Page 5 of The Beta: Part Two
Part of me is utterly convinced that if he was here I'd feel so much better, but the rational part of me is quick to remind me that an omega cannot comfort another omega through a heat and it would devastate Jasper to be unable to help me. He would want me to take comfort in his alphas, but I can't.
As unstable as I am, I'm too much of a risk to be near Jasper. I also don't know how any of them would react to me actually going into full blown heat in my little room in the basement. Especially Devon. I can't go through heat with a pack of alphas who are untouchable and their distraught omega.
As many times as Jasper is brought to the forefront of my mind, every word Devon has said to me about keeping Jasper safe is on repeat. I did what I said I would, what he told me to.
I led the danger to Jasper away.
I took it all on myself so it couldn't touch him.
I can't bring a completely different kind of danger back to Jasper.
I won't put him in a position to choose his alphas or me. I won't put him in a position to ask them to take care of me since he can't. I can't even imagine what that would do to his pride and self-worth.
Devon has made it clear many times that I cannot be a danger to Jasper and making Jasper feel like he is lacking is another form of danger. All it would take is for me to give the impression that I would let one of them take care of me through my first heat and he would be fast to accuse me of trying to separate them from Jasper, and that would make me a threat.
So I won't do any of that.
I'll stay away like I said I would, even if it kills me.
I'm sure before much longer I'll wish for an end to my misery anyway
Chapter two
Dr.DahliaCortez
Talia Graves is slipping away. She is no longer taking any kind of nutrients or responding to her care team. She has refused every comfort offered her and she is snowballing into non-existence.
At first, I thought she was in shock after the horrible ordeal she suffered; but she isn't in shock. She is a new omega who is exhibiting symptoms of being rejected by a pack. Her file didn't have her registered as part of a pack and I wasn't there when the alphas who are sponsoring her care brought her in so I couldn't ask them about the situation.
I was elated when she finally agreed to let me call them, but after hearing the disgustingly apathetic tone of Alpha Johnson I was angry on her behalf. No wonder she didn't want to contact them. It was obvious the omega, Jasper, cares deeply for her, but an omega cannot care for another omega in the way Talia needs care, no matter how much he cares. It would destroy them both.
I understand her reluctance to contact her mother, truly. Elizabet Graves is a terror even if she means well. But something must be done for my patient, and I think unleashing Misses Graves is the best course of action at this point. I shut the door to my office and dial the number on file, she answers on the first ring with a brisk hello.
“Good morning, Misses Graves. I am Dr. Cortez. I apologize for the early hour, but this is very important. It's about your daughter. She's physically well, almost healed completely, just a little occasional vaginal bleeding, that should clear up in the next few days. It's her mental and emotional state, Misses Graves. She's declining.”
Her tone is low, almost a polite hiss,“what do you mean declining? Where is her pack? Tell me she's not alone.”
I swallow, even over the phone this woman is intimidating, “she doesn't have a pack. There isn't one on file. We contacted the Johnson pack that brought her in, but she isn't inclined to ask them to come here. I'm at a loss, which is why I'm calling you.”
She's silent for a moment, and I can practically hear her counting to calm herself.“Is Talia cleared to leave? Is she stable enough to be discharged?”
I sigh. “Yes. Your daughter is physically well enough to leave the hospital, but without a place to go, without an alpha to attend to her, I'm afraid of what would happen to her once she's on her own.”
Misses Graves is firm in her reply.“You let me worry about that, Dr. Cortez. Thank you for calling.”
The call ends without a formal goodbye. I hope I haven’t made a catastrophic mistake by awakening the fiery wrath and vengeance of an angry mother. I’ll say a small prayer for whoever ends up on the wrong side of the warpath I just sent Elizabet Graves on.
Chapter three
Jasper
Elizabet Graves, queen of all things omega on the east coast, including the institute where I mastered all my omega training, is calling me. I must answer the call regardless of how badly I want to stay buried in my blankets and my alphas. I tap the screen and her sweet, singsong voice immediately starts chirping at me.
“Good morning, Jasper! I realize it must be early for you, I’m just checking on my little girl. She isn’t answering her phone and I’m a very worried mother.”
I’m confused, Talia is at the hospital, but her phone is charging on my nightstand so it will be ready for her when she wants it back. It hasn't gone off once, but that doesn’t explain why her mother...oh my god, Elizabet is Talia’s mother.
How did I not realize it?
