Chapter 15 Thea
THEA
Work has been hectic, but the busy season is coming to a close, with more checkouts and less bookings.
I looked ahead to next week and the difference is astounding.
Poor November, it’s not a popular month.
I’m grateful for it being so busy. It’s left me tired enough at the end of the day to not waste energy on worrying about my current situation or the fact that the one-year anniversary of Connor’s death is in two weeks.
Pulling into my driveway, my headlights illuminate a figure sitting on the steps to my house. Body tensing before realizing it’s Dr. Sullivan. Why is he here? He said he’d let me know what he finds but I assumed it’d be over the phone. This is weird.
I’m not in the mood at all for this conversation. I just want to eat something and go to bed. My face must scream how unhappy I am at this moment because he almost flinches as I approach. Okay maybe I should rein in the bitch face.
“I apologize for showing up here unannounced, I found some information that I thought was best shared in person.” Moving to unlock the front door, I gesture for him to go inside.
I follow behind him, making sure to stay in a position near one of the exits.
I don’t feel threatened by him, not at all.
But I can’t ignore how sketchy it is that he’s here instead of calling me in for another appointment.
“Have a seat, I’ll be just a minute.” I gesture for him to sit on the couch as I go to my room and quickly get out of my jacket.
After debating whether or not to grab the bear spray on my dresser, I decide against it.
I return to the living room and sit at the opposite end, waiting for him to begin.
He’s clearly anxious, his leg bouncing up and down and clutching a folder.
“First, let me apologize again for showing up like this. I know it’s unprofessional but given the timing I didn’t want to wait to give you this information.
The cases I found of long-term suppressant usage and what happened during the omega’s heat following that period was enlightening.
There aren’t many in total, but of the ones documented most ended up at the hospital for treatment.
This was needed in order to properly regulate the omegas’ temperature and prevent it from getting dangerously high.
That appears to be the biggest risk with your upcoming heat. Managing your temperature.”
“With the long-term suppressants the side effect, of course, is the disregulation of your hormones so when they finally start coming through, your body basically doesn’t know how to handle it and that leads to dangerously high temperatures, even for omegas.
” He pauses, checking that I’m still following along.
I nod at him to continue, my mind already starting to spin to the possibilities of how to deal with this.
“That’s why most cases I could find the omega ended up at the hospital as she and her pack were unable to keep her temperature at a safe level during the heat.
I’m sure you’re aware that omegas have a higher than normal temperature compared to alphas or betas.
For you a temp of 100 or even 101 would be fine on any given day.
During a heat, omegas’ core body temp rises and what I would say is safe for omegas is anything under 106 at that time.
Going over that is where it can get dangerous.
One of the biggest risks when your temperature gets above that number are seizures.
I did find a couple cases where the omegas’ bonded mates were able to help them through the heat without hospitalization, but…
” He trails off and looks at me as we both know I don’t have bonded mates.
At that thought a stab of pain rushes through me.
Connor should be here. I should be having my heat with him.
“If I were to go to the hospital, is this situation rare enough that it would be reported anywhere?” I say firmly. I can’t risk him finding me.
Dr. Sullivan looks surprised by that question, I guess it was a little random. “Your privacy would be protected but yes this isn’t a typical case and the doctor overseeing your treatment may want to report on it for research purposes. Similar to the cases I’ve already found.”
I can’t risk that. I shouldn’t even risk going to a hospital. What if they somehow track down Sophie and they come up here. That would lead him right to me. “I can’t go to the hospital for this heat. I need to ride it out at home, can you prescribe something to help keep my temperature in check?”
“You haven’t heard anything I’ve said; almost every case ended up in the hospital. This is as serious as you can get. You cannot ‘ride this out,’” he says almost mockingly.
“Well, I appreciate your input doctor,” I stress sarcastically, “but I make my own decisions on what I think is best. Now I ask you to leave. Next time you have something to discuss, call me into your office instead of coming unannounced to my home.” I stand up and move to the door, hoping he leaves without issue.
He looks so taken back it makes me feel bad, just a little. But no, screw him he’s acting so righteous. He has no idea what I have to consider when it comes to this heat. I can’t risk him finding me. So, if that means suffering through this on my own I will.
He stands but doesn’t move to the door. “This is a life-or-death situation that is coming up sooner than later. You need to arrange your heat with the omega clinic and put the hospital on alert for your case. There is no scenario where you go through this heat alone and actually survive.” He says it with a finality that gives me goosebumps.
As he walks towards me, I’m hit with his scent again and I refuse to let an alpha who smells good, not just good like fucking heaven, change my mind.
“I’ll take that into consideration.” I nearly hold my breath as I open the door for him to leave.
He walks through and turns around to face me now that he’s outside.
He doesn’t say anything, just looks at me so seriously but there’s a softness to his green eyes that draw me in.
After a minute he gives the slightest of nods and walks down the steps and over to his car.
Closing the door, I lean my head against it.
How am I going to get through this? I don’t want to die.
That’s not true, a tiny voice in the back of my mind whispers to me.
It’s coming from that box where everything from before seems to be leaking out lately.
In my lowest moment, shortly after Connor’s death, I considered joining him.
It was a fleeting thought but it happened.
I couldn’t do that to Sophie and her pack.
Back then I didn’t see much reason beyond that but it was enough to keep me from ever letting that thought take root.
Do I risk dying to avoid him finding me?
I don’t see another way. There’s absolutely no chance I am going to try the omega clinic and be with strangers.
I don’t have it in me for that. I need to do some research and figure out what I can do on my own to keep my temperature down.
Thinking back on Dr. Sullivan, my bravado is gone.
I do feel bad for how I acted but wow did he trigger me when he acted like I was stupid.
It doesn’t matter if I’m hiding from a stalker, I’m done dealing with people treating me like that.