Page 16 of Omega's Fever

“Not like that,” I rub at the corners of my eyes. I feel like I might burst into tears. “It was really strong. The Bureau guy said he thought it might be a prime match.”

Kao’s mouth falls open. “No.”

“That’s what I said.”

Kao sits back shaking his head. “That’s messed up. You can’t just ignore a prime match, even if the government lets you. Trust me, my cousin tried. Ended up humping a mailbox because it smelled vaguely like his match’s cologne.”

Before today, I’d have told Kao he was full of shit because there was no way that I’d ever end up humping a mailbox because it smelled like Kellen. Now I’m pretty sure I would.

I can’t tell him what actually happened and that’s even worse. This is the first time I’ve ever kept anything from him, but I can’t admit to what I just did. I just can’t.

Before I can respond, Anne appears in our doorway. Her expression suggests she already knows everything, because of course she does. Anne always knows.

“Milo. My office. Now.”

I follow her down the hallway.

“Sit.” She settles behind her desk, fingers steepled. “I just got off the phone with Judge Melkham’s clerk. Apparently, there was quite the scene in his courtroom this morning.”

My face burns. “I can explain. There was a scent reaction. With the defendant. I couldn’t control it.”

“Obviously.” She sighs, rubbing her temples. “Milo, you know it’s harder on omegas. Hell, I’m the one person who knows thatbetter than anyone. You’re supposed to be on suppressants.”

“I am!”

She raises her eyebrow.

“I swear it,” I say. “I never forget a dose but I’ll get something stronger.”

Anne studies me for a long moment. “If you’re on suppressants and you still had that reaction, then we have a problem.”

I can’t quite meet her gaze. I feel thoroughly defeated. “I asked Melkham for a recusal but he refused.”

She sighs and rubs at the corner of her eyes. “That was the worst thing you could have done. Melkham hates delays and he hates it when attorneys try to slip out of something.”

“I wasn’t trying to slip—”

“I know,” she says gently.

My brain feels foggy, thoughts slipping away like smoke. I can still scent him on me even though it can’t possibly still be there after how hard I scrubbed.

“Milo.” Anne says softly. “You’re close to heat, aren’t you?”

“A week out. Maybe less now.” The admission tastes like failure. “I thought the suppressants would cover it.”

“Scent matches can trigger early onset. There’s no shame in it.”

“There is when it happens in front of Judge Melkham.” My voice cracks. “He already thinks omegas don’t belong in his courtroom. I just proved him right.”

“You proved nothing except that you’re human.” She closes the file. “Take the rest of the day. Get yourself sorted. But Milo? When you come back tomorrow, I expect you to treat this like any other case. Can you do that?”

“Yes.” I’m not sure if it’s true but I’m going to make it true.

She dismisses me with a wave. I make it back to my office, grab my things, and escape before Kao can interrogate mefurther.

I sit in my car for ten minutes before calling Dr. Garrett. He’s been my physician since I moved to the city, a beta who specializes in omega health. He answers on the third ring.

“Milo? What can I do for you?”