Chapter Seven #2
My own fear spikes, sharp and cold, mixing with a sudden uncertainty. I know exactly how my father would react to a stuffy beta in a pair of scrubs telling him what to do. He’d be enraged, and even violent. And while I don’t think Pace is like that, I honestly don’t know for sure.
He’s an alpha, and his possessiveness is a terrifying, thrilling force.
What if he sees this as a challenge he can’t back down from?
Pace pushes out a tense, angry breath, and I move, placing a hand on his chest. Leaning into his side, I push a sense of calm through our bond. “It’s okay,” I tell him softly. “I’ll be okay.”
He looks down at me, and the raw conflict in his eyes is painful to see.
I can feel the alpha in him screaming to stay, to protect what’s his, but it’s not like we have a choice. So I give my mate a small, sweet smile, trying to smooth it over, trying to tell him without words that it’s okay.
Thankfully, some of the anger in Pace’s dark eyes falls away, replaced by a reluctant resignation.
“Fine,” he says, his voice low.
“You’ll be in the next room over,” the nurse adds.
“Knock on the wall once you get over there,” I say, looking up at my alpha.
He nods, then releases me, but he’s obviously not happy about it.
The nurse points to a sterile-looking examination table on the far side of the room. “You can change into the patient gown there, sweetie,” she says, her voice softening. Then she shuts the door, and the click of the lock is deafening.
But I don’t move right away. I stay put, I hold my breath, until I hear the soft knock on the wall. I jump at the noise and quickly knock back, before turning to the camera and waving.
Then I take a moment to settle myself in the sterile room.
My gaze drifts around the room. It smells sterile and faintly chemical. Bright lights hum overhead, and the exam table is covered in crinkly white paper. There’s a metal counter along one wall, cabinets above it, a sink, and a small stack of folded patient gowns.
It’s cold and impersonal, but knowing Pace is just on the other side of the wall helps.
Moving slowly, I peel my shirt off first. Then my shorts.
The air against my exposed skin makes me shiver. Everything feels sensitive, raw, and aware. I glance toward the metal tray near the sink and spot a roll of paper towels.
My gaze lingers on them.
I can feel Pace’s tacky, cooling cum still clinging to me. Along my thighs. Between them, and at the curve of my backside. It makes me self-conscious.
I take a step toward the counter before I stop myself.
Pace is probably watching the monitor right now.
The thought makes my stomach flip.
Would he think I’m rejecting him if I cleaned it off? Would he think I was trying to erase him? I don’t know how all of this works yet, and the last thing I want to do is upset my mate.
The bond between us hums faintly in the background, steady and warm. Protective. Possessive.
I swallow and step back from the paper towels.
Instead, I grab the thin gown and pull it over my head, tying it loosely at the back. The fabric hangs awkwardly, barely covering me. Then I climb onto the exam table and sit there, hands folded in my lap, trying not to think about how exposed I feel.
There’s a soft knock at the door.
A woman steps inside first, followed by the nurse from before. The doctor looks to be in her mid-forties, maybe early fifties. Shoulder-length brown hair threaded with silver. She has on dark-rimmed glasses and calm eyes. There’s something immediately steady about her.
Kind.
She gives me a small smile as she approaches, with a clipboard tucked under her arm. “Hello, Jude. I’m Dr. Whitaker.” Her voice is warm.
The nurse moves to the counter, pulling up something on her own tablet.
Dr. Whitaker scans the chart for a moment. “All right,” she says. “Let’s just go over a few things regarding your heat-induced mating.”
My cheeks go hot as I nod.
“Were you given any kind of heat accelerator prior to mating?” she asks calmly. “Or do you suspect you were?”
“No,” I say quickly. “No, I wasn’t.”
The nurse taps something onto her screen.
Dr. Whitaker nods. “Were you traded or coerced into mating Mr. Greene?”
“No.” My answer comes out faster than I mean it to. “No,” I repeat, softer this time.
Another note on the tablet.
“Who was your previous registered owner?” she asks gently.
My throat tightens. “My father,” I say. “He…he was my owner.” The word tastes bitter.
“And how did you come to be separated from him?”
I hesitate just long enough that I’m afraid she’ll notice. “I left the apartment building,” I say carefully. “I only wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining, and I got turned around. I accidentally got lost.”
It’s a lie, but I don’t want to admit that I ran away. I don’t know how much trouble he’d get into if they asked why I ran.
I mean, as much as I hate my father, I don’t want to get him in trouble.
“Okay.” Dr. Whitaker studies me for a long second, but she doesn’t push. “Has your new mate abused you?” she asks next. “Has he threatened you or made you feel unsafe in any way?”
“No,” I say immediately. “Pace is wonderful.” My answer is easy this time. “He hasn’t hurt me,” I add quietly. “I feel…safe.” I swallow. “I feel loved.” The words sound strange coming out of my mouth, especially since I haven’t known him very long.
Dr. Whitaker’s expression softens. “That’s very sweet.”
“It feels weird,” I admit. “I didn’t even know him before my heat.”
“That happens,” she says calmly. “Especially in heat-induced matings. The bond forms quickly. It can be very strong.” She steps a little closer, lowering her voice.
“And now that you’re mated, you’ll be able to feel your alpha’s intentions through the bond.
It won’t be perfect, but it will be honest. If you feel safe, Jude, then you are safe. ”
Something in my chest loosens at that.
My bond hums again, warm and steady, like it’s agreeing with her.
“Alright, Jude,” she says, her voice professional again. “May I examine you now?”
I hesitate, my stomach clenching. The thought of being touched by a stranger makes me want to run, but I really want to be registered as Pace’s mate, so I nod. “Okay.”
“Good.” The doctor smiles. “Will you lie back for me?”
I do as she asks, the paper crinkling beneath me as the nurse sets up the table, bringing out stirrups for my feet to rest in.
“I…I was rutted this morning,” I admit, my face flaming hot once again as the nurse guides my feet into place. “I might be a little messy.”
Dr. Whitaker doesn’t seem fazed in the least as she pulls on a pair of medical gloves. “That’s perfectly normal,” she says. “I’m used to alphas marking their omegas with their scent before bringing them in.” She settles on a little stool between my legs.
Her touch is clinical as she lifts my penis, then examines my testicles. “Were you a virgin?” she asks, her eyes focused as she checks around my butt hole.
“Yes,” I whisper, mortified.
The doctor stays professional, her expression unchanged. “You have no tearing around your entrance, which is good.” She glances up at me. “It means your alpha prepped you well.”
A weird bloom of pride swells in my stomach at her words.
“I’m going to do an internal examination now, but it’ll be quick,” she explains. “I’m just going to feel inside your rectum to make sure there’s no damage, and then I’ll feel to make sure your uterus isn’t too swollen after being bred.”
I swallow hard, wishing like hell this was all over. Then I turn and look up at the camera, wondering how my alpha is doing.