Chapter 42
Sebastian
“Bond sickness. Clearest case I’ve seen in years.” The doctor states, looking up from Ariana’s sleeping body in the bed.
Her eyes catch on us as she breaks the news, scanning the smooth skin of our necks. Comparing it to the reddened mating mark on Ariana’s, presumably.
Next to me, Jason goes rigid. In contrast, Nico’s urgent pacing grows faster, his anxiety basically radiating off him.
“Has she been on any sort of scent blockers or heat suppressants?” Dr. Ortiz peers at the four of us.
We look at each other, searching for the answer. The only information we glean is that we’re fucking dumbasses. Why didn’t any of us ask about her medical history before?
A small voice croaks from under the blankets. “No,” Ariana says, breathing shakily as she tries to sit up. Nico rushes to her side, helping her look at the doctor. We hadn’t realized she was awake.
“Hello, Ariana. I’m Dr. Ortiz.” The beta speaks to her kindly. “Can you answer a couple of questions for me?” When the omega gives a small nod, the other woman continues. “Have you been experiencing any chest pain recently?”
Ariana gives the slightest shake of her head.
“What about discomfort during exercise?” The omega shakes her head again. “Okay, you’re doing great, honey.” The beta doctor slowly works her way through her questions. The four of us join in encouraging Ariana’s answers, contributing additional information when we can.
When she’s finished, Dr. Ortiz frowns. “The sudden onset is concerning. You have two options. Reunite her with her pack-”
“We are her pack.” Evan interjects.
“My apologies,” she smooths over professionally. “That being said, proximity to the individuals,” she chooses the last word carefully, “who the bond stems from will help stabilize the condition.”
“Not happening.” The rejection comes out of me instantly in a half growl. Dr. Ortiz’s eyes widen and I pull back the dominance leaking from my body. “That’s not an option.” I assert firmly.
She studies my face. “Your second option is removing the bond, but it’s a complicated process. Either the individuals involved break it, or the hospital will surgically remove it. The latter won’t be quick or painless. It’ll involve paperwork and written permission from the alphas involved.”
“They won’t give it.” Ariana points out dejectedly.
“We’re working on breaking it. We have leverage and a petition submitted to the OOA.” Jason informs the doctor. “It should be done soon.”
“It should have been done sooner.” Nico presses his hand to his forehead, eyes to the ceiling like he’s praying. “We’re too slow. We caused this.”
He’s not wrong, but he can’t be bringing this anxiety into the room while Ariana’s sick. His stressed out pheromones are gonna make her feel worse. I look at him pointedly, making him shut up.
“Regardless,” the doctor continues once he’s quieted down, “she should be taken to the hospital immediately. It may seem like a fever, but this will get worse before it gets better. The bond may feel different after as well. It likely already has been prior to the onset of the illness.”
I look down at Ariana, at the way she’s curled into herself like she’s trying to disappear. How many times have we seen her like this? Small and hurt and broken because of those alphas? We thought we had put an end to this. Jason was right. I should have killed them.
We nod and Dr. Ortiz starts gathering her things, preparing to leave. “I’ll call ahead and make sure they have a room ready for her. Get her there as soon as you can.”
Jason escorts her out. When he returns, we’re scattered around the room, getting ready for our hospital trip.
As if he couldn’t bear the separation, Jason moves straight to Ariana’s side.
Her hand feebly emerges from under the blanket and grabs onto his shirt, making his scent swell at the pitiful sight.
She whispers weakly, but I can’t make out whose name it was. We all draw closer, surrounding her. Closing her eyes, Ariana takes a deep, labored breath.
“We’re here, pretty girl. All of us.” Nico reassures her. The sight of her so fragile makes my chest ache.
Her eyes flutter open, gaze unfocused and glassy. “Please don’t let me go back.”
“Never. I promise.” I swear to her solemnly.
“But the doctor said,” her hand falls from Jason’s shirt to the blanket.
Nico caresses her face gently. “You need the bond broken. That’s all. And we’re going to do that. But first we need to get you to the hospital so they can help you feel better.”
Ariana shuts her eyes again. She doesn’t open them as she whispers. “I have nightmares.”
“About going back? We won’t let that happen.” Evan reassures her, but she shakes her head weakly.
“The bond,” her face scrunches together in a wince. “Their teeth.” Each word comes out with great effort, but she continues. “I was only eighteen,” she whimpers.
“It was my first heat.” I have to lean my head in to hear her. There’s tears in her big eyes when they open. “They said I begged for the mark.” She turns her head from side to side with feverish desperation. “I didn’t. I know I didn’t.”
The words sink in, despair traveling from her scent to mine, cooling my body. Then it surges warmer, filled with the fury I see reflected in the faces of my pack mates.
“They marked you without permission,” Jason’s voice is colder than I’ve ever heard it.
The tears have started sliding down her cheeks. We brush them away with a tenderness I’m astounded we’re capable of in our infuriated states.
Ariana sniffles. “They asked me what I expected coming over. Said it was natural,” her voice strains with the effort it takes to get the story out. “Like it was my fault.”
Disgust creeps into my body, making my skin crawl. An eighteen year old girl, living away from her parents and tight knit community for the first time. Alone in one of the biggest cities in the world.
The men were old enough to understand her vulnerability. They took full advantage of it, knowing omegas can’t walk away once marked. They trapped her.
My hands clench into fists, shaking with the force of my anger. Nico’s face has lost all its color, hand over his mouth like he might vomit. Evan’s cradled Ariana close, letting her cry into his shoulder.
“We should have protected you sooner. I’m sorry, Ariana. I’ll be sorry for the rest of my life. We’re going to protect you now. Can you trust us?” I ask her, patting the back of her head.
“I trust you,” she mumbles so weakly my heart hurts.
Jason’s eyes meet mine, filled with unbridled rage. Nodding, I give him affirmation I agree. We’re going to tear the Hale pack apart.
First, we have to take care of Ariana.