Page 8 of The Honor of Being Hers
Dr.Patterson turned, clearly flustered.“I don’t understand why we couldn’t handle this over the phone.Lauren’s keynote is tomorrow, and people are asking if she’s still presenting.There are rumors she’s leaving the conference entirely.”
“I’m here for now, but I’m under OmegaSafe emergency protocols,” Lauren said carefully.“There’s something wrong with my suppressants; they believe they’ve been tampered with.”
“Surely you can still present in person?”Dr.Patterson pressed.“This is a career-defining moment.We can arrange for additional security.”
“That’s not possible,” Morrison interrupted smoothly.“Dr.Langford is under emergency protection due to a credible threat.Given the classified nature of her research, we cannot risk exposure in an unsecured environment like a conference at this moment.Not even if there is additional security present”.
Dr.Patterson blinked.“Classified?I thought this was about medical tampering.”
“The two may be connected,” Clark added.“Someone with access to Dr.Langford’s personal medical information might hope to gain access to her research.Or influence her work.We’re treating this as a potential security breach.”
The room fell silent.Lauren felt a chill run down her spine; she hadn’t considered that possibility.What if the tampering with her suppressants wasn’t about coercing her as an Omega, but merely as a means to an end?
“What about presenting remotely?”Lauren asked.“Could I participate via video conference?Or record my presentation in advance.”
Dr.Patterson looked uncertain, but Dr.Singh nodded immediately.“We can arrange that.The technical setup exists, and honestly, Lauren, your safety is more important than conference tradition.”
“We’ll also need to assign a different moderator for the sessions you were scheduled to chair,” Dr.Patterson said, finally seeming to grasp the seriousness.“Dr.Singh, could you take those on?”
“Of course,” Dr.Singh replied without hesitation.
After working out the technical details and security requirements with the investigators, Dr.Patterson left with assurances that everything would be arranged.Dr.Singh lingered, asking to speak with Lauren privately.
Once they were alone, Dr.Singh’s professional composure cracked slightly.
“Lauren, I owe you an apology,” she said quietly.“I pushed you to attend this conference because I thought you needed encouragement to step out of your comfort zone.It never occurred to me that you might have legitimate safety concerns about public appearances.Concerns that are merely amplified due to your designation as an Omega.I should have listened when you expressed hesitation.”
Lauren felt something ease in her chest.“You couldn’t have known—”
“I should have asked,” Dr.Singh interrupted gently.“You’re brilliant, and your work deserves recognition, but not at the cost of your well-being.I’m sorry for not being more thoughtful about your circumstances.”
“Thank you,” Lauren said, meaning it.“For understanding.”
An hour later, they were in a convoy of two cars heading to Lauren’s apartment.The building was in an upscale part of the city, a converted Victorian mansion divided into spacious flats.Lauren’s was on the top floor, with high ceilings and large windows that filled the space with light.
“This is beautiful,” Tyler said as they entered, taking in the built-in bookshelves and carefully chosen furniture.
“Thank you,” Lauren replied, feeling oddly proud.She’d worked hard for this space, this independence.
They helped her pack efficiently, a week’s worth of clothes, research materials, and personal items that would make the estate feel more like home.Tyler pointed to a small succulent plant on her kitchen windowsill.
“Would you like to bring him too?”he asked gently.
“Would that be okay?”
“Of course.We want you to feel at home.”
William ensured her laptop and research materials were properly secured while Lauren gathered photos and the throw blanket from her couch—soft things that smelled like home.
The drive to the estate took them through rolling countryside, past stone walls and ancient oak trees.The leather seats were buttery soft beneath her, and Lauren found herself relaxing despite everything, lulled by the rhythm of the car and Tyler’s quiet humming from the driver’s seat.Something classical was playing and it soothed her enough that the tension drained from her shoulders.
“It’s beautiful out here,” she said as they turned through wrought-iron gates.
“Wait until you see the gardens,” Tyler replied, warmth in his voice making her chest flutter.
The estate was larger than she’d expected, built of honey-colored stone with ivy climbing the walls.It looked like something from a period drama, all mullioned windows and graceful proportions.
“The OmegaSafe wing is here,” William said, leading her through a side entrance.“Separate from the main house but connected by covered walkways.”
