Chapter 17
17
Hazel
At this point, the test felt like a formality. But nineteen minutes and one blood draw later, we had the proof: I had rh-null blood, which made their theory all the more real.
Sitting in an exam room in a thin paper gown and nothing else, I shivered as I watched the clock over the door. Seconds bled into minutes as I waited for Dr. Abernathy to come in for the physical part of my exam. Even though I’d agreed to it, I felt exposed and unsure.
My pack and Calla were still in the lobby. All of them had offered to come back with me, but I’d insisted on being able to handle this on my own.
I was a big, fat liar.
Dr. Abernathy knocked softly on the door before opening it, but even the light rap of her knuckles on wood sent my pulse skyrocketing. She gave me a warm smile as she stepped inside and closed the door. “How are you feeling, Hazel?”
“Anxious,” I admitted, knowing that not even the scent suppressors being pumped through the ventilation system could hide the acrid tang of my scent as worry settled deep in my bones.
“Understandable,” Dr. Abernathy replied before sitting on a rolling stool. “Let’s go over a few preliminary questions, okay?”
I nodded and clasped my hands together on my lap.
“Any current injuries or concerns I need to be aware of?” She grabbed a tablet and entered in a code to unlock it before waiting for my reply.
“I don’t think so. I mean, I cut up my feet a little and I might have a bruise or two,” I stammered.
“But nothing that’s causing you any current pain or worry?”
I shook my head.
“And how many sexual partners have you had?” Her soft eyes were kind and unassuming.
“Um, well, my pack, obviously,” I answered, feeling my cheeks heat. “I don’t know how much you know about my kidnapping.”
“Only the bare basics of what Dr. Dutton has shared, and none of that bordered on medical and certainly not sexual,” she replied. “Hazel, if you were forced to do things, none of that is your fault.”
“I know,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly. I took a deep, steadying breath. “I mean, I know . Things happened but I wasn’t… I mean, no one…”
“Let’s start with an easier question,” she suggested gently. “How many partners have you willingly had intercourse with?”
“Four. Just my pack.” That one was easy.
“And beyond those four, have you ever had intercourse?”
I shook my head. “No.”
She gave a small nod. “Have you ever had forcible or unwanted penetration outside of a penis?”
Humiliation burned in my chest as I whispered a hoarse, “Yes.”
“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Hazel. Can you tell me how many people that occurred with?” Her full attention was on me, but I didn’t feel judged at all.
“Um, the only person allowed to touch me was the High Alpha,” I replied. “He used his fingers, and other things.”
She nodded and made a quick note.
“All of this is confidential, right?” I asked suddenly. Terror caught me in an icy grip as I imagined her telling my pack this.
Did I think they’d think less of me if they knew details? No. But there was something inherently embarrassing and humiliating about it all. Like I should have been able to stop it, even though I knew I couldn’t.
Being a survivor was an ugly thing that left my insides twisted up. My head knew none of this was my fault, that I was a victim. But my heart… My heart was a bloody, emotional mess that liked to remind me of all the ways I wasn’t good enough.
Some days it was a battle for the two to function on the same plane of existence and it sucked.
“Hazel, I will not breathe a word of this to anyone without your direct, verbal and written consent. That includes Dr. Dutton,” she tacked on. “Everything you disclose in this room is covered under doctor-patient confidentiality.”
I let out a heavy breath. “Good. Not that my pack wouldn’t understand or support me, because they would, but?—”
“You don’t have to explain or justify a single thing to me,” Dr. Abernathy cut in with the utmost gentleness.
“Okay,” I whispered with a nod. “Okay.”
“All right then,” she said with a small smile. “Have you had a gynecological exam before?”
I nodded. “When I was a teenager I had really bad periods so my mom took me.” I touched the inside of my arm. “I got a birth control implant.”
She straightened. “You still have it?”
“Yeah. I mean, I don’t exactly want to be a mom anytime soon, so…” I trailed off with a laugh.
“Beta birth control methods rarely work for omegas,” Dr. Abernathy mused.
I felt all the blood leech from my face. “Wait. What?” Because I’d had very unprotected sex with my pack multiple times.
Oh, shit.,
Was I pregnant?
My pulse thundered in my chest as my palms grew slick with sweat.
Dr. Abernathy’s eyes went wide. “You’re not pregnant. It was one of the first tests we ran, Hazel. Omegas can only get pregnant during their heat, and first heats are rarely fertile due to the volatility of them. Now beyond that…”
I racked my brain trying to remember omega physiology from health class in high school. “Omegas have a heat every six months?”
“Six to nine, on average. It depends on the omega,” she answered.
“So, I shouldn’t have another heat for at least six months.” I nibbled on my lower lip.
“In theory, yes,” Dr. Abernathy replied, “but?—”
I groaned, not liking the sound of that.
She smiled. “—there’s a lot we don’t know about beta born omegas. And Omega Services seems to be gatekeeping a lot of their information.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning the omegas who have been found were almost instantly matched to a pack,” she answered. “Once an omega becomes part of a pack, her alphas have the final say in all medical decisions.”
My nose wrinkled.
“Doesn’t seem fair, does it?” Dr. Abernathy agreed with a snort. “But all the same, we haven’t been able to find any information on these omegas, and all have been placed with packs on the east coast.”
“Is that normal?” I tilted my head.
“Not in the slightest.” Her scowl was swift and furious. “It’s as though these omegas have been railroaded into pack life without anyone to speak for them, especially since they’re all orphans. Without a parent able to help them navigate finding a pack, OS steps in.”
I shuddered as I remembered my experiences with OS. The organization may have been literally founded to help provide omegas with necessary services, but it had never felt altruistic to me. I’d gotten hinky vibes from the jump, and it only got worse with each interaction.
“But not me,” I finished.
She arched a brow. “Your situation was rather unique, Hazel. Yes, you became an orphan, but then your uncle swooped in to take you into his care.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, he swooped in all right. Like a freaking vulture. I doubt he would’ve bothered if my parents hadn’t had money he also took into his care. Money he donated to the APA’s cause.” Sarcasm dripped from my words, but Dr. Abernathy sat up straighter.
“Your parents were wealthy,” she said slowly.
I nodded. “My dad helped start Upshine Media with Kevin Dutton. My family and the Dutton’s have been close since college.”
Dr. Abernathy’s frown deepened.
“What?” I asked, a feeling of uncertainty unfurling in my chest.
“I don’t know, but I do think there are too many coincidences to just be good luck,” she admitted. “It’s like I can see all the pieces of the puzzle, but I’m still not sure what picture they’re supposed to make.”
“You just know they’re all connected,” I finished, knowing in my bones she was right. A shudder rippled down my spine as I came to the realization that something was very wrong, and I was right in the freaking middle of it.
Sitting up straighter, Dr. Abernathy gave me a confident look. “Speculating at this point likely isn’t useful. My main concern is making sure your body is adjusting to being an omega. I’d like to do an internal exam, if that’s all right?”
I nodded even as my body tightened up at the idea of having someone poking and prodding.
With a knowing smile, she pulled the dreaded stirrups out of the exam table and positioned them at the end of the table. “Feet in the foot rests and scoot your bottom all the way down, Hazel. If you want me to stop at any time, just say so. This is completely voluntary.”
“Right,” I muttered as I laid on my back and wiggled down to the edge of the bed before resting my feet in the stirrups. I kept my knees pressed together as much as possible until Dr. Abernathy rolled her stool closer and touched the inside of my calf.
“Hazel, if you don’t want to do this, we won’t,” she told me, her tone firm and kind.
I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut. “No. If this will help, I want to do it.” I took a deep breath and let my legs fall open, trying not to remember the last time I’d been in this position.
It had been right after I’d presented as an omega. Donovan had his doctor check me over, and I still remembered the rough press of his fingers on my sex. The biting cold of the speculum that was shoved into my core.
“Try to relax,” Dr. Abernathy soothed. “I’ll be as gentle as I can.”
“It’s fine.” My voice trembled, giving away that I was anything but fine as she began the exam.
Her gloved fingers were infinitely tender as she examined me, and the speculum had been warmed and liberally slathered in lube. Other than the inherent awkwardness of having my pussy on display, it wasn’t that bad.
“I’m going to take a small sample of your slick to send to the lab,” she told me. “This will help us determine your hormone levels and figure out when to expect your next heat.”
I felt the swab and was grateful for the way Dr. Abernathy talked me through each part of the procedure.
She rolled back a moment later. “Okay, all done.”
I immediately closed my legs and sat up. “Anything special?” I joked.
“Looks like a normal omega vagina,” she replied with an easy smile. “Any pain with intercourse?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Any issues with your lock?”
“My what?”
Her eyes softened. “When you take an alpha’s knot, your lock is the muscles that, well, lock you together. Has there been any pain or discomfort?”
Other than the fact that my alphas had massive cocks and knots? But the stretch that usually caused was absolutely more pleasure than pain.
I shook my head, knowing my cheeks were flaming again.
“Good. If any of that changes, you should tell your alphas. If you don’t feel safe enough to tell them, you can always call me,” Dr. Abernathy stated. “I know it’s a worrisome time to be an omega in this country, but you’re not alone.”
I couldn’t stop the smile that tugged on my lips. “My pack is the first place I’ve felt safe in years. Maybe in my life.”
“I assumed that was the case, but wanted to make sure you knew that you still have people who will help you.” She stood up. “One last thing—I think it’s best to remove your birth control implant.”
“Um, okay.”
“It’s a long shot, but the hormones used in implants are meant for betas. There’s a small chance it could be contributing to your breakthrough heat symptoms.” She gave a small shrug.
“Is there birth control for omegas?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” she assured me. “Some packs want time to bond and connect before they add children to the mix, so there are approved omega methods for birth control. But, you will need to have your pack’s permission to use them. I can write the prescription in your name, and one of your alphas will need to have it filled.”
I made a face. “Seriously?”
“Do you think they’d have a problem with that?”
I shook my head. “No. I think we’re all on the same page. It’s more the principle of it, I guess.”
“I agree,” she muttered. “This world is going to hell and alphas are leading the charge.”
“Not all of them,” I countered softly, thinking of my pack and the hoops they’d jumped through to save me. To protect me.
“No,” she agreed, “not all of them. If Dr. Dutton is any indication, I think you found some of the best. If you’ll give me a moment to get the supplies, I can remove the implant now.”
I squirmed. “Is it gonna hurt?”
“No. I’ll numb the skin first and make a small incision to remove it that won’t even need stitches.” Dr. Abernathy paused. “Would you like me to bring one of your pack members to be with you?”
I exhaled hard. “Yes, please.” I thought for a minute and realized having one of my alphas there and literally scenting my blood may not go well. “Can you ask Jude to come back?”
“Of course,” she agreed. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. You can feel free to get dressed from the waist down.” She left the room and I slid off the table. I grabbed my clothes from the waiting room chair and got dressed, ripping part of the paper gown in the frantic process. I just wanted this over.
Sighing, I sat back down and held the flimsy paper together with my hands, watching the clock until there was a soft knock once more.
“Come in,” I said, sitting up straighter as the door opened and Jude followed Dr. Abernathy into the room.
He brushed by the doctor and came to my side, wrapping his arms around me in a bear hug I felt to my toes.
I pressed my nose and mouth against his throat, his cotton scent reminding me of warm, fresh laundry. “Thanks for coming back.”
His brown eyes sparkled with mischief. “It’s good to know I’m the favorite.”
I slapped his chest and rolled my eyes. “More like the one least likely to attack the good doctor for cutting me.”
His expression sobered. “She mentioned a procedure but didn’t specify what was going on.” He turned to the doctor. “Is my girl okay?”
My heart did a happy little flip-flop whenever one of them called me my girl . I loved being owned by these men.
I grabbed Jude’s hand. “She has to remove the birth control implant I got a few years ago. It might be the hormones in it that are messing with my system.”
“It’s a simple procedure,” Dr. Abernathy assured him as she unwrapped and laid out instruments on a sterile tray with a blue cloth. “I’ll make a small incision and remove the implant. You’ll get a bandage and be on your way.”
“See? Easy.” I flashed Jude a megawatt smile that I knew didn’t reach my eyes, but who liked the idea of being cut open for any reason? “I’m just being a baby and I wanted someone to hold my hand.”
He lifted the hand he was holding to his lips and kissed it. “You’re not being a baby, and I’m happy to be here. Especially if it means I get to remind the others you picked me over them.”
I laughed, already imagining the ways he’d drive our pack crazy. And the ways they’d make him pay.
Especially Rhett.
A shiver trickled down my spine as I remembered just how unleashed Rhett had been with Jude the night before.
Jude smirked. “What’s that look for?”
I feigned innocence. “Nothing… pup.”
His head fell back as he groaned. “Fuck, baby.”
Dr. Abernathy cleared her throat, looking amused from where she waited at the foot of the exam table. “Are we ready?”
Blushing, I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Go ahead and lay back, okay?” She waited until I was settled before coming around to my side and showing me a needle filled with a clear liquid. “Just a numbing agent.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. I jolted when something cool and wet touched my skin.
“Just cleaning the area first.” Her voice was soft and soothing, and I relaxed even as I felt the prick of the needle against my skin.
She turned and discarded the needle, watching me intently before probing at my arm with a gloved finger. “How does that feel?”
“Good. Numb,” I replied with a nervous laugh.
Jude squeezed my hand. “You’ve got this, baby.”
I saw her lift the silver scalpel, saw the light catch on its reflective surface, and I turned to face Jude. His eyes locked onto mine, his thumb stroking the back of my hand as he kept me steady.
“What in the world…” Dr. Abernathy’s whisper was so soft I almost didn’t catch it.
But Jude did.
His head snapped up, eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?”
Now I looked at the doctor, surprised to see her looking confused and concerned.
Well, that wasn’t good.
“This doesn’t look like any birth control implant I’ve seen before,” she admitted, holding up the tiny, silver device. It was thin and no longer than an inch, the ends of it forked into slight curves.
“What do you mean?” Jude’s voice was sharp.
Using forceps to hold the device, she pointed out the ends with her finger. “Typically, an implant injected into the arm is a simple, cylindrical device. And while this sort of looks like that, the ends look more like a uterine-type of implant. It’s also thicker than most.”
“Seems pretty small to me,” I said, not entirely sure what I was looking at.
“I think I’m going to have our lab run a few tests to see what this is.” Dr. Abernathy was still scowling as she dropped the device into a clear petri dish with a soft clink. She cleaned up my arm and placed a bandage over the incision.
“What do you think it is?” I asked after I’d sat up.
Her frown deepened. “I’m not entirely sure. Granted my speciality is omega genetics, but I’ve done a rotation in beta gynecology, and I can safely say I’ve never seen an implant look quite like that.”
Dropping my hand, Jude walked over and snapped a picture of it with his phone. “You’ll let us know what you find out?”
She nodded. “Absolutely. I also discussed birth control options with Hazel and had one called into a local pharmacy.” Dr. Abernathy handed me the paperwork before giving Jude a pointed look. “I’m assuming that won’t be an issue?”
Jude shook his head. “Whatever Hazel wants is what we want.” He gave me a sweet smile as he came back over to help me down from the exam table.
“Thank you for everything today.” I was exhausted and wrung out. I needed to hide in my nest for a few hours and let all this new information settle.
“Of course,” she replied, shaking my hand. “I’ll call you with the results of your tests, and please let me know if you need anything else or experience any other symptoms.”
“I will,” I promised, tucking my hand into Jude’s as we walked back out to meet our pack with more questions than we’d come here with.