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CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

NOVA

T he stirrups are cool against my heels as I settle back, staring at the ceiling and trying very hard not to think about how exposed I am. My wolf, however, has no such qualms. She practically preens under the attention, purring in the back of my mind.

He’s thorough. I like that.

Shut up , I snap, mortified.

“You’re going to feel my hands on your inner thighs,” Dr. Hayes warns softly before his warm palms make contact with my sensitive skin. I jolt at the sensation, breath catching in my throat, even though he has gloves on. His touch is professional but firm as he gently parts my legs further, allowing him better access.

Yes, see what we offer you .

Shut the fuck up.

My heart pounds erratically in my chest and arousal pools low in my belly as I feel his breath ghosting over my most intimate area. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying desperately to control my body's wanton reaction to his proximity.

His fingers brush lightly against my folds, sending an electric jolt straight to my core. I can't suppress the soft gasp that escapes my lips. He pauses, glancing up at me with concern in his gray eyes.

"Are you alright, Ms. Drake? We can stop if you're uncomfortable."

"N-no, I'm fine," I stutter out, even as my cheeks heat with embarrassment and desire. "Please continue."

Please do.

He refocuses on his examination. I feel the gentle probing of his fingers, carefully assessing my omega anatomy. A whimper escapes my throat as his thumb grazes my sensitive bundle of nerves.

Our big, sexy alpha will have no choice but to mount us now. Soothe us.

Shut the fuck up!

Another much louder whimper tears from me.

"Your omega markers are quite pronounced." He pauses again. "Indicative of a highly fertile and responsive female."

Yes, breed us.

I’ll move us to Earth where you won’t find another alpha for miles and miles if you don’t stop!

But his words make me clench involuntarily around his giant fingers. I'm panting now, skin flushed and tingling all over. I've never been aroused during a medical examination before. Dr. Hayes's touch is igniting a fire within me that I'm powerless to control. I bite my lip hard, desperately trying to stifle the needy whimpers threatening to spill out.

"You're doing very well, Novaleigh," he murmurs soothingly.

His deep, rumbling voice washes over me like honey, only heightening my arousal. I feel myself growing slick with desire, my treacherous body preparing itself for an alpha's possession.

Yesss, he will fill us with his fat alpha cock.

Don’t embarrass me.

He’ll love it. And so will you.

"I'm going to check your cervix now. You may feel some pressure."

I nod, not trusting my voice. His thick fingers slip deeper, probing gently until they brush against the entrance to my womb. My inner muscles flutter around his hand, trying to draw him in further.

"Responsive indeed," he murmurs, almost to himself. His eyes flick up to meet mine, darkened with an emotion I dare not name. “Now, this part may be uncomfortable, but it’s important you let your instincts take over.”

I know what he’s asking—for me to submit fully to my omega nature, to let go of my fae inhibitions and embrace the primal desires coursing through me. It’s a terrifying prospect, but deep down, I crave it.

Slowly, he backs out and strokes his fingers along my inner walls, sending bolts of pleasure racing through my core. “Have you produced any slick before?”

“Any what?” I pant.

"Omega slick," he clarifies. "The natural lubricant your body produces when aroused, to ease penetration during mating."

His frank words make me throb with need. I shake my head, mortified by my body's wanton response. "N-no, never."

His fingers continue their slow, tortuous strokes inside me as he speaks. Each is perfunctory, but my wolf doesn’t care, she rolls over inside my head like a bitch in heat. “Before we send you home, we’ll need to ensure you can produce some.” He pauses. “If this gets to be too much, please use your safe words. Do you remember what they are?”

I swallow. “Red, yellow, green.”

“Good. Where are you now?”

I want to scream red, but that would be a lie. My wolf is shouting green in my head, so I settle on a balance between the two. “Yellow,” I whisper.

Dr. Hayes's fingers still their movements, but he doesn't withdraw them from my aching core. "Yellow it is," he acknowledges, his voice low, soothing, like we’re sharing a glass of whiskey in a quiet corner of a piano bar. Using magic, he dims the lights. "We'll take this nice and slow, Novaleigh. I want you to focus on your breathing. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Can you do that for me?"

I close my eyes and try to regulate my breathing. It's a difficult task when all I can think about is the way his fingers stretch me, how he has to wedge his huge body between my thighs, the way his scent is filling my nostrils, the way his deep voice burrows into my chest. But I force myself to follow his instructions, drawing in a deep breath through my nose and releasing it slowly through my mouth. I focus on the rise and fall of my chest, the cool air entering my lungs and the warm breath leaving my parted lips.

"That's it," Dr. Hayes praises softly. "Just breathe. Let your body relax." His thumb brushes over my sensitive nub and I can't help the whimper that escapes me. "Shh, you're doing so well, Novaleigh. Keep breathing for me."

I try to anchor myself in the rhythm of my breath, but it's impossible to ignore the heat spreading through my body with each stroke of his skilled fingers. A moan slips past my lips as he curls them just right, hitting a spot deep inside me that sends sparks dancing across my vision.

"Please," I gasp, eyes flying open. I’m not even sure what I'm begging for. More? Less? I'm teetering on a razor's edge of pleasure and panic.

"I've got you," Dr. Hayes murmurs, blown pupils meeting mine. A lock of hair rests on his brow, as though he, too, is feeling just as disheveled as I do right now. Like he’s barely holding on.

His words wrap around me like a warm blanket, and I find myself nodding, trusting him implicitly. He increases the pressure of his thumb, circling my sensitive bundle of nerves with a precision that steals my breath. I bow off the table, my hands latching onto his firm shoulders as his broad frame leans over me, enveloping my smaller body beneath his bulk. The heat radiating from his skin seeps into my own as his fingers continue their torturously skilled ministrations between my thighs. Each stroke and curl sends electric shocks of pleasure racing through my veins.

“Let go, Novaleigh. Let yourself feel, your instincts won’t lead you astray. If you need to come, come. Can you do that for me?"

“I-I d-don’t think?—”

A deep rumble sounds from his chest as he leans closer, his purr vibrating through me, and the sensation relaxes me. “You can, and you will. Your body knows what it needs. Trust it, trust me.”

His fingers work in tandem with his thumb, and a gush of slick arousal coats his fingers as a wave of pleasure crashes over me. I arch off the exam table, my body reaching for his under the onslaught of sensation, my hand tangling in his hair as I draw him against me, the other bracing against his shoulders.

He grunts as I increase the pressure of my hold, my nails digging into his skin through the fabric of his white lab coat. The sting only seems to spur him on, his fingers pumping faster, harder, sending me hurtling towards an invisible precipice.

“Y-your knot,” I gasp, the words tumbling from my lips in a desperate plea. “I need your knot.”

He chuckles, pupils dilating until only a sliver of gray remains. His breathing is uneven for a moment and he clears his throat, a mask slipping back into place. “This is about your needs, not mine.”

Dr. Hayes never ceases his skilled ministrations, drawing out my climax until I'm trembling and breathless.

“Good,” he praises. “You did so well. I’m just going to collect a sample of this, and we’ll test it for any abnormalities.”

I lay limp and panting on the exam table as the doctor withdraws his fingers. I hear the tell-tale sound of him snapping off his latex gloves and disposing of them. My mind is hazy, still floating in a post-orgasmic bliss. I don't even flinch when I feel the cool press of a glass slide against my sensitive folds as he collects a sample of my arousal.

The doctor sets the jar aside and returns his attention to me, his large hands smoothing over my thighs soothingly. "You can relax now, Miss Drake. The hard part is over." He infuses his tone with an alpha command, and it instantly relaxes me. "Everything looks healthy from my initial assessment.”

Perfect for breeding.

I hate you.

I let out a shaky breath, my body still tingling from the intense pleasure. Dr. Hayes's deep voice and dominant presence wrap around me like a comforting blanket. "Okay," I rasp.

He trails his fingers lightly over my bare skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. The sensation is clinical, just an alpha helping an omega down from her high, yet my instincts don’t seem to know the difference. "I just need to perform a few more routine tests, and then we'll be finished. I want you to keep breathing deeply and focus on relaxing for me."

Easier said than done. My body is already reacting again, my wolf tugging at the edges of my control, but I force myself to obey.

"I'm going to palpate your abdomen now," he informs me, his deep voice soothing as he re-gloves. "Let me know if you feel any discomfort."

I bite my lip as his fingers ease back inside, the motion careful. A quiet exhale slips past my lips as I adjust, my body reacting to the intrusion even as I fight to stay still, my wolf wanting me to ride his hand, my shame long gone. His other hand glides higher over the quivering plane of my stomach, pressing down with gentle firmness. The dual sensation—inside and out—sends a ripple through me, my muscles fluttering in response. I breathe deeply, trying to relax as he instructed, but it's difficult with his hands in and on my body, touching me in such an intimate way.

Dr. Hayes moves methodically, examining every inch of my abdomen with meticulous care. When he reaches a sensitive spot just below my navel, I can't suppress a small gasp. He pauses, his eyes flicking up to mine.

"Tender there?"

Yes, perhaps you should put your mouth on us and kiss it better?

Die.

I nod, biting my lip harder. "A little," I admit, my breath catching as he applies slightly more pressure.

Dr. Hayes's brows furrow in concentration as he focuses on the spot, his skilled fingers exploring, searching, as he massages the tenderness away. His eyes catalog every cue my body gives him, and after a moment, he seems satisfied and continues his examination, moving lower. I try to relax, but my body remains tense, hyperaware of his every touch.

"Your muscles are very tight, Novaleigh," he observes, his deep voice sending heat blooming through me. "I want you to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Focus on releasing the tension."

I obey, drawing in a deep breath and exhaling slowly, trying to let the strain drain from my body. But it's nearly impossible with his hands on me, his touch igniting sparks of electricity across my sensitized skin.

Satisfied, he withdraws his fingers and pulls off his gloves with a snap. “Now I just need to examine your breasts and we’ll be done with the physical portion of the exam,” the doctor informs me, his gray eyes intent on mine. “Please sit up for me.” He holds out a hand to help me sit up and I take it, his large palm warm against mine.

Now we can have his knot!

No, we can’t! Stop trying to fuck every male we come across.

He’s so big and handsome. We should climb onto his lap and give him some relief.

No the fuck we shouldn’t.

Look how hard he is.

I refuse to let her bait me. Even if he were hard, it’s a biological response given the situation, nothing more. I push myself up slowly, my heart pounding in anticipation. He steps closer, the heat of his body noticeable even through his white lab coat. He raises his hands to my chest, his fingers brushing the thin fabric of the gown.

"I'm going to palpate your breasts now, checking for any lumps or abnormalities," he explains, his deep voice soothing despite the intimate nature of his words. "What color are we now?”

“Green.”

Dr. Hayes dons a serious expression as his hands slide under the gap in the flimsy gown and gently cup my breasts. I inhale at the contact, my nipples tightening into hard peaks against his palms. He begins to knead the soft flesh, his touch firm but careful as he feels for any irregularities. “Any tenderness as I do this?”

My breath catches in my throat as his hands caress my breasts, his touch professionally thorough yet undeniably sensual. "No tenderness," I whisper, my voice trembling slightly. "It feels ..." I trail off, unable to find the right words to describe the exquisite sensation of his hands on my body.

A faint smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "Good. That's what we want." He continues his examination, his fingers tracing the curve of my breasts, circling closer to the sensitive peaks. I bite my lip to stifle the whimper that wants to escape.

My breaths come out in embarrassing, heavy pants. It takes everything in me not to cant my head and beg him to bite me. Is this how it’s always going to be?

So out of control?

He steps back, gesturing to the hamper in the corner. “All done with that. Everything appears in working order and ready for your first heat. I’m going to leave the room for a few minutes while you change, just knock on the door when you’re dressed.”

So, after seeing me naked and putting his fingers in me and on me, he’s going to give me privacy to change?

He exits the exam room, the door clicking shut behind him. I sit there a moment longer, my skin still tingling everywhere he touched. I exhale a shaky breath and scramble off the table. My wolf is smug, her satisfaction practically oozing through our bond.

He’s a good alpha, she purrs.

He’s my doctor, I hiss.

But even as I argue, I can’t shake the memory of his hands, his voice, his scent—steady and delicious in a way that makes my heart race.

Damn omega instincts.

A gush of slick falls to the floor, and I look back in horror at the giant wet spot on the exam table before my eyes trail to the tile at my feet. Panic floods my veins as I yank my gown off and use it to mop the floor. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as I frantically wipe up the evidence of my arousal. I can’t fucking believe I left such a mess. What must the doctor think of me?

He loves it. He fought his wolf back from mounting us.

You’re such a liar.

Watch his nostrils, the slight twitch of his right hand, and the shadow that passes behind his eyes as his beast paces.

I hastily pull on my clothes, smoothing them with shaky fingers before hiding the crinkly paper at the bottom of the garbage can, and the sopping wet gown at the bottom of the hamper.

Taking a deep breath, I try to compose myself before knocking softly on the door to let him know I'm ready.

Dr. Hayes enters, his gaze sweeping over me briefly before settling on my flushed face. If he notices my distress, he doesn't comment on it.

But I see it. The flare of his nostrils.

See?

It means nothing. I’m a fucking perfume factory.

The doctor clears his throat, breaking the tension. "Well, everything seems to be in order. I'll just need you to sign a few forms at the front desk and pick up your pre-heat box before you leave." He reaches for the countertop and holds out a piece of jewelry.

I look down at it. It’s a wolf fae bracelet. The same one he and the nurse wear.

“Can I have your wrist, please?”

You can have everything, big boy.

Fucking shut it.

I hold up my arm.

His fingers graze my skin as he secures the bracelet around my wrist. A jolt of electricity shoots through me at his touch, and I can't help but shiver. He pauses, his eyes meeting mine, and for a moment, the world stands still.

"There you go," he says softly, his voice deep, smooth like warm syrup. "This will help regulate your heat cycles and prevent any unwanted ... accidents."

“Then what does yours do? And the nurse’s?”

“Mine helps control the urge to rut.” Dr. Hayes's jaw clenches slightly before he answers. "As an alpha wolf, my instincts can be ... overwhelming at times. The bracelet helps me maintain control and focus on my work."

Next time, all we’ve got to do is accidentally break his before our exam.

I think the fuck not!

He takes a step back, putting some distance between us. "As for Nurse Samson, his signals to authorities he’s a pack-experienced beta who can provide assistance to omegas in distress, should the need arise.” He smiles down at me. “And his pack emblem lets you know whose he belongs to. When you join your pack, you’ll add yours, too. So should you go into heat away from them, authorities can get in touch.”

“Thanks.”

Leaning back, I catch a sliver of tattooed skin where his shirt rides up as he reaches for the drawer behind him. My wolf perks up, her interest annoyingly obvious, but I shove her down, focusing instead on the small, clear case he sets on the counter.

“These,” he begins, flipping the lid open to reveal two sets of translucent retainers, “are non-negotiable for any sanctioned heat session at the clinic.”

I arch a brow, leaning forward to get a better look. “Retainers? What are we doing, fixing my teeth while I’m mid-heat?”

He chuckles softly, the sound low and frustratingly pleasant. “Not exactly. These are heat guards. Alphas and omegas are both required to wear them during sessions. They’re enchanted to dull the bite reflex during, well...” His voice drops slightly as his eyes flit to mine. “...intimate moments.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I look away, pretending to be very interested in the nondescript ceiling tile overhead. “Bite reflex,” I repeat flatly.

“Yes.” He picks up one of the retainers, holding it between his gloved fingers for me to see. “Without them, there’s a risk of an accidental mating bond. These ensure that doesn’t happen. While rare, because both partners have to want the bond for it to stick, it’s not unheard of for their wolves to take over and initiate the claim.”

My eyes drag back to him, drawn against my better judgment by the clinical precision in his tone. “And they work?”

“Perfectly.” He slides the retainer back into the case and snaps it shut. “They’re enchanted with the strongest anti-bonding magic we have. No alpha can break through it, even during a rut, and no omega will form a bond from their end, either. You’ll be completely safe. Even if you do bite each other, it won’t break skin.”

Safe. The word lands heavy, like a promise and a warning all at once. My wolf doesn’t like it—her low growl simmers at the back of my mind, muttering something about how no real alpha would want them. I shove her deeper, refusing to let her have the final say.

I swallow once, then lift my gaze to meet his. “And both partners wear them?”

Dr. Hayes sets the container on the counter before glancing at the notes. “Correct. They’re fitted before the session begins. The omega’s guard is designed to protect them from forming a bond, and the alpha’s prevents any accidental marking.”

I hesitate, eyeing the tiny guards as my wolf stirs again, unsettled by the idea. “How do they... uh, fit?”

He sets the case down and leans against the counter, arms crossed as if settling into a well-worn explanation. “The enchantment adjusts them to the wearer’s teeth as soon as you put them in. Completely painless. They won’t interfere with anything else during the session, and you won’t even notice they’re there.”

My stomach twists at the casual way he explains it, like this is all just routine for him. Maybe it is. Maybe I’m the only one making this more awkward than it needs to be. My wolf, of course, has opinions about the whole thing. No alpha should want a leash, she grumbles, but I ignore her.

“And what happens if someone ... doesn’t use them?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

His gaze sharpens, though his tone remains even. “That’s not an option here. Clinic policy is absolute. Without them, no session is approved. The risks are too high.” He straightens, tapping the case with his finger. “These are here to protect both of you. Trust me when I say they’re necessary.”

I swallow. “And what if someone shifts during the heat?”

The doctor’s hand stills where it rests on the case of retainers, his eyes flicking up to meet mine. For a heartbeat, he doesn’t answer, as though weighing how much to tell me. My wolf perks up again, smug and far too interested in his reaction. He’s hesitating. That means something, doesn’t it?

“Shifting during a heat isn’t common,” he says finally, his tone careful. “But it’s not impossible. It happens most often with omegas whose magic is volatile. Unstable. It’s a biological response—a defense mechanism when the body feels overwhelmed.”

My stomach twists at the word unstable . I look away, pretending to study the tile floor beneath my snow boots, though I can feel his eyes still on me.

“And if it happens?” I press, the question more for my benefit than my wolf’s. “What does that mean for the session?”

He exhales softly, the sound steady and measured, but there’s a flare of something in his expression—something my wolf catches immediately. Interest. Curiosity. Maybe even anticipation. She growls low, her approval vibrating through me like a purr. He wants to see it. To see us. He’s wondering what we look like, what we smell like …

Stop it! I snap at her, but the heat in my cheeks betrays me.

“If a shift occurs, the retainers should hold.” He clasps his hands in front of him. “The enchantments are designed to adapt to the wearer, regardless of their form. They’ll supposed to prevent bonding, no matter what.”

I glance up at him, studying his expression, the calm assurance in his tone. My wolf is far from convinced. She stirs restlessly, pacing in the back of my mind, muttering about alphas and instincts and how he doesn’t look the least bit concerned about the possibility of a shift.

He wants to show us his wolf.

No, he doesn’t. Go to sleep.

“And if the alpha shifts, too?” I ask, before I can stop myself.

His lips press into a thin line, and not for the first time, I see a crack in his composure. A spark of tension in his jaw. He shifts his weight, leaning one elbow against the counter as his fingers drum idly on the case.

“It’s … complicated,” he admits. “Shifting during a session adds an additional layer of risk. It heightens the pheromone exchange and can make it harder to maintain control. That’s why every session is monitored closely by sensors, even with all the safeguards in place.”

I nod slowly, trying to process everything he’s said, but my wolf has other ideas. She’s practically preening, her smugness rolling through me in waves. He’s worried about losing control. You see it, don’t you? He’s thinking about us shifting. About how good we’d smell, how perfect we’d feel under him ? —

Shut the fuck up! I snap again, but my wolf doesn’t care. She’s too caught up in the way his fingers tighten on the counter, the subtle shift in his breathing. He hasn’t looked away from me once, and it’s not just professional courtesy. There’s something else there. Something unspoken. Something instinctual.

I clear my throat, desperate to break the tension. “So, everything’s monitored? Even with the anonymity?”

He stands, sliding the retainers back into the drawer. “Yes. The clinic relies on an advanced AI to track both physical and magical activity. If anything goes beyond protocol, a magic spell halts it and sifts each partner involved into separate holding rooms for debrief with our artificial intelligence bot, Beta. There’s no staff intervention required, and anyone caught breaking the rules faces a permanent ban. At that point, you’d receive an artificial knot to carry you through the rest of your heat, along with oral suppressants, so you survive it.”

I nod again, swallowing hard as I fight the heat rising in my chest. “Right. Of course. Safety first.”

“Exactly.” He straightens, rolling his shoulders as if to shake off whatever tension had settled there. “And just to reassure you, Novaleigh, shifting during a heat is extremely rare. Most omegas never experience it.”

“Lucky them,” I mutter, though the words lack bite.

He smiles faintly, his amusement dancing in his eyes as he reaches for a clipboard on the counter. “You’ll do fine. The safeguards are there for a reason, and staff will go over everything again before the session begins.”

I huff a quiet laugh, though it’s tinged with unease. My wolf doesn’t share my concerns. She’s still focused on him, her curiosity bleeding into mine in ways I can’t ignore.

He clears his throat. “Do you have any other questions? Concerns?”

I hesitate, then force a smirk, trying to shake off the tension still knotting my stomach. “Well, that’s probably the best I’ve ever behaved in a doctor’s office.”

Even though you begged for his knot?

We’re never talking about this again.

His lips twitch, but he schools his expression before it can fully form into a smile. “Is that so?”

I tilt my head, studying him. “Yeah. So how do I compare? Am I the most stubborn patient you’ve had, or do others give you more trouble?”

He hesitates—just for a second.

Then, with a small, almost sheepish shrug, he says, “Wouldn’t know. You’re the first.”

I blink.

“The first …” My words trail off as the meaning settles, my wolf perking up with interest.

“I just received my medical license.” His expression doesn’t change. He’s calm. Matter of fact.

The only thing I can do is let out a strangled noise, something between a self-conscious chuckle and a wince. “So that exam …”

“Omegas usually have it before they ever step foot on campus.” He pauses. “It’s all been theory up till now.”

With wolves being so animalistic at their core, almost every wolf fae gets their magic in way before they fully mature, unlike other fae orders. It makes sense.

The words settle like a weight in my stomach. My pulse ticks faster, though I’m not sure if it’s from embarrassment or something deeper, something skirting the edges of my thoughts.

I shouldn’t be the first. But a part of me—one I don’t want to name—revels in it. I’m the only one he’s ever had to do that for. The only one he’s touched like that. Likely the only one he’ll ever touch like that because I’m an anomaly.

He coaxed me to completion as if he were a lover, attuned to every reaction, every breath, every way he could make my body sing.

The realization burns hotter than it should. If I had shifted sooner, if my body worked the way it was supposed to, I wouldn’t be here, sitting under his scrutiny, aching in ways I don’t want to examine too closely.

My wolf doesn’t share my discomfort. She’s still watching him, still pressing her interest into me, and I hate that I can’t shake the warmth curling low in my gut.

I force a laugh, but it’s thin. “So, what? Do I get a medal for being the academy’s most medically inconvenient student?”

His lips twitch. “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

I huff, shifting in my seat, hyperaware of every place my body still lingers in the memory of his touch. I should be mortified. Maybe I am. But that doesn’t change the fact that something is wrong with me.

It’s got to be my hormones driving me insane.

“Any other questions?”

Yeah, about a million, I think, but instead, I just shake my head. “No. I think I’m good. Thank you.”

For now.

His eyes linger on mine a moment longer before he blinks and steps back, the professional mask slipping back into place. "Of course. It's my pleasure." He gestures to the door. “Right this way, please.”

Anywhere with you.

Kill me now.