Charlie tilts his head, his deep brown eyes sparkling. “Because they’re shortsighted. Because most of them don’t understand what makes a good mate.” He gives a small smile. “And because they haven’t met someone like you to knock some sense into them.”
His compliment makes my stomach swoosh, and I duck my head, too overwhelmed to reply.
Charlie nudges the saw plug into a nearby outlet, then glances back at me. “Alright,” he says, exaggerating his smile. “How about we get that cast off?”
I wrap my arms around the cast like a shield. “I don’t want to,” I admit.
“I know.” He pulls a stool right in front of me and sits. His voice drops to a whisper. “But I’ll be here the wholetime, okay? You trust me, right?”
I nod. I do. More than anyone.
Charlie begins setting up, pulling a trashcan near and wiping down the blade.
“I had a friend—at the academy,” I blurt out, trying to distract myself. “He was a male omega. He was kind. Loving. He would’ve made the perfect mate.”
Charlie smiles, gaze warm as he smooths a paper sheet over my lap. “Then the world missed out. Sounds like someone any pack would be lucky to have.”
I smile a little.
“Okay.” He picks up the saw again. “Ready?”
“No,” I whisper. “But do it anyway.”
He pauses, then takes my uninjured hand in his. “I’ll go slow. You can squeeze my arm if it helps.”
Looking into his eyes, I nod as he positions the blade. I try not to look. My eyes drift to his arms—strong and capable—and to the tension in his jaw as he focuses. I feel safe, even if I’m terrified.
“Mrs. Danner said that Angelica is coming,” I say, before he can turn on the saw. “Is she taking me to the market?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear it from Charlie.
The beta stares at my cast as he sighs hard. “Yes,” he admits, his voice thick. “She is.”
I look at him—his warm brown eyes and soft wavy hair. “Will I ever see you again?”
His face falls, pain flickering behind his warm eyes. “Honestly?”
“Please,” I whisper. “Tell me the truth.”
Charlie looks at the floor for a long moment before his eyes meet mine again. “This is probably the last time we’ll see each other.”
Something inside me breaks.
It’s like I’m losing everything good in my life all over again.
“It’s okay, omega.” Charlie reaches for my hand again, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “I’ll remember you, Autry. I’ll think about you every chance I get.” His voice goes even softer. “You made these last two months more bearable than they had any right to be.”
My throat closes, but I nod, squeezing his hand.
“I wish I could take you away from all this,” he adds. “I wish things were different.”
So do I.
But all I can say is, “Me too.”
And as the saw hums to life and Charlie begins cutting away the cast, I hold tight to the only thing I can—him.
Even if it’s just for one more moment.
The Exam Room
