Memories flooded back. Sitting in the lobby waiting for Lucy to be done with her interview. Feeling so on edge being separated from her, I popped another suppressant. The room spinning around me before everything turned black.
My alpha clawed at my chest.Omega. I need my omega.
Mixed in with the astringent hospital room smells was Lucy’s mouthwatering strawberry garden scent.
I opened my eyes and the room slowly came into focus. I turned my head and there was my girl, asleep in a hard plastic chair, her brow furrowed even in her sleep.
“Lucy.” My voice was a ragged croak, but her eyes flew open immediately.
“Oh my god, you’re awake. How’re you feeling? I should call the nurse.” Her movements were fast and jerky as she looked around the room, clearly disoriented.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
“Where is the nurse button?” Her voice rose with panic. “It’s okay, I’ll just run and get her.”
She turned, but I snagged her hand before she could leave.
“If you leave this room, I’ll chase you down.”
“What? You can’t do that.” She was all indignation, but she moved back to my side at my weak tug.
I scowled. “Why are you here alone?” Why the fuck would Leo and King leave her here alone to sleep in a chair?
“They tried to kick us all out when visiting hours ended since we’re not a bonded pack. I might have, uhh, kicked up a bit of a fuss and King threatened to call a lawyer, so they finally let me stay. King and Leo are waiting in the lobby. They didn’t want to leave you, either.”
She pulled her hand from my grasp and I was too weak to stop her. Instead of leaving, she poured me a glass of water from the jug next to the bed and stuck a straw in it, holding it up to my lips. I took a sip. This was a fucking humbling experience. I should be the one taking care of my omega, not the other way around.
“What happened?” I asked, my voice clearer now.
“You passed out in the lobby and wouldn’t wake back up.” Lucy’s lip trembled and she pressed them tight together. “King and Leo called an ambulance. They ran a bunch of tests, but they wouldn’t tell us anything about the results since we’re not family.”
Fury radiated through me. Lucy, King, and Leo were the best family I ever could have found. They didn’t deserve to be treated like this.
“Oh.” Lucy leaned forward and snagged a plastic button attached to a thick cable from under the pillow. “Here’s the call button.” Shepressed it before I could stop her. I didn’t want anyone else in the room. I just wanted her, preferably curled up on top of me. I needed her touch, her scent, her everything.
The door opened and an older woman in light blue scrubs entered.
“Oh, you’re awake! Great. My name is Gloria and I’m your nurse this evening. Let me call the doctor and check your vitals. How are you feeling?”
Lucy started to move away from my side, but I growled and tightened my hold on her.
Gloria grinned. “Don’t worry, Lucy. I’ll work around you. We know how alphas can be.”
Hmm. She definitely earned some points for being kind to my omega.
“How’re you feeling?”
Like I’ve been hit by a car.“Fine.”
She was taking my vitals when the doctor walked in—a tall beta woman with a short pixie cut.
“Mr.Everett, it’s good to see you awake. I’m Dr.Sinclair.” Her eyes flicked to Lucy. “Would you prefer to talk about your medical care in private?”
“No.”
Lucy shot me a look, but I didn’t care about being rude. No one was separating me from my omega.
Dr.Sinclair was unbothered. “That’s fine. Do you know what caused you to pass out?”
