“They did some tests, but since I haven’t had one lately, they said they’d wait and see how this one is. You know, every gamma is different and all that.”
His look grew skeptical.
“It’s not always bad. I hope it’s not this time. I just started this job. It’s always hard to explain to bosses when I need time off.” I sighed.
“Why? That’s what health days are for, and they shouldn’t be asking you for specifics. Are your cycles more like alpha lady cycles than omega lady cycles? Like your uterus punishes you for not letting a sexy male omega put a baby in you?” he asked. “That’s how my sister describes it. She takes something for it that she buys at the store. Well, she doesn’t have to now because she let a male omega put a baby in her. But I can ask her what she takes.”
I laughed. “Sounds about right. Yeah, though the punishing is mostly pre-bleeding for me.”
Brennan frowned. “They just told you to wait and see? That doesn’t sound right at all.”
“It might be different now that I’m with alphas–and Evan. Apparently, omegas can influence gamma hormones, in a good way.” If taking Evan to bed with me made my cramps disappear, count me in.
“Okay. Well, if we need to leave, let me know.” His brow remained furrowed.
“I took something, I’m just waiting for it to kick in.” Which hopefully would be soon. I wanted to enjoy myself tonight.
“Have they always been that way?” He frowned.
“Yeah. I mean, I didn’t start having cycles until well into college. I’d already been a bit of a late bloomer, probably because of cheer. And well, apparently everything they did to me at wilderness camp probably disrupted them. It was part of why I was always brushed off. That, and they’re irregular as fuck. The doctors just kept changing my birth control and told me they’d probably get better. But that hasn’t happened. If someone here can figure them out, I’d like that a lot.” I shrugged.
“Maybe you should see a different doctor?” he suggested.
“Maybe?”
We arrived at the Performing Arts Center, which was visually stunning. After valet parking the car, Brennan escorted me in, offering me his arm again.
Like the other dinners I’d been to with them, everyone was done up impeccably. It was fun to see everyone’s beautiful outfits.
A cocktail reception was set up in the lobby. Music played as people drank and talked. Servers passed around trays of food.
“I don’t really want to talk to people, if that’s okay,” he whispered, as we went straight to the bar.
“That’s fine with me. Did you buy us an entire table, but it’s only us, so we don’t have to make conversation?”
“No. We’re part of someone else’s table, though I made a nice donation. But that’s a brilliant idea though.” He ordered a bourbon. I got a whisky smash.
Instead of mingling, Brennan showed me around the center, pointing out works of art and the architecture.
“You’ll love the acoustics in the hall, they’re spectacular,” he added.
We returned to the reception.
“Oh fuck. I think that’s Caroline and her pack,” he muttered, pulling us behind a plant. “Makes sense. Her mom always buys a table for things like this.”
“We just won’t engage and hope she doesn’t see us.” Great.
“Bren, why are you hiding behind a plant?” A pretty Asian woman in a black dress grinned. She was probably Brennan's age and might be an omega.
“Because they frown upon throwing people in the fountain.” He turned toward me. “Grace, this is Kari Jaroff. She’s performing tonight. We used to compete against each other in piano competitions. Kari, this is my packmate, Grace. She needs to learn how to play Volkov properly.”
Kari laughed. “You are so particular.”
“He is.” I giggled. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“There you are. They’re letting us in for dinner.” A large man in a tux wrapped his arms around her. “Hi, Bren.”
“Hi Sam. Sam and I played in a rugby travel league together as kids. This is Grace,” Brennan introduced. “So, Kari became a famous pianist, Sam plays pro rugby, and me…”
