Page 52 of Examining the Bond

“Riann…” she says, but I can barely hear her over the rush of blood in my ears.

I close my eyes, trying to get control of my breathing, but my hands start to shake. I ball them into fists to try to keep them from trembling, but it’s no use. My nerves are quickly spiraling, and I’m helpless to stop it.

My head spins, my stomach churns, and the only thing I can focus on is not passing out and falling off the table.

Skylar says something else—possibly my name—but I can’t hear her over my quickened breaths.

Cold numbness rolls through me, starting in my chest and creeping outward to my fingers and toes. I squeeze my eyes closed as everything fades away. The research center, the exam room, Skylar… they all dissolve to nothing as I’m swallowed by a rush of panic.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

SKYLAR

Despite my alpha instincts being smothered by the legal limit of rut suppressants—I took two more pills this morning just to be safe—the pain in Riann’s expression twists my chest into a knot. The urge to comfort her is still there, buried under the drug-induced haze.

It’s like a neutral filter has been pulled over the world, mellowing me out, making it almost impossible to feel my alpha instincts, but it’s better this way. We need to discuss the test results, and that’s not possible if I jump on her as soon as she walks through the door.

“I know it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s not the worst thing in the world,” I try to assure her, still careful to keep my distance. If I get too close, I’m worried I might slip up and instigate a repeat of the other day, even with the suppressants.

“This says I can choose,” she says, gripping the paper so hard it crumples. Her eyes are still closed as she takes several deep breaths, her scent spilling into the room as her emotions spike. “I’m choosing. I want to be an omega.”

“It’s not that simple?—”

“All I need is a claiming bite.” Her eyes snap open to glare at me, brimming with tears. The alarm in her voice has me seconds away from gathering her in my arms and wrapping myself around her. Consequences be damned. I can’t watch her hurt like this. “Skylar,please, is that all I have to do? I have to fix it…”

Her words come out broken as her breaths quicken. Just as a sob shakes her chest, I leap off the stool and cross the room, slotting myself between her legs to wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest. She trembles in my arms, gasping, and I squeeze her tighter. Even drugged to hell, my alpha instincts take over, and a purr rumbles deep in my chest.

“You’re okay,” I say, my voice low. “I’ve got you, Riann.”

Fuck!This isn’t how the appointment was supposed to go.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles against me, and I run a hand affectionately over her back, fighting to keep it from wandering.

She needs comfort, not an orgasm,I scold myself. Even buried under so many suppressants, my instincts are still fighting for control.

“Don’t be sorry for how you feel,” I say, my lips dipping to brush the shell of her ear. I just can’t fucking help myself being this close. “It’s a lot to take in, I know.”

She nuzzles her face against my shirt, breathing me in, and I let her. She stops shaking, which is a good sign, but I won’t move until she assures me she’s okay.

And even then I might stay planted firmly between her legs.

“Is that… your distance?” she mutters into my chest, but I can’t parse all the words.

I shift back and hook a finger beneath her chin, tilting her face up. Her makeup is tear-streaked, though her red lips are as perfect as ever.

“Try that again,” I say, forcing a smirk that doesn’t feel real because of the suppressants.

She sighs, her shoulders sagging. “Is that why you were keeping your distance? Because of the results? Because I’m… not an omega?”

“What? No.” I shake my head firmly without breaking eye contact. “I’m trying to be respectful, preciosa. This is a lot to process, and it’ll be even harder if I’m bending you over this table.”

A tiny gasp escapes her lips, her eyes widening.

“I don’t know, that sounds pretty respectful to me.” The sarcasm in her tone is evident, and I’m halfway tempted to flip her over to prove my point.

There’s a pause as we watch one another, the air between us growing thicker.

“Are you okay?” I ask, breaking the silence before we get any ideas, even though I'm trailing a finger along her jaw.