Page 16 of Devil May Hunt
“Let go of me,” Brennon snapped, trying to shove away from the doctor. He was sitting on the edge of a black leather couch, glaring daggers Gunho’s way. A look he was rather fond of giving. “I thought you said you were taking me to the hospital?”
“I told you we were going to see a doctor,” he corrected, keeping his distance to ensure he maintained control over himself. “Stay still and let her inspect you. If I have to pin you down, she’ll get to examine a hell of a lot more of you than either of us would like.”
Brennon’s mouth firmed, but he stopped squirming when Dr. Raya held up the cotton swab again.
“You shouldn’t have bitten him so deep,” she scolded Gunho, wiping away dried blood from the mark at the base of Brennon’s nape. “He isn’t an omega or a beta. Treating him like one won’t change anything.”
“Just do the job I hired you to do,” he warned. They’d already discussed her distaste this morning. That’s why he’d been out of the hotel room, and why Brennon had gotten the chance to escape. Truthfully, he’d been cocky. Gunho had been certain he’d fucked the other man too thoroughly for him to move on his own.
He’d remedy that mistake next time.
On Synastry, mates, whether they were male or female, alpha, omega, or beta, knew how to stay in line. If Brennon had been one of his kind, they wouldn’t need the Royal Doctor here at all.
It was fortunate for them Gunho had the foresight to travel with her in tow. He’d brought a few of his best subordinates as well, though only a couple had agreed to integrate on planet now that he’d decided not to leave.
“I still disagree,” Raya boldly stated, only for him to growl low. “Fine. You’re going to do as you please, no matter what I say. But just so we’re clear, Prince, you didn’t hire me, you ordered me. There is a difference.”
“Is there?” He played along even though he knew what she was about to say. At least if she was venting about howhe used her services, she wouldn’t be spilling details about his plans.
“Yes, giving me an order means I don’t have a choice.”
“You don’t.” He looked at Brennon pointedly. “Neither of you do.”
“Like hell. As soon as we’re done here, I’m leaving. I have classes and training to attend. The fact I’ve missed three days already is a serious deal.” Brennon winced when she sprayed the wound with disinfectant.
“You’re a cadet at the Academy?” Gunho posed it as a question, but he already knew the answer. Once the symptoms of his rut had dissipated, he’d taken the younger man’s multi-slate off his unconscious body. “Royal Brennon Cree, heir to Cree Cosmetics. Your family’s products are popular in the Feud galaxy as well.”
“Well duh, we’ve got the best marketing plan in the business,” Brennon said, but he didn’t ask how Gunho knew his identity.
Smart.
That was good. There was only so much his research was able to glean. Some things needed to be seen firsthand, and Gunho had meant it about not wanting a stupid mate. He was already annoyed about the fact that he clearly had a foolish one. But so long as Brennon was smart enough, he could be trained.
“I’ve sealed the wound with second skin,” Raya explained to them. “You don’t have to worry about getting it wet. In a couple of days, it’ll start to peel on its own. When it does, you can remove it, but until then, don’t pick at it. As for the bruises, I’ve prescribed an ointment. Are there any other injuries I should know about?” She cleared her throat. “Something in a place that isn’t easy to see, for example?”
Brennon shook his head, but he didn’t seem embarrassed. “No, I’m fine.”
“He’s lying,” Gunho interrupted. “I tore him a bit.”
“Alphas aren’t safe when they’re experiencing their ruts,” Raya told Brennon, moving to grab another tube of cream and a bottle from her bag. “It’s difficult to handle them for omegas, who are genetically matched and meant to mate with them. For Vitals, it will continue being difficult.”
“There’s no worry there,” Brennon said. “It was a one-time thing. That’s all.”
“Right.” She placed the two items on the coffee table in front of him. “The cream needs to be used internally, the spray is sprayed directly onto your…Well, you get it. No intercourse for at least four hours afterward.”
“This really isn’t necessary. I’ve got sun scream in my dorm.”
“This stuff is stronger. Trust me.” She stared at him a moment and then added, “There’s no need to let him hurt you more than he has to.”
“Doctor.” Gunho crossed his arms.
“Almost done.” She pulled out a syringe. “I just have to give him this. Unless you’ve—”
“Just do your job, Raya. Or I’ll ship you back to the North Ward.”
“What is that for?” Brennon asked, eyeing the needle.
“Routine,” Raya said, poking him in the arm before he could tell her not to. “It’ll help with the healing and ensure the prince didn’t give you any transmissible diseases.”
