Chapter 18 #2
She leans forward, folding her hands on her desk with the patience of someone who's had this conversation many times before.
"I could absolutely refill them for you—it's your choice and your body and I'll support whatever you decide.
But I would genuinely want you to consider taking a break from them.
Suppressants have side effects that most Omegas don't talk about, and now that you potentially have Alphas around you regularly, those side effects may be triggered in ways that aren't really helpful to your overall health or wellbeing. "
Side effects. She's mentioned this before in previous appointments but I never paid attention because I was so desperate to avoid Heats that I didn't care about minor side effects. Headaches? Whatever. Mood swings? I'll deal. Irregular cycles? Better than going into Heat at work or in public.
But maybe I should have been paying attention. Maybe those aren't minor after all.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Think of it like this," she says, using her doctor voice that makes complicated things sound simple. "Beta females who aren't Omegas have periods and go through menopause when they're older, right?"
I nod.
"Similar side effects will occur if you go on and off heat suppressants repeatedly versus taking a break to adjust to having Alphas around you.
Your body gets confused. Hormone fluctuations become unpredictable.
You might experience mood swings, physical discomfort, irregular Heat cycles that hit harder when they finally come. It's not sustainable long-term."
Mood swings. Hormone fluctuations. Irregular Heats. All things I definitely don't want but have been risking by going on and off suppressants whenever my bank account allows.
"However," she continues, her smile turning slightly mischievous, "if you take a break and let your body adjust to having compatible Alphas nearby, it might trigger a Heat initially—but the chances of that are actually low if you're being sexually appeased."
She winks.
She actually winks at me while talking about sex with the three Alphas currently brooding in her waiting room.
I feel my entire face go nuclear. "I'll... try to be good in that department?"
Oh my god. Did I just imply I'm going to have sex with all three of them? To my doctor? Why am I like this?
"But this is all temporary," I add quickly, trying to salvage some dignity. "For work purposes. Social media stuff. The pack thing isn't... we're not..."
I don't even know how to finish that sentence. What are we? Fake pack? Temporary arrangement? Business transaction? Friends with benefits times three?
Dr. Chen's expression softens. "Well, temporary or not, it'll be a good break for your body. And if the pack life isn't permanent, you can always go back on suppressants after three months. Say, into the new year? What do you think?"
Three months. It's already late November—almost December.
Being off suppressants until February would give me enough time to save up money for the prescription.
Maybe even get a partial payout from that twenty-five thousand dollar deal Charlotte mentioned if that's actually real and not some fever dream.
And honestly? The idea of not having to worry about affording suppressants for a few months is appealing. One less bill. One less source of anxiety. And if being around Alphas helps my body regulate naturally like she's suggesting...
"Okay," I say slowly. "I'll go with it. No suppressants until February."
She beams at me like I just made the best decision ever. "Wonderful! I think you'll feel much better. Just remember—if you notice any concerning symptoms, call me immediately. And try to keep stress levels down. Stress can trigger Heats too."
Keep stress levels down. Sure. I'll just ignore my flooded apartment, my financial situation, my complete confusion about what's happening with these Alphas, and the fact that I apparently have a contract I don't remember signing. Easy.
I stand up, clutching the medicine bag like a lifeline. "Thank you, Dr. Chen. Really. I appreciate everything."
She stands too, walking me toward the door. "You're very welcome, Reverie. Good luck with your new pack. And remember—it's the holidays. Live a little. Have fun. You haven't experienced a merry holiday in Oakridge Hollow with a pack before, so really indulge in the festivities. You deserve it."
Indulge in the festivities. When was the last time I did that?
Actually enjoyed Christmas instead of just surviving it?
With Kael's pack, holidays were just another reminder that I didn't belong.
This year could be different. Even if it's fake.
Even if it's temporary. Maybe I can actually enjoy myself.
"Thank you," I say again, meaning it more than she probably realizes. "I'll try."
I reach for the door handle, steeling myself for whatever chaos is waiting in that hallway.
The door swings open and I'm already planning what I'm going to say to whichever Alpha is lurking in the hallway.
And standing right there—like he was about to knock or maybe just lurking outside like a worried mother hen with separation anxiety—is Grayson.
Oh. Oh no. My heart does this stupid fluttery thing that I'm going to pretend isn't happening because I don't have time to analyze whatever feelings are developing.
He's standing there in dark jeans that fit him way too well and a flannel shirt in deep green that makes him look like he walked straight out of a romance novel cover.
His hazel eyes are warm and concerned and locked on me like I'm the only person in this entire medical building. His maple-honey scent immediately wraps around me like the world's most comfortable blanket—sweet and safe and home in a way that makes my hindbrain purr with contentment.
There's stubble on his jaw that wasn't there yesterday.
He probably didn't sleep well—too busy monitoring me all night to make sure I didn't die from a head injury.
His hair is slightly mussed like he's been running his hands through it with worry.
He looks tired but relieved to see me upright and conscious.
I feel heat creep up my neck and into my cheeks. "You know, out of the three of you, I assumed you'd be last to ambush me outside a doctor's office."
Theo seems like the type to stand guard at doors.
Nash seems like he'd barge in demanding updates regardless of privacy laws or common courtesy.
But Grayson? Sweet, gentle Grayson who blushes when I tease him and stammers when he's nervous?
I thought he'd be too polite to hover. Too respectful of boundaries. Shows what I know.
He smirks—actually smirks, which is unfairly attractive on him and makes my stomach do somersaults. "I bribed Nash to get drinks from the vending machine down the hall. Told him you'd want orange juice or something when you came out. And Theo went to the bathroom about five minutes ago."
Sneaky. He's actually sneaky. Who knew? The sweet book buying Alpha has tactical planning skills.
He orchestrated this moment. Deliberately got rid of the other two so he could be the one waiting when I came out.
That's... actually really smooth. And kind of hot?
When did I start finding premeditated door-lurking hot?
I need to get my priorities in order. Maybe the head injury affected my judgment more than I thought.
I'm about to say something witty—or at least attempt wit—when Dr. Chen's voice comes from behind me.
"Would you look at that." Her tone is absolutely gleeful—like a kid on Christmas morning discovering the best present under the tree. "Mistletoe."
Mistletoe? What mistletoe? There definitely wasn't any mistletoe when I came in here thirty minutes ago. I specifically looked at this doorframe because I was nervous about the appointment and was distracting myself by examining the architecture. Where the actual hell did that come from?
I look up, craning my neck. And sure enough, hanging from the doorframe directly above Grayson's head like it's been there forever, is a sprig of mistletoe tied with a red velvet ribbon that matches the Christmas decorations in her office.
That definitely, absolutely, 100% was not there before. Did she just... did she literally hang that while we were talking? Does she keep mistletoe in her desk drawer for situations exactly like this? Is my doctor secretly a romance novelist too? What is happening right now?
I glance back at Dr. Chen and she's trying very hard to look innocent. Completely failing. Her eyes are twinkling with mischief and she's got this little smile that says she's absolutely responsible for this setup and she's not even sorry.
Okay then. My doctor is a secret matchmaker. Good to know.
I look at Grayson. He's staring at the mistletoe like it personally offended him and his entire family lineage.
Like it appeared there specifically to embarrass him in front of the cute Omega he's been taking care of.
Then he looks at me with wide eyes. Then back at the mistletoe hanging innocently above his head.
Then back to me again. His face is turning progressively redder with each passing second—starting at his neck and creeping up to his ears in the most adorable blush I've ever witnessed.
It's fascinating watching an Alpha—a tall, strong, capable Alpha who could probably bench press me without breaking a sweat—turn into a blushing mess over some Christmas tradition. Like the mistletoe has more power than any weapon or threat.
He looks so shy. So uncertain. Like he wants to kiss me but doesn't want to presume. Like he's waiting for permission or a sign or maybe divine intervention.
It's adorable. He's adorable. And suddenly I want nothing more than to kiss this blushing Alpha who bought me books and took care of me when I was unconscious and is currently looking at me like I hung the moon.
Screw it. Life's too short. And apparently I'm supposed to be living a little and having fun.
I go up on my tiptoes—which isn't far because he's tall and I'm definitely not—and press my lips to his.
He makes this small surprised sound against my mouth. Completely taken off guard. Frozen for half a second like his brain just blue-screened.
Then he melts into it.
His hands come up to cup my face so gently it makes my chest ache. His lips are soft and warm and taste faintly like coffee. The kiss is sweet—not demanding or aggressive, just... perfect. Like he's been thinking about this and wants to savor every second.
His scent intensifies—maple and honey and something warm that wraps around me and makes me feel safe and wanted and cherished. My hindbrain is purring so loudly I'm surprised it's not audible.
I pull back before I get carried away in a doctor's office doorway. We're both breathing a little harder. His eyes are darker than they were a minute ago.
"Thank you," I say softly, my hands still resting on his chest where I can feel his heart beating fast under my palms—thump-thump-thump like a drum.
"For taking care of me last night. Theo told me this morning when I finally woke up properly—about how you stayed with me all night, monitored me every hour, made sure I was okay.
About how you changed me into pajamas without being weird about it.
About the ice packs and cold cloths and checking my pulse.
I appreciate it. More than you probably realize. More than I know how to express."
I don't have people who take care of me like that.
Kael's pack never did—they saw me as a tool, not a person who needed care.
My family sure as hell didn't before I ran away from home at eighteen and never looked back.
I've been on my own for so long that having someone actually care about my wellbeing—care enough to lose sleep monitoring me, care enough to make sure I was comfortable, care enough to worry—feels foreign and overwhelming and amazing all at once.
It makes my chest tight. Makes me want to cry but in a good way. Makes me want to hold onto this feeling and never let it go because what if I never find it again?
He looks like he wants to say something profound. His mouth opens. Closes. Opens again like a fish gasping for air.
"I—you're welcome. I mean, obviously I would. I wouldn't just... you were hurt and someone needed to... and I have the training so it made sense..." He's blushing harder now if that's even possible, his neck and ears going pink. Completely flustered in the most endearing way possible.
God, he's cute when he's tongue-tied.
It's charming. He's charming. And I'm in so much trouble if all three of them are this sweet because my heart can't handle it.
I wink at him—actually wink, which I never do because I always feel ridiculous when I try but today seems to be a day for doing things outside my normal comfort zone. Like kissing Alphas in doctor's offices and being bold and not overthinking every single thing.
Then I turn back to Dr. Chen, who's still standing in her office doorway watching us with the most satisfied expression I've ever seen on a medical professional. Like she's just witnessed her favorite couple ship finally getting together or something.
"Goodbye, Dr. Chen. Thank you again for everything."
"Anytime, dear. Enjoy the holidays!" She's practically beaming. "And don't worry about the bill—your pack already took care of it."
Wait, what? They paid my medical bills? When did that happen? How much was it? I didn't even see the receptionist. Did they pay while I was in with Dr. Chen? Do they know how much medical visits cost? What if it was expensive? What if—
Nope. Not thinking about that right now. I'll freak out about financial obligations and debt and owing them later. After breakfast. When my head doesn't hurt and I can have a proper anxiety spiral.
I take Grayson's hand—which is warm and slightly callused in a way that suggests he does more with them than it seems , and fits perfectly with mine like our fingers were designed to interlock—and tug him along toward the waiting room where Nash and Theo are presumably still lurking like overprotective guard dogs.
"C'mon, Maple Alpha," I say cheerfully, squeezing his fingers and pulling him after me.
"I'm starving and it's giving extra late breakfast vibes.
Time for you three to finally explain what the actual fuck is happening here.
Because I woke up to find three Alphas in my apartment, apparently I have a pack I don't remember getting, there's talk about contracts and money, and you guys paid my medical bills without asking. So yeah. Explanations. Now. Over food.”