Page 7 of Building Haven

“Here it is.”Vera stops in front of a set of double doors.She looks really nervous and her pheromones are a mess.I want to hug her, but before I can, the double doors open and someone lets us inside.

“What name is your appointment under?”A male Beta checks his tablet.

“It’s under Page.”Mathew steps forward.“We’ve got an appointment for two Omegas at half past ten.”

“Yes.I’ve got you listed right here.”The Beta steps back.“If you could go to room seven.Someone will be with you soon.”

“Thank you.”Mathew nods and takes Vera’s hand, before he walks inside.

As soon as we pass through the doors, a soft scent surrounds us, pheromone masking fragrance combined with something that eases them, probably to make sure that everyone’s pheromones don’t influence the other people here.

The hospital has been largely scent free, apart from when we passed people by closely.They must have a strong air filtration system to make sure all the pheromones are filtered out as quickly as possible.Probably another reason for all the greenery in the hallway, a great way to hide the system, while also making it feel more inviting.

Room seven has a desk and some chairs at the front of the room, near the door, and a couple of machines at the back.From the looks of it, this is probably a room for a small pack.There are six chairs in total and the room is big enough for everyone to have plenty of space.

If I go by how the doors for the rooms are spaced, the earlier rooms are probably for pairs, they were closer together, and the rooms further down the hall are for larger packs, the doors are further apart.That makes sense.You don’t need that much space for pair bonded people, while larger packs are going to need more space.Especially if the whole pack shows up for an appointment, which might not happen all the time, but probably happens often enough that they have to plan for it.

Vera and Mathew sit down in the middle chairs, closest to the desk.I sit down at Mathew’s side, while Caleb sits down next to Vera.Riley sits down in a chair behind our Omegas.

We’ve got a few minutes before the appointment, and the mood has definitely gotten much more tense, until Mathew lets out a groan and crosses and uncrosses his legs.

“Hurry up.Hurry up.I want to go to the loo.”His voice is quiet and frustrated and somehow we all burst out laughing at his tone.

Okay, maybe we’re going to be okay.Let’s hope that this morning and the trip here were the worst part of the day and that things are going to get easier from here on out.

I can hope…

5

Riley

I’m aboutto stand up to go look for someone who can tell me if we’ll have to wait much longer, while my amazing Omegas get even more uncomfortable, when Mathew grabs my sleeve, stopping me.

“I’m fine, just uncomfortable.I should probably not have had that last glass of water...”He flashes me a sheepish smile.“The doctor will get here soon enough.”

“I don’t want you to feel bad.”I entwine our fingers as I sit back down.“I don’t understand why they put you through all of this.Why they want you to drink so much water and then make you sit around, waiting.”

Why can’t they do this in some way that doesn’t make Omegas feel uncomfortable?Wouldn’t that be better for everyone?It feels unfair that Omegas have to do all of this on top of whatever symptoms they’re already dealing with because of the pregnancy.

“It’s only for a short while.”Vera turns to me, putting her hand over where I’m holding Mathew’s, smiling.“We’ll be fine.Really.”

I know that they’re probably right, but being here is putting me on edge.I don’t like sitting around and waiting.I don’t like hospitals, I’ve seen way too much of them.And I don’t like it when I have to depend on others to take care of my Omegas...

“Riley...”Caleb’s command stops the rumble in my chest.“We’ll be out of here soon enough.You can wait in the car if you like that better.”

“No.”I sit up straight, crossing my arms, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.“I’m right where I’m supposed to be.I’m not going anywhere.”

Luckily, that’s the moment the doctor steps inside.It’s a female Omega, somewhere in age between Caleb and me, in her mid to late thirties.She smiles at Vera and Mathew.“Good morning.”She scans her ID and the computer comes to life.“You’re here for your first ultrasounds, right?”

“Yes.”Mathew sits up straight, his voice like he sounds when he’s being professional.

I glance at the doctor, but don’t notice anything about her that could make him go into that mode.Though, maybe he just does it because he’s uncomfortable and nervous.

“I’m Sophia.We’ll do proper introductions and everything once we’ve done the ultrasounds.I’m sure you’re dying to get to them.”She walks around the desk, stopping in front of the chairs.“Vera and Mathew, correct?”She motions to each.

“Correct.”Mathew nods, taking charge.

“And how far along are you?”She glances to the monitor.

---