Page 26 of Empty Heat
“Aren’t suppressants illegal?” I asked. They were in the USA.
“In some countries, yes. But these herbs are not illegal. It’s like swallowing an aspirin to take the edge off. A dose lasts up to four hours.”
“Uh, okay.” Natural sounded okay. “Actually, that’s helpful. It makes me a bit less apprehensive. I’ll take them.”
“I’ll arrange it.”
Later, Rhodes made us a meal for lunch. We had a lot of fresh fruit, plus wonderful tuna salad on soft buns. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I did eat.
I wasn’t looking forward to meeting Soren, but I had agreed. Actually, I had a weird motive. I wanted to compare him to Lev. I wanted to see if they both gave off the same vibe or not. If they were alike. I already knew Soren was bigger than Lev. But I was more wanting to compare their demeanors.
After lunch, I was restless. I never had pre-heat symptoms, so it wasn’t that. It was more about me wanting to get things done and over with.
When Rhodes told me the owner of the island, Senta, wanted to meet with us I told him I was tired. I sent Rhodes away so I could have a nap.
As I lay down in my cool, quiet bedroom, I felt like something—or someone—was missing. Lev. He had been like a quiet strength to me that I didn’t consciously realize until I missed it.
8
Lev –Damage and Repercussions
“Yes, I did sign off on this treatment plan,” Senta admitted.
Senta, in his black kimono with his dark omega looks could have passed for an alpha if his scent hadn’t been like fluffy cotton candy. He stood tall and commanding. He had the privileged assuredness of the rich, with a confidence that almost made him seem too relaxed.
I highly respected him and the island. I knew he had inherited billions and put a lot of his own money into the place because he believed in helping omegas.
It was because of him that we had free room and board not charged to our salaries. He took this rehab resort as seriously as all the rest of us, when instead he could have been sunning on a beach somewhere sipping mojitos.
Of course, this healing retreatwasa sunny beach. No alcohol was served with the exception of special parties, but I loved it here and I knew he did, too. We both worked in luxury in absolute paradise.
As soon as Callum had dismissed me, I’d gone straight to his office, bypassing his assistant and rapping on his door.
“It was a bad plan.” I kept my tone low, but heard my own frustration bleed through. “The treatment backfired. I’m pointing that out. It was thrown in my lap at the last minute, and Kestor—well, you know how good he is at getting people to agree to try things. But that’s no excuse. I am culpable.”
Senta put hand to the bridge of his nose and rubbed. “Is the patient okay?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure.”
Senta dropped to his desk chair and motioned me to sit in the easy chair facing him.
“Why have I not gotten texts or emails about this?”
“Because it just happened. I was dismissed by the patient and came straight here.”
“I’ll want to meet with him before his surrogacy therapy—if he is still even having it.”
“He is scheduled to meet with Soren today. Rhodes is the one who will know if that is still happening.”
“He’s still on the case, then.”
“As far as I know.”
Senta took out his phone and sent a quick text. He then pulled up his laptop and typed, studying the screen.
“There are no updated notes on Callum’s case.”
“Not yet. As I said, this just happened. I came here immediately.”
