day Lev brought her up. I’d seen her in orientation and again in passing at the bakery, but I hadn’t had any life-changing experiences with her, so I didn’t bring it up again.
Clearly, Rowan had. He didn’t often fret about things that weren’t important.
We sat at the table after Rowan came out of his room and made our plates in silence.
“What about the omega?” I asked when I couldn’t take the quiet any longer.
Rowan nodded and served himself some salad. “I saw her the other day. A couple of days after Lev brought her up. I wanted to see for myself.”
He hadn’t told us any of this. Rowan kept his feelings to himself most of the time. All of us were heartbroken over not finding our omega yet, but sometimes I thought it hit Rowan hardest.
