Chapter 68
By Saturday morning, it is painfully obvious, in more ways than one, that I’m going to have to go to the heat suite and reschedule my flight home.
There are laws against omegas flying within seventy-two hours of having heat spikes, and since I’d left the guys’ house on Thursday evening, I’ve been one overheated, cramping mess.
I kept expecting it to taper off like the earlier ones did, but the bitch decided it was here to stay. And didn’t that just fucking figure?
I’m still not sure if this is going to be a full heat or a mini one, like a rollercoaster of heat spikes that lasts for three to four days before tapering off and leaving me alone for the next six months or so.
Hell, the damned thing’s a month early, so there’s no telling what the hell is going to happen this time.
I’m sitting cross-legged on the bed, wondering why my body's decided to throw me for a loop when Greg walks back in with a pitcher of ice water and a stack of sandwiches. “Sorry, Sam made you a few different types based on what Teddy said you like, and I’m about to go online for the hotel to get the pre-check-in done so we don’t have to hang out in the lobby when we arrive.
Seriously, that just seems like terrible planning for a space that specializes in heats. ”
He pulls my laptop out, logging into my account and opening the bookmarked page for the hotel.
His eyebrows furrow as he pulls up the email on his phone and types some numbers into the site.
By the time he starts chewing on his lower lip I’m getting warm again, and more than a bit concerned.
“I don’t want to rush you there, Pretty Boy…
is their website fucked or something? I’m starting to feel kind of overcooked here, and not in a fun way.
I feel like a damned tamale that’s been rolled, wrapped, and steamed.
If there’s a problem with my card, I have another one, or I can call them. ”
He shakes his head, still chewing on his lip as his eyes flick between the website and the email before finally landing on me. “Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news.” Fuck me in the ass, I don’t have time for this.
“Ok, fine gimme the good news, I could use a bit of a break.” He shifts around nervously.
“Yeah, alright, I lied, there is no good news, I was trying to make it seem less bad. It looks like they canceled your reservation. There’s no record of it on their site and I can’t check in.
I’m about to call them and see if they can help that way, but right now it’s not looking good.
Do we have a backup plan in place? I know we brought knotted toys in case of this happening, but despite how much Teddy loves you, I don’t think he’s gonna be up to sharing his nest. I’m pretty sure they’ll let us stay here, but I don’t think Shaggy needs to be trapped in the room while his owner gets railed with a silicone knot.
Plus…I’m worried I can’t do this with just me without the suppressants.
I know you had heat helpers scheduled at the hotel but we’re kind of shit-outta-luck there. ”
Yeah, Teddy used to be on bunny backup when I had my heats.
Shaggbutt would go stay with him. We could probably move him to a different room, but I’m not sure how long it’ll take, and I wouldn’t be comfortable having Sam in the room to disassemble the panels so they could be moved right now.
In fact, I was dreading just being around people trying to get checked into the hotel. This is completely fucked.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, I try to center myself.
Step one: call the hotel, try to figure out what’s happened.
Hope like hell their website is just fucked up, and we can get sorted out on the phone so I can go get properly fucked by my beta in a nice, soft, terribly impersonal nest that will at least have soundproof walls.
The ringing of a phone brings me back, and I see that Greg has my cell out and on speakerphone while he dials the hotel.
“Hampton Heats and Suites, this is Jerrica, can I put you on hold, please.” Then she does so before either of us has a chance to reply.
My chest vibrates in a low growl at someone treating my beta that way, and it takes more willpower than I like to admit not to snatch my phone out of his hand and throw it against a wall.
Instead, I sulk on the bed, staring at my bun hopping distractedly around his pen.
He’s probably picking up on my stress, because he keeps popping up on his hind legs and staring at us.
I’m sure I’m throwing out all kinds of angry and worried scents right now, but it’s not like I could stop if I wanted to.
We sit there and listen to the shitty muzak instead while waiting for the perky Jerrica to come back.
After what feels like an eternity, the line clicks again. “I’m sorry about that, we’ve been so busy today. How can I help you?”
Greg takes one look at my snarling face and answers for me.
“Hi, yes, I’m calling about a reservation for a Ms. Sarah Zhaing.
We had an option to check in through tomorrow, but it’s not coming up online for me as existing, and we’re going to end up needing it for at least the next three to five days.
” His voice is calm, but his arms twitch with tension.
“I’m sorry, sir, who am I speaking with?” Her voice has lost a bit of its pep, but still sounds cheerful enough that I want to put my fist through her no-doubt smiling teeth.
“Oh, Sorry. I’m Greg, Sarah’s beta mate.” We aren’t officially mated, but fuck this woman.
“I’m sorry Mr…Greg. But I’ll need to speak to Ms. Zhaing since the room was reserved under her name. I don’t have you on file at all.” Her voice is downright chilly now, and my own answering growl feels like fire in my chest.
Greg holds the phone out for me, still on speaker so I don’t have to fumble with it.
My hands are balled into fists with the pain, and there’s a good chance I’d accidentally hang up on this frigid bitch on purpose.
My voice is raspy and gritted through my teeth.
“This is Sarah Zhaing. I can’t find my reservation and I hurt like mad fucking hell.
Please talk to my beta, or tell me what the fuck is going on so I can take care of this heat. ”
No sympathy, not a shock, but the lack of false platitudes does take me by surprise as she huffs out a breath, sounding annoyed by having to deal with me.
“Ms. Zhaing, I understand you’re in pain, but please refrain from using profanity while speaking to me.
It looks here like your room reservation was canceled when we had an emergency heat come in.
My manager made that decision yesterday as you only had one day left on it.
But to compensate you, I’ve doubled the reward points you would have gotten by staying here to your account, and we’ve refunded your deposit. ”
“Yes, my deposit was supposed to be refunded if I didn’t use the suite anyway…
fucking hell this hurts. Are you fucking serious right now…
motherfucking fuckity fuck fuck! My uterus feels like it’s being put through a goddamned juicer right now and I want to scream at everyone.
What, exactly, do you suggest I do now since I’m starting my heat and have no place to go?
” The line cuts off, but instead of a dial tone we’re put back on hold with more muzak.
Yeah, she told me not to use profanity, and guess what?
It made me want to use it more. I’m spiteful that way.
Also these cramps fucking hurt. I don’t know if we were dismissed and need to hang up or what, but thankfully this one lasts less than a minute before a bored-sounding male voice comes on the line.
He doesn’t even try to fake enthusiasm like the front desk did.
“Yes, Ms. Zhaing, thank you for calling. It looks like your room reservation was canceled yesterday on my authority when we had an emergency heat come in. But don’t worry, I’ve refunded your deposit and doubled your reward points. ”
If I could reach through the phone, this man would be lying dead in a pool of his own blood. Instead, I snatch the damned thing out of Greg’s hand and yank my arm back, ready to throw it across the room. It won’t help, but I’ll feel better for a few seconds.
Greg plucks it lightly out of my grip, bringing it back down, but keeping a tighter hold on it now.
His voice is level, but his whole body hums with tension.
“Thank you Mr…um…Sir. We appreciate all that.” I don’t, actually.
“But now we need some options. My omega is starting her heat, we can’t fly back home until it’s over, and we can’t easily stay where we are either.
Do you know if there are any other heat suite hotels in the area? ”
The bored-sounding manager makes a thoughtful humming sound before completely crushing my hopes.
“Oh, no. We’re the only one within several counties.
You know we offer a specialty service here; it’s why rooms are at a premium.
If you knew your heat was coming, you really should have booked for that time frame, or at least gotten checked-in sooner.
About the only other option would be the free heat clinic across the border north of us. ”
My whole body shivers at the thought of that sort of place.
I’m sure they do their best, but I don’t know how they would react to having my beta there to help me through it with or without any of their alphas.
I’m not comfortable with strangers. They’re similar to the heat helpers we have at the center, but for families who have an unmated omega living with them.
Usually there’s enough time to meet the helpers and get to know each other in those situations, but my body has said fuck it to any sort of normal schedule and screwed me right the hell over.
I don’t want a bunch of strangers; I want my beta and my toys.
I was willing to use their heat helpers as a last resort, but even that’s gone out the window.
My mind throws a quick flash of the three alphas I’ve been getting to know this week and sudden cramps tear through my midsection, making my whole body curl into a tight ball and my breath squeeze out in a frantic whine. Oh, this fucking sucks.
I can barely make out Greg on the phone.
“Yeah, fuck you guys, that’s not helpful at all.
You suck.” He presses the end call button and tosses the phone down on the comforter.
If I wasn’t ready to pull out my own uterus, I’d appreciate how gentle he is with my stuff.
As it is, it’s still soothing when he pulls me into his arms and rubs his big, warm hand across my abdomen.
My eyes squeeze shut, tears running down my flushed cheeks.
I wish his guitar was here so he could play for me.