Page 66 of One Flew Over the Omega's Nest: Part One
I feel guilty, but I can’t let him scent me without the suppressants. He’s already so possessive, but if we happen to also be a true scent match on top of everything else, he’ll claim me right then and there. Another mating bite is not something we need to throw into the mix right now.
Based on my reaction to Lars’ threat, you’d think I’d be freaking out. But I’m not. This isHayden. The alpha who lets me boss him around and man-handle him even though he’s twice my size. Hayden would sooner cut his own balls off than hurt me.
So something in me has…settled. I can’t help but think that maybe, despite the drugs pumping through both our systems, we recognized each other on a baser level. That’s the only explanation that I can think of for why I was so desperate for his bite.
“True scent match…” Helaena shakes her head as if to clear it. “I suppose. There are so many things that science and medicine haven’t uncovered about the nuances of the true scent match. It could…when your venom was injected into Jo…your very DNA could have worked with hers in a way that could have counteracted the drugs they’ve been giving you.”
“What happens when they give me my next dose?” I ask, trying to keep my voice from wavering. “Will my omega go back in hercage? What will happen to our bond?” The thought of losing this connection to Hayden so quickly after forming it has my stomach twisting in dread.
Helaena frowns as she rifles through her bag. “I’m not sure, sweetie. If the medication takes effect…I’m sure the same logic would still apply. I would assume that another bite from your mate would counteract it.”
Both mine and Hayden’s shoulders relax.
“But…” she trails off thoughtfully, “I would be careful until I can get my hands on heat suppressants for you. I don’t know exactly what they put in the medication, but part of its function was to suppress your heats. Without it in effect…”
“I’m not too worried about it.” I shrug. “I’ve never had a heat, even before I went on suppressants.” Though, to be honest, I don’t know if bonding Hayden will have any effect on that. Or if finding my scent match in him will kickstart things. Helaena gives me a look like she envies my ability to not be concerned about very serious subjects before turning back to her bag. “Found it!” Helaena cries, holding up the tub. It looks like a container of hemorrhoid cream to be honest, and seems like it could be at least ten years old. “Everything is injected here, so I haven’t had a use for this stuff in a while.” I suppose, if she hadn’t been able to find it, we would have had to go with the injectable stuff, but I’m pretty sick of doctors poking needles in me.
“Thank fuck,” I mutter, taking it when she hands it to me. “Lather up, Darlin’,” I tell Hayden, slapping a dollop of the cream into his hand. He wrinkles his nose as he starts to slather it across his skin. We had only bothered to get dressed in our underwear, and I’m thankful that Helaena keeps her eyes to herself.
Would be a shame to have to pluck the eyeballs out of the only person of minor authority I can trust around here.
“Can I come in now?” Kole’s muffled voice sounds from the other side of the door.
“No, you wait for us, Sugar Bear,” I huff, rubbing the cream until it’s soaked into my skin. Then I pull on my jumpsuit, holding my hand out for Turnip, who is hanging out on my dresser. She makes a home in my pocket as I turn to the door. “This room is absolutely saturated in apples, cinnamon, pepper and smoky goodness.”
Kole makes a grunt that sounds an awful lot like “Fucking hell,” but he doesn’t argue.
“You’re not bothered by him being out there?” Helaena asks my alpha, a curious look on her face.
Hayden thinks for a second, but then shrugs. “No, why?”
“Well, you’ve just bonded, and…” she trails off, almost like she doesn’t want to put any ideas in his head. “Never mind.” I know why she’s asking, and I’m suspecting the same thing. Then she hands me a little tube that reminds me of toothpaste. “If you’re not ready to find out about Kole yet…this is called alpha-gel. You put it under your nose and it keeps you from scenting anything.”
Swallowing, I nod, and apply the gel. I’ll use it…just for tonight.
Two more minutes, and we’re both cracking the door open to slip out of my room, Helaena closes it behind us.
“Well?” I put my hands on my hips in front of Kole and turn in a circle. “Can you scent me?”
Kole leans forward and sniffs a few times before a dejected look takes over his face. “No.”
“Me?” Hayden asks with a grin, and Kole rolls his eyes.
“Not you either, Pyro.”
“Alright.” Nurse Helaena looks between us. “Just keep that on and try to keep all…reactions…under control.”
“Yes ma’am,” Hayden gives a salute. Before turning to us. “Come on, I think we still have time to grab some dinner."
Part of me hopes the alpha-gel fails, and Kole’s fresh rain and gunpowder scent will fill my senses and solidify the connection that I’m ninety percent sure is there. But…what if it’s not? Logically, I know that we can still be pack even if we aren’t a true scent match. Hell, it’s so unusual that people don’t even know a whole lot about them. But…I want to hang on to the way things are a little longer.
On the way to the cafeteria, Hayden is constantly touching me in some way. A hand on my back, a pinky looped through mine, or an arm around my shoulder. My omega preens under the attention, and it’s strange having her back, front and center, after so long.
When we finally reach the cafeteria, we take one step in, and my hackles immediately go up. We’re face-to-face with Tilly-the-bitch, who gives my alpha a look that makes me want to rip her eyeballs out of her head. Hayden also stifles a growl at some random alpha, who gives us a wide berth. Kole immediately shoves us both back into the hallway.
“Go to the…craft room,” Kole orders, a dark look on his face. “Both of you. Nobody goes in there after dinner, and the cameras in there have been down for a few weeks. I will get your food, and by tomorrow morning, the two of you need to have this bond locked down.” Fuck. He’s so damn hot when he’s bossy.
“They haven’t fixed the cameras yet?” Hayden asks in surprise.
