24. Grace
24
GRACE
D r. Avery taps at her tablet, barely looking up as she speaks. “How are the suppressants working?”
I shift on the exam table, already dreading this conversation. “They’re not.”
That gets her attention. She glances up, pushing her glasses higher on her nose. “At all?”
I sigh. “I mean, they work for like, a minute. And then—boom—heat.”
Her mouth pulls into a small frown. “How often?”
I scratch the back of my head. “Uh… regularly?”
She exhales, tapping again on the screen. “That’s not… uncommon. Some Omegas don’t respond well to long-term suppressant use. But you seem… better.”
I nod. “Yeah. I, um—” I hesitate, then figure there’s no point in lying. “I’m in a pack now. They help.”
Dr. Avery’s lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile. “That’s good to hear.”
I glance at the cabinets, shifting again. “They’re… good to me.”
She hums, tapping another note. “Are you using contraception?”
The question slaps me across the face.
Oh. Oh, shit.
My stomach drops. My brain blanks. And then, in the most humiliating moment of my life, I blurt, “Fuck.”
Dr. Avery actually laughs. “That’s what I thought.”
I groan, covering my face. “I completely forgot. We were—I mean, it was—” I make a vague, frantic gesture. “Fuck.”
She shakes her head, still amused. “We can do more bloodwork since your previous test results didn’t detect the problem—check if there’s anything to worry about. If you’re not pregnant, we can give you a shot.”
I nod so fast my head might fall off. “Yes. Do that. Right now.”
She waves for a nurse, and within minutes, they’re drawing my blood. I don’t even flinch. I’m too busy mentally kicking myself for being so reckless.
After the nurse leaves, Dr. Avery leans against the counter. “It’ll take a little while to get the results. If it’s negative, we’ll give you the shot today, but you’ll need to be careful for a month.”
I blink. “Wait. A month?”
She nods. “No sex for four weeks.”
I stare at her, horrified. “You’re joking.”
She is very much not joking.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “This is a nightmare.”
Dr. Avery grins, clearly enjoying my suffering. “Maybe next time, you’ll think ahead.”
Doubtful. But I nod anyway.
As soon as I leave the clinic, I pull out my phone and open a new group chat.
Me: So, I have good news and bad news.
A few seconds later, Rowan replies.
Rowan: Bad news first.
Jake: I second this.
Ash: Same.
I inhale sharply, then type.
Me: Not pregnant. BUT I had to get a shot. And that means no sex for a month.
There’s a long silence…
Rowan: What the actual fuck.
Jake: A WHOLE MONTH???
Ash: You’re kidding.
Me: I wish I was.
The chat explodes.
Jake: What the hell are we supposed to do for a MONTH?
Rowan: This is cruel and unusual punishment.
Ash: I have never hated modern medicine more.
I bite my lip, grinning.
Me: Y’all are dramatic.
Jake: No, we’re ALPHAS. It’s different.
Rowan: This is basically torture.
Ash: If I get more work done than usual, I’m blaming you.
I laugh, shaking my head. Why did I ever think Alphas were insufferable?
My phone buzzes. Ash.
I answer, already smiling. “Hey.”
“Just got out of a meeting with my boss,” he says, voice low and smooth. “If you want company, I can pick you up. We can hang out.”
I bite my lip, glancing around the waiting room. “Tempting, but I need to check in at the flower shop.”
“Even better,” he says easily. “I’ll pick you up from Dr. Avery’s.”
There’s no point arguing. He’s already decided. And truthfully? I want to see him.
“All right,” I say.
Fifteen minutes later, he pulls up to the curb. The moment I step out, he’s there, looking way too good in his fitted black shirt and rolled-up sleeves.
He smells expensive, all fresh cologne and something inherently him .
“Hey,” I start, but before I can say more, he tugs me in, arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
His mouth crashes onto mine, heat and hunger in the way he kisses me, like he’s been starving.
I melt instantly, hands fisting in his shirt. His grip tightens, and I definitely don’t miss the way his hard length presses against my stomach.
He breaks the kiss just enough to mutter against my lips, “How the hell am I supposed to survive four fucking weeks?”
I laugh breathlessly. “You’ll live.”
“Doubt it.” He kisses me again, deeper this time, like he’s trying to prove a point.
I almost forget that we’re standing outside. Almost.
I shove lightly at his chest, grinning. “Come on. Let’s go before I lose my resolve.”
He groans but releases me. “This is actual torture.”
I roll my eyes, climbing into his car.
* * *
Haven Nook smells like fresh blooms and damp earth. Sunlight filters through the large front windows, catching the soft pastels of the roses and lilies on display.
Ash looks around, hands in his pockets. “All right, boss. Where do you need me?”
I smirk. “Think you can handle changing the water?”
His brows lift. “I think I’ll manage.”
I hand him a bucket. “Then get to work.”
He rolls his eyes but takes it. I start gathering the bouquets with wilting petals, tossing out the ones that won’t last another day.
“You ever think about selling these instead of throwing them out?” Ash asks.
I glance over. “What do you mean?”
“Instead of wasting them, you could do a discount bin. Maybe set up a stand at the farmers’ market on weekends.”
I blink. “Huh. Never thought about it.”
He smirks. “That’s why I’m here. Business genius and all.”
I snort. “Ash, flowers aren’t exactly your expertise.”
“Shows what you know,” he says, carefully arranging a bouquet. “My mother made me take floral arrangement classes before Galla season.”
I stop mid-step. “I’m sorry, what ?”
His expression is dry. “Rich people shit.”
I burst out laughing. “You? Learning flower arrangements?”
He shrugs. “She heard ikebana was the latest trend in her social circle. Figured her son should be ‘well-rounded.’ Joke’s on her, though—I actually like it.”
I shake my head, watching him work. “Damn. You’re actually good at that.”
“Told you.” He sets down the bouquet like it’s a masterpiece. “You should listen to me more.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”
His gaze flickers to mine, something softer in it now. “Still. Think about it. Farmers’ market, maybe a little tea stand. Could be nice.”
I nod slowly. “That’s… actually kind of genius.”
His mouth lifts at the corner. “Obviously.”
I pause, looking around at the shop, thinking of the ways I’ve always just gotten by. The foster system never left room for dreams. Owning this shop was already more than I ever expected.
Ash leans against the counter. “What?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. Just… your life was so different from mine.”
He snorts. “Yeah. Lavish parties, strict rules, parents who think my brother Liam is a fucking saint.”
I tilt my head. “And you?”
His jaw tightens. “It’s complicated.”
I nod. “At least I had two loving parents. Even if I lost them, I had that.”
His gaze darkens, something unreadable passing through it.
“Yeah,” he says quietly. “You did.”