Page 78 of Knot Only His

“She was very young to reveal as an alpha.” The doctor taps her chin. “This is fascinating. She could be a switch - a rare designation that can present as either alpha or omega depending on the circumstances.” She gestures at us. “Your pack bond might have triggered her omega side to emerge, but her body isn’t prepared for the transition.”

Harlow moans, curling into herself. The sound tearing through my chest.

“We need to move her now,” Dr. Samuels says. “Before the symptoms worsen.”

“We can take my car,” I say. “I’ll have to wake Jagger.”

The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across the white linoleum floor as my footsteps echo in the quiet sterile hallway.

I inhale. I can’t smell Harlow, the smell now is the sharp scent of disinfectant and it burns my nostrils.

I stop outside her room, listening to the steady beep of monitors telling me Harlow is still here.

Jagger’s small form is curled up on one of the plastic chairs, his Batman blanket wrapped around him. I should’ve left him with my neighbor, but there wasn’t time.

A commotion erupts at the end of the hallway.

I turn to see Carver Sinclair barreling through the double doors, his face twisted with panic. He spots me and charges forward.

“Where is she?” His voice cracks.

I point to her room. He rushes past me, nearly knocking me over.

Through the window, I watch him gather her limp form in his arms, burying his face in her hair and whispering words I cannot hear.

I push on the door.

“What did you do to her?” he hisses when I enter. “She was fine before she came here. Before she met all of you.”

Dr. Samuels walks in, clipboard in hand. Her face is grim. “Initial blood work shows multiple organ systems beginning to fail. We need to do a full body scan immediately.”

My stomach drops. “She’s not going to die, is she?”

“She is seriously ill.” Dr. Samuels glances at her chart. “Does she have any family we should contact?”

Carver’s shoulders shake as he tries to hold back tears.

Oliver starts pacing, muttering, “No, no, no” over and over as the sound of retching comes from the bathroom. I know that was Asher losing his battle with nausea.

Carver strokes Harlow’s face, his tears falling onto her cheeks. And for the first time in years, I feel utterly helpless.

Dr. Samuels scans the room, her eyes landing on each of us. “Her family. We need to contact them immediately.”

Carver’s grip on Harlow tightens. His shoulders slump, defeat written across his face. “Please.” His voice cracks as Oliver rushes to her, taking his place. “Stay with her. All of you. I’ll—” He pulls out his phone with trembling fingers. “I’ll call her mother.”

He stumbles out into the hallway.

I follow, keeping my distance as he presses the phone to his ear.

“Vivian.” His voice echoes in the empty corridor. “It’s Carver. Harlow’s in the hospital.” A pause. “She’s in a bad way. Really bad. Did you do something? Did you make her present as an alpha?”

I lean against the wall, my chest tight as his voice rises.

“That’s what you do, isn’t it? You’re a fucking doctor who helps omegas. You’re an omega. Her sister, Grace, is an omega. How the hell can Harlow and Bardot be alphas?” His fist slams into the wall. “Help her or we’ll lose her.”

His voice drops to a broken whisper. “I love her. I’ve always loved her. Please help. Please tell the truth.”

I glance up to ceiling to stop my own tears from falling.

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