Afterwards, when whatever fire in his blood had cooled, and he lay in my arms, we talked more.
“This is enough for me,” I murmured. His head was on my chest, right above my heart. “You know that.”
Gabriel pressed a kiss to my skin. “Yes. We are enough. But maybe, with the right person, we could be more.” Love pulsed down the bond.
We had only met three times, but my parents had always said, “When you know, you know.” That was even more true for Alphas. When a scent hit you like Bridget’s had hit me, you couldn’t ignore it for long, no matter how hard you tried. I’d tried to ignore Gabriel’s, tried to keep things professional, but it was a losing battle. The biological draw of an Omega was even stronger.
I’d seen that draw firsthand. Even with their issues, my parents’ connection was as strong as ever. Or it had been the last time I’d seen them.
And now, suddenly, I imagined my future with Gabriel, Bridget, and me as a pack. The three of us as a little family. Gabriel and Bridget cheering me on at Wimbledon. Listening to Bridget talk about her latest research and having it all go over my head. Helping Gabriel finally start his own private security firm, which he’d been putting off for years. It was crazy, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“Obviously, it’s ultimately up to her.” I needed to rein myself in.
“Of course,” Gabriel murmured sleepily. “But how could she say no to us when we are both so handsome and charming? Now let me sleep, amore.”
The appointment immediately got off on the wrong foot. Dr. Davis apologized for missing me last time and administered the shot after a nurse took another blood sample. I just wanted him to shut up and leave the room, but I forced myself to engage in small talk about the gala and how much money I’d helped raise.
“And man, I’m so sorry about that crazed woman showing up in your room,” he said. “We’ve had a stern talk with the security team about not letting people up unless they have appointments.”
He didn’t mention it was Bridget’s mother, so neither did I. When Gabriel had confirmed it by talking to the clinic staff on our way out that day, I’d wanted nothing more than to go back upstairs and take her somewhere safe. What could have happened to make her so terrified of her own parent?
“No worries,” I said. “Gabriel handled it.”
He gave Gabriel a wary smile. He could probably tell Gabriel had no patience for him.
Patrick slapped his thighs and stood up. “Well, alright, we’ll see you in two weeks for another blood draw.”
“Wait. Aren’t the researchers going to come in and… talk?”
Patrick frowned. “Do you still have questions for them?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
“I have questions,” Gabriel said, sensing my floundering in the bond. “He is hurting again, and I want to know why.”
“I’m more qualified to speak on medical issues,” Patrick said. He crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back and forth on his heels. “Do you want me to order a scan? It could be the scar tissue solidifying again.”
Gabriel waved a hand. “You can order a scan, but we want to meet with the researchers again. Or is that too much to ask when we have just given you another one hundredthousanddollars?”
Patrick scowled. “Of course, it’s our pleasure.” He slammed the door on his way out.
“Stop mentioning the money. It’s tacky,” I hissed.
“Tacky? Sei fuori… You are crazy to be calling me tacky.” He was sitting in a chair this time, rather than the windowsill.
A knock on the door broke off our argument. “Come in,” I called.
Bridget entered, looking as delicately beautiful as she had in the ballroom, even while wearing a lab coat. I smiled before I could stop myself.
The other researcher stomped in behind her. When he looked at me, my inner Alpha went on alert. Descenters dampened his pheromones, but he still radiated hostility.
Gabriel had warned me he might have a crush on Bridget, and this seemed to confirm it. Or maybe he just really hated tennis.
“I understand you have questions for us?” The Alpha said. His voice was dangerously polite.
“What was your name again?” I asked, unable to resist needling him.
“Dr. Manalo,” he replied. The polite mask stayed intact.
