Page 94 of Wild Omega

They share another loaded glance before the woman continues. “Indeed, she is a strong woman. I should’ve introduced myself properly. I’m Dr Marilyn Woods, lead psychologist here at the Laversham Omega Center. Nothing I say is a criticism of Red, but only to let you know about the challenge ahead. While she’s strong and energetic, so far you’ve only seen the persona Red allows you to see.”

Dr Woods rests her hand on a folder on the desk. “She has a dissociative personality, Rickon, which can be triggered during moments of distress, and then she becomes another person altogether. At this point, it’s impossible to know who the real Red is.”

I dig my nails into the armrest as I tense. Red told me herself she’s crazy, but don’t we all have parts of ourselves we try to hide? We all create masks to hide behind sometimes. “I think you’re wrong,” I murmur, looking down at my curled hands. “Not about the diagnosis, of course, that’s your professional opinion, but I have seen it. She’s an actress. Possibly the best this country has ever seen. And if she’s had to bury the kind of trauma you’ve mentioned for as long as you say, I think I understand why.”

I look up, meeting the doctor’s eye. “But she did show me her other sides. I’m sure you read the police report, or Red’s statement. To my utter shame, we were attacked in my own home, and I saw the other side of her. She’s fierce, and while I’m . . .” I can’t even think of the words to describe the pain in my chest when I think of the abuse Red’s been through. I swallow hard and try again. “While I’m horrified at what she’s endured having her haze stolen and all that, even her wild side inspires me.”

Dr Woods lifts her brows. “I see. I’m glad you view it that way.” She swivels side to side in her chair for a moment. “It seems you know quite a bit about her background. Did she tell you herself?” She holds my gaze, peering into my soul like she already knows something. Like she knows Red wouldn’t have opened up about her trauma.

I squirm. “Not exactly. Her other alpha happens to be a lawyer working on the cases from the place where Red was a captive. The hub, I think you called it.”

The moment the words leave my lips, both women stiffen. “What other alpha?” the doctor asks.

Dread blooms in my belly. Red didn’t tell them about Callisto, and why would she, when he didn’t accept her? I swallow down a sigh. “Callisto Wren is her scent match. Red told me herself.”

They blanch. “Callisto Wren? Her lawyer?” Samantha confirms.

I nod. “He didn’t exactly accept their scent match, but he is representing her.”

Samantha gets a stricken look on her face, and strangely the sight eases the mass of worry curling in my belly. “An alpha rejected Red? Oh, no.” Light glimmers from her eyes as moisture gathers. She truly cares about Red’s well-being.

“Yeah, I know,” I murmur. “I’ve given him an earful about it. But I’m committed to Red two hundred percent. I’ll be everything she needs instead. As much as humanly possible.”

The beta nods, a small smile tilting her lips but still stunned by my announcement.

“Can I see her?” I ask, my voice soft with hope.

Dr Woods glances at the choked-up Samantha and nods. “Yes, but first I need to ask if Red has ever mentioned the voices she hears in her head?”

“No,” I answer truthfully. It’s not like we spent long enough together to learn each other’s deepest, darkest secrets. I haven’t told her mine either. But we will, in time.

Dr Woods watches me closely, as if she wants to read something from my micro-expressions. Whatever it is, she won’t get it. Nothing this doctor says could make me walk away from my omega. I already know my Red is crazy, and I love everything about her. The pretty and the ugly.

I smile at the doctor. “But we’ve only known each other for a few days. We have a lifetime to learn the rest.”

Her mouth moves like she’s chewing on my answer for a few moments. “Okay. You’re going to need to submit a formal application to become pack, which includes obtaining an OCB background clearance and meeting the financial requirements. If you don’t meet the conditions yourself, you can nominate a guarantor—usually family.” She slides a piece of paper with a QR code and some instructions across the desk. “The application can be done online.”

I jump to my feet and snatch up the piece of paper, my heart beating wildly. I’m homeless and as broke as an alpha can be right now, thanks to Lyla and Hudson, but I know the Wrens will help me out if I ask. I hesitate, remembering my quick trip to the hospital to see Aunt Lexi. Her anxiety has been flaring a lot this year, so I don’t want to stress her. She was disappointed to learn Red couldn’t come with me to visit her, but I promised I’d bring her around in the future when everything’s settled.

I’ll ask Callisto to back my application.

The doc holds her hands up. “Before we go, you need to know something. It’s about Red’s heats.”

I grind my teeth together and force myself back into the chair. I want to hold her in my arms again, but it seems we aren’t done with the legal hoops. “Okay, what about her heats?”

The two women glance at each other again and both fidget nervously. Damn. It seems I haven’t heard the worst of it yet.

I jiggle my legs restlessly as I wait in a wide armchair for Samantha to bring Red to me. My head swims with everything I learned, as well as a bunch of rules about what I can and can’t do when Red enters. All I want to do is wrap my arms around her and hold her against my chest, forever. Instead, I’m forced to sit here and act like a statue.

Let her come to me, like some kind of feral cat that needs taming? Pfft. As if.

The door creaks open and I flinch, swinging my head around to watch the most glorious woman on the planet saunter in. The smirk she wears across her dark lips sets my blood on fire. I worried that this place might change her, constrict her, but the Red I know is fully present. And gorgeous in a belted sundress.

“Red,” I murmur, trying to watch all of her at once as she glides over. Others come through the door behind her, but I don’t know who because she’s all I want to look at.

“Hello, babe,” she purrs, leaning over me and pressing her face to my cheek. Her soft inhale has all the nerves in my body unwinding, and without thinking, I pull her down into my lap. Red chuckles as she drops.

Rules be semi-damned. “I missed you so much, Biscuit,” I say, rubbing my scent on her cheek.

---