Chapter 5 Taliana
CHAPTER FIVE
TALIANA
Doctor Taylor has large eyes, the color of obsidian stone.
Which, unfortunately, reminds me of my origin.
The black caves carved into the mountainside.
Inky-sand-covered beaches.
Opaque waters.
Shadowy beasts.
“Thirty more seconds,” Doctor Taylor says as she studies the tablet in her hand. She ran it over me a few minutes ago after explaining that it would scan me for any internal injuries.
I’m not sure of the purpose, given my immortality, but I don’t question her methods.
“Do you want to know how it works?” she asks, like she can read my mind.
“I… I don’t really see the point,” I admit, swallowing. “I don’t get sick, and any injuries I’ve sustained have all healed already.”
Doctor Taylor glances up with a frown. “I meant about the coin Oros gave you,” she tells me. “But the scanner isn’t looking for injuries or illnesses so much as evidence of mistreatment.”
My brow wrinkles. “Evidence of mistreatment?”
She nods as the device beeps. “Yes. Such as being fed suppressants to stall a heat.” She arches a brow at me and tilts the screen toward me. “You’re maybe a week away from going into estrus, and it’s going to be quite painful as a result of suppressing your previous cycles.”
I gape at the screen depicting basically every detail about my existence.
Hybrid Mix.
Drakonian markers present: 58.7%
X-Clan markers present: 37.6%
V-Clan markers present: 5.4%
W-Clan markers present: 0.1%
Superhybrid markers present: 0.9%
Estimated age: 21.54 Years
Last Estrus: Unknown
Next Estrus: Imminent
Suppressant Indicator: Positive
Stimulator Indicator: Negative
Knot Indicator: Negative
The list of indicators trails down the screen, suggesting it’s an extensive list. “What’s a, uh, stimulator indicator?” I ask, trying to ignore the glaring marks on my record that prove I’m part wolf and that I’ve taken suppressants.
“Stimulants force an Omega into heat. They’re common in a lot of sectors and illegal here.”
“So if an Omega is positive for one…?” I trail off, hoping she’ll tell me in clear terms what’s going to happen to me now that they know the truth about my history.
“Then the Omega will be given treatment,” she answers without hesitation.
“That’s the point of this evaluation—to determine if an Omega requires medical attention.
In your case, knowing that you’ve suppressed your heat for the last few years means we need to prioritize your comfort for your first cycle. ”
I stare at her. “Prioritize… my comfort?”
“Yes. You’re going to need a knot.”
Right. Hence the reason I’m here for a mate.
But I don’t get a chance to add that part out loud because she’s still speaking.
“You can either pick an Alpha for your nest, or we can introduce you to knot simulators. They’re not exactly the same, but they’ll help you through the worst of it.”
Knot simulator? I nearly ask.
Except she’s still talking.
“Alternatively, we have some Omegas who choose to sleep through their estrus. I wouldn’t recommend that in this case, as your cycle has already been significantly impacted, but we can discuss that option more if you prefer it.”
I… I just gape at her. “I took suppressants.”
“Yes. Were you unaware?” she asks, turning the screen back toward her and glancing down to type something.
“I… no. I mean, yes. I was aware. I willingly took them.”
She nods. “Wise move to avoid hungry Alphas.” She glances back up. “I apologize, but I missed some of the important intake questions. Which sector or area are you from?”
“Obsidian Sector,” I tell her slowly, still confused as to why she’s not reacting angrily to my suppressant information. Is it because she’s a Beta?
“You had access to suppressants in Obsidian Sector?” she asks, finally showing a hint of surprise.
“No. Not exactly.” I pinch my lips, trying to figure out how best to explain this. “My father worked for border patrol. He stole some from a contraband stash before we fled to the nomad lands. I think he hoped we would find more, but we never did. So I… I ran out recently.”
“Which led you here,” she finishes for me, nodding again.
“We do have suppressants for extreme cases, but I can’t in good conscience recommend them for you.
You need to experience a few heats to regulate your cycle, or your dragon…
” She glances at her tablet again. “Well, your dragon or your wolf, whichever you have, could be at risk of disassociating.”
She starts scrolling on the screen—or I assume that’s what her thumb is doing.
“When was your last shift?” she asks, her brow furrowing.
“Um, last week? Maybe two weeks ago?” I’ve lost track of time with all the traveling, hiding, and foraging. “Possibly three? I… I don’t know.”
She frowns at me. “You should shift before your cycle hits. But it may also cause you to go into estrus. So… I suggest you wait until your comfort plan is in place.”
“I… Okay. But I haven’t even been accepted yet? Or given permission to stay?”
She looks at my neck and then back up at my face. “That token around your neck suggests otherwise.”
My brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
She considers me for a moment, then sets the tablet aside. “I think we should have that talk about Gold Sector now and the Omega relocation program.”
“Uh, all right.”
She reaches forward to tug on the cloak at my lap, but rather than pull it away, she draws it up. “You don’t need to be naked for this.”
“Oh.” I kind of forgot all about my nude state. Stripping was normal for shifters. My nerves before were about being knotted. Then Oros made it clear that wasn’t on today’s agenda, so I stopped being concerned about my wardrobe. “Do you want me to get dressed?”
She shrugs. “I just want you to be comfortable, Taliana.”
“I’m… comfortable.”
Her lips twitch. “You’re not, but that’s okay. Most Omegas are extremely uncomfortable when they get here. Your situation is a little unique, as usually my patients are rescue cases, and I don’t necessarily get that vibe from you. But I think you’ll benefit from a thorough explanation.”
She begins to pace.
Then she pauses and clears her throat, like she’s ready to embark on a lecture. “Let’s start from the beginning…”