Page 37 of Dark Goodbye

“What exactly is going on here?”

“If you let me finish-.”

“I don’t have the time nor the patience for you to beat around the bush. Why is there an omega in heat in my clinic? Is she injured in any way?”

“No, Sir. But she said she had to see you. You specifically.”

Turning to the others, they burst into motion, as if I didn’t already see them craning their necks in hopes to get some salacious gossip. And that’s when it hits me. This is all Jaxxon’s doing. I had hoped what he planned was an exaggeration. But seeing this woman in the throes of need makes it all the more clear that he was deadly serious.

“Put her in a more isolated room. Every staff member is to have their respirators in at all times. No exceptions. The last thing I need is for everyone to lose their fucking minds.”

“What about you?” The nurse scuttles back over to me, file in hand. “She requested to see you… unaided. That way you can see to her affliction.”

Eyes wide, I snatch the folder from her hands and skim it. Fucking Jaxxon. “Do I look like a stud to you? Is that the capacity I am to occupy?”

The others duck their heads, but not before I see the smirks and hear the titters of laughter. Anger burns deep in my gut as I slide my hand inside my lab coat to finger Ladria’s panties. What Jaxxon has done was make a complete mockery of my position as head of the hospital.

“You,” I bark out, pointing to an Alpha Healer. “You’re unmated. Yes?”

“Well, yes, but-.”

“You see to her. This is beyond my scope of practice.”

“But, Alpha Healer,” the nurse buts in, sliding her finger down the words on the chart. “The edict is for you to see to her. By order of the King.”

Grumbling under my breath, I snatch the file away and turn my back to the crowd. Just because Jaxxon orders something, doesn’t mean I have to follow through exactly as he demands. He simply stated to take care of her needs. I can do that and still be faithful to Ladria.

I duck back into the room and start my initial examination. The omega in question is still on the cusp, but not quite in the throes of her heat. Scanning her arm, I pull up her information. First heat. Unfortunately, those are always the hardest.

She shouldn’t be here with me. She should be with an Alpha dedicated to her, wanting to see her through and possibly claim her. In Jaxxon’s mind, that should be me. But it can’t. Ever. My heart and soul belong to Ladria, and no amount of omega pussy will change that.

Adjusting the respirators in my nose, I pull out my otoscope and examine her eyes. When her pupils refuse to constrict, I pull back and slip a thermometer under her tongue. 99.8. Far too close for comfort.

“You there,” I call out to a passing nurse. “I want you to prep one of the old surgery rooms. Take out any equipment that can pose a threat and push it into another one of the rooms. Pile in all the nice linens and fabrics you can find. This area will be off-limits until her heat is broken. Once the room is prepared, take her in and let her nest.”

“Yes, Alpha Healer.”

Pushing back the gathering throng, I make my way to my transport and head straight for Hungry Desires. If anyone has something that can help me, it’s Lady Alpha Marlana. I can only hope she keeps this conversation to herself and doesn’t bring Langston into it.

* * *

The dim lights and thumping music are a far cry from the clinical atmosphere that I just left behind at the hospital. Typically, when I show up, it’s to assist with helping the betas and omegas there and never for myself. And certainly not without prior notice.

Luckily for me, Langston seems to be nowhere to be found. Lady Marlana however, strides over, her face pinched up in concern.

“Alpha Healer. I wasn’t aware that you were coming today. Are you here for business or pleasure?”

“Business.”

“Then, by all means, join me in my office.”

The plush room reeks of opulence and looks like it’s practically dripping with sex. It practically drips with luscious velvets and gold decor. Making my way to a plump settee, I try to keep my mind on the task at hand and not on what I would do to Ladria in a space like this.

“Is everything okay with my girls?”

“As far as I know, yes. But before I begin, I must ask that anything said in this room stays in this room.”

She leans forward until her breasts nearly spill out of her corset. “I am the most discreet woman you will ever meet, Alpha Healer. Now how can I help you?”