Page 38 of Dark Goodbye

“Have you ever had any of your omegas go into heat that you didn’t want rutting with an Alpha?”

Her eyes narrow for a moment as if in thought. “A few. They begged me to not allow an Alpha to mark them. They were terrified of their heats.”

“Besides suppressants, how did you assist them? Did a beta see to their needs?”

She chuckles for a moment before sobering. “You should know as well as I do that a beta cannot assist an omega in heat. Not really. What are you trying not to say?”

“An omega has come to my clinic with the express purpose of me seeing her through her heat. I have no desire to do so. As a Healer, however, I also do not wish for her to suffer.”

“Is there something keeping you from satisfying her?” When Lady Marlana’s gaze drifts to my crotch, a thread of irritation winds around my spine.

“I can assure you that I’m fully capable.”

“Do you prefer the company of other men? Do you like them to dominate you perhaps?”

“Madam,” I grind out, my fingers digging into the arms of the chair. “I just do not wish to physically pleasure this woman. It has nothing to do with my proclivities or prowess.”

“Ahhh. I see now.” With a smirk, she leans toward me and winks. “Are congratulations in order?”

“Again, that is none of your concern.” My heart races as she dances perilously close to the truth.

With a knowing grin, she stands up and brushes her hands against her thighs. “I have something that may be of use to you. Please wait here.”

Time ticks by in incriminates that are far too slow for me. I drum my fingers against the polished wood and continue to glance at my communicator for the time. Only a handful of minutes have passed, but it still feels like forever.

Soon, Lady Marlana enters, an odd piece of machinery in her hands. As she sets it down and opens it up, it becomes all too apparent what it is. On one end is a motor, and on the other end is a large phallus.

“This machine is custom-made for my omegas. Once you set it up like this, it will start pumping out a pheromone into the space to lure them in. It pistons in and out, and when the omega’s pussy starts to clamp down, the knot back here will expand. There is also a container with synthetic cum so that they get the full experience of being inseminated.”

“Thank you. I will return it when she’s done.”

“Not so fast. I do a favor for you, and you must do one for me.”

Gods. Here it comes. “This is the part where I sell my soul. Correct?”

“Nothing so dramatic. I just want an invitation to the mating ceremony when you have one.”

“If there ever is such a ceremony, you will be first in line to observe.”

When she beams at me, I stifle the urge to roll my eyes. I still have to get this machine out of here unnoticed and back to the hospital. I don’t have the brain space to spar with a woman that’s so convinced she’s right. Nodding once more, I push the pieces back together and tuck it under my arm.

The rest of the club seems still as I duck back out into the hall. Too still. Positioning the machine under my lab coat, I walk back out into the bright sun and set it inside my transport. There, in the safety of my cockpit, I pull the respirators out and set them to the side.

I slip my fingers into my pocket once more and grab the scrap of cotton, bringing it out into the harsh light. Looking back and forth, I scan the area to make sure I have the privacy I need for such an intimate act before bringing it up to my nose and breathing deeply.

Ladria’s scent is not strong enough to send me into a rut, but it’s certainly enough to ground me.

CHAPTER 16

Ladria

The days begin to blend together. Every morning when he leaves for work, I find myself waiting for him. Counting down the hours till he returns, wondering what’s happening on the outside that I’m missing by being stuck in this stupid room.

And when he’s home, it’s all I can do to resist him, knowing that as soon as I have the opportunity, I will run. Because the most dangerous part of this monotonous routine, the part that is beginning to frighten me, is that I’m so desperately wanting to stay. It undermines every plan I put in place, every desire I had before becoming Davix’s prisoner.

The water from the shower pricks my ears, along with the quiet hum of the razors, adding yet another layer of sadness and desperation. It’s grooming day. Twice a week, Davix shaves me, and twice a week, Mogen prepares the room for his arrival.

Six fucking grooming days. The fact that I’m even measuring time this way astounds me. For three weeks I’ve been here, chained to this headboard, as I stare at the growing piles of his clothes at the foot of the bed.