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"Now, I'll open the floor for audience members to speak up. Anyone have questions?"
Numerous hands were raised. One was the alpha sitting in the front row, wearing a sly smile. The twinkle in his gaze was mischievous, daring, and it kind of pissed Elias off. With a quick motion, he pushed back his suit coat and slipped his hand into his pocket, finding solace in the familiar texture of his prescription bottle. The preheat symptoms caused his cheeks to flush and stomach to do wild flips.
Not the alpha.
In his effort to validate it to himself, Elias entertained his question. A woman on the floor gave him a microphone so the entire crowd could hear.
"What is the percentage chance of an omega contracting dangerous side effects like internal bleeding or pheromone withdrawal when using this drug?"
Elias knew the answer, so his shoulders relaxed. "If used correctly without excessive doses, point three percent. However, the probability of complications increases the longer an omega is on any suppressant medication, not just Deaton Medical's newest prescription."
Several people in the crowd nodded along to his explanation, but the alpha didn't seem convinced, refusing to return the microphone.
"And how about minor side effects like dry mouth or decreased sex drive?"
Elias narrowed his eyes. "One in ten omegas are at risk for any of the minor side effects of this drug. As far as decreased sex drive is concerned, that is the primary benefit of the drug, is it not? Omegas take suppressants during heat cycles when they are unbonded in order to live a normal life."
The woman tried to take the microphone again, but the alpha towered over her five-foot frame and kept it out of reach, tilting his head, blond hair falling into his eyes.
"What about those who take them daily in order to reduce the risk of attracting alphas due to unusually high production from scent glands?"
Elias' blood froze. Is there a chance that this man knows? No, not possible. August, his boss and head researcher at Deaton Medical, didn't even know he'd been using it as often as possible to reduce his scent. It was against code for those within the company to use any medication without being a part of the trial. It'd been the one and only illegal thing Elias had ever done, but over-the-counter suppressants were no longer effective in treating his condition.
Elias fixed his tie while clearing his throat to remain calm. This wasn't an attack on him. No one knew about his condition except for a select few close companions. It wasn't a matter of public record. He was safe.
Are you really? His inner voice whispered, curling around his mind like wispy black smoke.
Elias straightened, refusing to let his own thoughts bully him. "If patients decide to take extreme doses against medical advice, then the consequences associated with that choice are on their shoulders. However, it would take months of overdosing to cause problems, and warning signs would include but are not limited to swollen lymph nodes, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain from liver damage, and frequent migraines. If caught early, it is reversible. Now, please pass the mic on to a new participant."
The alpha looked him up and down, releasing a powerful wave of pheromones. Elias noticed the man was pleased, but his scent, laced with something dark and musky, made his omega squirm.
Shit. Time to escape.
People streamed out of the lecture hall in droves, and Elias stood by the doors, shaking hands with those who wished to stop and comment on the presentation. Most were elderly, high-profile individuals who'd been backers of Deaton Medical for years. He paid extra attention to them while flashing a warm, comforting smile.
Elias' expertise as the CFO lay in finding and securing funding through presentations. It was the reason he could go toe-to-toe with that alpha earlier, despite the momentary hesitation.
"Thank you so much for attending, Mrs. Delton," he said, squeezing her withered hands between his. "It means the world to omegas like us everywhere that you've agreed to renew your yearly donation toward medical research."
She smiled, gleaming white dentures catching the light of the hall. "Of course, Mr. Velcore. It is a privilege to contribute to the growth and aid of Mr. Deaton. He's a great man with many talents."
A swell of pride swooped through Elias' chest at the praise, even though it wasn't for him. No medical researcher was more renowned than August. Every thought that went through his head was worthwhile and spelled innovation.It was an honor to work with him and for him.More than that, it was an honor to be his friend.
"Have a safe trip back home, okay? Ask your driver to stop for some sweet tea. I know you love it."
The older woman tittered, playfully smacking him across the chest before hobbling away. She was the last person to leave, so Elias watched her go before turning back toward the hall to gather his things… only to smack face first into a hard chest.
"Oof!" he exclaimed, stumbling back and rubbing his nose. "Sorry about that."
"No worries," the man replied, steadying Elias by gripping his shoulders.
He apologized without thinking, but immediately wished he hadn't. The same man from earlier stood there, shocking electric blue eyes searing his soul. All the hair along his arms rose, goosebumps roaring down the skin. Elias' slowly awakening urges screamed at him to mount the guy like a tree and ask questions later. With a gentle frown, he resisted.
"Can I help you?" He asked, stepping around the alpha to walk back into the hall.
It was impossible not to feel the man following along behind him. A warmth pulsed in his abdomen, causing Elias to run his sweaty palms down the front of his slacks, feeling the fabric cling to his skin. On a strictly genetic level, the prospect of a mate excited his omega. His scent would overpower the room if he wasn't on the strongest suppressant ever created.
His conscious mind, however? The amount of red tape blocking that bad boy was exceptional. No one was getting in there without a permit.
