Page 13 of Follow Your Instincts

“You want straight talk? Omegas are super horny and have a biological need to get knotted by Alphas. Heats happen four times a year and yeah, they’re kind of a pain in the ass, but it’s, at most, 16 days out of the year when you’ll have so much sex you forget your own name. The rest of the time, you’re free to use your unique anatomy to have, from what I’ve heard, is the best sex imaginable with partners that worship the ground you walk on.”

Well, okay then,I thought. Steffi laughed at my shocked expression.

“She’s right, dear. This bit, the bit before you find your pack, is not ideal. Especially when you aren’t expecting it,” she said. “But take it from an older Omega, the rest is quite true. Of course, my heat days are long behind me now, but we still get up to quite a bit of fun around the house, I assure you.”

I smirked at Steffi’s dreamy expression, then sobered quickly. “So, when will my first heat happen?”

“When did your last period start?” Dr. Kimber asked.

“Like 10 days ago,” I said.

“Then I’d say you’ve got about two and a half months,” she said.

“Plenty of time to think about your options,” Steffi said. “Speaking of which, let’s get you dressed and back to the office to meet Andreas.

I dressed quickly behind a curtain while the two women chatted.

“Thanks for the real talk,” I said, shaking Dr. Kimber’s hand.

“Anytime, Maggie. I’m here twice a week, or just call me,” she said, and handed me her card. I was reminded forcibly of myself giving Greta my card, probably exactly 24 hours previous. I hoped she was doing okay, but without her information I had no way to follow up.

“This way, dear,” Steffi trilled. I had chugged the smoothie Austin made for me, but my stomach growled. “Perhaps we’ll get some snacks for our chat with Andreas.”

Andreas was a male Omega, and I was both irrationally jealous of him and fighting a crazy desire to pin him down to the table where the three of us sat around in his office. His scent was like a warm cherry pie, and he was effortlessly gorgeous. He had dreadlocks down to his shoulders, piercing hazel eyes, and a kind smile.I wonder what unique biological features male Omegas have,I thought. As I was ogling him, I noticed my perfume kicking up again.

“That’s very flattering, Maggie, but I am taken,” Andreas said and smiled at me. “I don’t have what you’re looking for, anyway.”

My face burned. “Well, that’s embarrassing,” I said. “Is this going to happen every time I think someone’s hot. Forever?”

Andreas laughed. “No, thank goodness or I’d be in trouble, too. It’s just part of being unbonded. It makes your perfume go into overdrive to entice a mate and put a bun in that oven.”

“So the perfuming will go away when I’m part of a pack?” I asked.

“Partially. You’ll still perfume for your pack, though, and trust me they’ll enjoy it,” Andreas said and gave me a naughty smile that had me shifting in my seat.

“Give the poor dear a rest,” Steffi said. “We have work to do.”

Andreas’ office was larger than Steffi’s but felt even more crowded thanks to the filing cabinets lining every availablewallspace.

“You’re right, boss,” Andreas said and crammed the rest of the cookie we’d brought him from our pit stop in the kitchen in his mouth. “Short version, or long version?”

“We’d better do the long version, dear, I’m afraid Maggie wasn’t expecting this at all,” Steffi replied.

Andreas nodded. “Whenever an Omega presents, they’re strongly encouraged to register with the National Omega Network. NON is the agency that provides funding for Omega Centers across the country, so we can help vulnerable Omegas who don’t have the support of a family pack find compatible packs of their own. All of the packs that we work with are fully vetted with background checks, and we provide follow-up services that ensure Omegas are happy and healthy.”

I hated thinking of myself as vulnerable, but I had to admit that it was true. “You said ‘strongly encouraged.’ But it’s not required?”

“Of course not. You’d be absolutely free to leave anytime you want and try to find a pack on your own. That’s how a lot of matches are made with Omegas who grow up in traditional pack structures. We also facilitate matches for those Omegas. But given what happened last night, I think you understand why it’s strongly encouraged for those without family packs to stay at an Omega Center, or in other secure Omega housing,” he said and gestured to my throat.

“Yeah,” I said. “Got it.”

“So, I take it you’ll be staying with us?” Andreas asked. “I have to make it official.”

I considered bolting back to the freedom of the outside world for a moment, but I didn’t know the first thing about being an Omega, let alone finding a pack. And if I was going to get back to work as soon as possible, I needed all the help I could get. “I’m in.”

“Good girl,” Steffi said and smiled at me. “We’re so excited to be working with you.”

Andreas pulled out a tablet with a document ready to sign. “This gives us permission to register you as an Omega in the NON system,” he said. “If you want to read it, please take your time.”

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