Chapter 27 – Declan
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Declan
The next few hours are chaotic. Dr. McMillan met us backstage and immediately went to work, checking Cove’s vitals.
He made the call to bring her to one of the private omega clinics rather than a standard ER.
It was not a call I agreed with, but I’m not the omega specialist, so I kept my mouth shut.
I also wasn’t aware this place had its own version of an emergency room. By the time we arrived, the staff was waiting. Apparently, McMillan called in a favor to a colleague, and they immediately got Cove hooked up to a variety of machines.
Her blood pressure was low, and she was dehydrated. Other than that, and a slightly elevated heart rate, nothing was out of the ordinary.
I’ve paced the entire waiting room bare, and I’m at the point I’m about to climb out of my skin. I ache to punch something, but that wouldn’t truly help.
Ravvi put a call in to Cove’s family, so they would hear the news before seeing it online.
Cove hadn’t even had the chance to tell them she bonded Ravvi and Damian.
They know now. From what I overheard of the conversation, they wanted to fly out to Chicago.
Ravvi was able to talk them into staying put for now, but depending on what the doctors say…
They might need to make the trip.
Dr. McMillan made it seem like her condition wasn’t serious, but it sure as fuck feels that way to me. She was conscious during the ambulance ride, but I only heard about it secondhand from Ravvi.
He said she was confused and embarrassed. Though, she knew her name, what city we’re in, and the month. Truthfully, without checking my phone, I would probably have to guess about the exact date too.
Damian kicks his foot out, blocking my path as I continue to pace the floor bare. “She’s awake. I can feel it in the bond. It shouldn’t be too much longer. She’s as anxious to see us as we are to see her.”
I nod, and my shoulders shake with the weight of my exhale. I’m not sure how they aren’t clawing out of their skin with the need to be close to Cove. Somehow, both Ravvi and Damian look significantly calmer than I feel.
It has to be the bond.
If I was able to sense her thoughts and emotions, it would probably help reassure me that she’s okay.
That steels my resolve.
As soon as she’s feeling better, I’m sinking my teeth into that little omega.
The second I spot Cove on the hospital bed, my eyes ache like I could shed actual tears. I haven’t cried since Pops died, but she seems so small and helpless. I much prefer the feisty version who tells me to get fucked every time I try to take care of her while she’s sick.
I make a straight shot to the side of the bed while the doctor drones on in the background. McMillan leans against the wall, and if nothing else, it’s nice to know someone Rook trusts has been around while they were discussing her care.
Cove tilts her head up, offering me a tired smile. “Hey, sorry for the scare.”
Something between a laugh and a scoff escapes my lips, and I lean down, palming her cheek. “Jesus Christ, woman. I’ve never been that terrified. Don’t do that shit again.”
She pulls her hand up, running her cold fingers over mine. “I’ll try my best not to.”
She has an IV thingy taped to the top of her hand, and my damn chest gets tight. Logically, I understand she can’t make promises, but my heart can’t handle another scene like what went down tonight.
I was right next to Simon when Ravvi spun around and gave the signal something was wrong. The idiot tour manager was cursing him under his breath, rambling questions about what Ravvi was up to, but when I saw him rip off his guitar, I was already in motion.
The venue security tried to stop me. Though, much like Ravvi, I was a man on a mission.
If something serious hadn’t gone down, I’m sure Simon would have tried to ban me from the tour for stepping out on stage during a show.
It was by the grace of God and pure determination that I made it in time to catch Ravvi.
Even then, their combined weight nearly dragged me forward, but I planted my feet and put my ass into it.
I almost laugh.
Pops loved that saying.
If I was struggling to lift something, he’d tell me to put my ass into it. Hell if I knew what it meant back then.
Cove pats my hand, drawing me out of my thoughts. “You smell stressed. Why don’t you lie with me while the doctors go over everything?”
That is exactly what I would like to do, but fuck, I don’t want to hurt her. It’s a quick process to drop the bar on the side of her bed, and she scoots over, making room for me.
I get situated, keeping one foot on the floor and stretching one leg out on the bed, but I’m careful not to let my boot touch her clean sheets.
I toss my arm over the top of the bed, and Cove snuggles closer, resting her head against my T-shirt.
Once she’s comfortable, I appraise the room. Damian and Ravvi took the two seats at the end of the bed, and I’m grateful they let me have this moment with her. If I was one of them, I’m not sure I would be so gracious, but I bet the bond adds a layer of comfort that I don’t have.
I’m going to have to get a handle on my instincts.
My entire system is unsettled.
I ache to growl and snarl.
If it was up to my impulses, I would steal Cove away somewhere safe. Rationally, I know this is the safest place for her to be, but again, I’m all out of whack.
All of us twist to study the doctor in eerie unison.
“I’m Dr. Francis. We’ve already gone over all of this with Ms. Nash, but she asked me to recap it with you.
” The female doctor steps forward and gestures at the tour doctor.
“Dr. McMillan and I checked for signs of illness or infection. All the tests we can run on site were negative, including the cursory pregnancy test. Based on Cove’s symptoms—headaches, nausea, the fainting that occurred tonight—we can take an educated guess about what the cause is.
I won’t be able to verify it until I receive her labs back.
There are certain cultures that have to be sent out, since we don’t have the ability to process them in-house. ”
“It has to be a reaction to the suppressants, right?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“We believe so.” Dr. Francis nods. “Having a heat cycle is one way an omega’s body signals overall health. Omega systems are set up to experience heats every three months. If they don’t show up on time, it’s a red flag that something is off.”
Dr. McMillan takes over, saying, “When a heat is medically suppressed, it can have all sorts of consequences. Depression, anxiety, and migraines are just a few of the side effects that we see when suppressants are used for longer than twenty-four months.”
Dr. Francis nods. “But seeing her system fight the suppressants is actually a good sign, even if it’s inconvenient under the circumstances.
It’s her body’s way of saying it’s healthy enough to support a heat, so there’s no need to continue the medication.
” She walks around the hospital bed, coming to a stop at Cove’s side.
“Being in close proximity to pheromones from compatible alphas can also decrease the efficacy of the suppressants.”
“Wait, so being around us is what caused this?” Damian asks, leaning forward in his chair.
“Not the negative side effects, no. Those came from her body’s reaction to going too long without a heat.
The overall effectiveness of the suppressants preventing a heat?
Possibility.” Dr. Francis gives him a soft smile.
“Don’t let that confuse you. You’ve done nothing to harm Cove, and having you close will actually make what comes next easier. ”
“What comes next?” Ravvi asks, shoving his curls back from his face. They immediately fall back into place.
“We’re going to continue to give her fluids to help flush her system,” Dr. Francis says.
“It should take about twelve hours. We’ll monitor her heart and kidneys during the process, but I’m not worried.
Cove is young and healthy. There may be a few side effects as she detoxes from the suppressants.
The most likely are fever and vomiting. We’ll manage those as they arise, but the worst should be over within a few days. ”
“What does that mean? How long are we here for?” I ask Cove. She’s supposedly heard all of this, but I want to be sure she’s not agreeing with the doctors because she feels like she has to. If she wants a second opinion, I’ll take her wherever she wants to go.
“I should only be in here for a day or two,” Cove says, running her fingers over my chest. “But they want me to stay in the facility for at least a few days more than that. It’s a precaution in case anything else pops up.”
“Will your heat start immediately?” Ravvi asks.
“I can answer that one, but it won’t be a clear-cut answer,” Dr. McMillan says.
“We’ll know more once the labs that we sent out for processing come back.
Some omegas have an immediate heat. Others have erratic waves as their body learns to regulate its new normal.
I’m going to recommend at least a month-long hiatus before you even consider stepping foot back on tour. ”
“Jesus,” Damian whispers. “Are you saying she’s going to be sick for that long?”
“No.” McMillan laughs. “But her first heat following such a long period of suppressant usage is unlikely to follow the normal pattern of things. She could have a full-blown heat, followed by another in only a few weeks. Or she might have a heat and go six months without another. She also might not have one at all for several months. I’ve seen it all.
That’s why we’re going to give Cove a real chance to recuperate.
Once she’s feeling better, we’ll take a look at her blood work and reassess from there. ”
I pat Cove’s back and study her face. “And you’re okay with all of this?”
“I really am.” She nods. “I don’t want to go through anything like what I went through tonight. Not ever again. I’m going to take the doctors’ advice.”
“Just remember what I said.” McMillan smiles, giving Cove a thumbs-up.
“It’s illegal for any employer to penalize you for taking medical time off, as long as it’s recommended by a doctor and thoroughly documented.
Don’t fret. You’ll be back on stage in no time.
” He crosses the room, stopping to pat her shin as he heads for the door.
“The nurse will be in to check on you every two hours. If you need anything, press the button.” Dr. Francis claps her hands together, nods, and heads for the door too. Only, she stops in her tracks and turns back to us. “I’ll send in someone from registration to get you settled in a suite.”
The door closes behind the doctor, and Cove sighs.
“I’m so sorry, you guys. I feel like the biggest idiot on the planet.”
I shake my head. “No apologies. All we want you to do is to focus on getting better.”