She lifts an eyebrow. “You’ll be fine to give a sample then?”
“Of course.” I hold her gaze. “You’ve been a big help.”
She’s been exactly no help. Still, Linda preens at my words, adjusting her glasses and grinning like she’s won the lottery. “It’s good to hear that, Whitney. You’ve come so far from the troubled omega you used to be.”
I return her smile, hoping it doesn’t look too fake.
“The cup is in the bathroom. You know what to do.”
“Right, I’ll be back.” I stand and take my purse. Linda is too naive and trusting. A smarter therapist would realize what I’ve been doing. There’s a chance that maybe she doesn’t care if I cheat on the piss test, but I doubt it. Linda thinks she’s doing good in the world. If she knew I had a cup full of pee in my bag, she’d be mad. I lock the bathroom door and grab one of the cups from the basket. Setting my purse on the edge of the sink, I quickly transfer the sample into the clean cup and shove the dirty one into my bag.
Lindsey has a guy, and thanks to him, whenever I have these appointments, I have what I need to pass all the Omega Council’s required drug testing. Lindsey has a lot of connections for a lot of illegal things, but that’s part of why I like her. She doesn’t ever ask why I need the things I do, probably because she’s used to people breaking laws and bending rules, and I never give her a hard time for using my apartment to stash her illegal supplies. Easy access to clean urine samples makes risking my neck worth it.
I flush the toilet, drop the cup off in the window, and wash my hands. Linda closes her notebook and studies my face when I sit in my chair.
“I know it’s been a long few years coming to see me, but I’d like to think we know each other fairly well.”
Stifling a snort, I nod and glance at my feet. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while.”
My self-help therapy books know me better than this lady.
“That’s why what I’m about to tell you is hard for me.”
My blood runs cold. She’s going to fail me. I’ll have to move back with my family. My throat constricts and my stomach turns, threatening to embarrass me. Keeping a calm façade on the outside, I meet her eyes, knowing she’s too oblivious to notice my inner turmoil. Linda means well, but she’s horrible at her job.
“I think you’ll make a pack very happy. They’ll be lucky to have you, but you should work on making friends. Maybe a delta within your pack. Being an omega is a lonely life if you don’t have someone to confide in. Alphas aren’t always the best of listeners.”
The relieved laugh I release is breathy. “I’ll work on it. I think you’re right… I need to make a better effort.”
She nods. “It takes two people to be in a friendship. Sometimes it’s hard, but you’ve made the effort. You’ll find more friends the harder you try.”
“Thank you so much for everything, Linda.” I put my hand over my heart and sniff.
“Don’t cry,” she says with a chuckle. “My mascara can’t handle it. So long as your results come back clean, you are well on your way to a new life. Don’t waste it.”
I nod and stand, shoving my purse strap on my shoulder and clutching it. “Thanks again.”
She walks me to the door, and we hug, albeit awkwardly, considering I don’t like her.
“Be a good omega,” she sing-songs. “I know you can do it.”
* * *
The apartment building for low pack omegas is dilapidated and in need of new carpeting. Long strings of shredded carpet cover the hall, and I trip on a tear, cursing and catching myself on my door. I glare at the floor before letting myself in. It’s almost five in the afternoon on a Monday. The good people of the world are finishing up work and heading home for a relaxing evening. What sort of trouble happens on a Monday?
Plenty, and I’m desperate to find it.
Four more days until the ceremony.
I dial Lindsey.
“Hey, chick. What’s up?” Music blares down the line; a popular pop song with thumping bass assaults my ears.
“What are we doing tonight?”
She snickers. “You hard up for a drink, or maybe you need a little bump?”
“Only a few drinks.” Cocaine and I do not get along.
