Chapter 10 #2
I forced a smile, but it was useless.
She’d be able to read my distress.
“What’s wrong?” A frown marred her pretty face as she looked at the syringe to make sure she’d given it all.
I didn’t want to tell her the truth. It was no use ruining her fairy tale of how life was supposed to be.
And despite them abandoning my mother in her weakest hour, Omegas weren’t inherently evil.
Sure, there was always one bad apple in the bunch, but most of them really did feel concern for all living creatures.
I could tell by the diamonds on her neck collar and rings on her slender finger that Penelope didn’t have to work. She did this out of the goodness of her heart. Being a nurse couldn’t be an easy job. I commended her for it.
Instead of being rude, I changed the subject.
The serum working its way through my veins and easing the pain helped make my smile real. “Is this enough to last until the Worm Moon?” I asked.
Omegas didn’t necessarily follow the traditional wolf patterns of heat—especially in situations like this—but if I could make it to their mating season and the rut, I’d have a chance of surviving this show.
Penelope put a pink and white Band-Aid over the puncture wound in my arm. “It’s a starter dose to get your heat under control. You’ve had it before?”
I hummed my response. Last season had not been great, healing in the Omega ward of the hospital, but at least I’d gotten through the worst of it without needing to go hunting for partners.
Not that those hadn’t been fun times over the years, but even knotted toys and voracious appetites had a hard time meeting my needs.
“I can give you some maintenance pills to keep it under control. But I don’t need to warn you how dangerous those are.” Penelope’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“I’m very aware,” I spoke softly to ease her discomfort, ignoring mine. At least the physical pain from denying the rising heat was gone.
It was the mental stuff that hit harder.
“Just enough to get through the next week,” Penelope hurried to say as she started counting pills into an orange container on the counter.
I felt the shame wash over me.
I wasn’t my mother, but they didn’t know that.
Partially, it was my fault for turning down every invitation to a summit or wellness retreat.
But the little girl in me was still sad that they’d had to send formal mail at all.
It seemed like everyone knew each other and had all these memories and support systems. While I was an outsider, always looking in.
Even being an Omega couldn’t stop you from feeling alone.
“Two mates. Four?” Penelope eased the conversation back into a safer direction as she finished with the pills.
“Two,” I said, smiling as Atlas’s and Dorian’s faces filled my mind.
“None hiding anywhere else?” Penelope tightened the lid on the cap.
That would be a fun twist.
I shook my head, thankful it was just the two of them. Omegas generally had multiple partners, but I don’t think I could’ve handled that many shifters constantly around and in my space.
Not that I was sure Atlas or Dorian would be able to tolerate each other long enough for either of them to be in my life.
My chest tightened as I sucked in a little breath, but it wasn’t quiet enough for Penelope not to notice.
“Did something happen?” she whispered.
Maybe it wasn’t so bad growing up without Omegas always there to read too deep into everything.
Seriously. A girl needs secrets.
“Nothing,” I said. “It’s just… things are complicated right now.”
“I figured.” She winked.
I exhaled a full breath. “Was it that obvious?”
“It happens to the best of us,” Penelope said, touching the collar on her neck with a reminiscent look in her eyes that made me feel like I was intruding on something.
“Animal instincts take over sometimes. If your wolf senses something wrong with your mates, she’ll push you into heat to send out signals telling them to come home where they belong. ”
Home. Tears filled my eyes.
That’s what they always said about Omegas. The magic they told us we carried in our blood. Omegas brought peace. The feeling of home. It was addictive enough to wage wars over. To bring powerful males to their knees.
But what happens to broken Omegas like me who don’t know what home truly means?
We’re not broken. We just haven’t gotten to the happy ending part yet.
“It’ll all work out,” I said, more to myself than to Penelope.
“It sure will.” She smiled again, packing her supplies. “I’m prescribing an extra nap this afternoon. The hotel gave you soft blankets?”
I nodded.
“I’ll make sure you get something sweet sent to your room as a treat for when you wake up. It’ll be wrapped this time.”
“You don’t have to—”
“No, we do,” Penelope cut me off. I was shocked to hear that tone coming from an Omega. “The council refuses to let you deal with this season alone.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just thanked her, watching as she gathered everything and headed to the door.
“Remember to pay attention to your wolf,” Penelope told me. “They’ve been known to go a little crazy around this time.”
Crazy? Me? My wolf snorted.
“Wait,” I said, torn between wanting Penelope to leave and not being ready for her to go. “What if it doesn’t… all work out, I mean?”
The tears shimmering in her eyes answered before she spoke. “I think you of all Omegas should know what happens then.”