There’s always a but, right?
A door opens revealing a small omega with a stylish dark bob and a ring of bonding marks around her neck.
My omega grumbles.
I get it. Honestly. Bonded omegas who work at heat clinics are a particular kind of cruel joke the universe likes to play.
It’s not her fault she’s bonded and we’re not, I silently chide.
“I’m Alice.” She reaches across and shakes my hand. “I can see you are nervous,” she continues, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear and giving me what I think is meant to be a comforting smile. “There’s no need. You are in complete control here.”
I roll my eyes. Internally, of course.
She sits and taps on her tablet screen. “Your records indicate a difficult heat history.”
I grimace. “Yes. They are typically long and painful. I tried to ride the last one out alone but I only ended up making myself very ill.”
Her mouth dips in a sympathetic frown. “Yes, heats are generally harder when alphas aren’t involved.”
I nod.
“What about the ones before that?”
I tighten my hands on the arms of my chair. “Um, before that a friend’s pack assisted me.” It’s not an unusual solution to heats. Omegas across the world use friends as heat partners to avoid the embarrassment of partnering with total strangers or the pain of going it alone.
She places the tablet on the table. “They were unable to help you last time?”
“They found their omega.” I shrug.
“Yes, that does change things. When they were helping you, how long was your average heat?”
“Five days. But they all worked so they couldn’t be there with me all the time. Maybe it would be different if someone was with me more regularly.”
She considers this. “Maybe, though that’s not always possible with our service. Availability depends on the schedules of the alphas you match with.”
Right. Theservice.
“Can you explain the process to me?” I hate how small my voice sounds. I hate that I can’t seem to help it.
“Absolutely.” She opens a folder on the table in front of her. Then she spears me with large, blue eyes. After a brief moment, they soften.
“Listen, I know this is stressful, but our process was built to give omegas without packs better options than what you would get at the traditional clinics. Heats are better when they’re spent with people you know and can trust. We can’t help you find your mates, but we can help ensure you are treated respectfully and are partnered with alphas you like and are attracted to.”
“The website was light on the wholegetting-to-know-youpart.”
She smiles, a genuine one this time. “Ah yes, the infamousContact Us for More Informationclause.”
She turns a glossy paper filled with lists and check marks toward me. “We have three options for you to choose from.” Pointing a manicured finger at line one, she begins. “Our basic option allows you to review alpha bios and scent profiles, then pick the ones of interest. If the alphas are also interested, then we can schedule them for your heat.”
I cringe. This option is only moderately better than the traditional heat clinics where unknown alpha volunteersserviceomegas during their free time.
Hard pass on option one.
“And the second?”
“I thought you would say that. Almost no one chooses that one.”
She slides her finger to the second column. “This is our most popular package. In addition to reading bios and choosing the ones ofmost interest, you can also message the alphas in our secure Riverside Elite app. It allows alphas and omegas a chance to get to know one another personally before experiencing the intimacies of heat.”
