Chapter 29
Jensen
It’s been one of those crazy weeks that usually only happen to other people. Alfie has hardly left my side. He’s been utterly adorable and extremely attentive. I mean, yes, he’s been a little overprotective, but I can’t say I mind.
He’s called the doctor out to check on me no less than three times in as many days.
The first time was because I said I was a little warm.
I was warm. I was sweating under the pile of blankets he insisted on wrapping me in.
Alfie flew into a panic, concerned that I had a life-threatening fever.
The next time, I politely declined an offer of a cup of tea.
He immediately bolted into the hall, bellowing for Mrs. Thompson to call the doctor back again.
I overheard him telling her in hushed tones that he believed I was delirious as a result of my exposure to the elements.
Yesterday, I sneezed when I opened an old book in the library, and Alfie became convinced I had contracted pneumonia despite not having even a mild cough.
As soon as he arrived, I could tell Doctor Saltzman’s sense of humor about the situation had failed.
There was a mild snafu between him and Alfie after he listened to my chest and declared me well.
Alfie accused him of not taking my pneumonia seriously and threatened him with legal action, among other things, if my condition worsened.
“Christ above,” Doctor Saltzman muttered, clearly using a considerable amount of energy not to roll his eyes.
“I can’t say I’ve ever had to tell an alpha this before, but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.
” He fixed his gaze on me for a beat, his expression turning sympathetic, and then turned to Alfie with meaning.
“Aside from his ankle, which is healing better than expected, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Mr. Lawlor.
You have my word on that. He is quite well.
” He raised his hand, pointing directly at Alfie so there was no confusion about who he was talking to.
“You, on the other hand, my lord, appear to be headed for a rut.”
Alfie’s mouth dropped open, eyes stretching wide. “But, but I don’t do that. I don’t go into rut.”
The doctor’s grumpy facade cracked and his broad shrug was accompanied by an amused glint in his eye. “Well, I’m afraid it’s what happens to alphas—Casanova or not—after prolonged exposure to a highly compatible omega.”
Alfie did a one-eighty immediately, his cheeks pinkening with pleasure as he pulled me onto his lap and clutched me to his chest like a much-loved toy.
“You think we’re highly compatible?” he cried.
“Oh, thank you. That’s so nice to hear. We think we’re compatible too, but it’s so reassuring to hear it from a medical professional. ”
The doctor sighed and got ready to leave. “Not to worry, Mr. Lawlor,” he said to me. “He’ll return to a semblance of normal as soon as you’re mated.”
I informed Alfie immediately after I found out that we were mates that it’s my intention to go off my suppressant as soon as my ankle is better.
He’s checked with me to see if I’m sure at least a hundred times, but my answer remains the same.
Unwavering. I want to mate with him as soon as humanly possible.
*
The day is done. We’ve made it through—narrowly—without a visit from Doctor Saltzman.
I’m taking it as a win. Everything’s quiet now.
The light is fading, shadows growing long as night creeps in.
Everyone else has left for the day, and Alfie and I are alone.
We’re crammed into my bathroom, crowding each other in the small space.
I’m standing on both feet, bearing my weight without any pain. Aside from a little bruising around the bone, my ankle is as good as new.
There’s only one thing left to do now. Something I can’t wait for.
“I choose to go into heat with you as my partner,” I tell Alfie, leaning up to brush a quick kiss on his lips. Then I turn and stomp on the pedal of the small trash can next to my sink, tossing the strip pack containing what’s left of my suppressant into it.
I watch Alfie’s expression in the mirror as I do it.
His head is tilted down, eyes on the bin on the floor.
His lips are pressed together, chin quivering slightly as I remove my foot and the lid drops closed.
Alfie moves behind me, arms circling me as our eyes meet in the mirror.
Neither of us says a word, but we both know that what’s just happened is momentous.
A chapter in our lives has ended, and a new one has begun.