42. MACON

MACON

I had hoped that the start of this heat would be a pleasurable one, that Savin would at least be able to enjoy himself for a little while before the pain took over. Not only is that not the case but his words killed a little part of me. Feeling him slowly fall apart during the interview was terrifying but he kept pressing against my hand, silently telling me to let Camila finish.

I hated every fucking moment of that.

Savin is breaking my heart and I’m not sure how much longer I can stand watching him in pain, especially when he whispered that he was tired. Does my Omega not want to fight anymore or does he need more from me? From us?

I escape down the hall, needing a minute to weather my emotions. Savin will feel every bit through the bond and he doesn’t need my sympathy or my tears. He needs my comfort and protection. He needs me to tell him that everything will be okay. Maybe it’s a coward’s move standing out here as I try to gather myself and fail, quickly dialing Bailey. I need reassurance that Savin will be alright.

“How is he?” Bailey immediately asks after the dial tone ends. Knowing that this isn’t a social call and that I would only be calling for an emergency this late, she doesn’t beat around the bush.

“It’s worse than it’s ever been. He passed out and he’s on the cusp of another heat.” The heat flares aren’t out of the ordinary. The only good thing is that these flares last for less than three days and they’re usually highly predictable based on how much stress his body goes through. I clutch the phone in my hand, staring down the hallway, unsure how to help my mates. Goddess, I am not prepared for this shit.

“I’m assuming his other mate is there? Good. That will definitely ease some of his pain, however, you know this but as stress mounts, so do his symptoms. You’re a good man, Mac but we’ve both known that this isn’t going to be easy. An Omega’s biology will cater to that of his Alpha. He will unconsciously try to appease you so not only is he dealing with his stress but he’s dealing with yours and from what I’ve seen in the media? All three of you are going through an immeasurable amount.”

I hadn’t thought of it like that. Whilst trying to protect my home and my family, I somehow missed the part where my mate bond with Savin was a channel that went both ways. Every single moment he’s felt my hurt and fear and anger. He’s been weathering pieces of my emotions even if he hasn’t noticed.

“I fucked up. He even alluded to the fact that he’s dying.” I grit my teeth and clench my free hand at my side, trying to swallow down my anger.

“Mac, no. This is an impossible situation for you. You can’t physically ease his pain and you feel helpless. You’re not the only one. But,” Bailey lets out a deep breath before continuing. “he’s not dying. It might feel like it—his biology is warring with itself but he’s not dying. There’s one thing we could try. It’s an experimental drug not usually used for-”

“Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”

“Because I wasn’t at liberty to. I also wasn’t going to mention it if Savin didn’t need it. Macon, this is one of those last resorts and I didn’t want to offer Savin something if any of the other prescriptions worked in some way. Now that they aren’t and Savin is getting worse? I’m at liberty to offer it.”

I’m desperate enough to try anything at this point so I readily agree.

“It’ll help neutralize some of the hormones in his body but occasionally it takes away aspects known to an Omega’s biology. Less heats, muted scent, and… he’ll most likely be infertile.” Bailey knows how much we’ve wanted children. She has no idea about the babies but that’s hardly what I’m focused on right now.

“The pain could go away? Bailey, that’s all I care about. You don’t see how much pain he is in every day, how he tries to hide it from me. He might feel my emotions but goddess, I feel his pain. And I can’t fucking do anything about it. If there’s a drug out there that might help? Bailey, I need it. I’ll speak to Savin when he wakes up to figure out what he wants but…” I trail off, not sure what to say next for Bailey to understand how much this could change our lives.

I love Savin regardless of if this works or not but to see him go through a day without clenching his teeth or having to pause to take a breath? I want that. I want a future that includes a painless existence.

“Mac, this isn’t a miracle drug. It’s an injection that has to be taken regularly to work and you might not see results right away. As an experimental drug, it’s also highly likely to see negative side effects that may outweigh the pros. I’ll order a prescription and get it sent to the nearest pharmacy that has it in stock. We’ll try a two-week dose and go from there. I shouldn’t even be doing this but I’ve known you too long to see you all continually suffer. There, ordered. You’ll get a confirmation when it’s ready.”

Opting in for pharmacy delivery is a godsend because I don’t want to leave my mates for a second. Bailey has sent me a list of directions on how to use the new medication— Ometreotide, including what to eat with it, symptoms to watch for, and that he should be sent to the emergency room if he passes out again. The worst part is that if it works, it”s a lifelong medication. The effects we”re trying to curb will come back in full force if the medication lapses. It truly is a last resort—especially since Ometreotide is usually used in gene therapy, not for whatever complications Savin has.

I’ve checked in on them several times, Ellie looking up at me with tears in her eyes. She’s terrified—that’s easy to see but she’s taking such great care of Savin that I merely enter to kiss her forehead. Ellie leans into my touch, both of us needing the reminder that we have each other.

“I texted my sister,” Ellie says sleepily. “I… she’s everything to me and I needed…”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“She’s on her way. With food. She also said she wanted to talk to you.”

I raise an eyebrow, confused, and then smile. Ellie is returning the same favor. I brought Camila into this house to ease Ellie’s worries and now she’s offering her sister as comfort, comfort from another Alpha who can understand. What I ever did to deserve these precious individuals, I have no idea. “Rest a little longer and if you’re up for it, then we can talk.” My gaze falls on Savin who relaxes a little when I caress his cheek, the Omega mouthing ‘Alpha’.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I assume that’s the delivery I’ve been waiting for.

It is in fact the delivery and then Carleen walking up behind the poor boy with a worried expression plastered on her face and a bag of food that looks like it could feed an army. “You look like shit, Macon and I’m not saying that lightly,” she says as she steps inside and heads straight to the kitchen. The bag is placed on the counter and then she turns to me, her expression much softer than her words. “How are you holding up?”

I’m taken aback by her question because I know Ellie would have clued her in on what’s going on. That she would ask about me rather than her sister or Savin confuses me. “They’re fine right now. I was going to bring them some food and-”

Carleen snorts, shaking her head. “Macon, hold on a minute. I know how they are. Ellie has been giving me a play-by-play. She’s suffering just as Savin is but in a different way. I didn’t ask how they were, though. I want to know about you. There are three of you in this relationship and you’re family now. So, yes, I want to know about you. Us Alphas are told that we can’t break down, that our fierce exteriors are the only thing allowed in public. But guess what? We’re human too. We have emotions. We laugh. We cry. We hurt. Now, how are you?”

“Could be better. It hurts watching Savin, even more because I can’t do anything. I’m hoping that a few things I’m about to try will help.” I manage a small smile beneath her fierce stare. Her and Ellie truly are peas in a pod.

“That’s all I can ask for. You need someone to talk to, you’ve gained yourself a sister. I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t be here with Savin in heat so I’m going to leave. Make sure they eat and that you do as well. Your health is just as important as theirs, both body and mind.” She steps up to me and pats my chest. “I’m just a phone call away if you need it.”

“Why are you so-”

“Because as cheesy as it sounds, family doesn’t get left behind. Ellie isn’t just my sister. She’s one of my best friends, which makes her mates family. My parents would do the same if Ellie was ready to tell them about this. She will be, soon. However, I’ll be at her side regardless of what happens.” Carleen leaves me with those words, giving me a new insight into the way I perceive myself fitting in with my pack.

Trying to be strong all the time hasn’t helped us. Between Bailey and Carleen, I’ve definitely been given a new way to think about things.

I dig into the bag left on the counter, smiling at the cucumber sandwiches on one side, ham and roast beef on the other, and a few pints of that god-awful ice cream that Savin and Ellie enjoy. I make sure to hide them deep in the freezer before grabbing a few sandwiches and the new medicine, before marching down the hall to my mates.

I don’t expect to find Savin sitting up, an ice pack pressed against his stomach, an arm curled around Ellie’s shoulders as he sups from her lips. She’s wrapped up in a heavy blanket, resting against his side, her eyes closed as she lets Savin take what he needs. My presence steals their attention, both of them mumbling ‘Alpha’ as I strip down to my boxers and sit across from them.

Ellie sits up a little more, Savin leaning forward slightly. He sways a little and then settles, his skin a warmer tone than it had been when I brought him in here. “Let’s get some food in you and then more sleep. You both look like you could use it.”

Ellie frowns, staring at the sandwiches in my hands. “Did my sister say anything to you?”

“Exactly what I need to hear. Now-”

“You wanted to talk,” she cuts me off as she reaches for the breaded cucumber delight. “We’re both awake and continuing to put it off is only going to make all this more difficult to navigate.” Ellie chews slowly, waiting for Savin to agree with her, which he does. I wasn’t expecting them to be so awake.

Savin pats my leg softly, the tremble of his hand more than noticeable. “Anything not to focus on the pain. Hand me a sandwich, please.”

I do as he asks, waiting until he finishes at least half before speaking again. “I have something that might help, Savin but I want to bring this to both of you.” I slowly unveil the small box with the four injections, meeting Savin’s gaze. “I called Bailey and she mentioned a new prescription that might help.”

My Omega stares at it for several seconds. “The pain? It would… the pain would go away?” The bout of happiness that spreads across his features worries me. Bailey said it wasn’t a miracle drug but goddess I need it to be.