Page 61 of Knotting the Firefighters

"I offered that our pack could step in temporarily. Provide the affiliation needed to move the investigation forward, and I guess now, access proper medical care."

What.

Aidric's expression shifts through several emotions too quickly to track, landing somewhere between shock and fury.

"Excuse me?" The words emerge dangerously quiet. "You offered our pack without discussing with me first? Without consulting pack Alpha about a major decision affecting our entire dynamic?"

Bear rolls his eyes with theatrical exasperation.

"No shit, Captain. You weren't there when the conversation happened, and I was planning to bring it up once we handled the immediate medical crisis. Obviously, we got busy with exploding buildings and unconscious Omegas, so the discussion got delayed."

Fair point, actually.

Bear tends toward impulsive generosity, but his instincts are usually sound regarding pack needs and compatible additions.

I step forward before their argument escalates into something physical, drawing attention with deliberate movement.

"It's actually a strategically sound plan," I observe, my medical mind already calculating logistics. "Addressing multiple problems simultaneously with a single solution."

All eyes turn toward me, with various expressions of surprise at my endorsement.

I direct my next question to Dr. Winters.

"If we…hypothetically…claim pack affiliation with Chief Murphy for a temporary period, would that qualify her for the treatment needed to address the fainting spells?"

Dr. Winters nods immediately, relief evident that someone's focusing on practical solutions rather than political outrage.

"Yes. With documented pack affiliation, I could provide comprehensive care, including alternative suppressant options that might better suit her current circumstances and physiological needs."

She taps her tablet, pulling up what appears to be treatment protocols.

"The fainting stems from hormonal instability caused by abrupt medication cessation combined with stress, repeated trauma exposure, and inadequate recovery time between incidents. With proper medication and pack support, we could stabilize her within weeks rather than months."

Good.

Manageable timeline with clear intervention path.

"It would also strengthen Officer Martinez's case," I continue, working through implications. "Demonstrate that Chief Murphy has a support system, make it harder for opposingcounsel to paint her as an unstable or unreliable witness. Pack affiliation provides social and legal legitimacy that independent Omegas don't receive in the current political climate."

Both Calder and Aidric open their mouths—presumably to object, to argue, to establish territorial boundaries about who gets to make decisions regarding Wendolyn Murphy's pack status.

But I'm faster, cutting through their impending conflict with clinical assessment.

"However, Dr. Winters, you mentioned potential complications with this arrangement?"

Her expression shifts, sympathy mixing with medical pragmatism.

"Suppressants will help prevent her from reacting to random Alphas in public spaces, maintain her professional composure in work environments," she explains carefully. "But if you officially accept her as pack Omega, even temporarily, her body will begin responding to you specifically by biological default."

Calder and Aidric exchange glares that could ignite fires, but both remain silent, waiting for elaboration.

I provide it, because someone needs to speak the medical truth they're both avoiding.

"Her hormones will recognize pack bonds, begin producing pheromones and physiological responses designed to strengthen those connections. Which could trigger a heat cycle."

Dr. Winters nods in confirmation.

"Potentially significantly stronger than what she might have experienced with the previous pack, depending on biological compatibility and the nature of her sexual relationships with them."