15. In the Infirmary

Demi

"But if Ididn't know any better, I'd swear you were a late presenting omega." Johns looked right at me. His own confusion mirrored mine. It made me want to scream. "But" the healer pulled in a deep breath, "I've never met one as old as you."

The urge to laugh in his face flared up, then quickly died, replaced by deep annoyance. "I am not an omega, and I am not old," I snapped. "Thirty is still young."

"It is for a beta," Johns motioned himself then to Max, "or an alpha. But for an omega, it's?—"

"I'm not an omega!" I yelled, rage building in my gut. Why wasn't anyone listening to me?

"What else could it be?" Florence asked Johns, squeezing my shoulder over and over again. He was trying to calm me, but it was no use. I was far too upset.

I wanted to go home and snuggle up in my bed. I needed to feel my soft lavender blanket pressed up against my bare skin, and not this horrid nightgown. It scratched and tugged, making me feel as if my skin might rip at any moment.

"Omegas don't live past twenty-five without a mate," Max said, seemingly unaware of the chaos building inside me. "Demi couldn't possibly be an omega. She wouldn"t have survived this long." I wanted to kiss his beautiful face.

"Exactly," I snarled, pulling at the neckline. I fucking hated this nightgown.

"You are right on that." Johns crossed his arms, looking at me with the most perplexed expression. "But it's the only thing that makes sense."

"I'm done with this," I gritted out, flinging the blanket off of me. "I'm a beta. I don't produce slick or nest or submit to alphas against my will. I have the flu." I scooted toward the edge of the bed, but Max grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

"Demi," Max said my name with so much tension. It was clear that he thought what he was about to say would upset me. "You do get very wet," he finally said as softly as he could.

Florence immediately cleared his throat, turning his head as if examining the room. I knew Max didn't want him to overhear, but there was no helping it. They were all crowded around the cot, staring down at me like I was some kind of freak.

Embarrassment burned my face, and I ducked my head. "I don't get that wet," I mumbled, trying to ignore the puddle of arousal between my legs.

"You do," Max said gently, clearly not wanting to upset me. His eyes were so soft around the edges, giving me the saddest look. "And you created a nest around me not even an hour ago."

"That wasn't…" Frustrated tears stung the back of my eyes as I struggled to find my words. "I wasn't making a nest." I sucked in a deep breath, but it did nothing to soothe me. "I have the flu. That's all."

"What does she need to do?" Florence asked. I could tell from his tone of voice that he didn"t believe me either.

"Have her drink lots of water," Johns said as he moved to a large wooden cabinet. "Plenty of rest. No walking about the village, or stressful conversations." He shifted a few glass bottles. Each one was filled with different colored potions. "This will help with the fever." He held up a bottle of yellow liquid. "It can make a grown alpha sleep for a full day or so, but given Demi's size and weakened state, I wouldn't be surprised if she slept for a couple of days." He placed the medicine in Max's hand.

I stared at it, praying it would knock me out, and when I woke I'd be back to normal. No more discussions of omegas or nests or slick.

"Anything else?" Max removed the cork, then brought the bottle to my lips. "Drink, sweet girl." I did as he asked, opening my mouth and tipping my head back. It tasted earthy with an intense bitterness that lingered on the back of my tongue.

Johns plopped back down onto his stool, turning his attention on me. "You need to really consider your options." He looked at me with deep concern etched around his eyes. "If you are transitioning into an omega, you need to consider taking a mate, and soon. At your age, I worry about your survival."

"I'm not an omega," I said, sniffling hard.

"I'll make sure she gets home." Florence squeezed my shoulder again. The small gesture eased a bit of the tension in my chest.

"Okay." Johns nodded, before looking up at Max. "I'd like to see her in a few days during the full Moon. I want to see her transition. Maybe run a few tests." He went on and on, discussing the tests he wanted to perform, but I couldn't focus on his words. My wolf was too nervous. She didn't want to be judged yet again for failing to shift.

Was I really an omega? Could that be why my wolf never wanted to shift?

No. I refused to believe it.

Johns was wrong. I had the flu and nothing more.

"I want to go home," I said, unable to take another second of being here. Everything hurt—my skin, my eyes, my nerves. "Please. I want to go home."

"Let's go." Florence slipped his hand under my elbow, helping me up.

Once my feet came in contact with the floor, I swayed, suddenly feeling very weak.

"I've got her." Max bent down, placing one arm behind my knees and the other at my back. In one gentle movement, he lifted me as if I weighed nothing. "Thank you, Johns." He nodded at the beta. "We'll see you in a few days."

We walked in silence back to the cottage. Max purred for me, while Florence kept pace at his side.

The sun was already starting to rise. The night sky was fading, replaced by soft gray light. Soon it would be orange and pink, the whole village waking up just like they did yesterday. And the day before that. And the day before that. But nothing would ever be the same for me.

If I was really an omega, then my whole life as I knew it was over.

"Thank you so much for your help, Alpha Max." Florence pushed open my bedroom door.

"I'd like to stay." Max laid me in the center of my bed.

My body melted against the lavender blanket, happy to finally be home. That yellow potion was working hard, making my eyelids heavy and my mind fuzzy.

"If you're okay with it," Max turned to Florence, "I'd like to keep watch over her."

I wanted to snarl at both men, reminding them that I wasn't a child. I could handle myself while they were at work, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth. My wolf kept my lips pressed tight, refusing to let me get rid of Max. She needed him close.

In fact, she wanted him wrapped around me, nuzzling my hair as I slept.

"It's probably a good idea for one of us to be here with her." Florence draped a small throw over my middle. The fabric was rough. Scratchy. But I didn't have the strength to push it off. "I need to check on the Luna, but I'll bring you both something to eat at midday."

They exchanged a few more pleasant words, as my eyes drifted shut. I felt so safe in my little cottage with Max at my side and Florence not far away.

Nothing bad would happen to me as long as they were near.

And then all at once, everything fell away, and sleep took me.