Page 96 of His Surrogate Omega

“Don’t bother,” Jamie answered. “I meant it. I’m done trying to gain their approval. But their absence is also noted. It only proves my whole point.”

“Don’t let them bring you down,” Rohan said, squeezing his hand. “The people who matter are here. And will always be here.”

Wilder turned back to Jamie. “As you will be.”

Jamie looked to both Gray and Rohan before giving their hands a squeeze. “I would like a moment alone with my brother.”

Both Gray and Rohan rose and left them. Once they were out of earshot, Jamie faced his brother. “I know you don’t want to hear the truth, but I don’t have much longer.”

“Don’t talk like that.”

Jamie lifted a hand to silence his brother. Wilder’s stiff upper lip began to fade some, and fear entered his eyes.

“I need your help. You’re the only one I can trust,” Jamie said. “Will you help me?”

Wilder frowned. “What do you need?”

* * * *

After class…

Avery approached Dr. Conover after class was over. His heart beating madly, he stayed back, letting other students ask their own questions before he meandered closer. Add in the fact he was fighting off his heat, and he was in misery.

“Follow me to my office,” the alpha said, once he’d packed up his things.

Avery watched the man take off, wondering if he was about to be turned in. A little part of him considered just running for it and heading back to the O Quad, but it wasn’t like the guard wouldn’t be able to find him there.

Maybe I run even farther than the O Quad.

But where?

“Are you coming?” the professor shot out as he sailed through the door and out into the hallway.

Avery raced to catch up. If he was done for, it was easier to go ahead and face the music. Luckily, they didn’t have to go far. The professor’s office was just up one flight of stairs. Avery followed him inside and shut the door.

The office was tiny. The building itself was old, nearly three hundred years old—if not older. There was a myth that it had been a school before the Great Catastrophe and the elders had used the bare bones of the building to rebuild again centuries ago. Now, doors didn’t close well. Everything was off-balance a few inches here and there. Floorboards creaked and groaned on occasion. There was a smell, not necessarily bad, but just age.

Dr. Conover walked over to his window and opened it before drawing in a deep breath of fresh air. Avery’s stare roamed over the office, stopping on the huge deer head mounted above a wall of awards and certificates.

Professor Buckshot.

His mind went back to Brett and those eyes, and he felt a bit of his cream coating him. Conover spun to face Avery and glared.

“If youevercome into my classroom in heat again, you and I will have issues.”

Avery froze. The gig was up.But wait. If I ever comeagain?“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play coy with me,” Professor Conover said. “Do youreallythink you’re the first omega who tried to reach above his station in life?” The man walked closer and grabbed a mechanical pencil from his desk and scribbled something on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Avery. “See the pharmacist there. Mr. Pelham. Tell him I sent you and that you needthe good medicine.”

Avery took the slip and frowned. “What isthe good medicine?”

Dr. Conover walked back to the window and took another deep breath, his back to Avery. After a moment, the professor turned to look at him. “Heat Repressis a joke. There are other medicines that will work much better and nearly stop your heats completely.”

“What?” Avery asked, dumbfounded.

“They’re illegal, of course, but I’m sure you’ve likely found the scent blockers already, so you’re already breaking the law. Am I correct in my assumption?”

Avery wasn’t sure if he should answer or not, but sensed he could. After a couple of seconds, he nodded.

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