Page 69 of Wicked Truths

“Okay,” Oakley says weakly. “Do you know what is wrong with me?”

“I can take an educated guess, but until I receive your labs, I won’t be able to confirm it.” Jess frowns.

“Please, give us your opinion,” I say, clearing my throat.

Oakley runs her fingers over my heart, and I try not to panic. She needs me to be strong right now. Strong and calm to give her strength. It would be so like the universe to give me my first taste of something good and then rip it away right as I’m learning to nurture it. I hold her tighter in return and say a silent prayer to several gods I don’t actually believe in.

“I believe you’re having a severe reaction to the suppressants,” Jess says, taking a seat on the rolling chair and moving to the end of the bed. “I’m honestly concerned that any doctor prescribed them for…” She looks at the file. “Close to five years without any mandatory breaks. I’m going to be frank. It’s highly frowned upon for us to prescribe suppressants for that long without off periods between, and that’s under the most drastic of circumstances.”

“Jesus Christ,” I growl as my head falls back to look at the ceiling. Now isn’t the time to say I told you so, but I dida lotof research when we started hooking up, and all of it said the same thing.

“We discussed your history, and there was nothing that pointed to you having extenuating circumstances. Is there anything you didn’t mention?” Jess asks, staring at Oakley.

“No,” Oakley reluctantly admits.

“Then I think it’s safe to say it’s a healthy response. Your system is set up to experience regular heats. So much of an omega’s health is tied to your heat cycle…” She continues explaining why healthy omegas should avoid suppressants. She doesn’t talk down to Oakley, but she does make it clear that she can negatively impact her long-term health if she continues using them. “I’m fairly sure that’s why you’re so sick. The suppressants have less medication in each dose as you lead up to the end of a pack. Your system is officially letting you know it won’t handle skipping another heat.”

“Damn,” I whisper.

“Would you like me to send someone in to consult about matching with a pack?” Jess glances between us. “We also have heat only services if you’re not interested in being matched.”

I growl, trying to force myself not to clutch Oakley too tightly. Fat fucking chance of that happening. I was delusional earlier when discussing that possibility with Liam. There’s no way I’ll be able to accept someone we don’t know touching her. “Liam and Hawk are obviously ready to help out.”

“The two in the waiting room?” Jess laughs. “Yeah, I got that impression also.”

“No, Liam came with Marcus,” Oakley says, but her eyes are closed. “Do you know how long until the heat will hit?”

“You’re the fourth patient I’ve seen with similar symptoms over the last year and a half. Once your nausea settles down, we’ll get you moved into your suite. Your fever was borderline concerning when you first got here. We’ll monitor that overnight. By tomorrow or the next day at the latest, I hope you’ll be on the mend, and they’ll be able to keep track of your temperature from your suite. If it spikes, then I’m here.”

“So, I’ll be okay?” Oakley asks.

“Barring any major disasters,” Jess says, nodding. “Truthfully, you’re young and healthy. I’m not too concerned, but your system is detoxing from the suppressants. You may not feel great for the next few days.”

“And once that passes, she’ll go into heat?” I run my hand over Oakley’s back, and a ragged purr starts in my chest as I do my best to soothe her.

“She may begin to experience erratic waves of heat even while she’s sick.” Jess gives me a pointed look. “What you’re doing right now should help. Soak up alpha pheromones directly from the source. It should help to relax your system. Suppressants have only been around thirty or forty years, and they’ve been in widespread use for less than that. We still don’t understand all the ins and outs, but we do know alpha and omega biology is built to suit each other.” She glances at me. “I’m guessing you’ll be staying?”

“That’s up to the princess,” I say, even though leaving is the last thing I want to do. “Can I stay with you?”

“Please do,” she groans.

“Yeah, it looks like I’ll be staying.” I don’t even try to hide the smirk that crosses my face.

Jess just smiles. “Don’t be surprised when the nurse pops in every hour to take your vitals. Press the call button if you need someone, and one of us will be in right away.”

“Thank you,” I tell her sincerely. This place is preferable to a hospital at this point. If Oakley needs one then we’ll head there, but this is a much better option considering the shit show going on in the real world. We’re behind an iron gate of safety. Here’s hoping no one leaks our location. That would be a shitty way to repay this place for getting Oakley in at the last minute.

* * *

It is, in fact, a long fucking night. Oakley isn’t violently sick, but she does have frequent bouts of gagging. She sweats through both our clothes early the next morning. I text all three of the guys. They came down to see her last night before Jess and the owner forced them to the suite. It’s early as hell, so I’m expecting Hawk to be the one to reply.

Sullivan comes in with a change of clothes for Oakley a little less than ten minutes after I send the text.

“I’ll stay with her.” Sullivan tosses the clothes on the end of the bed and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I know you haven’t left. Go take a shower and get some breakfast. I promise I won’t leave her side.”

“It’s okay,” Oakley says, patting my chest. “I know I sweated all over you, and you deserve a shower.”

“Fine, but I’m helping her change.” I nod to the door. Sullivan agrees and leaves the room. I help Oakley out of the sweaty dress she’s been in since yesterday and into the pajamas he brought. I don’t know where the new sheets are, so I’m not sure how much it helps, but Oakley grabs my arm as I’m tucking her back under the thin blanket. “I won’t be gone long.”

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