Page 3 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)
“In a surrogacy situation,” the doctor goes on, unaware of my bitter thoughts, “unbonded omegas are matched with packs who have, through a variety of reasons, lost their own omega. Companies like Safe Haven see you through your heat, and in return, you give the pack a bonding experience, for want of a better word.”
I raise my brows, momentarily distracted from the glossy picture. “Seriously? Packs pay for this?”
“Extremely well. I haven’t looked into all the details, but I believe the fee is in the range of twenty thousand dollars, and the majority of that goes directly to the omega.”
I almost choke at such an insane amount, but for a moment I imagine what that could mean.
Maybe it won’t be enough to completely finish the renovations, but it would put a good dent in them.
I might even be able to take a few days off so I can focus on my mental health instead of other people’s bonding gowns and hotel rooms.
I press a finger to the brochure, my stomach tightening as I stare at the omega’s radiant face. “The money’s tempting, obviously, but I don’t think I could do that. Having experienced the real thing, it would feel almost like cheating to do it with strangers.”
I don’t share my other reason, but it’s there, always playing in the back of my mind. Since Lee left, every time an alpha so much as glances my way, I avert my eyes. The thought of him deciding I don’t measure up to whatever he’s looking for makes my stomach lining burn with fresh rejection.
Not that alphas look at me much anyway. Why would they?
Along with my heat cycles, my scent was damaged in the unbonding process.
It seems that in some rare cases, when your mate casts you aside, they not only rupture your bond but also strip you of your natural perfume.
I’d always prided myself on my orange blossom scent, but now I smell as bitter as a cold cup of coffee.
Thankfully, Dr. Green gives me suppressants to hide it, but it’s still a little piece of me that I mourn every single day.
“I just don’t think I could bear another disappointment.”
The truth is, I’m barely hanging on to the last fragments of me, and a bad heat will probably shatter me past repair.
“I understand,” Dr. Green says kindly, “but I still think it’s worth exploring. In fact, I went ahead and invited a team member from Safe Haven down here. If you want to have a chat, he’s waiting in the exam room next door.”
I blink at her, the refusal burning on my tongue. But she’s been so good to me, and went to the effort of making the appointment… I glance at my watch, gauging how much time I have before my supervisor decides to dock my pay. “I guess I could, but it would have to be quick.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind.”
I’m still doubtful, but I put the prescription in the pocket of my uniform and head next door to the exam room. I try to plaster a polite smile on my face, but as soon as I recognize the guy waiting for me, it fades into a grimace. Seriously? Hasn’t the universe already screwed with me enough?
In my senior year of college, Lachlan Cook was a regular fixture in my life.
Despite being a beta, he lived in the alpha frat house and was one of Lee’s closest friends.
I was studying fashion while he and Lee were getting their business degrees, and Lachlan never failed to warn me that most fashion graduates ended up working retail.
One night after too many drinks, he also told me that Lee wasn’t the ‘sticking around’ sort, and I’d been so angry, I wouldn’t let Lee invite him to our bonding ceremony.
The last I heard, he went back to Chicago straight after graduation, and he and Lee drifted out of touch.
“Hi, stranger.” He rises to his feet, his gaze sweeping over me as he holds out his hand.
I’m painfully aware of how I look in my drab uniform, while Lachlan is wearing a tailored suit that fits his six-foot frame like a sleek glove.
He played football in college – starting quarterback, no less – and he still has that golden glow from being one of the most sought-after athletes on campus.
Humiliation bubbles up inside of me, and I can barely meet his gaze as he says, “As soon as Dr. Green told me your name, I hustled down here as fast as I could.”
“I bet you did.” I ignore his hand and fold my arms across my chest. “I’m really not comfortable doing this, Lachlan. Sorry to waste your time.”
“Why? About being uncomfortable, I mean?”
He looks genuinely curious, and I give a harsh laugh. “Well, you were right about Lee, obviously. He didn’t stick around. And I really don’t want to sit here and rehash old times with one of his besties.”
“I was never his bestie,” he replies, frowning. “In fact, when he asked me to stand up with him at your bonding ceremony, I told him to break it off with you.”
“You did what? ”
He doesn’t flinch at my wide-eyed fury. “He was an asshole, even back then. I knew he wasn’t good enough for you, Kate.”
I stare at him, stunned. “Are you implying that all the crap you said to me in college was because you were worried about me?”
“Worried. And stupidly jealous. I tried to warn you, but you were so… committed to him. Way more than he deserved.” His brown eyes shine with such sincerity, I can’t help but second guess my entire college experience for a moment.
The cocky quarterback who thought I wasn’t good enough for his friend… was actually looking out for me?
“You’re joking, right?”
He gives a frustrated grunt. “He let you down over and over and you always patched things back up.” When I don’t reply, he leans forward, anger brewing in his eyes.
“Your winter showcase he missed? He said he was working with me on a project, but he just ditched you and went to Atlantic City for the weekend. And when he told you he couldn’t get your asking price for the car he sold to our football buddy?
It was because Lee pocketed most of the profit and spent it on some bullshit pyramid scheme that tanked. ”
I shake my head again, but it doesn’t stop the buzzing in my ears. “Okay. Enough, Lachlan. You made your point. I was a complete idiot in college.”
“No, you were a young omega in love with a manipulative alpha. Lee was only ever interested in Lee, and as much as I don’t like him, I’m sorry you’ve ended up here.”
My knees shake and I slide into one of the patient chairs, my entire body heavy with exhaustion.
Soul exhaustion, I realize, because Lachlan’s revelations have tarnished what I thought of as my ‘good years’ with Lee.
But then, the more I think about our relationship without the bond in the way, the more it feels like it was always paper thin.
“I’m sorry, Kate,” Lachlan murmurs. “I shouldn’t have brought this up now.”
“You mean you’re not enjoying this little reunion?” He grimaces at my sarcasm, and I sigh, bemused. “What are you even doing here, Lachlan? I thought you moved back to Chicago after college.”
“I did. I'm just here for a few weeks, helping out with a rush of clients.”
I massage my temples, willing my headache away. A twelve-hour shift is hard enough without suffering through a migraine. “So there are more abandoned omegas in the Big Apple than the Windy City? What does that say about New Yorkers?”
Lachlan grunts. “That you'd get treated a hell of a lot better in my hometown.”
I look up at him, surprised by his serious tone. “Well, if that’s the case, maybe I should move there.”
He holds my gaze, his expression unreadable. “Maybe you should. I'd show you around and help you settle in.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, although the idea of fleeing to another city and starting over definitely has some appeal. “I thought you were going to start your own luxury sporting goods company. Didn’t you have some big contracts lined up in Chicago?”
“Yeah, well it seems I trusted the wrong people, too.” He pulls a face as he looks around the exam room. “I enjoy my job, but I never thought I’d end up here, to be honest.”
I can’t hide my wry smile. “Is that your sales pitch? Because I’m not sure I’m feeling the love right now.”
His head snaps in my direction, but when he sees my smile, he snorts. “Safe Haven is a great company, and I believe in what we’re doing. You’d be in good hands if you decided to give us a chance.”
“Okay.” I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but it’s not his future we’re supposed to be sorting out. He will no doubt fall on his feet again, since he’s always been charmed that way. “So, tell me about it. Do they really pay well at these… auctions?”
“They sure do.” He perks up, his dimples popping in the same way that used to annoy me in college.
“We have a state-of-the-art facility for the auction, and while there are heat suites available for your use, we have arrangements with a couple of five-star hotels if that’s preferable.
Most importantly, the vast majority of the fee goes to you , not to the company. ”
I’m not sure about the hotel part – especially if the Liberty is on the list – but I’m curious about the company itself. “I don’t get it. Are you some kind of charity for abandoned omegas?”
His brow creases again, and there’s no missing the flash of pity in his eyes.
“This is just one arm of the business, but I promise it’s all above board and fully certified.
If you sign up, trained facilitators will guide you through every phase, from your profile creation in the Safe Haven database, to the auction, and right through the actual heat experience.
We’re on your side, Kate.” I’m not sure if I believe him – Lachlan was always great at marketing spin – but I’m curious, and he must sense it.
“On a scale of one to ten, ten being all in, how are you feeling about using our services?”
“I guess I’m… a five or six. Interested, but I have a lot of concerns.”
“Like?”
“Just… dealing with all those messy, broken bonds.”
It’s hard not to dwell on the last heat I shared with Lee, although now I can think about it without the lens of love getting in the way.
He used to pride himself on being enough to satisfy me, and I never told him any different, but there was a lot of myself I held back, even when I was lost to the haze.
Every time he passed out from exhaustion, I’d slip away to the bathroom to get myself off, feeling guilty for taking my pleasure out of my alpha’s hands.
It used to feel like a betrayal, but now I can see it was just Lee being his selfish, manipulative self, never giving me a safe space to tell him what I really needed.
Lachlan is still looking at me expectantly, so I shrug. “It just sounds like we’re putting a Band-Aid over a gaping wound. Won’t it end up being disappointing, for them and for me?”
“Or maybe it’s the perfect way to get a clean break from your past.”
I pause, weighing up everything he’s said. Could I really give myself over to a strange pack? What if they wanted more than I could give? Or worse still, what if I caught feelings from the intimate act, while they were just looking for a physical release?
“Ugh. I don’t know.” I drop my head onto my hand and rub my temple. “Lee did a lot of shitty things to me when he broke our bond, but putting me in this position has to be in his top three.”
I don’t hear him move, but the next moment Lachlan’s hand is gripping my shoulder. “You look tired, Katie. When did you last take some time off?”
It’s almost exactly what Dr. Green asked me, but there’s an extra layer of irony coming from him.
Back in college, Lachlan Cook might have been a beta living in a frat with alphas, but he always came out on top.
I know he worked hard and had to deal with some biased bullshit - both on and off the field - but nothing ever seemed to dim his winner’s glow.
He even smells like sunshine, I realize as I tilt my head and give him an arch look. “What did I tell you about calling me Katie, Cookie ?”
He thinks about it for a moment, then gives an amused bark. “You used to complain that it made you sound like a preppy cheerleader.”
“Exactly. And I was never part of your fan club, remember?”
“I remember.” He sits on the edge of the desk, his eyes holding mine. “But I was always part of yours, even if I didn’t show it very well.”
“Mmm.” I look away from the intensity in his gaze, feeling my cheeks grow warm.
Talking about college has dredged up too many memories – both the good and the bad - and I need to refocus this discussion back on my future.
“So, what happens now? I’m not saying I’ll do it, but I’m prepared to think about it some more. ”
“I can give you an information pack to look through. If you have any questions, we can meet up again and discuss.” He takes a manila envelope from the desk behind him and clips something to the front. “That’s my business card, but my personal number is on there, too.”
I take the package and after an awkward moment, I stick out my hand. It feels silly and formal, but Lachlan looks absurdly pleased as he engulfs it in his. “I’ll read through it and get back to you.”
I head to the door, and I can feel his gaze on my back the whole way. As I turn the knob, he says, “Just so you know, Katie, if you go ahead with this, I expect there will be a lot of interest in your heat.”
I look at him in confusion. When I got my test results, I thought of my final heat as a last straw, but Lachlan sounds almost wistful. “Really? Why?”
Color darkens his tanned cheeks, and he shakes his head, like he’s not quite sure how we ended up here either. “Like I said, you deserve the best, Katie. I just hope I can help you get it this time.”