Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Hayden
I’ve been trying to distract myself all day, but this shift is endless.
Yesterday was so busy it was easy to keep distracted from thoughts of the alluring omega.
But there haven’t been any emergencies today, so I’m stuck doing paperwork at dispatch, trying unsuccessfully to convince myself not to look up her information.
Again.
Siobhan Marie Clark
Omega, twenty-eight
2393 Thorne Street, Hillside, Michigan
No significant medical history. Allergy to sulfa antibiotics. No current medications.
Sept 27: Severe wrist sprain
Sept 27: Grade 3 Concussion
She lives only a few streets from us, just on the other side of downtown.
What if she doesn’t have someone to take care of her?
What if she’s fallen again and hurt herself worse?
What if she needs help? What if, what if, what if?
The worries don’t stop, only compounding throughout the day until my alpha instincts to protect have me so on edge that I’m snapping at inanimate objects when I inevitably break them because my grip is too strong.
Because I’m tense, and worried, and driving myself fucking insane.
I could go check on her. It would be strictly professional—to ensure she’s okay. Settle my alpha instincts and then move on.
I sigh and tip my head up, leaning back in the rickety desk chair. This is madness. I’m losing my mind staring at her information, and not getting any work done in the meantime.
Deciding to go exercise instead of glare at her address for the next three hours, I make my way to the training building between dispatch and the fire department. I nod to a group of firefighters as they switch training shifts with the next group, and make my way through the workout routine.
When it comes to one-on-one drills, a familiar form sidles up next to me and slaps me on the back.
“Buddy up?” Seth says.
I nod and we complete two rounds of drills together before he taps out for a break.
“What has you so focused in today?” Seth says, a jovial smile stretching the firefighter’s face. We’re both breathing hard and dripping sweat.
I roll my eyes at the burly alpha. “Nothing, just bored.”
“Ah, not a paper pusher, eh?” he says with a laugh and slaps me on the back. “I hear ya. It’s kinda nice to have a slow day every now and then, though.”
I shake my head and my jaw grinds. He doesn’t get it.
“Let’s go,” I say, nearly barking at him.
“Whoa.” He places a massive hand on my shoulder and pulls me around to face him. I bristle at the contact, and he immediately lets go, holding both hands up in surrender. “What’s up with you today? You don’t normally kick my ass this bad.”
I huff, not wanting to give into his charms, but it’s hard not to like the guy. He’s basically a massive teddy bear. “Fuck off,” I grumble.
“Nah,” he says, stepping up next to me as I turn to run the stairs. “There’s something on your mind. Let it out.”
I glance at him from the corner of my eye, but he’s not looking at me, his gaze focused ahead as we high-knee up the stairs. “Fine,” I say between pants. “I found my scent match, but she doesn’t know.”
Seth trips on the next step, and I lunge to grab him before he faceplants.
“What the hell do you mean she doesn’t know?” He gapes at me while his chest heaves.
I gesture to our workout uniforms. “Scent dampeners.”
“You were on the job? Wait, is it that omega that got called in a couple days ago?” His eyes widen as the pieces fall into place and I nod, feeling resigned. “Well, you gotta tell her!”
My gaze snaps back to him and my mouth falls open. “Just like that?” I say.
“She deserves to know,” he says, taking the steps at a walk now. I follow, contemplating his words. “It’ll even the playing field. Then she can decide for herself, and you won’t be left wondering. No more ‘what if’s.”
My gaze sharpens on his back, but it gives nothing away. I didn’t say any of those thoughts out loud, did I? No, he’s just guessing. Making an accurate assumption.
“You think so? It’s not like… I don’t know.” I suck in a deep breath and run a hand through my curly hair. “A breach of privacy or something?”
He shrugs and glances back at me. “I mean, maybe, but in this case, I don’t think anyone would blame you. Ethics or the law… I think she deserves to know. I’d want to, if it was me. Wouldn’t you?”
“Hmm.” I don’t reply beyond that, and we cool down and stretch together. It’s finally the end of my shift, and I hit the showers, grabbing a fresh set of clothes from my locker rather than driving home.
And this time, I don’t reapply the scent dampeners.