12. Calder
Calder
"Dr. Walker, thank you for returning our call."
We'd given an overview of our situation, explaining the obvious urgency to the medical staff not even ten minutes ago. Thankfully and miraculously, he'd called right back.
Asking a list of clinical questions, we each answer, sometimes all of us as a pack. Adrian stays with us, keeping our drinks full and eyeing each of us for the barest sense that we needed anything.
Luckily, the doctor's prognosis comes quickly.
"Well, a Heat cycle extending into its sixth day with persistent high temperatures, heightened signature emission, and the ongoing presence of Heat haze is certainly outside the expected biological parameters for an omega in a stable pack bond.
Even considering that this is Ms. Williams' first Heat, these symptoms are moving into a dangerous timeline.
" The doctor's voice echoes from the speaker on the phone.
"So, it's not normal then," Sage confirms what each of us already suspect, fear evident on his face.
"It is not, no. It's outside of what should be expected in a typical, average omega Heat cycle."
"What's causing it? How do we help her? What can we do?" I urge.
"I know this must be terrifying for all of you, but, I wouldn't worry…
just yet. However, the next twelve hours or so are crucial," the doctor continues, voice both straight to the point and oddly soothing with his inflections and southern accent.
"This particular instance, we're looking at scent-matched, activated bonds.
At this point, if my suspicions are accurate, it's no different than the majority of extended Heats, albeit rare.
An omega's body requires a sufficient quantity of seminal fluid to trigger the biological and neurological cascade, so to speak, that ends the Heat cycle. "
The silence on our end is stagnant as the words land.
"So, wait. That means we haven't given her primal enough of our…
excuse my crass language…but enough of our come?
" I ask, a bit bewildered. That just doesn't seem possible.
Gripping the roots of my dirty hair, I look at both Ever and Sage. Their expressions match my own.
"No, truthfully. I suspect the quantity is insufficient regarding all recognized, bonded mates.
And while you three may have provisioned enough, there's one big piece missing if I were to guess.
You mentioned briefly that there's a final bonded mate of Ms. Williams that hasn't participated in the Heat.
It's my suggestion that this be remedied.
If one or more partners have not…contributed seminal fluid and pheromones, the body continues to signal as if conception has yet to be achieved.
Which is what's most likely causing her extended Heat cycle. "
"So, she needs all of us…" I trail off, looking at Adrian while holding the phone out on speaker.
"All of her scent matched mates?" The doctor chuckles, as if this is at all funny. "Yes. Each of her active, completed or uncompleted, bonds needs to contribute."
We each look at each other, our gazes collectively landing on Adrian's gutted expression.
Nodding, he stands and turns to face the open window that he undoubtedly opened to let in fresh air.
I can't imagine what her scent is doing to his primal.
The fact that he's been present and completely reliable during this situation and her entire Heat is admirable.
When none of us manage to speak for what must feel like too long, he continues, "Without full participation, you risk your omega's safety.
You put her at risk for severe dehydration, hormonal imbalance, and potential long-term and irreversible effects.
Not to mention, in extreme cases, Heat exhaustion leading to collapse into a Drop so severe, it's borderline coma.
" His voice is piercing, losing some of its understanding edge.
He must've mistaken our silence as a protest of some kind.
"Thank you, doctor. I assure you, she's in great hands.
She's the center of our pack, and we'll do anything and everything to make her safety a top priority," I conclude.
The second worst case scenario would be this doctor reporting our pack for not properly caring for our omega, or assuming she's in any kind of danger.
The first? Opaline being harmed in any capacity.
"I assume there must be interpersonal factors I'm not completely aware of.
But, biologically, until the physiological requirement is met, Ms. Williams' body will not begin to term the cycle.
Action must be taken within the next twelve hours to avoid escalation to emergency admission.
" The tone echoing through the speakers is undeniable.
As if we'd ever consider not following his medical recommendations.
"Thank you again, doctor. We'll follow up if needed. Or, take her to emergency services should anything go wrong. Thank you."
With a prompt farewell, the call ends.
"I uh, I think I have an idea…" Everette softly adds.