Page 24 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

I don’t know how long I sit in the car, my fingers pressed to the racing pulse under my scent gland.

Corbus has already disappeared inside the Paragon office, and the driver is standing at the open door, a mildly shocked look on his face.

He’s an older alpha, and while built on epic proportions, has a gentle aura about him as he peers in at me.

“I’m Hector, Ms. Valentine. Would you like me to show you inside?

I’m sure Mr. Janssen will be waiting for you. ”

Hector sounds hopeful, but I’m less convinced. It seems that despite Corbus’ impeccable manners, he’s abandoned me on the sidewalk because I smell like another alpha.

“It’s okay,” I tell him, grabbing my purse and sliding out of the car. “I have a doctor’s appointment I need to get to.”

It’s a lie, but now that the shock of Corbus’ abrupt departure is wearing off, I realize I’m feeling kind of nauseous.

My hands are clammy, and there’s a tightness in my temples that promises an unhappy afternoon ahead.

My own fault, since I delayed filling Dr. Green’s prescription until my next paycheck, but I’ll worry about chastising myself later.

“Then let me drive you,” Hector says quickly, his brow furrowed as he takes in my pale face. “Mr. Webber told me to be on call for you, whatever you need.”

I force a smile, although there’s a tiny flutter in my chest at Bram’s thoughtfulness. The way I’m feeling, I’d probably need to grab a cab, which would put a substantial crater in my last usable credit card. “Do you know the Green Fields clinic?”

“I’m sure we can find it,” Hector replies with obvious relief. “Hop in and we’ll fire up the GPS.”

The only reason I remember the name of the fancy uptown clinic is because Dr. Green told me her partner’s name is Dr. Fields, and that his specialty is alpha ruts.

I’m pretty sure I’ll need an appointment to get in, but maybe she can spare me a few moments in the waiting room.

Just long enough for Dr. Green to tell me if this is the flu or the start of Ground Zero.

I shiver at the thought, swallowing around a rising wave of nausea.

I would hate to puke in the back of Hector’s nice car, and I give a sigh of relief when he pulls up to the curb a couple of minutes later.

The clinic is in a polished, pre-war building with a brass sign on the wall and pots of prickly looking palms on either side of the door.

“This is the place,” Hector informs me. “I’ll do a few loops around the block while I wait. ”

“No need,” I reply, opening the door with a trembling hand. “There’s probably going to be a bit of a wait, and then I’ll catch a cab straight back when I’m done.”

His brow furrows again, but he doesn’t argue with me. “If you’re sure, Ms. Valentine. Here, take my card just in case. Like I said, I’m available whenever you need.”

I give him an appreciative smile, pocketing his card and trying to keep my knees from buckling as I head into the fancy clinic.

It opens into a spacious room with a marble floor and a long mahogany reception desk, piano music playing from hidden speakers.

There are no visitor chairs for me to collapse into, and while the scent of antiseptic hangs heavily in the air, so too does the stench of angry alpha.

It’s so strong, I have to force my feet to cross to the desk, my nose wrinkling at the assault.

“I’m sorry,” the receptionist says when I stutter out my request to see Dr Green. “She’s at a conference in Chicago. Would you like to make an appointment for next week?”

“No, it can’t wait.” And neither can I, given the way I’m reacting to the alpha scent in the air. “Is Dr. Fields available, by any chance?”

“He isn’t taking new clients, I’m afraid. I could put you on the waitlist, but he works almost exclusively with alphas.” She looks at the unbonding scar on my throat and frowns. “I could ring around and see if one of the omega treatment clinics has a free slot?”

I shake my head, because she’s given me another idea. “It’s fine, but can you point me towards the nearest pharmacy?”

“Two blocks down, on your left.”

I nod, but as I push away from the counter, my stomach gives an alarming lurch. “Can I use your bathroom before I go?”

The woman pauses, taking in my sticky pallor, but then gives me a sympathetic nod. “Just down the hall.”

I make it just in time to empty the remains of my fancy breakfast into the toilet.

My head throbs so hard I feel faint, and I stagger to the sink, grabbing a washcloth to wipe my face.

When I’m able to breathe without gagging, I use one of the mouthwash samples on the counter to freshen up, but still groan as I take in my appearance.

There are dark smudges under my bloodshot eyes and the tendrils Grace loosened around my face are now sticking to my clammy cheeks.

How is this the same person who rose from Dash Devereux’s bed like a glowing goddess?

Running on empty – even if that includes mind-melting orgasms – has clearly taken a toll, and I think about calling Hector to pick me up.

It’s tempting, but the weary voice of reason tells me I have to start being proactive about my condition.

No more avoidance and distractions. I need to fill my prescription, and I need to decide on a plan.

The fresh air goes a little way to perking me up, and when I find the drugstore, I’m relieved the medication is cheaper than I feared. I use the extra cash to splurge on a bottle of water and an energy bar, washing down the pills as I search my phone for an address.

It’s a ten-minute walk to Safe Haven, and I spend the time taking deep breaths and concocting a list of questions for Lachlan.

There’s so much I don’t know about my last heat, including my state of mind - and body - by the time it arrives.

If I go down the auction route, will I even be able to give the pack the ‘bonding experience’ they’ve paid for?

What if I arrive at the heat suite, and my haywire hormones immediately reject their alpha scents, just like they did back at the clinic?

Do we agree on a backup plan before we start?

Or do I just have to grit my teeth through my heat alone while the disappointed guys deflate their knots and leave?

Ugh.

The fact that I have to consider any of this makes my blood pound in my veins. It’s not heartbreak or nausea I’m feeling now, but a deep, burning rage at Lee, and every person who abandons their bonded mate to this nightmare.

“Katie?”

I’ve been charging along the sidewalk, but I stop abruptly as Lachlan steps out of a coffee shop with a bagel in hand. “Hey, Lachlan.”

He drops his snack back in the paper bag, his face lighting up like Christmas.

And like every other girl on campus, I suddenly realize why it’s like the sun just came out from behind a storm cloud.

Of course, when he gets a good look at me, the happy glow immediately fades from his face.

“Are you okay? Has Lee been harassing you again?”

“No. Why?”

“Because you look rough.” He clicks his tongue, quickly trying to backtrack on what we both know is a fair assessment of my appearance. “I mean, you have your sad face on. I just assumed he’d got in touch and fucked up again.”

I shrug. “No doubt he’s fucking up somewhere, but not in my vicinity.”

“Good.” He nods behind him at the Safe Haven building. “You want to come in and look around?”

“Not right now.” Just the thought of doing a tour of their heat suites causes a fresh wave of sweat to dampen my spine. “I just came to see you.”

“Really?” He looks surprised, but he steps closer, his hand on my elbow bearing some of my weight. “What can I do to help?”

I give a strangled laugh. “I don’t know what anyone can do. It’s inevitable, right? My last heat is coming, and I have to be ready for it.” I take a shaky breath and lean back against the coffee shop wall. “Do you know anything about them? Last heats, I mean.”

“It’s part of our training. The lead up can be hard, especially since unbonded omegas often don’t have access to the support services they need.” He bites his lip, like there’s more he wants to say, then drags his fingers through his golden hair. “Katie, I’m just going to be real with you, okay?”

“Please.” I nod to show him I want it all, no matter how hard it is to swallow. “I’ve heard enough lies to last a lifetime.”

He sighs, leaning his shoulder against the wall beside me.

“More than ever, you’re going to need people you can trust. Everything you felt in your normal heats - hormones, need, slick, all the emotional highs and lows – you should magnify that by ten.

Your need to connect will be stronger than ever, and your drive to mate will be so overpowering, you’ll be begging for bonding bites.

Under the Safe Haven contract, they’re not allowed to give them to you, which means you’ll have to prepare yourself for feelings of loss and rejection-. ”

“Stop.” I press a hand to my hammering heart. “Okay, maybe a little ignorance is bliss.”

“No.” He grabs my wrist, soothing my wild pulse with his circling thumb. “This isn’t something you can just leave to chance, Katie. I just wish -.”

He grits his teeth like he’s physically biting back his words, and I stare up at him, confused. His jaw is white with tension and there’s no sign of the easy-going guy I knew in college. “What, Lachlan? Do you have another plan? Because I’m all ears.”

Wild blue eyes rake over my face. “I just… Fuck . I wish I had a pack to offer you. If I was an alpha, I’d take care of you in a heartbeat.”

“Lachlan…”

“I told Lee he was screwing up. I laid it out plain for him.” He shuffles his feet; frustration carved into his face. “Remember that night he came home to you with a torn shirt and busted knuckles?”